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Your novel feels ready…but it keeps getting rejected. What’s wrong?

Or you’re worried about querying agents at all—what if your novel isn’t “good enough”?

Most rejections stem from the same three problems: the story isn’t compelling, there’s no clear audience, or the writing isn’t ready yet. But how can you identify and solve these problems? Literary agents with stuffed inboxes don’t have time for personal feedback. But Allison and Jane do.

For novelists frustrated with (or anticipating!) rejections, we’ll look at what your query ought to include to catch an agent, editor or publisher’s eye—and what information is optional. We’ll show you the key elements of great first pages and a fast, easy way to find out if your book is starting at the right place.

Then we’ll live-edit participant work to show how to establish your voice, intention, purpose, and story from the very first sentence. You’ll learn editing techniques to improve your manuscript or query right away.

We’ll tell you what agents can’t, with frank, funny and fast-paced tips to get you out of the slush pile and onto the shelf.

This workshop will cover:

• 5 key elements of strong opening pages and how to express them in your own work
• Whether your novel is starting in the right place (hint: START with “the best part”)
• A three-step process to see if your writing is “good enough”
• How a strong first page is the difference between slush pile and full request
• How intriguing concepts sell novels (not copying what’s already on the market!)
• 3 story questions that help you distill your book down to query length
• Why you should avoid the dreaded casting call or laundry list in your query letter
• Should you reveal the ending in the query or not? There’s not a right answer, but there is a rule of thumb.

Traditional publishing is still a reachable goal, and it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd with a professional query, a clear plan for querying, and engaging, powerful first pages.

This class will use submitted work from attendees to demonstrate best practices as well as mistakes. If you’re open to having your first pages used anonymously as part of the presentation, for constructive critique, you can submit them during registration. This class does NOT include a guaranteed critique of your submission. Only a handful of submissions will be chosen as examples, and it won’t be a formal or full critique. But it’ll still be fun and useful!

Important note

This class combines curriculum from Allison K Williams’ 2022 class Why Am I Getting Rejected? and Jane Friedman’s 2024 class on Writing Compelling Queries. If you’ve taken one or both of these classes, this session will hold less value for you unless you want a refresher.

Who should take this class

• Novelists who’d like their work to immediately capture attention and engage agents, editors and readers
• Novelists beginning their query process
• Novelists frustrated with form rejections
• Novelists unsure how to describe their book in pitches and queries
• Creative writing students and MFA graduates from programs with strong craft workshops and no publishing education

Who should not take this class

• Memoirists
• Children’s picture book writers
• Poets and short story writers
• Authors who intend to self-publish or pay a hybrid publisher

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology (see system requirements). You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: March 20, 2024
• Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
• Fee: $35

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate. We also use Otter AI to generate an unedited transcript, provided with the recording.

All students receive the following

• Access to the live class. Allison and Jane will both present and do live editing during the class. We will take questions during the last 15–20 minutes using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 2 hours.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentations in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We use Otter to create an automated transcript of the entire webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.
• Access to Jane’s query letter resource guide. Jane regularly updates a resource guide for students on how to write better query letters. You’ll have continual access after the class.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.