A Curated Syllabus for Querying Authors: 35+ Expert Posts to Build Your Own Masterclass on Substack (Part II)
A Round-Up of Expert Guidance on Pitching Literary Agents, Writing Query Letters and Synopses, Researching Comp Titles, and Handling Rejection
First a quick note to all those who carry the pain and grief of this day as if it only just happened…frankly, I don’t have anything of value to say but it also doesn’t feel right to not acknowledge this day. I can only wish you solace in your memories and as you continue to navigate your grief however it may look.
Last week I published Part I of this series, A Curated Syllabus for Aspiring Novelists: 50+ Expert Posts to Build Your Own Masterclass on Substack. I was overwhelmed by the warm reception and thoughtful compliments it received, which continues to remind me of the generosity and kindness of this Substack community. As of this writing, Substack tells me it’s been shared or restacked 150+ times, which is a record for me.
What I love most about this is it means not only are writing and publishing experts sharing incredibly helpful guidance here on Substack, but then writers and aspiring novelists are not only consuming this info but also sharing it so it may help other writers too. That sure feels like a whole lotta goodwill, right? And, goodwill can be especially important for those of you who are, as we like to say, in the querying trenches, which is what this next round-up of expert posts is all about.
As many of you well know, querying can be brutal. But there are a couple things that, I believe, can lessen the impact. First, be prepared. That’s what a majority of these posts will help you to do. Much of the below advice comes directly from literary agents who truly want you to put your best work forward—that’s why they’ve gone to the trouble to tell you just how!
The second thing is community. We are social creatures (yes, even us introverts!) and navigating the publishing journey—especially the querying process—with others can help to take the sting out of rejection. (If you’re a women’s fiction writer, I highly recommend joining Women’s Fiction Writers Association!) And everyone who queries will experience some rejection.
I’m reminded of some fantastic advice that historical fiction novelist
shared in my recent interview with her, and I think it’s worth repeating:“[F]ind your community and be a good literary citizen. I’m extremely fortunate to have a large group of writer friends, locally and across the country. We support each other in our creative endeavors, cheer our successes, and console each other at the inevitable bumps in the road. The writing friends I’ve made over these past 25 years are the most cherished part of my journey.” —Sharon Kurtzman, author of The Lost Baker of Vienna
As before, I’ve elected to include only posts that are currently free to read. I’m also certain I’ve missed some fantastic posts that could be included (because I’m just one human and I don’t live on Substack!), so please share your favorite recommendations in the comments below.
Okay, let’s dive in!
On Querying:
The Query Checklist You Didn’t Know You Needed (4-Part Series) by Erin Niumata (Folio Literary), Erin’s Third Act
How to Know When You’re Ready to Query by Alyssa Matesic with guest literary agent Heather Cashman (Storm Literary Agency), Chapter Break
Should I Query Yet? A Brutally Honest Checklist for Writers on the Fence by Cathy Hedrick-Armstrong (Marsal Lyon) and Vicky Weber (Creative Media Agency), Agent Antics with Cathy & Vicky
Some Easy Ways to Tell When Your Book (Probably) Isn’t Ready for Submission by Anna Sproul-Latimer (Neon Literary), How to Glow in the Dark
Stay on Top of Your Query Game: Recent Submission Tips from Editors and Agents by Karin Gillespie, Pitch Your Novel
On Query Letters:
Successful Query Letters: An Ever-Growing List by Andrea Bartz, Get It Write
Sample Query Letter by Karin Gillespie, Pitch Your Novel
The Perfect Query Letter by Kesia Lupo, Kesia Lupo’s Substack
Q and A with Small Press Debut Author Alexandra Faulkenbury (Plus Read Her Query Letter!) by Heather Garbo, Write Your Next Chapter
The Query Letter That Landed Me a Literary Agent by Kailey Dello Russo, In the Weeds
How I Found My Literary Agent Plus Top Five Query Letter Tips by Lauren Ling Brown, Lauren’s Substack
Not Just What It’s About But What Literally Happens by Danielle Bukowski (Sterling Lord Literistic), Just Reading All Day with Danielle Bukowski
Books with Hooks Critiques by Carly Watters (P.S. Literary) and CeCe Lyra (Wendy Sherman Associates), The Shit No One Tells You About Writing NOTE: THIS ONE IS PAID but it’s too valuable to not include: a subscription gets you access to the an entire library of the actual query letters they’ve evaluated with feedback.
