Writing for a Living: Queries & Summaries

Master the Art of the Query: Get Your Book, Article, or Ideas Noticed

This comprehensive course provides a deep dive into the essential strategies and skills required to effectively present your writing – whether it's a book, article, or your unique ideas – to potential buyers in today's competitive landscape. We focus on the Query, a crucial element for any professional writing career.

What is a Query?

A query is a concise, 1-2 page letter directed to an editor, producer, or agent, designed to pique their interest in your work and secure a request to read the full project. This course equips you with the knowledge to craft queries that stand out.

Course Overview:

Taught by author Stefan Petrucha, drawing on two decades of experience in novels and graphic novels, this course features twelve video lectures (2-12 minutes each, totaling under two hours). It's structured into three key sections:

• Story Basics: Tackle the most challenging aspect – content. Learn to pitch the core of your work in a brief, captivating way. We'll explore story as a fundamental form of communication, helping you understand what resonates with readers and what doesn't.
• Query Basics: Understand the evolution of the query letter and master its five essential components:
  • Content: Effectively present your story's core.
  • Market: Learn what buyers are looking for and how to meet their needs.
  • Bio: Craft a compelling author biography.
  • Availability: Address rights and availability.
  • Project Status: Clearly communicate the project's progress.
• Creating Summaries: Explore the history of summaries across film, TV, and publishing, and how this context impacts writers. Discover specific strategies for condensing story ideas – a technique that can also boost your content generation.

Plus, a final lecture addresses a common writing hurdle: Redundancy. Learn how to eliminate unnecessary repetition and strengthen your writing.

This course is ideal for authors, freelance writers, screenwriters, and anyone seeking to effectively communicate their ideas and secure opportunities for their work. Learn to write queries that get results!