Just brilliant
Run with knowledge, integrity, kindness, and humour.
An obvious love and insight for the written word.
You are in safe hands with Writers’ HQ. 💞
Naomi Roberts
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!”
- What is a query letter, what does it do, and what should it contain?
- How to sum up your novel in a paragraph and leave an agent wanting more
- What to avoid when writing to an agent
- The Spot Check Checklist for when your objectivity has gone out the window
- How to sell yourself (ooer)
- What do agents really want?
- Resources and research
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.
- Help and advice from award-winning authors and literary agents
- Daily inspiration, whip-cracking, writing exercises and prompts
- Access to our private forum full of super cool people to help and support you along the way, including Team WHQ, our specially-picked and hand-baked gang of badass writers.
- Seven days of exercises, advice and resources to help you build the best possible query package
LOVE FOR WRITERS’ HQ
The short and the long of it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is a huge amount of material in this course, compactly delivered in six weekly batches of units. As well as plenty of straightforward instruction on the craft of storytelling (plot, character, point of view, and whatnot) there are diverse readings to ponder and discuss; soundbites and advice from writers and editors; prompts and challenging exercises; and a chance to post your own writing for feedback from the forum. I highly recommend it as an introduction to the world of short stories, and as food for thought on writing in general which may take me far longer than six weeks to digest.
Rosemary Sgroi
Writing Short Fiction
Well worth the money ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much for your critique – you pinpointed all the places that I too was a bit uncertain about. I’ve really appreciated your advice; it was well worth the money!
Elaine Canham
Mentoring
Flash Face Off
I just wanted to thank you again for inviting me to read on Friday. The feedback was AMAZING!! I am rather overwhelmed to be honest… and super delighted (and proud) to be part of this wonderful community.
Katy M
Flash Face Off
TUTORS
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
RELATED COURSES
Publishing 101: The Synopsis
craft a small but perfectly formed synopsis
course info >>
Publishing 101: Find An Agent
prepare your manuscript and learn what to expect
course info >>
Troubleshoot Your Novel
unstick thyself and finish your story
course info >>
