16 episodes
The Query Show Blair Thornburgh
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5.0 • 12 Ratings
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The Query Show is a show about query letters! Join your host, editor and author Blair Thornburgh, as she breaks down query letters from real authors and gives helpful, occasionally goofy feedback.
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Episode 16: Romance
Romance means double the emotional arcs, double the stakes, and plenty of opportunities for hijinks. So: how information-dense should your query be? Can our beloved cause-and-effect language ever lead you astray? How can you balance external plot, internal arcs, and, you know, that big ol’ relationship that’s at the literal heart of your book? Download … Episode 16: Romance Read More »
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Episode 15: Fantasy
Introducing worldbuilding while establishing character goal, motivation, and conflict—all that and magical Enchanteds, dreamwalkers, and the ever-present format for comp titles. Plus: are rhetorical questions as effective as statements? Two fantasy queries today with a lot to offer. Download a copy of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive
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Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary
How long should a query be? When can you go deep on detail, and when is it just not relevant? Two excellent queries today that dig into this and more, as well as our old favorites: cause and effect, emotional stakes, and internal arcs! Download copies of this week’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music … Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary Read More »
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Episode Thirteen: Picture Books
The deceptively simple picture book query! How do you query a book whose text probably isn’t much longer than the manuscript itself? How can you make sure you convey the plot and the feeling of reading aloud? And how much of your bio paragraph should the query take? Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen … Episode Thirteen: Picture Books Read More »
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Episode Twelve: YA Contemporary and Contemporary Romance
Timelines and query pacing and when it’s appropriate to say “I am seeking representation” and more! Stakes come up both for international intrigue and a romp through a woodsy divorcee retreat. Download copies of this episode’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive
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Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy
It’s a fantastic (literally) week on TQS, which means we’re getting deep into stuff like worldbuilding, showing vs. telling key plot elements, and infusing narrative style into the query itself. Plus: COMP TITLES. Always comp titles! Your fave and mine! Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free … Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy Read More »
Customer Reviews
Great practical advice for query-writing
I know this show hasn’t been updated in a while, and I’m not sure if there’s another season coming... but I just wanted to say how thankful I am for this show! I binge-listened to almost all the episodes while I was preparing to query agents last year, and it was so helpful to hear concrete examples and advice. I’d recommend this show to any writer preparing to pitch their manuscript. Would love to see more episodes in the future if possible!
So helpful!
This is just the podcast I needed right now! It is so helpful!
YES!
I love this podcast so much! Not only are the weekly episodes enjoyable and easy to follow, but the bonus episodes are fantastic! Even as an agented author with a book coming out later this year, I find that I learn something new in every episode. Pitching your book is important and tricky, and this podcast makes it seem accessible to even the newest writer.