The Art of Querying Literary Agents and Publishers: 6-Week Course

In this unique publishing course, writers will see the querying process through the eyes of an industry professional and develop communication skills to capture the attention of an agent or publisher
Feb. 24–March 31, 2023
Fridays, 7–9pm EST (4-6pm PST)
This course has been indefinitely postponed.
Email info@pandemicuniversity.com to get notified when it’s offered again.

Get on the Waiting List.

Whether pursuing a literary agent to represent your work to publishers or submitting directly to a publisher, mastering the art of querying will ensure that both you and your work stand out from the crowd. 

Through lectures, roundtable discussions, real-world examples, assignments, and personalized written feedback, literary agent Akin Akinwumi will demystify the querying process and show you how to get the attention of an agent or editor via a strong and compelling query letter. ​​In just six weeks, Akin will prepare you for the next stage of publishing by covering every part of the book queries, from honing your elevator pitch and overview, to identifying your audience and competition.

FREE WEBINAR PREVIEW: Wondering if this course is the right fit for you? Join Akin on Friday, Feb. 3rd at  3pm ET (1pm Pacific) for his free one-hour webinar: Pitch Points: Querying Effectively. Register here ≥≥

TAKEAWAYS

Over the course, students will:

  • Learn how to query literary agents and publishers with guidance from a literary agent
  • Learn how to identify agents and publishers that are a perfect fit for their book(s)
  • Learn how to craft outstanding elevator pitches
  • Create target audience profiles
  • Create competitive title analyses
  • Write a professional query letter (around 700 words) that incorporates all key elements from the course
RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES

This course is intended for intermediate and experienced writers seeking to gain the audience of literary agents and publishers. Students will learn what goes into an industry standard query letter and then write their own under the guidance of Akin Akinwumi. If you’re unsure whether this course is for you, ask us at info@pandemicuniversity.com

COURSE SCHEDULE
Fridays, 7–9pm EST (4–6pm Pacific)
Feb. 24–March 31, 2023 

  • Class 1 (Feb. 24): Introduction: The Querying Process and the Query Letter
  • Class 2 (March 3): The Elevator Pitch
  • Class 3 (March 10): The Overview
  • Class 4 (March 17): The Target Audience
  • Class 5 (March 24): The Competitive Title Analysis and Unique Proposition
  • Class 6 (March 31): The Author Bio + Conclusion and Q&A

REGISTRATION

After checkout, you’ll receive a receipt with a link to download your syllabus, which will include Zoom passcodes, pre-class homework, and additional course information. You will also receive an emailed reminder a few days before your first class.

ELIGIBILITY AND STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

The course is designed for live participation, however, if you can’t be present for a class, or must leave early, a recording will be provided in the student folder the morning after. Students are expected to be present and intellectually curious during class time. Please be ready to participate with working cameras and audio. If you’re ever stuck or may need accommodation, please reach out to your instructor or TA.

ACCESSIBILITY

Pandemic University is committed to offering a fulfilling and inclusive education. Classes are held via Zoom with Closed Captioning features enabled through auto-transcription technology. A teaching assistant will be present to correct transcription mistakes and assist in other ways. The course includes workshops and class discussions, thus students are required to participate through audio; accommodations can be made for people with speaking or other disabilities if they inform us ahead of schedule. Video is encouraged of all students in order to optimize everyone’s virtual classroom experience.

REFUNDS

Space is limited to 30 students. Anyone wishing to cancel their registration will have until Feb. 17, 2023 to receive a guaranteed refund. If you cancel after Feb. 17 but before Feb.. 23, 2023 we will only offer a refund if and after the vacated spot is filled. No refunds whatsoever will be offered after the course begins on Feb. 24. A minimum of approximately 10 enrolments is required for the course to proceed. In the event that we don’t reach this threshold, all enrolees will receive a full refund. Violations of the Code of Conduct may also result in your removal from the course without compensation.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Although PanU is technically a fake university, we’re committed to high standards of artistic integrity, quality education, and maintaining a safe virtual environment for students. Abusive behaviour toward classmates or instructors will not be tolerated at any point during the course, including in private messages, and will result in expulsion without refund.

Other violations that could have you expelled from this course include: refusing to participate in group workshops; plagiarism and misrepresentation of others’ ideas as your own; racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia either in your notes (written or spoken) or in your work; sharing recordings of classes; sharing classmates’ work without their consent.

The final say on whether or not you continue in class belongs to the instructor alone. If you have any questions, email info@pandemicuniversity.com.

 

 

About the Instructor Get on the Waiting List. Class Catalogue