5-WEEK WORKSHOP | Ready, Set, Query! Taking the Leap into Traditional Publishing
5-WEEK WORKSHOP | Ready, Set, Query! Taking the Leap into Traditional Publishing
September 25 @ 12:00 pm – October 23 @ 1:15 pm EDT
Querying is one of the most challenging parts of the traditional publishing journey. But breaking the process into doable steps lets you honor your creative vision while navigating traditional publishing like a pro.
For Fiction, Nonfiction and Memoir
Live On Zoom | Thursdays, SEP 25 – OCT 23, 2025 | 12-1:15 pm EDT
Querying can feel like jumping through endless hoops made of jell-o. But the process is relatively straightforward—once you know the standards, how to meet them, and when to sidestep a “rule.”
This multi-week workshop will lessen the ambiguity and stress of reaching out to literary agents. Each week will be dedicated to a single topic related to querying.
For the first three sessions, we’ll focus primarily on the essential parts of the query letter: the hook, the book, and the cook, with a lecture on the whys and hows, with plenty of examples to inspire, and manageable assignments so you can focus on each individual step. With weekly instructor feedback and peer critiques, your letter will evolve into what it’s intended to do: entice an agent to request your work.
The remaining sessions will cover the query process, researching agents, and gathering supporting materials. This interactive class (capped at 12) will offer ample time for Q&A while creating a cohort of supportive colleagues. At the end, you’ll have a finished query, a database of agents, and the motivation to get moving towards your traditional publishing goals.
In this workshop, you will…
- LEARN why agents are necessary for traditional publishing
- SIDESTEP query mistakes, which cause agents headaches
- UNDERSTAND the importance of following agency guidelines
- ORGANIZE a tracking system
- DEVELOP a personal database of 25 agents to query
- and most importantly, START AND FINISH A QUERY LETTER from scratch!
This workshop is for intermediate and advanced writers whose book drafts are complete, and who
- DESIRE traditional publishing but are new to or intimidated by the process
- Feel DAUNTED by writing the query letter and preparing the materials required for submission
- Want to put their BEST FOOT FORWARD but are unsure how
- Are eager to BUILD a new publishing skill set
Closed captioning is available. ✔
Think you might miss a class? No worries, replays will be available. ✔
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Kristin Owens, Ph.D. is an award-winning faculty member with over 25 years university experience. Now a full-time writer in sticky southwest Florida, Kristin has over 100 bylines with celebrated magazines such as Wine Enthusiast, Writer’s Digest, and 5280. Her personal essays have won Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards, been awarded finalist for the New Letters’ award in nonfiction, and been included in RISE! Colorado’s Book of the Year. Her debut novel, Elizabeth Sails, was shortlisted for The Gilda Prize and Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award for Best Cozy. With her background in instructional design, she takes complex subjects and breaks them down into entertaining bite-sized pieces, and her high-energy presentations motivate writers to stick with it.
Testimonials from past students:
“I loved Kristin! What a great teacher. One of the best teachers and writing classes I’ve taken. Thank you!” – Kat
“Kristin is a gifted teacher in addition to being a gifted writer. I always learn so much from her.” – Joanne
“An excellent presenter who cares about her attendees and shares great and insightful information in a positive manner. Would love to attend more of her workshops.” – Sharon
THE FINE PRINT
We understand that life can get in the way of your plans. We want you to be able to get the most out of your course, and our refund policy is designed to balance your need for flexibility with our deadlines and obligations to our teachers.
Before the first class, you may request a refund (less a $25 processing fee).
After class begins, you may request a refund for the remaining value of the course (less a $25 processing fee).
No refunds will be available after the third class.
Questions? Please email Info@writingcraft.com
