How to query from start to finish

Step 1: Learn What Agents Want

Don’t even know where to start with writing a query letter? We’ve got you.

Sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and watch our comprehensive 40-minute course:
Write the Query Letter That Gets You Your Agent.

Click play! ⬇

Access the full course transcript here.

Table of Contents

00:00: Introduction
02:04: Purpose of the Query Letter
03:36: 7 Essential Components of a Strong Query Letter
21:34: Variations
22:47: Tone
23:30: Length
24:11: 3 Bad Query Letter Examples
35:50: Good Query Letter Example

Step 2: Write Your Query Letter

Use our genre-specific query letter templates (exclusively available to QueryAcademy students) to write your draft.

Take the existing example text as inspiration and make it your own!

Step 3: Get Feedback from a Pro ($199)

Now it’s time to get professional feedback on your query letter to make sure you’re presenting yourself and your project in the best light.

Submit your draft as a Word document (.doc or .docx) and your editor will return your query letter with inline edits and comments within three business days.

Meet Alyssa,
One of your Query Letter Experts

Step 4: Build Your Agent List

You’ve automatically been enrolled in our Agent Alert newsletter, where we provide profiles of agents who have newly opened to queries.

Be on the lookout for it in your inbox every Monday!

Access the full Agent Alert archive here.

To further guide you in your agent search, we’ve put together two bonus resources!

1) Agency Master List: A list of all operating literary agencies in the US, along with their websites

2) Personal Query Tracker: A handy spreadsheet to help you keep track of your sent queries, replies from agents, and personal querying statistics.

Congrats, you’re officially ready to query!