Writing A Query Letter (7-9PM EST)

Instructor: Samantha Steiner

This class will be held online.

If trying to publish a book is like applying for a job, then writing a query letter is like writing a cover letter. It is can be a deciding factor in whether you’ll make it to the next stage. In this two-hour class, writers of fiction and nonfiction alike will learn exactly what goes into a query letter.

We’ll study six real queries, three of which have scored book deals and three of which left readers scratching their heads. We’ll dissect the anatomy of these queries, including pitches, author bios, and comparative titles. We’ll learn about mistakes to avoid and details that can make letters sparkle.

In the final part of class, we’ll compose our own original queries with the option to share as a group. By the end of class, we’ll uncover how the query writing process can deepen our understanding of our own writing.

Learn more about our sliding scale here.

Samantha Steiner is a reader for the Cynthia Manson Literary Agency as well as a writer and visual artist. She has received fellowships from the Fulbright Program and the Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts. Her awards include Best Microfiction by Pelekinesis Press, Featured Fiction Writer by Lammergeier Magazine, and Shortlisted Writer for Battery Pack by Neon Books. She holds a BA in comparative literature from Brown University and an MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Follow her on social media @Steiner_Reads.