Class Description
Most literary agents receive at least one hundred query letters each week, yet respond positively to less than two percent. Decisions on writing samples (partials) are often made within the first five pages. Would yours make the cut? Do you know the secrets to writing a winning query? Join agent Sorche Elizabeth Fairbank of Fairbank Literary Representation for a weekend of intensive query and writing critique, lessons on the basics of a powerful synopsis, tips on how to stand out in a pile of queries, help on your first five pages, a review of a laundry list of Dos and Don’ts, and both group and one-on-one analysis of your submission package. By the time you leave on day two, you can expect to have a strong query letter that gets an agent’s attention, (or at least a strong framework), and first pages that sing. You will be expected to work on your material between the two days, but it will be worth it. This class produces miracles! Sign up early, as this course often is sold out.
Open to all levels, all genres.
Important: Students need to have their one-page query letter and first five pages in by Thursday, October 24th. Email Word attachments to [email protected], subject line HOOK & THE BOOK.
For Day One: Bring four copies of your query and the first five pages to the first class for group review.
Note: you will be reworking your query and first five pages between classes.
For Day Two: Please bring thirteen copies of your reworked query and four copies of first five pages. If the class size is smaller than 12, you will be notified on the correct number of copies.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!