November 12 - November 15
Online
$99Overview
A Weekend Intensive
Some parts of the writing life need time, just as it should be.
But, once your story is finished, the query letter simply needs to get done.
It doesn’t need years. It needs clarity and focus, and you need support. No more waiting for the “right” time of year or the perfect wording! Join us for a weekend where you’ll learn the parts of a query letter, and have time to draft one (with support and feedback on what you’ve drafted).
- Lecture: Thursday, November 12 (7pm – 8:30pm Eastern)
- Attend live or watch prior to Saturday’s generative session.
- Generative Writing Session: Saturday, November 14 (12pm – 2pm Eastern)
- Optional Workshopping: Saturday, November 14 (3pm – 5pm Eastern) or Sunday, November 15 (12pm – 2pm Eastern)
- You’ll have access to the recordings through December 31, 2026.
Why This Workshop?
This weekend intensive is meant to provide clarity, focus, and support as you draft and revise your query letter to send to editors and/or agents. We will take a writer’s approach to the letter, meaning that you can set the idea of “pitching” while trying to craft the letter out of your mind. It will just be writers in the room, and we understand the pressure that is put on this single part in the publication process.
First we’ll focus on the whys of the query letter: Why YOU? Why them? And, why this book right now?
From that perspective, we’ll tackle drafting a letter, giving you time and space to write your letter and ask questions, and a platform to receive immediate feedback on your letter in a supportive workshopping environment.
You should commit to attending the lecture live or watching the recording, setting aside time to draft your letter, and joining one of the two peer-to-peer workshopping sessions (highly encouraged). If you are able to commit to those steps, you’ll have a query letter ready to pair with your finished story by the end of the intensive.
It’s a Great Fit for…
- Writers with a polished story ready to query editors and/or agents. This course will offer suggestions for finding and querying editors and agents.
- Writers of books for kids and teens. The examples shared will be from a multitude of genres. Examples will come from a writer’s perspective and showcase novels and picture books.
- Writers wishing to learn more about the querying process from the perspective of fellow writers.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use throughout the weekend.
All Times are Eastern Time.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Lecture
Thursday, November 12 from 7pm Eastern – 8:30pm Eastern
- Are you ready to query your work?
- Lecture: The three whys of your query letter
- Open Q & A
- Recording available within 12 hours (please watch prior to generative writing session)
Part Two: Generative Session for Query Letter Drafting
Saturday, November 14 from 12pm Eastern – 2pm Eastern
- Drop-in Generative Writing Session
- Use this time to work on your letter with guidance from our faculty. You’ll write the sections piece by piece and can ask questions in real time.
- Stay for as long as you need (or do this work on your own time using the form provided in the lecture).
Part Three: Workshopping Your Letter
You can select one of the following workshop times: Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 3pm – 5pm Eastern or Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 12pm – 2pm Eastern
- Groups of 6 will gather with a facilitator to workshop their query letters.
- Bring your draft or as much of your letter as you have completed.
- Each writer will receive 15 – 20 minutes of workshopping time.
Learn More About This Query Letter Intensive
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect?
You will receive verbal, informal feedback during the workshopping portion of the intensive. If you opt out of the workshopping session, you will not receive feedback on your query letter.
If you’d like to learn more, see our note on feedback in our programs.
Will the Workshop Be Recorded?
The lecture will be recorded. You will receive the recording within 12 hours of the live session, and have access to the recording until December 31, 2026.
The generative writing time and workshopping sessions will not be recorded.
How Does This Workshop Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. This course supports those who are pursuing traditional publishing, helping them to get their stories into the hands of kids.
