Resources + Query Tips

Oh, why hello there, querying writers.

I get it. The querying process can be unnerving. It's hard to figure out how to write that perfect query letter, and there is a lot of contrasting advice out there. Some of us like comparative titles, some agents don't care about them. Some agents want a brief bio, others don't.

Just remember... it's all subjective, and to read agency guidelines before you send your query to anyone. Everyone wants something different. On this page you’ll find a whole bundle of resources that I hope will help you on your journey, and if you find it helpful, order a book book by one of these authors. I also wouldn’t mind if you got me a coffee to feed my pumpkin spice latte habit.

Let’s dig in!

Query Letters

I'm lucky enough to have worked with authors who were willing to let me share their query letters here on my website. It's my hope that their query letters will help you out (and that you'll help them out by ordering their books, thank you), by letting you see an example of a query done right.

Here are some links to the query letters by some authors I've worked with, complete with details about why these pitches were so good:

• Love Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed: Young Adult contemporary.

• Brave Enough by Kati Gardner: Young Adult contemporary.

• A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna: Young Adult sci-fi / fantasy space opera.

• 8-Bit Apocalypse by Alex Rubens: Non-fiction / pop-culture history.

• Mammoth by Jill Baguchinsky: Young Adult contemporary.

• Here And Now And Then by Mike Chen: Adult literary sci-fi.

• When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker: Young Adult contemporary.

• The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green by Erica Boyce: Literary fiction.

• Keep This To Yourself by Tom Ryan: Young Adult contemporary thriller.

• Suggested Reading by Dave Connis: Young Adult contemporary.

• Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran: Young Adult fantasy.

• Road Out of Winter by Alison Stine: Adult literary fiction.

• Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall: Young Adult contemporary.

• Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass: Young Adult contemporary thriller.

• What We Didn’t Expect by Melody Schreiber: Non-fiction anthology of essays.

• Rise of the Red Hand by Olivia Chanda: YA sci-fi novel.

• Blind Man’s Bluff by James Tate Hill: A memoir.

• The Song of Us by Kate Fussner: A Middle Grade in-verse novel

• Dry Humping by Tawny Lara: A non-fiction wellness title.

• The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson: A folk-horror novel.

Check back often! As titles get closer to publication, I check in with my authors about publishing their query letters!

Crafting Non-Fiction Book Proposals

Are you writing non-fiction, and fretting over your proposal? You’re in luck:

• Proposal for Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum by Sam Slaughter: Pop-culture infused cocktail book. In this guide, I showcase pieces of the actual non-fiction book proposal. It’s detailed, and I hope it helps.

• Proposal for 8-Bit Apocalypse by Alex Rubens: The Untold Story of Atari’s Missile Command by Alex Rubens: In this breakdown, I showcase a proposal for a non-fiction pop culture history book, using Alex’s actual proposal.

• Proposal for Eat to Feed by Kristy Kohler and Eliza Larson: Need to unpack how to put together a cookbook proposal? Here’s one!

• Proposal for Gamer Girls by Mary Kenney: Curious how a non-fiction book proposal for kid-lit comes together? Here you go.

• Proposal for Fight Magic Items by Aidan Moher: Hey another video game book! This one for adults, it’s an essay collection about JRPGs. Want to know how to put one of these together? Enjoy!

• Proposal for Dry Humping by Tawny Lara: A wellness book about navigating dating, relationships, and sex while pursuing a sober lifestyle.

General Advice

I keep a roundup of authors and editors in the industry who work on dishing out freelance critiques and manuscript notes! It’s been updated as of January 2024.

I also have a few blog posts full of advice about other things too, particularly platform and social media, that you might find helpful:

• A Beginner’s Guide to Looking Up Literary Agents

• A Beginner’s Guide to Writing IP

• Ten Tips on Using Social Media From a Literary Agent (Guest Post on BookBub!)

• Reasons to Use Social Media That Have Nothing to Do With Selling Books

• Building Your Platform For Yourself, Not Your Book

• Ways to Build Your Platform That Have Nothing to Do with Your Twitter Following

And remember, if you have questions, it's always okay to ask!

Good luck out there!