On Synopsis Writing:
How to Plot Your Novel on One Page by Michelle Schusterman
How to Write a Good Synopsis by Kesia Lupo, Kesia Lupo’s Substack
On Comp Titles:
What the Heck is a Comp Title and How Do I Find One? by Kelly Beck, Kelly’s Substack
Let’s Talk Comp Titles by Cathy Hedrick-Armstrong (Marsal Lyon) and Vicky Weber (Creative Media Agency), Agent Antics with Cathy & Vicky
Killer Comps by guest author Lisa Levy, Attention Economy
On Finding Literary Agents:
Where Are All the Literary Agents? by Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary), Agents and Books Note: As of this morning, Kate McKean switched platforms. At time of publication these links forward but the content no longer lives on Substack. As she might say: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A Step-by-Step Guide to Querying Literary Agents by Lexie Axon, Lexie’s Substack
How to Secure a Literary Agent? Lesson #4: How to Find the Best and Reputable Literary Agent for YOU by Wade Rouse (pen name Viola Shipman), Wade Rouse – Viola Shipman
Are You Following These Literary Agents on Substack? You Should Be by Heather Garbo, Write Your Next Chapter
Who’s Betting on New Writers? The Literary Agents and Publishers Behind 2025 Debuts by Heather Garbo, Write Your Next Chapter
I Tried Manuscript Wishlist’s New Smart Search Tool for Finding Agents by Heather Garbo, Write Your Next Chapter
On The Literary Agent’s Perspective:
Reading Like a Literary Agent by Nephelle Tempest, Tempest in a Teacup
What’s in a Wish List? How to Figure out What Agents Actually Want by Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary), Agents and Books
What an Agent’s Wishlist Really Means by Cathy Hedrick-Armstrong (Marsal Lyon) and Vicky Weber (Creative Media Agency) Agent Antics with Cathy & Vicky
On Nonfiction Proposals:
Nonfiction Proposal Guidelines by Sally Ekus (The Ekus Group), Not So Secret Agent
On “The Call” with Literary Agents:
Honest Answers to the Questions New Clients Ask on the First Call by Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary), Agents and Books
What I’d Tell You on an Author Call: Agent Edition by Leah Rowan, To Tell a Story
On Agent Rejections:
Decoding Form Rejections by Cathy Hedrick-Armstrong (Marsal Lyon) and Vicky Weber (Creative Media Agency), Agent Antics with Cathy & Vicky
Rejection: What Not to Do When an Agent Passes by Sally Ekus (The Ekus Group), Not So Secret Agent
And to keep you inspired while you’re in the querying trenches…
On the Author’s Journey from Querying to Publication:
Behind the Shiny Publication Post by Emily J. Smith, Unresolving
Q and A with Debut Author Sharon Kurtzman and on the Family History that Inspired Her Novel and Her Long Journey to Publishing by Heather Garbo, Write Your Next Chapter
Ever Wonder Why the Gap Between an Author’s Books Is So Long? by Vera Kurian, Craft
Your Road to Publishing Might Be Long and Windingby Alyssa Matesic with guest author Christopher J. Yates, Chapter Break
Your turn! What are your favorite posts on querying? Or how do you keep your spirits up while you’re in the querying trenches? Please share in the comments below!
Looking for more expert advice? Check out Parts 1 and 3 in this series: A Curated Syllabus for Aspiring Novelists (Part I): 50+ Posts to Build Your Own Masterclass on Substack and A (Final) Substack Syllabus for Aspiring Authors: 40+ Expert Posts on the Publishing Industry, Book Marketing & Author Life.
Looks like a great collection, thanks.
Thanks Heather. These posts are super helpful. There is so much great writing advice on Substack, but finding it is a challenge!