How to Write a Query Letter | Stephen Aryan on Structure and Strategy

What should a query letter tell a literary agent? Fantasy author Stephen Aryan joins Richie Billing to work through the structure, purpose and decisions behind a submission letter.

They discuss the opening hook, book pitch, author bio and closing, drawing on Stephen’s experience finding representation with Juliet Mushens. The conversation also covers when to seek feedback and how to think about a querying strategy.

Agent guidelines vary and change over time. Use the episode to understand the parts of a query, then follow each agent’s current instructions.

You’ll discover:

What each part of a query letter needs to do.How Stephen approached his own route to an agent.When feedback may help a query package.Why submission strategy needs current research.

If you are preparing to query a fantasy novel, this conversation offers a paragraph-by-paragraph framework to examine.

ABOUT STEPHEN ARYAN

Stephen Aryan is a fantasy author who discusses the query letter and his experience finding a literary agent.

GUEST AND RELATED LINKS

Read Stephen’s account of finding an agent

Read a literary agency’s cover-letter guide

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