Querying literary agents
Everything in this section is about the process of getting a novel (or book-length nonfiction) in front of a literary agent. Start with the query letter guide; the rest fill in the pieces it refers to.
How to write a query letter
The structure agents expect, what goes in each paragraph, and why the first line matters more than the bio.
Writing a synopsis
One-page and two-page synopses, what to include, what to cut, and why the ending belongs on the page.
Choosing comp titles
How recent, how famous, and how close — picking books that place your novel on a shelf.
Researching agents
Where to find legitimate agents, how to read a Manuscript Wish List, and how to spot red flags.
Common query mistakes
The recurring errors that get queries passed on within thirty seconds.
Handling rejection
Form rejections, personalized rejections, full requests that end in no, and why a spreadsheet helps.
Writing a logline
The one-sentence pitch: protagonist, goal, obstacle, stakes — with before-and-after examples.
Writing your author bio
What goes in the bio paragraph of a query, what to leave out, and examples with and without credits.
Word count by genre
The ranges agents expect for adult, YA, middle grade, fantasy, romance, thrillers and memoir.
Nonfiction book proposals
Overview, audience, comps, platform, chapter outline, and sample chapters — what each section does.
The offer of representation
What to do after "the call": nudging other agents, questions to ask, and the agency agreement.
See also: the query letter builder (fills in the structure) and the submission tracker (keeps the spreadsheet honest).