The Quick and Dirty Guide to Writing an Awesome Query Letter

When you are pitching your book project to literary agents, the first thing you will send over is a query letter. With this letter (usually an email, but in letter form), you are “querying” to see if they would be interested in hearing more about you and your book. Your query letter introduces them to your book, the potential readers of your book, and you and your qualifications as an author.

To begin with, query letters should not be longer that a single page, single spaced.  (Usually less than 450 words, but the number of words is less important than the quality of them.)

Now let’s get into the structure:

The intro, or “housekeeping” – Your book’s genre, word count (if you’re writing fiction), and title.  You can also personalize this section by explaining why you are reaching out to this particular agent/editor.  While this section is necessary to pass along specific information, you can also inject a bit of flair here.

The “hook” – A description of your story, major plotlines, and character development.  Usually about 150-300 words.  Who is your main character?  What journey is she on?  If you’re writing a nonfiction book, present your main argument and supporting ideas. is not supposed to be a summary of every single thing – that you can be saved for the synopsis.

The bio – An introduction to you, and any relevant information that speaks to your qualities as a writer.  (If you have an MFA, mention it, but if you are a retired FBI agent and are writing a thriller, your job history is absolutely relevant.)  Mention any publication credits, special research you’ve done (if you spent a year in the jungle and your book is set in the rainforest, for example), and any major awards you’ve won.

The closing – your thank you.

Make sure that you do your research, both for the agents/editors to whom you are going to send your book, and how they want to receive your book (this information is generally on the agency/company’s website).  Some agents want you to send your first 30 pages immediately, some want to request it based on your query.  Depending on the size of the company you are reaching out to, hundreds of queries might be received every day.  Don’t risk having yours ignored just because you send an unsolicited attachment.

Questions about pitching your project? Think you’re ready to start querying? Let me know in the comments below.

Setting Good vs. Bad Writing Goals: A Quick Guide for Authors

As authors, setting goals is essential to keep us on track and motivated. But not all writing goals are created equal! The difference between good and bad goals can make or break your productivity and growth as an author.

Bad Writing Goals:

❌ "Write 5,000 words every day." – Unrealistic and unsustainable. Consistency is key, but this kind of pressure can lead to burnout.

❌ "Finish my novel in a month." – While it's great to have a target, focusing on completion at the expense of quality can lead to rushed, unfinished work.

❌ "Become a bestselling author - immediately." – Success takes time. It’s important to focus on the journey, not just the destination.

Good Writing Goals:

✅ "Write 500 words a day, five days a week." – Achievable and consistent. It allows for flexibility while keeping momentum going.

✅ "Complete one chapter a month." – Breaks the process down into manageable chunks and encourages steady progress.

✅ "Edit one page a day." – Focus on quality over quantity to refine your writing and strengthen your story.

Remember, good goals are realistic, specific, and motivating. They focus on the process and celebrate small wins rather than just the end result.

So, what’s your next writing goal? Let’s set some realistic and meaningful ones together! 📚✨

For Authors: Selling Secondary Rights to Your Book Projects

As an author, you’ve likely spent countless hours crafting your story, and now that you’ve written your book, you might be wondering how to get it out into the world in other ways. One exciting avenue for authors is selling secondary rights to their work. These rights open up a range of opportunities for your book to be adapted, transformed, and marketed in various formats and platforms. (Please note, I am not a lawyer, and none of this constitutes as legal advice!)

What Are Secondary Rights?

Secondary rights (also known as subsidiary or subsidiary rights) refer to the rights that go beyond the core book deal – essentially, these are the rights to adapt, reproduce, or distribute your work in ways other than traditional print or ebook formats. Some of the most common secondary rights include:

1. Film and Television Rights: The right to adapt your book into a movie, TV show, or limited series.

2. Audiobook Rights: The right to produce an audiobook version of your written work.

3. Foreign Language Rights: The right to translate your book and sell it in other languages and markets.

4. Merchandising Rights: The right to produce and sell items based on your book (e.g., t-shirts, posters, toys).

5. Serialized Rights: The right to publish your book in parts or installments, often in magazines or newspapers.

6. Digital Rights: The right to publish or distribute your book digitally in other formats or on other platforms.

These rights are often separate from the initial book deal and can provide additional revenue streams or help promote your work in different formats.

