Write My Query
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Trying to Write for Everyone
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake writers make is trying to write for everyone.
9 Tips on Writing Query Letters to Publishers and Literary Agents
In this post, find 9 tips on writing query letters to publishers and literary agents from publishing professionals that will improve your chances of publishing success.
Can Writers Query Multiple Agents at Once?
Can you query multiple agents at once? Do the query letters need to be personalized? Does it make sense to pitch one literary agent at a time?
Psst: Novelists – Steal These Screenwriting Secrets! Part 3 Query Letters
In part 3 of "steal these screenwriting secrets," we delve into marketing and query letters. In other words, these are screenwriting secrets to steal after you write and specifically related to crafting killer query letters.
How to Write Successful Queries for Any Genre of Writing
Learn how to write successful queries for any genre of writing. In this post, we look at what elements go into a query letter and 39 real examples of query letters that have worked for writers with commentary from their agents.
Thinking Outside the Books: Write Your Query Letter First
If you’re feeling frustrated by the querying process, Scott Wilson suggests writing your query BEFORE writing your book.
When Personal Isn’t Good Enough: Just Keep The Rejection Letters Coming
Rachel Howzell Hall writes about how she coped with rejection while battling cancer—and ultimately found a publisher for her critically acclaimed Detective Elouise Norton series.
Taming the Synopsis: 4 Steps for Perfecting One-Page and Long-Form Synopses
When approached one step at a time, the dreaded synopsis can become a trusted companion on your publishing journey. Ammi-Joan Paquette explains how to write a synopsis for any novel.
How to Sell an Essay or Article: 21 Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter
Wondering how to sell an essay? Writing a cover letter that's short and perfect to introduce your pages will sell a piece faster than submitting an excellent article or essay with an uninspired note.
Pitching Articles: 5 Tips for a Successful Freelance Writing Pitch
If you want to make a living writing for your favorite publications, you need to perfect your freelance writing pitch. Here are a few things to keep in mind when pitching articles for magazines, newspapers and the web.
Successful Query: Jennieke Cohen & Agent Jennifer Unter
Debut author Jennieke Cohen shares the query letter for Dangerous Alliance that landed her an agent. Jennifer Unter shares her commentary on the query letter.
Magazine Query Letter: What Should You Include
When writing a magazine query letter how much info should you include about your idea (and what else should you include)? Here's the scoop.
Freelance Writing: How to Track Magazine Query Letters (& Follow Ups)
For a freelance writer who doesn’t have a query tracking system—or has the organizational skills of a bowling ball, like me—here is a simple spreadsheet to help you keep track.
How Long Until You Can Follow Up on Magazine Query Letters?
Here's what you need to know when considering how long to wait before following up with a magazine editor.
Successful Query: Agent Adriann Ranta and "Sad Perfect"
The 76th installment in this series is with agent Adriann Ranta (Foundry Literary) for Stephanie Elliot's young adult novel Sad Perfect (Feb. 2017, Margaret Ferguson).
How to Query an Agent When Writing a Trilogy (or Series)
When you are writing a book series and you're ready to query an agent, do you just pitch the first book or do you pitch the whole series? We have the answer here.
How to Write the Perfect Query Letter
A literary agent shares a real-life novel pitch that ultimately led to a book deal—and shows you how to query your own work with success.
When Should You Send Holiday-Themed Queries?
Magazines are always looking for holiday-themed articles. But if you pitch your idea too late, you won't get it published. Here's what you need to know when querying magazine editors your holiday-themed articles.
Should You Include Word Counts in a Magazine Query?
When you query a magazine editor, should you propose a word count for the article or let the editor decide? Here's what editors want you to do.
The 12 Steps of Queryers Anonymous
BY AYA DE LEON Querying have you down? Know that you're not alone. Follow these steps to help you get through the emotionally exciting (yet tough) process of querying agents.
Successful Queries: Agent Julia Kenny and "Sure Signs of Crazy"
The best way to learn how to write a successful query is to read one. In this installment of Successful Queries, agent Julia Kenny (Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary) breaks down the query for Karen Harrington’s debut middle-grade novel, Sure Signs of Crazy (Little Brown Books for Young Readers) which received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist and School Library Journal.
Answers to 14 Questions You're Too Afraid to Ask Literary Agents
Do agencies really read every query letter? Do agents ever go through the slush pile? Get answers to what you’ve always wanted to know but have been afraid to ask, thanks to this leading literary agent who is willing to give it to you straight.
The 10 Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Query Letter
Learning how to write a must-read query letter is important. Stick to these 10 specific dos and don'ts of writing a query letter to land an agent and find success with your writing and publishing goals.
Successful Queries: Agent Roseanne Wells and "Dumbemployed"
The best way to learn how to write a successful query is to read one. In this installment, agent Roseanne Wells (Marianne Strong Literary Agency) shares feedback on a query by her authors, Phil Edwards and Matt Kraft, for their book, Dumbemployed (Running Press).