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Home / Programs / Writing Works Program / QUERY LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP + FEEDBACK WITH TOP LITERARY AGENTS

QUERY LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP + FEEDBACK WITH TOP LITERARY AGENTS

The first step to any book idea is to write a fantastic query letter. At this two-part workshop, we learned to shape and share query letters and recieved expert feedback from some of the top literary agents in publishing.

PART 1: A QUERY LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP

We learned how to write an effective query letter for your book with guidance from Samantha Wekstein.

PART 2: A QUERY LETTER FEEDBACK SESSION WITH TOP LITERARY AGENTS

Our participants had the opportunity to get feedback on their query letters from top literary agents hailing from Writers House, Sterling Lord Literistic, Thompson Literary Agency, and HG Literary.

Attendee Testimonials & Survey Stats

“Mentee For the Day” Attendees

Mentees for the day are those who received feedback on their query letters. This group included older writers and authors in the Girls Write Now community.

100% of mentee respondents said:

  • I would recommend Girls Write Now workshops to a friend
  • I benefited from attending this workshop

Mentees Before & After

  • Knowing the components of a query letter: 220% increase 
  • Knowing how an agent uses a query letter: 114.3% increase
  • Having a Query letter drafted: 275% increase
  • Receiving feedback on my Query Letter from a literary agent: 533.3% increase
  • Learning how to improve my Query Letter: 533.3% increase 
  • Opportunity to ask an agent questions related to publishing: 216.7% increase
  • Learning what literary agents are looking for: 216.7% increase

Mentee for the Day Testimonials

  • I was only here to share my query letter, but my favorite part was being able to ask questions about querying. As I have friends with untraditional paths to publishing, this is maybe the first time I’ve been able to speak to an agent at length.

  • I loved being able to talk to an agent! My group’s agent was so nice, kind, and positive!  

  • Breakout room feedback from Agents. SO HELPFUL and amazing–priceless. Thank you so so so much!

  • I loved both the breakdown of the query letter and the feedback section with the agents. The agent I was put in a breakout room with (Jessica Friedman) was incredibly open and very helpful in answering questions and giving advice.    

“Mentor For the Day” Attendees

Agents from top literary agents acted as Mentors for the day providing feedback on query letters for writers in the Girls Write Now community.

More than 85% of Agents said:

  • This workshop was enjoyable
  • This workshop was worth my time
  • I would recommend Girls Write Now workshops to a friend or colleague
  • I would attend another Girls Write Now Writing Works event
  • My experience was a gratifying way to engage with emerging writers from diverse backgrounds
  • I felt I was adequately prepared
  • I had the opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise
  • Participants met the goals of this workshop

Literary Agent Testimonials

  • I loved getting to talk to the authors in a smaller setting and answer their questions.

  • The participants! They were amazing and had the best stories and letters to share. I feel so buoyed and hopeful by their creativity and encouragement of each other. Honestly, the hardest part was giving feedback on their letters since they were all so strong. 

  • Having the time and space to go into detail about not only the query letters, but about publishing and querying agents more broadly, and (hopefully!) give helpful advice about the various stages and parts of a career in writing.

  • It was a lot of fun to speak with two writers who had created query letters, to talk through their letters and experiences, and to talk about Publishing in general.   

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Life Resources and Events

At Girls Write Now, we are saddened and horrified by the domestic terrorism grounded in the systemic racism and inequality we work as a community to challenge and change every day. We are here to support you individually and as a community through our robust programming. Check out our calendar to see our current offerings or visit our Life Resources page to support you during this time. 

We’re Hiring!

Looking for more purpose-driven work in the new year? Check out available roles to join the team! 

Friday Night Salon with Arisa White

Join us on Friday, January 15, 6-7:30PM EST for Memory, Metaphor & Magic: Writing Poetic Memoir with Arisa White!

GIVE. WRITE. NOW. And Thank you!!

Girls Write Now’s services are more essential than ever before—serving the hardest hit communities—and many of our young women and gender nonconforming youth have themselves become essential workers to help their families. They carry an enormous burden and face devastating loss, slipping further into poverty. To meet the need, we have enriched and extended our programs, leading the historical transition to virtual learning.

Get Involved!

Are you a licensed mental health professional who’d love to work with our community of writers and creatives? We’re seeking volunteer Wellness Advisors. Get more info & apply here!

Relive the Girls (Re)Write Now Awards

If you missed the awards, you can still watch it! Relive this revolutionary night of mini–master classes with honorees on empathy, art, activism & humor and Girls Write Now mentees on writing with purpose, climate justice & self-care. 

Writing from our Future Leaders

Taking Our Place in History: the Girls Write Now 2020 Anthology was published with support from Dutton and Amazon Literary Partnership, available for purchase from McNally Jackson Books and anywhere ebooks are sold!

Girls Write Now in the News

Girls Write Now’s work has recently been featured by the National Endowment for the Arts, Time Out New York, NYXT and more!

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