QueryFest

We’re very excited to debut QueryFest this year!

The goal of most writers is to get published, and, with this in mind, we’re offering QueryFest (available throughout CraftFest and ThrillerFest). This event is an evolution of the prior ConsultFest program and more effectively addresses your goal of getting published and how to get there.

Consider the query as your sales pitch package — a representation of your product (your manuscript). You must sell that product, and yourself, to an agent or publishing house editor. Just like a salesperson sparks interest in a prospective customer, you must “hook” an agent or house editor’s interest. Your sales pitch package is like your application for the job of being a writer, with your query letter as your resume.

During QueryFest, writers schedule 15-minute, one-on-one sessions with literary agents and editors (both independent and with pub houses). Experts will help you refine your product and suggest the best ways to sell it – and yourself. QueryFest can provide feedback on the effectiveness of your query letter, or whether you can “hook” an agent or publishing house editor with the first few pages of your manuscript, which are submitted for expert review, prior to the event. We think of the query as the first marketing pillar for advertising your work to the world, so, let’s get that part right!

For those not yet ready to query or in another phase of publishing, experts can answer questions about the writing biz, such as: 1) how to identify what your project is about, 2) how to go about researching your genre and identifying “comps,” 3) navigating conflicting writing advice, 4) determining what part of the market you’re in and how to present your story, 5) determining which authors’ works to study, and 6) understanding the business side of publishing.

QF sessions are by appointment only with the experts who’ve agreed to help us from May  31st – June 3rd. The sessions are ideal for writers who are not yet ready to pitch a completed manuscript but would like to discuss their synopsis, query letter, and writing sample for 15 minutes with agents and editors. Our experts will provide helpful feedback and answer any questions. But no pitching, please.

The list of available experts will help you with selecting appointments. You can purchase up to five sessions. You will be able to select your expert and the time of appointment. We will provide more information for the scheduling service closer to the event.

Please Note: If you wish to attend QueryFest, you will need to purchase Master Class, CraftFest, ThrillerFest, or one of the packages. 

  • K.L. Romo Seperator

    K.L. Romo

    QueryFest Director

For any questions? Please email K.L.Romo, QueryFest Director.

We highly recommend you read QueryFest FAQ prior to signing up for this event.

Here’s how the event will work:

Experts:

The experts listed here will offer advice on where they think they can be most helpful to you after reading your submission, whether that be how to improve your query, where you might want to work on your manuscript, or with your overall synopsis.

Preparation:

Submit any time after registering, but no later than May 1st to assure assignments:

  • Seven pages in Word Document format titled with writer’s name (ie: “Jane Smith”).
  • One-page Query Letter addressed to “Dear Agent/Editor:”, single spaced, letter format, 12-point font, 1” margins.
  • First five pages of manuscript (NOTE: only two-page critiques are guaranteed),
    double-spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins, noting writer’s name at top and working book title.
  • One-page Synopsis of novel or non-fiction work, double spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins.

Only one submission is required for any number of consultations you reserve.

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