When I queried my first book, I didn’t have any writer friends in the same life stage. It made my journey incredibly lonely because even when people in my life were supportive, they didn’t really understand.
When I queried my second book, and then my third and fourth, I had multiple writing friends who were in the query trenches. Some moved ahead quickly, getting agents and landing book deals. Some are on submission. Some are still searching for their agent, revising manuscripts or considering self-publishing.
The rejections hurt just as much. But having people who understood was so valuable.
In that spirit I thought I was share the other resources that were invaluable to me throughout my time in the trenches.
I hope you find something in here to support the next stage of your writing journey!
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. If you buy something through the link, the product will not cost you anything more, but I will receive a small commission.
Podcasts
- The Creative Penn Podcast: Author and host Joanna Penn interviews other authors and shares marketing advice and industry news, including AI-adjacent information. She’s a bestselling self-published author so much of her advice is about the self-publishing experience, but I’ve found it helpful anyway – I’m always bringing her show up when people ask me marketing questions.
- The Manuscript Academy: An agent and an author speak with agents, editors, and writers, including my writing group, on their writing journeys. Jessica and Julie are so supportive and helpful in empowering writers!
- The Publishing Rodeo: Two SFF author share their very different journeys to book deals and the insider takeaways for authors. It’s a peek behind the curtain of what happens after you get an agent (or if you go the small press unaccented route)
- The Shit No One Tells You About Writing: Two agents and an author dissect queries, give comp book advice, and interview writers. Helpful if you know your query isn’t working, but don’t know why.
- The Unpublished Podcast: Creativity Coach Amie McNee and James Weinstock talk about writing, creating, and an anti-hustle, pro-art work life balance. This one goes on whenever I need some inspiration.
Querying-specific
- Manuscript Academy : Learn about different genres and industry trends through their webinars, or get your query letter or first page critiqued by an agent. This 3-day submission workshop is super helpful + that’s where I met so many of my writing friends.
- Publisher’s Marketplace: Yes, it costs money to get a membership but it is SO worth it. I sprung for one querying this last book, and it helped me weed out agents who said they wanted LGBTQIA nonfiction, but then had only sold 2 children’s picture books. Not kidding. There is a big difference between what agents say they want on Twitter or in their MSWL bio, and what they actually take on and sell. If I were querying again, I would definitely buy this. PM also has a “suggest agents for me” feature that’s surprisingly helpful. I added many names to my list, though I found my agent before I had to send out another batch of queries.
- Sami Ellis’s Author Adjacent Cheat Sheet: Email templates for when you get a nibble, ned to notify agents, and don’t know what to say.
- Ann Zhao’s Questions to Ask on the Call: Written for marginalized authors and super comprehensive!
- “What agents like to know about authors” infographic: From Carly Watters’ Instagram, helpful for those who dislike talking about themselves (this is me)
- Nathan Branford on how to handle an offer: This former agent turned author is one of the first industry folks I discovered, and a wealth of useful information!
Miscellaneous
- Jane Friedman’s Book Proposal webinar: Essential if you’re writing nonfiction. She does the webinar a couple times a year so sign up for her email list and keep watch. This blog guide to book proposals is helpful in the meantime.
- “Before and After the Book Deal” by Courtney Maum: Such a helpful resource, please get your hands on it (or look for it at your local library)
- PubTips Reddit forum: Query letter critiques and advice from a traditional publishing community. When I had super specific questions during my offer period, this was the first placed I checked.
- Authors Guild: Authors Guild members get free contract reviews. I had one done for a small press book deal I turned down ages ago, and it was so helpful to have a trusted lawyer with publishing credits to turn to. They also have a strong YouTube presence with helpful webinars on writer marketing, navigating the publishing process, and things like writer finances.
Thanks for reading, and happy writing!