How Do You Sell Secondary Rights?

Selling secondary rights can be an exciting opportunity, but it’s important to understand the process. Here’s how you can navigate selling these rights:

1. Work with Your Literary Agent

For many authors, a literary agent is key to selling secondary rights. Agents often have the connections and expertise needed to sell rights to film production companies, foreign publishers, and more. If you don’t already have an agent, consider finding one who specializes in the rights you want to sell.

• How they help: Your agent will be able to negotiate deals, pitch your work to the right parties, and handle legal agreements.

• Their role in secondary rights: Agents may help sell specific rights, such as film, foreign language, and audiobook rights, while leaving others (like merchandising) for you to handle independently.

2. Sell Rights Independently

If you don’t have an agent, or if you want to retain more control over your book’s secondary rights, you can negotiate directly with publishers, production companies, or distributors.

• Film/TV Rights: If you have a film or TV adaptation in mind, you can approach production companies directly or through an entertainment lawyer. Sometimes, production companies will find you if your book garners enough attention, but it’s still important to be proactive.

• Foreign Rights: Publishers in different countries may be interested in purchasing the translation rights. These deals are often made at international book fairs, such as the Frankfurt Book Fair, where publishers gather to buy and sell rights.

• Audiobook Rights: You can approach audiobook production companies (like Audible, Findaway Voices, or independent audiobook producers) to sell the rights to create an audio version of your book.

3. Understand Your Contract

When selling secondary rights, be sure to read the terms carefully. Here are some key aspects to look out for:

• Exclusivity: Some rights deals are exclusive, meaning that only one company or producer can use the rights for a set period of time. Others may be non-exclusive, which allows you to sell the rights to more than one party.

• Territory: Pay attention to the territory or region in which the rights are sold. For example, if you sell the film rights for North America, that won’t prevent you from selling the rights for international markets.

• Revenue: The payment structure will vary depending on the type of rights. For instance, film rights are often sold for a lump sum, while audiobook rights may be sold for royalties or a flat fee. Understand how you will be compensated.

• Duration: The length of time the rights are being sold for matters. For example, you might sell film rights for five years or a specific number of adaptations.

4. Know the Value of Your Rights

Before you sell any rights, it’s important to understand the potential value of your work in other formats. Some things to consider:

• Popularity and demand: Books with existing fan bases or those that are trending may have more value in terms of film/TV adaptations or foreign sales.

• Genre: Certain genres, like thrillers, fantasy, or romance, often have higher demand for film adaptations or foreign translations. Consider how your book fits into broader market trends.

• Adaptability: If your story has strong visual elements or a unique concept, it may be more attractive to film producers or merchandise companies.

5. Leveraging the Rights Sale for Marketing

Selling secondary rights can also work as a tool for marketing your book in its original format. For instance:

• Film/TV Deals: A book that’s optioned for film or television often gets a boost in visibility. Even if it’s not immediately adapted, the announcement of a deal can drive interest in your book.

• Foreign Sales: Translating your book into another language can open up new markets and new readers who might then explore your book in its original format.

6. Rights Reversion: What Happens After the Deal?

In some cases, rights deals may revert to the author after a certain period, such as if the book is not adapted or the agreement expires. Understanding your reversion clauses is critical so you can regain control over the rights if necessary.

Selling secondary rights is an excellent way to expand the reach of your work and gain additional income streams. It can open up new audiences, new opportunities, and even give your book a second life in different formats.

To you and your book!

Megan

Choosing Your Book's Genre

Book genres are used to categorize your books. There are lots of benefits to this, of course – if a reader wants to read a romantic story, they will be grateful to find the romance section, as opposed to looking at every single book in the bookstore to see if it aligns with their interests.

Additionally, a genre helps agents know which editors to pitch your book to, and it helps editors know how they can package and sell your book to readers. Not every agent is interested in the same genres, just as some publishing imprints specialize in some genres over others.

