Manuscript Academy

How to Write a Query Letter That Makes Agents Feel Something ⋅ The Manuscript Academy Your query might be technically fine — and still not working. Literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer shares the real reason agents pass, and how to fix it.

Hot take: a technically correct query can still get you rejected.

In an inbox of ~40 submissions a day, "correct" isn't enough--you need vivid, memorable, and emotionally clear.

New post with exactly how to do that. 💙 manuscriptacademy.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter
#WritingCommunity #AmQuerying

The graphic says "The Presentation Party: Five industry insiders. Five snappy slide decks. One night that makes publishing make sense. March 12, 8:30pm ET, livestreamed, free."

If you're enjoying #MSWL today and want to keep the energy going, our educational sister company @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social is throwing a FREE Presentation Party on March 12.

Five agents + editors, five 10-minute talks, real publishing insights. RSVP: presentation-party.manuscriptacademy.com 🥂

It will be great! We can't wait!

Plus, we are nerds who like slideshows.

This looks like an evening full of information. I'm going. Are you? #WritingCommunity #booksky #amwriting

Why are we doing this? For fun, mostly!

And because we love the model of presentation parties (have you seen them on YouTube? So cute when people get really nice) and to help you get the information you need, fast.

Each class is 10 minutes.

RSVP here: presentation-party.manuscriptacademy.com

You'll learn about:

📝Queries with Fiona Kenshole (Transatlantic Literary)

📚Commercial vs. Literary with Kaitlyn Sanchez (Bradford Literary)

📖Comp Titles with Hannah Robinson

📕Publishing In The Age of Book Bans with Ivan Taurisano (Macmillan)

📩Pitching In This Market with Krista Vitola (S&S)

A party-themed graphic that lists the date (march 12, 8:30pm ET) and that it's a free event for five industry insiders + five slide decks.

Join us for a FREE Publishing Presentation Party!

Five agents + editors are making slides, pouring drinks, and telling you the truth about publishing.

March 12, 8:30pm ET | Livestreamed | Bring Friends

Come to the party 🥂 presentation-party.manuscriptacademy.com

Jessica went tromping around in the snow before her first meeting today and came in wearing snowflakes.

If you don't have to look presentable today--for there is, at least in NYC, a high chance of wiping out in a snowbank--we highly recommend.

The snow is falling--and honestly? Today is a perfect writing day.

Make the tea. Open the doc. Let the quiet inspire you. ❄️

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting

Definitely! I felt so bad for the writers out there listening to all those accolades and wanted to make sure they know that isn’t the expectation.

We are very lucky to have very talented attendees! And it’s great to learn from them.

But we also want people to know it isn’t normal.

Your Query Bio Doesn't Need to Be Impressive | Manuscript Academy Intimidated by other writers' impressive query bios? A literary agent explains why your Scrabble habit and your cat might be exactly what belongs in your bio — especially for fiction.

We loved our panel with @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social last night!

One big topic was bio.

Fiction writers: no MFA, prize, or viral essay needed in your query bio--just warm, specific details that make you sound fun to call up for the next decade.

manuscriptacademy.com/query-bio-fiction-writers

This post was inspired by an interview with the lovely agent (and friend!) Monica Odom.

New podcast season coming soon!

We're always going to love good voice.

We're always going to love clear stakes and a good conflict.

It doesn't matter what's trending.

Your book exists in its own world. Write it anyway.

As many of our agent friends say: There's always room for awesome.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueryTips

In fact, if there's anything you've been longing to use comp-wise, and Netflix makes a new season, or a new book comes out in the series...

Consider using the newest release year when you calculate its comp age.

Will every agent agree? No. Will they see your logic and research? Yes.

Great news if you've been wanting to use Veronica Mars as a comp or search term!

I would argue that the new season (which is excellent so far--loved it from when she broke the clock and said "Oh, maybe not") 😆 makes it fresh enough to satisfy the "books or films in the last 1-3 years" comp rule.

It really does! It's also wonderful to see people come back with new manuscripts, and see how much they've grown.

Writing another book really is the best hands-on class you can take!

Your first book is your MFA without the student loans.

Every word you write carries all the words before it. The manuscript that won't sell? It's teaching you how to write the one that will. 💙

#AmWriting #WritingLife #KeepWriting

From this week’s Agent Help Desk Q&A:

“If I don't know why I'm passing, I'm not going to give you something to send you off on a spiral. What if I say ‘voice’ because it’s easy to say and you start panicking about voice for a year?"

—Jessica on form rejections, and why agents don’t personalize

YouTube video by The Manuscript Academy, LLC The Comp Title Strategy Every Author Needs | What Literary Agents Actually Want to See

📚Having trouble with comp titles? (Who isn't?!)

Agent @johnmcusick.bsky.social was kind enough to share his foolproof comp title system: youtu.be/8tW4DjVtlxA?...

Blog version here: manuscriptacademy.com/how-to-find-...

Oh Katherine! I’m so sorry. It’s very different as a last name (normal and lovely!) than as a first and only name for a male character.

We loved that moment! 😆

But, also, it's such a relief. I've overused em dashes since, gosh, sixth grade? They're my favorite. Anthropic can't have them.

YouTube video by The Manuscript Academy, LLC We Asked Agents The Real AI Writing Tells (Hint: It's Not Em Dashes)

We had the em dash first! And we're not giving it up.

But is it an AI tell? We asked agents @alicespeilburg.bsky.social and @johnmcusick.bsky.social what REALLY signals AI-generated writing.

Their answer? Let's just say if you see a character named "Thorn"... 👀

youtu.be/zebc9cyLhSg

Hello Writing Community! We are delighted to announce our Second Official Bluesky *** #MSWL Day *** February 26, 2026. 🎉🎉🎉

Agents + editors can post what they ✨wish✨ they had in their inboxes; writers can find their next best fit for querying.

Learn more: manuscriptwishlist.com/2025/01/the-...

Wow! Did your kitten jump back when he tasted it? Yikes!

Good idea! Will pass on to Julie! Maine probably has some fancy local hot sauce for him. :)

Took ate Julie's reading glasses this morning. He's sorry.

Catch him at our next panel…hopefully not eating the power cord. Again.

Worried about your query?

Hand a friend (who doesn't yet know about your work) your pitch, set a timer for 60 seconds, then quiz them.

This gives you a real world test of how your work will be read in the slush pile.

If it doesn't make sense in 20-60 seconds, it's not optimized for inbox speed.

Got a "champagne rejection"? That's agent-speak for "you're SO close."

When they call your work "fascinating," "ambitious," and "electrifying" but still pass, it's timing/fit—not your talent.

Keep going. #WritingCommunity #Queries

Hi Jacqueline, we aren't personally, but you can find a lot of agents who are here! It's our free sister site that is a database for agents and editors: manuscriptwishlist.com

Good luck! ☕

I agree! It's just a matter of finding the right person. Also, you don't always know the connections someone will have with something--maybe they have a friend/relative who went through what your character does!

Just in case it helps, try our new search tool! manuscriptwishlist.com/smart-search

"The queries reviewed in this panel were NOT average. This is hyper-condensed, like all the good stuff has been filtered down. This is very unusual to have so many that are this good. Most queries in agent inboxes haven't done basic research or been edited."

—Alice Speilburg at last night's panel