Query Like a Pro: What Literary Agents Actually Look For
Welcome to our Books & Such podcast! We're so glad that you're here with us. According to literaryagent.com, the average literary agent can read 11,000 queries before finding a project that stands out for representation. Far too many hopeful authors are writing ineffective query letters. We want to help you avoid that! How can you write a query that grabs our attention? In this first episode, we discuss the factors that compel us to dig into your query letters. How important is your title? How long should your query letter be? What should you include in your query? Our goal is give you valuable insights as well as practical guidance to help you write high quality, attention-grabbing queries. We also tell you what to avoid and much more! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our Books & Such podcast on iTunes so you'll be notified when new episodes are released. RESOURCES: Visit the Books & Such Website
What literary agents really look for (with Kate McKean)
How to Pitch Your Book in 2026 with Literary Agent Jessica Berg
Three Questions That Make Accomplished Leaders Go Quiet
The Query Letter that Got Me an Agent (and one that didn't) + Query letter tips and suggestions!
What NOT to Say as a Writer (and Why It Matters for Your Career)
Should You Give Up On Traditional Publishing?
Literary agent Jonny Geller on the importance of query letters and the role of an agent
I got a literary agent!! 🖋️ My entire querying journey
Conversations Agents Don't Want to Have—And How to Avoid Them
Five Ways to Make Sure Agents Won't Read Your Whole Query
How to Land a Literary Agent & Navigate Traditional Publishing
10 Things Literary Agents Look for in a Book
How I *actually* Got My Literary Agent (NO GATEKEEPING)
Publishing's Dirty Secret About New Authors
Literary agent Julie Crisp on the red flags she sees in query letters and more
Kate McKean, writer and literary agent, reveals the DOs and DON'Ts of getting author representation
How Writers Actually Get Published (Macmillan CEO Interview)
Top 8 Turnoffs for Literary Agents (AVOID These When Querying!)
Does reading make you a better person? | Dominic Sandbrook | The New Society