Below you’ll see a list of the main genres in the publishing world. Note that these are main genres, and that there are often subgenres associated with a category (for instance, there are different types of mysteries – cozy mystery, police procedural, etc.).

When you are pitching your book, it is essential you know the genre your book lives under (e.g., “My 110,000-word novel, Murderous Kisses, is a romantic police procedural…”). As you can see in the example, you will likely have elements of more than one genre – however, you’ll want to have one be the primary focus (in the example, the book is a police procedural that also has romance.)

It also helps to use comparative titles when pitching, as it gives the agent or editor a shorthand understanding of your book’s potential spot in the marketplace (for instance, “my self-help empowerment guide for women has the sassiness of Girl, Wash Your Face and the spiritual elements like those in The Universe Has Your Back”).

Here are three lists of genres (fiction, nonfiction, and bonus) to get you started:

Fiction Genres

1.     Fantasy

2.     Adventure

3.     Mystery

4.     Romance/Erotica

5.     Literary

6.     Contemporary

7.     Dystopian

8.     Horror

9.     Thriller

10.  Paranormal

11.  Magic Realism

12.  Historical Fiction

13.  Science Fiction

14.  Children’s

15.  Young Adult

16.  New Adult

17.  Realist

18.  Upmarket

19.  Mainstream

20.  “Women’s”

Nonfiction

1.     Memoir/Autobiography

2.     Self-Help/Personal Development

3.     Cooking

4.     Art/Photography

5.     Health/Fitness

6.     History

7.     Travel

8.     Guide/How-To

9.     Families/Relationships/Parenting

10.  Humor

11.  True Crime

12.  Biography

13.  Business/Money

14.  Politics/Social Sciences

15.  Science/Technology

16.  Religion/Spirituality

17.  Essays

18.  Poetry

19.  Children’s

20.  Young Adult

21.  New Adult

Bonus Genres:

1.     Graphic Novel

2.     Short Stories

3.     LGBTQ+

4.     Bildungsroman

What genre are you writing? Let me know in the comments below.

Looking for some reading recommendations?

Many clients published books in 2024, and some have done so even more recently. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on projects in a variety of genres, but memoirs in particular have been more and more popular over the past few years.

Why do I enjoy working on memoirs and self-help books? Because the authors very much want to help readers. They want to share their pain, their triumphs, their lessons learned, so that others can benefit from that hard-won expertise. While ALL books can be helpful (nothing fills my heart with more joy than curling up with a glass of wine and a good book!), these brave authors really put themselves out there, and the insight they share with readers is so valuable.

I try not to choose favorites, but here are the recently-published books by some clients I have enjoyed working with in particular!

​Jet Lag Junkie: Unfiltered Tales of a Compulsive Wanderer by Jeff Johns

2025 Feathered Quill Award Finalist - Best Memoir

Jeff, an overweight and insecure college student on the verge of dropping out, follows an uncontrollable urge ending up alone nearly 10,000 miles from home weeks after the 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia. Desperate to chase every experience possible, Jet Lag Junkie is the vulnerable and raw journey behind one man's quest to find meaning, belonging, and love amidst an ever-changing backdrop of the most unique places on Earth.
​
Through deeply personal struggles with severe ADHD, imposter syndrome, anxiety, body image, and burnout, Jeff’s two-decade journey through nearly 100 countries reveals issues seldom discussed in a world that worships perfection and happiness on every screen. Brought to life through adventures from Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, being held at gunpoint in Malaysia, being impossibly lost in Bangladesh and detained by military police in Tajikistan, Jet Lag Junkie inspires readers to experience life more deeply, and to get a bit uncomfortable while doing it.
​
Often humorous, always intimate, Jet Lag Junkie reveals the compulsive search and painful struggles of growing up. Testing the limits of what Jeff is capable of, how much he is willing to sacrifice before stopping long enough to find someone to enjoy it all with?

