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The Query Show — Arts
The Query Show

A podcast to help writers get published, hosted by editor and author Blair Thornburgh. Each episode takes a deep dive on a query letter (or two) and diagnoses its strengths and weaknesses so that authors can put their best foot forward into the world of agents and editors.

Latest Episodes:

Episode Six: YA Fantasy Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

Two fantasies with high stakes, life-or-death situations, and romance today on The Query Show. How do you keep your characters active in a query while still encompassing all the critical worldbuilding that a fantasy needs? What’s the key to nailing the bring-it-home paragraph in a query? And what’s the difference between a door and a trap door?

Download a copy of this episode’s queries and critiques

Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

Episode Five: Middle Grade (Times Two!) Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

It’s a middle grade extravaganza! Today we look at two queries for middle grade stories that address themes of bullying, fantasy worlds, and very sticky marshmallows. Plus, we talk balancing the query: how much should be story vs. intro vs. bio?

Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques

Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

Episode Four: Women’s Fiction Dec 30, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode, we’re looking at a women’s fiction query that shows off some great methods to stay concise while still communicating everything an agent needs to know. Plus, the order of operations of query paragraphs!

Download a copy of today’s query and critique

Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

Episode Three: Sci-Fi (Times Two!) Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode, we’ve got two fun sci-fi query letters to read, enjoy, and ponder over. Some thoughts on big pile-up sentences, appropriate comps, getting strange bedfellows into the bed, kicking alien ass, and giving (or not giving) a chronometer to a teenager.

Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques

Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

Episode Two: YA Fantasy (Times Two!) Dec 11, 2018

Show notes

Today on The Query Show, we’re looking at query letters for two YA contemporary fantasy novels, and talkin’ genre expectations, breaking through a crowded market, and lots of “phraseological” musings on how best to convey a plot in not a whole lot of words. Tune in, or whatever we say now that nobody uses radios anymore!

Download today’s queries and critiques

Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

Episode One: Picture Book Nov 28, 2018

Show notes

Welcome, writers! On this inaugural episode of The Query Show, we get situated, learn about your charming host (ahem), and dive right in to a podcast for a hilarious picture book featuring rodents, baked goods, and the high seas. Learn how to use comp titles effectively, be personable with an agent, and describe your plot most effectively. Plus, Blair mispronounces “SCBWI”!

Download a copy of the query and critique

Intro music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archive

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