Query Critiques Will Reopen November 1st, 9:00 AM EST!
Due to the overwhelming response, there are 15 first-come-first-serve slots available. Please keep an eye here and on my social media for additional dates!
Why I Do This
I got my agent without paying a cent. (Seriously. I didn't even have a Microsoft Office subscription.) But I was only able to make it happen because of an excellent public school education, friends who offered to read my book, mentors who gave advice, and online strangers who generously volunteered their time. Not only do I want to pay forward the kindness they showed me, I also know that those kinds of communities are not accessible to everyone.
There are a ton of barriers to traditional publishing, especially for marginalized writers like myself. The rise of paid query critiques, AMAs, and beta reading puts up even more obstacles. Though I am not a publishing professional in any way, my aim is to pass on whatever knowledge I've aquired as a layperson with the hope of being a small part of fostering a more diverse group of traditionally published writers.
How It Works
Fill out the form below with a copy of your query and a little bit about your process so far. I will respond with in-depth critique of the content of the query and the ways it fits or deviates from the standard for submission. I usually make line comments and then send a write-up with my larger thoughts. I frequently send relevant links to examples I think may be helpful or sources featuring expert opinion.
I do not guarantee a timeline for when I will respond.
I may remove queries that don't follow the guidelines below.
Issues with the form? Try this link instead.
Guidelines
Please remember that I am not a professional and am providing these services for free! Because of that, I do not accommodate unreasonable or unkind requests. I will simply remove the query from my inbox and move on to other submissions.
Some other guidelines—
I am only able to help with queries for novel-length works of fiction. Unfortunately I do not have the experience to critique picture books, nonfiction, memoirs, or indie press/publisher submissions.
Please don't send a synopsis, chapters, or multiple forms of the same query. I budget time to work with one letter at a time and can't look at additional content or different iterations.
Please don't try to circumvent any of these rules by offering to pay me. I truly do offer these services on principle and I will not accept money.
Privacy
Nothing that is sent to me will be shared with any other person or program. I do not send queries to anyone else, nor do I use any AI. I store the queries on a private account on a private device. I typically keep a copy of my edit letter and comments for my own records, but if you'd prefer I delete all instances of your writing after we work together, just let me know and I'm happy to honor that.
Response
If you received critique that was helpful to you in any way and you want to give back, there are a number of non-monetary options.
Please send me an update on your successes! I really, really love hearing these and it is truly meaningful to see my work make a difference in your story.
Feel free to post about your experience and tag me if you like. I'll add it to my testimonials below!
You can follow and interact with me on social media and add my books on GoodReads! These are available on my "Links" page.
You can take what you know and pass it on to the next generation of writers without charging them! Feel free to share my advice and comments as widely as you want. Our whole community benefits when we trade knowledge without barriers.
And just to reiterate, none of these are necessary. Please do not feel pressured to
do or say anything in return, this is truly meant to be free!