​Jumpseat: Jet Setting in the 1970s by Dianna Bennett

When a 20-year-old college student stumbles on her way to marriage, she finds solace in a new life of travel and intrigue. In 1969, with the Viet Nam War raging and the youth of America on fire, Dianna runs away from the pain of rejection and the embarrassment of an engagement gone wrong. As she searches for meaning, two strangers steer her into the arms of Trans World Airlines and the "Jet Set" age of travel. With each new assignment, especially on the Boeing 747, she soon forgets about the life she left behind. Open eyed, yet naive, she earns her wings as she maneuvers through the new and exciting minefields of international travel.

​A Real Nobody a Fake Somebody and Me: A Memoir of Forced and Closed Adoption by Sherry Bridgette Healey:

In her haunting memoir, A Real Nobody A Fake Somebody and Me, Sherry Bridgette Healey unveils a lifetime of secrets buried beneath layers of deception. Born into anonymity, Sherry Bridgette’s existence was erased by a government mandate, and from the moment she took her first breath, she was condemned to a life of invisibility, and forced to become ‘Sherry.’ But behind this facade of non-existence lies a tale of resilience, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of truth as the true identity of Bridgette, voices her story.
​
From the depths of abandonment to the heights of self-discovery, her journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit. As she unravels the tangled web of lies that shroud her past, she confronts the ghosts of her childhood, navigating a treacherous landscape of psychological abuse and emotional neglect. But amidst the darkness, glimmers of hope emerge as Bridgette discovers the power of embracing her fractured identity and reclaiming her stolen heritage.
​
As she unveils the layers of her fragmented self, she invites readers to explore the secret underbelly of institutionalized adoption practices, drawing chilling parallels to the darkest chapters of history. But A Real Nobody A Fake Somebody and Me is more than a memoir – it’s a rallying cry for justice, and a roadmap for healing and transformation to all who have felt the pain of rejection and the trauma of lost identity and the ongoing injustices and violations against our basic human rights. With raw honesty, poignant insights, and practical wisdom, Bridgette shares her journey from victim to victor, inviting readers to join her on an expedition of healing and transformation, inspiring hope in the hearts of those who dare to reclaim their true selves.

​Hip Hop x Finance: Become a Financial Gangster! Get off Debt Row and Stack your Cash Flow by Drew Boyer:

Hip Hop x Finance is a unique financial guide that blends personal finance education with the powerful influence of hip-hop culture. Written by a 20+ year veteran of the financial services industry and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, author Drew Boyer takes readers on an engaging journey through the all-to-common money mistakes, lessons, and successes that shaped both his own financial journey and the world of hip-hop.
​
Drawing from personal experiences of making financial missteps in his early adulthood, Drew parallels his story with the financial rise and fall of famous hip-hop artists. From the extravagant lifestyles of MC Hammer and 50 Cent to the financial wisdom of moguls like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, Hip Hop x Finance uses real-life examples from the music industry to illustrate critical money lessons including managing debt, building cash flow, investing wisely, and avoiding common money pitfalls.
​
With chapter titles inspired by iconic hip-hop tracks, clever wordplay, and excerpts of classic rhymes, the book entertains while providing practical education on how to turn financial struggles into wealth-building opportunities for Gen X, Y, and Z. Break free from the "Debt Row" trap, become an entrepreneurial hustler to stack your cash flow, and learn the basic tricks about how to build lasting financial success.

​Activate Your Future Self: The Secret to Effortlessly Becoming the Happiest, Healthiest and Wealthiest You by Mimi Bouchard

FINALLY GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE
​​
​In this transformative book, Mimi Bouchard, founder of the revolutionary Activations app, offers simple but powerful strategies to shift every aspect of your life – from your health and relationships to your career and finances – and help you become the happiest, most successful, most abundant version of yourself. You’ll discover how to:

• Gain clarity on what your dream life looks like and what you really want

• Change your self-image and become your Future Self through visualization, mental rehearsal, Activations, writing prompts and more

• Maintain your Future Self frequency every day using Mimi’s unique achievement tool, the Bounce Back Rate™

You have potential inside of you that you haven’t tapped into yet. This book will show you how to achieve that potential, quickly recover from setbacks and finally become who you’ve always wanted to be. Remember: to create the life you want, you must first become the kind of person that has it.
​
It’s time to activate your Future Self.

