You think you’ve done the hard part by writing a book, but landing an agent is the next big hurdle to leap over. Writers’ HQ’s online query writing course will help you prepare to send your manuscript out into the big wide world of publishing.
First impressions count, and your query letter is the first part of a book submission an agent will look at.
How do you summarise a 70,000+ novel in the space of just a few paragraphs? How do you grab the attention of the literary agent of your dreams? How do you make sure your submission doesn’t end up at the bottom of the slush pile?
Well, that’s what we’re gonna teach you. Learn how to write a killer query letter and give yourself the best chance of an agent saying “Yes, yes, yes! Send me your book!”
1. Enrol
Once you’ve joined you’ll get an email confirming your place and explaining how you access the course. Spoiler: you click a link. Super simple.
2. Read, watch, do
The lessons are a mix of text, images, videos and exercises. To get the most out of the course, try to give yourself at least an hour a day to read or watch the material and do the exercises. We’ve made them as bite-size as possible but also if you wanna do the thing you gotta do the work.
3. No rush
This course is written to be done over a week but if you miss a day or something comes up, don’t panic! Go at your own pace. We’ll be waiting for you in the community forums when you’re ready to catch up.
4. No money? No problem
Periodically we run this course as a freebie so please make sure you’re on our newsletter list to get notifications of that. Alternatively, if you can’t wait and have no cash, have a look at our bursary scheme.
5. Milk no sugar
Drink plenty of tea, stock up on biscuits, gin for later. Enjoy it. It’s supposed to be fun. Love you. Mwa.
Fantastic reminder of why I write ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing has stopped being fun and working through this course has reminded me of the good parts, that I actually love this thing called writing. It’s given me practical ways to get back into writing and I’ve opened up my manuscript again and written for the first time in ages.
Claire Wade
Turbocharge Your Creativity
Highly Recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I came to this course with the complete first draft of a novel I had already written, but which (after a year of failing to rewrite it on my own) I knew needed more than just a bit of editing to make it work. Plotstormers has been a great way of completely deconstructing what I had to begin with, and then building it up again from scratch into first four, then seven, then sixteen units. The early weeks give you a brilliant introduction to various theories of plotting, soundbites from successful authors, and links to useful blogs and resources; this part is huge fun, and the video of Kurt Vonnegut explaining the shapes of stories is absolutely priceless. When it came to the actual writing bit, Sarah and Jo provided excellent support, encouragement and incisive feedback throughout (though be warned: the swearing is contagious. You’ll know you have a problem when your 2 yr old starts effing at random people in shops). In the latter weeks of the course the forums (fora?) became indispensible for sounding out ideas and identifying problems as well as helpful cameraderie. I lagged behind towards the end, but nevertheless this course has given me the boost I needed to get my novel back off the ground, or at least back onto the runway. I highly recommend it, and look forward to taking more Writers HQ courses in the near future.
Rosemary Sgroi
Plotstormers
These online writers’ retreats are invaluable!
I don’t think I could be motivated to write without them. Most productive Sunday in a long time. I wrote 1300 words! Thanks Writers’ HQ.
Colin G
Online Retreats
Just what I needed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I feel like I just got a personalised writing course. Really loved the suggestions on how I could polish, clarify, prune and otherwise improve the flow. Especially how you explain your rationale and do it in a way that doesn’t change my voice. The lessons here go beyond one story and are something I can take forward to future work. Very motivating.
Geoff Lillis
Mentoring
Sarah Lewis
Half of Writers’ HQ
Procrastinator Level: Set up WHQ and had a baby to avoid writing her novel
Jo Gatford
Half of Writers’ HQ
Procrastinator Level: Set up WHQ and did an MA to avoid writing her novel
Publishing 101: The Synopsis
craft a small but perfectly formed synopsis
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Publishing 101: Find An Agent
prepare your manuscript and learn what to expect
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Troubleshoot Your Novel
unstick thyself and finish your story
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