THINK LIKE A LITERARY AGENT
Inside Secrets to Writing the Perfect Query Letter
For the writer who believes their
dream deserves a deadline…
Let’s be real: this writing thing? It isn’t just a hobby.
You’ve got a story that won’t let you sleep. A dream that’s too big to ignore. You’ve poured your heart into this book in the margins of your life: early mornings, late nights, after the kids are in bed or the workday winds down.
You’ve done the hard part: you wrote the book.
But getting it into the right hands? That part feels impossible. You don’t have publishing connections. You don’t have an “in.” You just have a manuscript that matters and the drive to make it happen.
This course is for you if:
You’re serious about getting a literary agent—but don’t know where to start
You’re tired of guessing what agents want and are ready to learn how they really think
You want your book to feel like a yes before they even read your sample pages
You’re ready to pitch like a pro—with someone in your corner who’s been the gatekeeper, and now wants to hold the door open.
You don’t need a fancy referral. You need a roadmap—and someone who knows the way.
Eric V.
“Since taking your class, I have had two books published... I would recommend it to anyone who wants to write a killer query letter.”
Meera V.
“I signed with an agent and now, she's shopping my book. All of this wouldn't have been possible had I not taken this course.”
Meet your instructor.
✳
Meet your instructor. ✳
I’m Lindsay—an editor, publishing consultant, and your
behind-the-scenes guide to landing a book deal.
Since 2012, I’ve worked inside some of the most powerful institutions in publishing—Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Writers House Literary Agency. There, I had the honor of working with bestselling and award-winning authors like Isabel Allende, Kevin Hart, Alice Walker, Ntozake Shange, Colleen Hoover, and more—and yes, I’ve read a lot of query letters along the way.
I launched my own business in 2019 to give aspiring writers the kind of insider insight most people don’t get unless they’re already in the room. Since then, my clients have landed representation from top literary agencies and signed book deals with Big Five publishers.
I built this course to be the resource I wish every writer had: practical, honest, and full of the stuff we actually talked about behind closed doors.
Your Complete Toolkit for Writing a Query
That Stands Out
No slush pile for you! This course has everything you need to enter the query trenches with confidence—and come out swinging:
12 self-paced video lessons. With 11 core training modules and 1 welcome video to get you started, you receive over 2 hours of no-fluff, insider-backed guidance you can watch anytime (and rewatch when you need a boost).
The Query Letter Builder Workbook, including:
Sample query letters — inspired by real letters that got the “yes”
Plug-and-play templates that guide you through each section of your query
Personalization formulas to tailor each letter to the agent
An author platform questionnaire (based on real publishing house docs!) to find out what promotional power you already have. (Hint: you may have more than you think!)
Insider tools and strategies that literary agents and editors rely on, including:
Editor-tested formulas for writing hooks that sell
Smart shortcuts for finding ideal comp titles
Sample acquisitions forms based on what in-house editors use to evaluate books
The “Three Key Selling Points” agents and editors look for—so you can pitch your book the way insiders do
Bonus: Get 20% off a personalized Query Letter Review with a former Big Five Editor (that’s me!)
The Curriculum
Phase 1: Intro to Querying
Let’s pull back the curtain on the publishing world—so you can stop guessing and start seeing your book the way agents and editors do.
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Let’s kick things off with what you’re really here for: a book deal. Here’s how this course will help you get there.
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New to querying and the world of book publishing? No worries. This is your crash course in how the whole system works.
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No more staring at a blank page. Get the exact blueprint for building a query that flows, sells, and gets results. We’ll also go over common pitfalls to avoid and some mandatory details you’ll need to include.
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Go beyond the slush pile myths. Learn how agents evaluate submissions, what makes them stop reading, and how to position your fiction or nonfiction project to match what they’re seeking.
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Unlock the secret language of publishing pros—so you can pitch your book the way agents and editors actually sell it behind closed doors.