​Moving Forward with Bold Uncertainty by Lisa Rose:

How do I move forward? What will this new life hold for me?

If others can get "there," will I be able to get "there" too? What does "there" even look like for me, anyway?

Those of us dealing with separation, divorce, or significant loss face difficult questions like these. Author Lisa Rose explores answers to them, sharing raw, personal stories from her own journey through divorce and toward discovering her "there."

Life has a way of sending storms into our lives that make us face how harsh reality can be. Setbacks, mistakes, and missteps might cause us to stumble. Failures, hurdles, and disappointments might sneak up on us. Losses, rejection, and exclusion might catch us by surprise.

A retired Christian life coach, Lisa helps others find answers and shares eight pivotal lessons guiding readers in figuring out their own "there", cultivating the necessary grace and courage to let go of what once was to Moving Forward with Bold Uncertainty into a life full of hidden blessings and unexpected new beginnings. Whatever challenge we face, there are possibilities out there to claim, if we are ready and bold enough to step forward to grasp them.

​The Science of Miracles: One doctor's journey to find hope and healing beyond the broken medical system by Robin Youngson

Driven by childhood trauma, a passionate engineer turned doctor confronts the suffering within the medical system. Expecting to find compassion and care, he instead encounters a broken, inhumane and corrupt system. As his journey leads him to question his own deeply held beliefs, he uncovers an urgent need for strategies prioritizing human connection over technical fixes.

Through profound encounters with patients and wise teachers, the author discovers a new scientific reality where healing flourishes and miracles occur daily – insights with the potential to transform medical practice. After winning New Zealand's highest medical award, he makes a bold decision to leave the system and embrace his true calling as a healer and teacher.

This honest and captivating medical memoir explores how societal myths and trauma misshape our beliefs, and our innate capacity to heal. Blending cutting-edge neuroscience with extraordinary stories of compassion and healing, this book offers fresh insights and new hope by showing how challenging our assumptions can transform our lives and the world we are part of.

I hope you will take the time to check out one of these books – or even work on your own!

To you and your book!

Megan

Guest Post: 5 Uncommon Writing Tips for Beginners

The world is awash in a sea of writing tips and advice. Every writer has their own approach to the craft and, as a result, their own opinions.

The good thing for you as a budding author is that you have a wealth of information to learn from. It’s up to you to work out which is useful and which isn’t, and you do that by trying things out.

In this guide, you’ll hopefully walk away with a few more things to try as we cover some more uncommon writing tips for beginners.

Let’s dive in.

1. Think About Character Development

If you’re writing a novel and you have your cast of characters all ready to go, it helps to think about the journey that those individuals are going to go on. This isn’t just a physical journey, getting from point A to point B, but an emotional journey. How do they respond to the great events you put them through? How does that shape them as people?

Our stories and characters are subject to The Butterfly Effect too. Every action has a consequence and how a character responds usually corresponds with how they develop in the story.

For example, Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings on his quest to Mount Doom runs into obstacle after obstacle. Yet he carries on, it doesn’t let it break him. And this helps him grow as a character.

2. An Important Writing Tip: If You Can’t Work Out the Plot, Focus on Conflict

One of the ways you can help encourage your characters to grow and develop is to place obstacles in their path. These challenges test their skills and their resolve and helps them advance forward.

Much of the time, if you can’t think of what could happen next in the story, ask yourself what your characters want—usually the end goal of the story. Then ask yourself what can you do to stop them from achieving that?

Then list all of your ideas. You can call these points of conflict and you can litter the road for your characters with them.

So one of the best and most important writing tips you can keep in mind is to try and think of ways to stop your characters from getting what they want. You’ll have plenty of plot ideas before you know it.

3. Try Starting with The Theme

One element of writing that many writers struggle with is theme. And it’s understandable as to why.

Theme, or the premise of the story, is in my experience poorly explained. Given the vagueness of the concept it also comes with vague explanations. However, here’s a simple one: the theme of a story is what it’s actually about, what the very point of you telling this story is.

