A Survival Guide for the Emotional Rollercoaster of Publishing

Writers have lots of euphemisms for the miseries of the query process. They talk about “Query Hell” and how they’re trying to “survive the query trenches.” It’s an understandable reaction, since queries are often the first time we face rejection from industry professionals.

But it doesn’t have to suck the joy out of writing.

In Query with Confidence, Isabel Sterling breaks down the query process into digestible pieces. You’ll learn how to write an effective query letter, research literary agents, and hit “send” so you can get back to doing what you really love: writing another book.

That’s only the beginning, though. The real magic is Isabel’s rejection processing system. You’ll learn WHY query rejections hurt so damn bad and what you can do to make it suck less. (Hint: it doesn’t involve growing thicker skin or burying your emotions.) Mastering these emotional skills is what separates the writers who quit from those who achieve their dreams.

Participant Will Leave the Presentation …

• Understanding the components of effective query letters*
• Knowing how to research good-fit agents and spot red flags
• Able to use tracking sites like QueryTracker or create their own spreadsheet*
• With the skills to manage all the emotional ups and downs of querying and—by extension—their entire creative career*

*includes worksheets for participants