A strong pitch is only the beginning. Once you can succinctly articulate your story, the next step is transforming that short pitch into a compelling query letter that captures and holds an agent or publisher’s attention.

In this practical session, author Angela Douglas will show you how to take the key elements of a strong pitch: your logline, comparable titles and bio and turn them into a clear, engaging query letter that stands out in a crowded inbox. Writers who attended her pitching workshop can build on what they’ve already created, but this session also stands on its own.

You’ll learn the essential elements of an effective query, including the opening hook, story summary, comparable titles, and author bio, along with guidance on personalization, what metadata to include, and finding those strong comps.

Beyond the letter itself, Angela will walk you through the querying process: how to research and choose agents; whether to query agents, publishers, or both; and strategies for submitting via QueryTracker and email, organizing batches, and following up after pitch sessions or when deadlines pass.

Because querying can feel daunting, Angela will also talk honestly about rejection, expectations, and how to maintain momentum and positivity throughout the process.

Whether you’re preparing to query soon or just starting to explore the submission process, you’ll leave with a clear framework, actionable strategies, and the confidence to turn your pitch into a polished submission.