Class

Pitch Perfect: Write a Query Letter That Gets Noticed

The query letter is your gateway to traditional publishing—the one-chance pitch that entices a literary agent to request your manuscript. To put your best foot forward, you need to write a query letter that stands out, follows a specific format, and impresses and intrigues an agent. (No small feat, I know!)

A captivating query letter is what unlocks the process of getting your book published, and in this class, we'll walk through it. This online session is designed to take all the guesswork out of writing a query letter. Students can submit their pitch paragraph for on-the-spot feedback in class

In this class, students will learn:

-the five essential elements every query letter should have
-how to write the all-important pitch paragraph
-how to distill a 300-page manuscript into 400 words
-the do's and don’ts for finding comp titles
-how to reduce overwhelm and build confidence as you send your work into the world

All classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.