This post contains a step-by-step guide on how to write a query letter and pitches like the one included in this post. Our query letter lesson also contains the first draft of the query I wrote for GOOD PEOPLE, the final draft that got me my agent, and a revised draft of how I’d write the query letter now with 5+ years of hindsight and a book deal.
If this query letter post is helpful to your process, please let me know!
This is great! I came from poetry not short stories, but I know back when I was struggling with expanding to novel-length fiction, the hang-up was committing to decisions...as a result my characters often vibed along in a stasis, and I wondered why arcs were so hard to create. Would have been very helpful back then to have that rephrasing of "dilemmas" over "problems!"
The concept of dilemmas is definitely something I wish I had earlier in my writing life. I totally relate to what you're saying about having characters vibing in stasis. Situations are pretty easy to create, but stories with full arcs are a whole other wonderfully complicated thing. It took me a long time to get a handle on this.
Thanks for reading! The first time I heard this distinction something really clicked for me with my approach to both genres. So glad to hear it’s helpful for you too.
You write very generously. And I was startled by the plot of your novel because I'm also writing a coming of age campus novel with a theme of aspirational whiteness/assimilation. It's time for more fiction about this! I've read several memoirs with that theme, but not much fiction (if any). And this project was also born out of short stories so you're experience is relevant in that way as well. I'm eager to read your book!
Woah. Claps for demystifying. I think it always feels like you're fumbling blindly around hoping your novel is going naturally have that lifeline out of the plotless darkness - if only you could find it. It's so helpful to find clear, key things to keep in mind or try to implement. It feels like maybe my lifeline is just beyond my fingertips now. Thanks Kat <3
This is all great stuff. Your perseverance after the first rejections of the novel is admirable. It's so hard to know when to give up on a project. Look forward to reading the book!
Thank you so much for this amazing post! I absolutely loved your points on tension and how all stories must result in a transport nation or a metaphorical or physical death. Made so many things click for the current novel I’m writing!!💗
Since some people mentioned how helpful it was to see a concise novel pitch in this post, I thought I’d share our post on pitch writing, “How to Write a Query Letter”: https://open.substack.com/pub/katjolewis/p/how-to-write-a-query-letter?r=1nxyt&utm_medium=ios
This post contains a step-by-step guide on how to write a query letter and pitches like the one included in this post. Our query letter lesson also contains the first draft of the query I wrote for GOOD PEOPLE, the final draft that got me my agent, and a revised draft of how I’d write the query letter now with 5+ years of hindsight and a book deal.
If this query letter post is helpful to your process, please let me know!
Thank you for your generosity and specificity in your post. What a gift!
Thanks for reading!
This is great! I came from poetry not short stories, but I know back when I was struggling with expanding to novel-length fiction, the hang-up was committing to decisions...as a result my characters often vibed along in a stasis, and I wondered why arcs were so hard to create. Would have been very helpful back then to have that rephrasing of "dilemmas" over "problems!"
The concept of dilemmas is definitely something I wish I had earlier in my writing life. I totally relate to what you're saying about having characters vibing in stasis. Situations are pretty easy to create, but stories with full arcs are a whole other wonderfully complicated thing. It took me a long time to get a handle on this.
Thanks for reading!
Great read very insightful
Thanks for reading!
My pleasure
This is wonderful. Made me look at the opening four chapters of my novel differently as they now seem to be lacking. Thank you so much.
Thanks for reading! So glad to hear the post helped you see your writing in a new light. Excited for you and your work!
This is wonderful! "A short story explores the possibility of a change while a novel explores the consequences" has stayed with me.
Thanks for reading! The first time I heard this distinction something really clicked for me with my approach to both genres. So glad to hear it’s helpful for you too.
This was fantastic -- thank you so much for such a clear breakdown 🙏🏽
Thanks for reading!
You write very generously. And I was startled by the plot of your novel because I'm also writing a coming of age campus novel with a theme of aspirational whiteness/assimilation. It's time for more fiction about this! I've read several memoirs with that theme, but not much fiction (if any). And this project was also born out of short stories so you're experience is relevant in that way as well. I'm eager to read your book!
Totally agree that we need more books on this topic. Excited for you and your work!
Woah. Claps for demystifying. I think it always feels like you're fumbling blindly around hoping your novel is going naturally have that lifeline out of the plotless darkness - if only you could find it. It's so helpful to find clear, key things to keep in mind or try to implement. It feels like maybe my lifeline is just beyond my fingertips now. Thanks Kat <3
Thanks for reading. Excited for you and your work!
Excellent post
Thanks for reading!
Big, big thanks. Huge generosity and all the best.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm very excited to read your book :-)
Thanks for reading!
Oof. I have some work to do. Thanks for this!
Thanks for reading!
This is all great stuff. Your perseverance after the first rejections of the novel is admirable. It's so hard to know when to give up on a project. Look forward to reading the book!
Thanks for reading!
this is really helpful, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading!
Thank you! This is helpful to me.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you so much for this amazing post! I absolutely loved your points on tension and how all stories must result in a transport nation or a metaphorical or physical death. Made so many things click for the current novel I’m writing!!💗
Thanks for reading. So glad to hear it was helpful for your writing process. Excited for you and your book!