The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals

by Moira Allen

Every writer wants to publish as widely as possible, and this book gives writers the tools to achieve a competitive edge and break into a wide range of markets. The second edition has been updated throughout and expanded to cover e-mail pitches, letters of introduction, pitching to international markets, how to pitch agents at conferences, and new markets such as greeting cards. This sprightly guide enables readers to expand their markets and increase sales by learning how to make the perfect pitch to magazines, publishers, corporations, and other potential clients. This indispensable resource provides writers with successful approaches to such topics as how to craft a query letter, create a nonfiction or fiction book proposal, approach newspapers with a column or syndication idea, get corporate freelancing jobs, and win a writing grant. Interviews with experts in a variety of fields and dozens of new examples of successful pitches, queries and proposals enliven and illustrate the text. Beginning and experienced writers will find this the perfect one-of-a-kind, desktop reference for developing the market approaches they need to sell their work.

Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kendra Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last, a book on the novel craft that delivers what is promised in its title. The Writer’s Guide to Queries, Pitches, & Proposals by Moira Allen is a no-nonsense, in-depth manual, written by an industry expert (author, publisher, editor), that includes salient advice, samples, and insider tips on the aforementioned topics; it also shares career advice for aspiring writers and editors. In fact, it’s so dense it might benefit from some chapter summaries or bullet points to recap.

The book begins with appropriately novice advice delivered in a professional tone, and examples and reasons are given for Allen’s points. Buried within some of the more obvious warnings (such as “Be Professional”) are realistic but encouraging insights. “A new writer without a credit to his or her name can appear every bit as professional as a writer who has published a dozen novels” (9). Allen then continues this introductory section by giving sound, specific tips on what to include in your query and bio to appear professional, and what not to include if you’re a still-unpublished writer. As a frequent writing-conference attendee, I’ve had to glean this bit by bit through agent panels; thus I feel confident that Allen’s book delivers the insider help a struggling novelist needs rather than the obvious, surface-level advice that can be found while perusing the Writer’s Digest website.

I approached this book from the perspective of a novelist, but it covers many types of queries, pitches, and proposals. Allen writes from the viewpoint that to build a career you’ll likely have to branch out; of particular interest to novel-writers would be the section on querying periodicals (as we all can improve our craft by writing short fiction and from having the publishing credits on our bio). Allen even discusses self-publishing and column syndication; though I feel the information is somewhat outdated, Allen’s insights are still helpful. The “what to watch out for when seeking an agent” section in particular is an excellent and encouraging reminder of how aspiring writers should not allow themselves to be taken advantage of.

The most useful section is the one on writing novel synopses. Allen provides numerous examples, which are hard to find, and explains the philosophy behind each step in the process. However, here’s the one flaw—the book is semi-outdated. Most agents are currently asking for no more than two-page synopses, and the ones Allen presents are often not only lengthier but wordy. Their wordiness, I suspect, would annoy the agents I’ve recently met at conferences. Allen is also a little off the mark when saying, re querying, “If you don’t hear back for a month after the listed time, a polite phone inquiry is usually appropriate” (170). While such a call might not be wildy inappropriate, it’s atypical and not likely to get you any further, and that’s if you can locate a phone number for the many mostly-online agencies. Agents these days often don’t respond at all if they’re not interested; this is simply their new normal.

This guide is already an excellent resource that I will order for my school library after inquiring about a third edition. Allen published her first edition in 2001 and the second in 2010; there’s hope this will be updated soon.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thorough intermediate book with easily understood examples for writing queries, pitches and proposals. The writing is clear and concise.
My only criticisms revolve around how POD and vanity/subsidy publishers are defined, as I don't think that was made very clear.The sections on indie and ebook publishing are somewhat out of date, but that's to be expected in a book that's a couple of years old now. Worth reading for a refresher or an introduction.

