CJ Redwine’s Query Workshop

For all the aspiring authors out there, here’s something you should definitely check out if you’re having trouble writing the dreaded query letter. I know that damn thing stumped me.

I just finished a two-week query workshop with CJ Redwine, and it was AWESOME! I first stumbled upon CJ by way of the Query Shark last year. Her query was the first GOOD EXAMPLE posted on that blog, and it was so stellar that I had to check out her blog. Very funny and I quickly became a fan. I followed her on Twitter, talked to her a bit, and when I joined Facebook, she was already there because she’d sent me an invitation. Earlier this year, she introduced me to her sister, HC Zuerner, via Twitter, and HC has become one of my best friends.

CJ offers a six-lesson workshop and critique during the final stage of your query for a great price. If you register early, the price is discounted. I believe she’s running another one in January, so keep checking the blogs and jump on it when the time comes. Also, if you refer someone, you can get a free 5-page critique of your MS. The first five pages, of course, and totally worth it. Even if you don’t refer someone, CJ does offer critiques. I’ve seen her critiques and it’s worth the money.

In the workshop, she covers the essentials to writing a good query letter for hooking an agent. She’ll go over the Do’s and Don’t’s of query letter writing, the three main parts of the query, and offer some great resources, such as essential agent blogs to follow and Query Tracker, a site designed to help you organize your query, who you’ve sent it to, and who has rejected it or asked for material. It’s really a great website. And she’ll answer your questions. You know you have them.

There were several revisions of my query, but we finally nailed it and I am very excited about sending it out in January/February once my critique partner and I go through one last full edit of the MS. And here it is:

Now, here’s praying that query letter works and I at least get a partial request. Last time I sent out queries, nada, but that query was awful. I can go forth with confidence now that I’ve had some great advice and learned a few things. Thank you, CJ!


Oh, and CJ, I just have one request: can you PLEASE do a synopsis workshop? I’d definitely sign up!