Phase 2: Writing the Query Letter
Now that you know how the industry works, it’s time to write a query that shines. We’ll walk through it step by step, section by section, with zero guesswork and all the strategy.
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Start strong with a personalized intro that connects and sells—setting the tone for a query that agents want to keep reading.
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This is where full requests happen: learn to pitch your book like the pros do—tight, bold, irresistible.
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Learn how to craft a compelling book description that highlights your strongest selling points—without sounding like a synopsis.
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No more guesswork—learn how publishing insiders pick comp titles that prove a book belongs on shelves.
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Show literary agents exactly who your reader is—and why they’ll fall in love with your book.
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Show agents why you are the perfect person to write—and sell—this book.
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Query letter? Done. Confidence? Locked in. Let’s send you off with some rules and resources so you can step boldly into the query trenches — strategy in hand.
Why This Course is
Different
Let’s be clear: this is more than a query letter writing course.
Yes, you’ll walk away with a strategic, standout query—but just as importantly, you’ll get a crash course in how publishing really works. You’ll learn how agents and editors evaluate submissions, pitch books in-house, and make acquisition decisions behind closed doors.
You’ll also get access to tools inspired by real publishing house materials—like acquisitions forms, comp title strategies, hook formulas, and author platform questionnaires. You’ll learn to identify the three key reasons your book is marketable—mirroring the exact way insiders pitch their projects, so you’re not just learning how to query, but how to position your book like a pro.
You won’t just write a letter. You’ll learn to think and pitch like someone on the inside.
Because writing a great book is only part of the job. Knowing how to sell it? That’s what gets you in the door.
SELF-GUIDED ONLINE COURSE
THINK LIKE A LITERARY AGENT
Inside Secrets to Writing the Perfect Query Letter
What students are saying…
FAQ
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Yes! Whether you're pitching a novel, memoir, prescriptive nonfiction, or anything in between, this course covers what you need to craft a compelling query.
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Not at all. The course is designed for writers at all stages—whether it is your first query or your tenth, you’re starting fresh or revising after rejections. You’ll get the foundational knowledge and the step-by-step support you need.
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Yes. Many students come in with a draft—and leave with a stronger, more strategic version that better reflects how publishing professionals think and make decisions. You'll learn insider techniques to strengthen every section of your letter—and spot weaknesses before agents do.
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Both! You’ll not only learn how to write a standout query, but also get a behind-the-scenes look at how agents and editors evaluate submissions, pitch books in-house, and make acquisition decisions.
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You’ll get lifetime access. Rewatch the videos and reuse the tools anytime you’re ready to query again—or start a new book.
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No, this is a fully self-paced online course, designed to be taken independently. It does not include live sessions or personalized feedback. That said, if you'd like direct input on your query letter, this course gives you access to a 20% discount on a Query Letter Review Service.
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The course includes 12 self-paced video lessons (over 2 hours of content), a downloadable workbook with query templates, sample letters, personalization formulas, and an author platform questionnaire. You’ll also receive homework assignments to guide you through writing your query letter. Finally, by purchasing this course, you receive a 20% discount on a personalized Query Letter Review service.
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This course does not include 1:1 feedback, but students receive a 20% discount on a professional query review with the instructor should they wish to do so.
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Yes! If you can click “play” on a video, you’re good to go. The course is hosted on Squarespace’s course platform, which is simple and user-friendly.
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This is a solo learning experience, but you can book a personalized query letter review at a discounted rate if you’d like expert eyes on your draft. If you have any technical difficulties, I will be available to help.
SELF-GUIDED ONLINE COURSE
THINK LIKE A LITERARY AGENT
Inside Secrets to Writing the Perfect Query Letter
You’ve got the words.
Now, let’s get you the book deal.
You’ve done the hard part—you wrote the book.
Now it’s time to get it into the right hands.
This course gives you the tools, the insider strategy, and the confidence to write a query letter that actually works—and understand the industry you're stepping into.
So if you’re ready to stop second-guessing, start pitching like a pro, and finally get your book out into the world?
Let’s go.