[Janga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new edition of a book that’s already won praise for its thorough, practical information for writers. Whether you are a new writer in search of an agent or an experienced writer looking to expand in new directions or share your knowledge through real time or online courses, Allen and other experts have things to say that you need to know. Do you need information on writing a column, preparing a nonfiction book proposal, applying for a grant? Allen and Company have the information. If you feel overwhelmed by changes in the writing business, Allen offers useful information on email submissions, using Amazon to research the competition, and the pros and cons of DIY publishing.

These days writers, agents, and editors offer advice on blogs, board, and social network sites. Information that once was available only to the writer who diligently searched through library shelves and faithfully read industry publications can now be accessed from home, office, or your favorite coffee shop. But the quality of information is uneven, and even an enthusiastic writer may tire of googling before all her questions are answered. There is much to be said for reliable information on an impressive array of relevant topics presented in lucid, conversational prose packaged in one handy book that you can find at your local bookstore or order online. The Writer’s Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals is that book.

Frankly, I’d be tempted to give it five stars if the only thing that it had given me was the reassurance that if the mere thought of pitching at a conference is enough to start me hyperventilating, it’s ok to pitch on paper. Whew!!! But, of course, this book offers much more than my favorite bit. It has become my new go-to source for all the things I need to know but have no mentor to ask. I highly recommend it.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful, overall. Oddly I kept thinking that the book was not very well written - it seemed vague and unclear in places where specifics and examples were needed. I have a feeling this book is better for people trying to publish magazine articles, not novels.

[Kelly Lynn Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid look at how to pitch and query your work successfully. I used some of the suggestions here and successfully placed a few creative nonfiction pieces, so it's been tested and proved effective!

The book is a tad outdated, but does include guidelines for email queries. The book covers both fiction and nonfiction, from pitching articles to magazines to writing a query letter for a novel to crafting a nonfiction book proposal. It also covers how to pitch classes, workshops, etc. to conferences and colleges. I didn't read all the chapters (there's one about writing for the greeting card market, which I'm not interested in), but you don't have to.

I definitely feel more confident about cold pitching and my query letter after working through this book.

[Naomi North · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expansive. Covers a lot of ground for a considerably small volume. Offers the clearest description of self publishing I've come across to date.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great reference book with lots of real examples from successfully pitched books. I enjoy this book mainly for the examples, and the breakdowns of example detailing what works in each pitch. This isn't my only source of good pitching advice, I have found the Book Doctors as helpful if not more so, but this book is a great place to start if you want to sell your work and have no idea where to start.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good: thorough and specific. I think it's soon to be obsolete, if not already obsolete, in its treatment of electronic publishing and its dismissal of self-publishing, unless you really care about being accepted by the gatekeepers. But otherwise, seems very good.

Note to self: if you decide to do a paper book, revisit this for sample proposals.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting, it actually had pages full or real proposals so you can see examples and what did not work and what did. This book is very informative more then I thought it would be. This book is great to have starting out. How many of us dread query letters. I know I do.

[T.M. Carper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was recommended to me by an author at a conference. There's very little in it for actual novelists, so I recommend borrowing it instead of buying it. Overall, I didn't learn anything new from it.

[James Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're trying to get a literary agent for a novel, you'll find all you need on web sites for doing that.

Can't speak to proposals for non-fiction other than to say it's all about your platform (i.e., name recognition, network).

[Clive Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful guide for writers looking to pitch to magazines, also deals with queries to lit. agents.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the relevant parts. Examples are good. Construction of chapters . . . eh.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allen's advice is practical and clear. Whatever she teaches in this book, you'll come away knowing how to do it.

[Carine · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE writer's guide to queries, pitches and proposals

All-in-one, comprehensive yet concise guide to your queries and proposals to newspapers, magazines and publishers.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concrete advice and "to-do" strategies as well as overarching philosophies for a variety of genres and formats. Useful - I will return to this book.

[Brett Wallach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful straighforward guide, maybe a bit female-writer centric.