For example, the point of Lord of the Rings was to prove that good can overcome evil, even despite the odds against them. And that you should always hope that good will win.

This is then demonstrated through the story and the characters.

So, thinking about the point you’re trying to make first can help build a structure for everything else because everything should tie back to that theme.

4. Don’t Edit Until After Your First Draft

Writing a story is a process and as part of that process, you’re in no way expected to write something perfect with your first draft.

The manuscript you create evolves over time. It’s analysed, critiqued, and shaped until finally, you reach a point where you can change it no more.

A lot of writers talk about feeling the temptation to go back and fix things as they’re writing that first draft. This can be a dangerous thing to do.

Completing a draft is all about building momentum with your writing. If you’re able to develop a habit where you’re writing a few thousand words a day, you don’t want to disrupt that. Keep it going for as long as you can. And one of the best ways to help you do that is to refrain from looking back.

You may think of glaring plot holes as you plough on, but if you can, just make a note for later that you need to fix it.

5. You Don’t Need to Write Everyday

Many people start writing as a hobby, something to fill their void of spare time. However, it’s an infectious pursuit and soon you may find the desire to write taking over.

We may then become locked in a battle with time. Many of us have to work to live and that takes up a lot of time. And then there are the woes of life itself to contend with.

It’s important to appreciate how much time you have to write. If you only get an hour a week, it’s unreasonable to expect to write a novel in six months.

The more time you put into it, though, the more you’ll get out of it.

But what you can put in is still tremendous progress. Every word you get down on paper is a step toward achieving your writing goal. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting more done. Just do what you can and keep focusing on the finish line.

Writing a big project like a novel is very much like running a marathon. The mental challenges are the same. And they’re often the trickier ones to overcome.

In Summary

Embarking upon a creative writing project is one of the most exciting things you can try. But as you wander into the creative wilderness, you’ll soon find traps aplenty. However, by taking the time to read up on advice like this, you’ll navigate your way without issue.

Above all, stay focused on that end goal. When drafting, avoid editing. And if you get stuck with the story along the way, think about conflict and theme and that should help reveal solutions for your character development too.

(Writing) Trivial Pursuit

I thought we’d have a little fun today and explore some writing trivia. I found some wonderful sites with some great facts, and wanted to share some of those with you:

1.     John Steinbeck used 300 pencils to write East of Eden and was known to use up to 60 pencils in a day.

2.     The word “colygraphia” means “writer’s block.”

3.     Gertrude Stein claimed the water-drinking patterns of her dog, Basket, taught her the difference between sentences and paragraphs in writing.

4.     Graham Greene would write 500 words a day and then stop – even in the middle of a sentence.

5.     Agatha Christie suffered from dysgraphia, which meant she could not write legibly; as a result, she dictated all of her novels.

6.     When Dr. Seuss was stuck writing his books, he would go to a secret closet filled with hundreds of hats and wear them till the words came.

7.     In the 1891 UK census, 6,000 respondents identified themselves as writers, editors, or journalists; by 1901, the figure had risen to 11,000.

8.    Introverts make the best writers. There is a stereotype that writers are lonely, maladjusted introverts who don’t enjoy interacting with other people. While this stereotype isn’t completely true, studies have found that introverts are more creative and thus better creative writers. One of the reasons for this is likely that introversion gives someone more time to think alone, and thinking alone helps to spark creativity. 

9.    Creative writing is similar to professional athletics. A German researcher, Martin Lotze, studied the brains of both professional athletes and professional writers and found that their brain activity was very similar during athletic competition and the writing process. Interestingly, Lotze found that professional writers and amateur writers had a key difference: Professional writers used their speech-processing center of the brain to develop their stories, while amateur writers relied on their vision centers to imagine the story first.

10.   Our language is constantly changing. The English language changes at an astonishing rate. By one estimate, a new word is added to the dictionary every two hours. The conventions for how to use words also change at regular intervals. For example, some of the leading style guides, such as Chicago, APA, MLA, and AP change their rules for how to use punctuation, pronouns, and specific words and phrases at regular intervals. Writers need to keep up with the latest style changes to ensure their writing meets the mark.

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