Write a Query Letter that Grabs an Agent’s or Publisher’s Attention
Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, you only get one chance to impress an agent with your query letter. In this master class, top literary agent Marilyn Allen provides you with insiders’ tips and techniques to accomplish just that.
Marilyn is the author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Book Proposals and Query Letters” (Penguin), and the founder of the literary agency Allen O’Shea. In this hands-on workshop, Marilyn reveals what makes a successful query letter for your fiction or non-fiction book, and guides you through the process of crafting or revising a successful query letter.
From 10 a.m. to noon, explore with Marilyn the elements of a successful query letter, learn what makes a good hook, and determine the order of information. Examples of successful queries will also be shared.
From noon to 1:30, working in small groups, create or rework your query letters until they are perfect!
Feel free to bring a laptop to craft your query, as well as two copies of your current query letter, if you have one.
Marilyn Allen is the literary agent representing many best-selling authors, and is the co-author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Book Proposals & Query Letters,” written after years of experience as an agent, and decades in publishing. She’s witty, warm, and loves to help authors whenever she can.
She has taught publishing courses at New York University, for Gotham University and here at the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio, where she is the agent in residence. Marilyn is a frequent speaker and presenter at numerous publishing seminars and writing conferences. She is the literary consultant for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the agent in residence at the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio.