How to Query an Agent or Editor [A Children's Writer Insider Guide from Mentors for Rent™]

by Lisa Bullard

Few writing projects create as much anxiety as crafting a cover or query letter. But while the process of submitting a manuscript can feel overwhelming, writing a query doesn’t have to be. In fact, following a few straightforward guidelines can help you write a letter that dramatically improves your chances of grabbing the attention of a busy editor or agent.

This savvy guide offers step-by-step instructions that successfully steer writers who are targeting the children’s or young adult book market through the query-writing process. (And the process is the same for those writing for the adult market, as well. It's just that our examples are drawn from the children's/young adult publishing world.) Drawing on the combined experience of two working writers who between them have over 160 published children’s book and 43 years working in the publishing industry, it offers a paragraph-by-paragraph outline, online resources, sample letters, and a wealth of real-world experience—all in a friendly, talking-it-over-with-a-friend approach. It’s the place to turn when you want to transform your writing dreams into writing realities!

Check out all of our Children's Writer Insider Guides from Mentors for Rent™ at

About the Mentors for Rent™ is a coaching/critiquing/consulting service for individuals who write for children or young adults. The two Mentors—Lisa Bullard and Laura Purdie Salas—share a passion for children’s book writing and mentoring. You can visit MentorsForRent.com to learn more about their services and backgrounds.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2012

About the author

Lisa Bullard is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including the middle grade mystery Turn Left at the Cow. She is also the author of the how-to guide Get Started in Writing for Children. Her books for younger readers include picture books and nonfiction titles such as Trick-or-Treat on Milton Street and You Can Write a Story: A Story-Writing Recipe for Kids. Her books have won several honors, including a Children’s Choice Award, two Teacher’s Choice Awards, a Science Books & Films’ Best Books listing, a National Parenting Publications Children's Resources Silver Award, and a Storytelling World Awards Honor Title. For over fifteen years, Lisa has taught writing classes for adults and young people at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and in a variety of other settings. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit too basic for where I am at in my own writing journey... but this e-book could be really helpful to writers just starting to submit.