Manuscript Academy

I like that! Almost like you could make a four-square grid to chart all of this!

It’s great! It’s the kind of book AI could never create because it has such sharp, specific insights into human nature I haven’t seen anywhere else.

Noelle is doing such a great job going through these queries! Such great feedback and so fast!!

Plus, in the chat, we are talking about the cheese conveyor belt restaurant AND ONE IS COMING TO NYC.

Let’s go! MSWLMA meeting there 2026! 😃🧀

A reminder that feedback from an agent does NOT mean they think your work is bad!

If anything, it's the opposite: We invest time in the projects we think have potential.

Notes, even lengthy and passionate notes, imply that they invested time, thought, and creative energy.

Monday! Join agent Noelle Falcis Math (Transatlantic Literary) for #TenQueries Live, where she'll go over member queries at inbox speed, making notes as she goes.

Is your work optimized for an inbox-speed read?

Tune in Monday at 2pm ET / 11am PT to find out!

Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about what is responsible.

Taking on a work we don't fully understand feels irresponsible. Especially if there's likely someone out there who will see your work, understand it fully--and thus give better notes, helping your work reach its full potential.

A reminder:

Agents are usually just English majors who want to get an A+ on the pop quiz of your book.

Make sure your query is clear enough that we feel smart.

If we're confused, we may think, "I must not be the right agent. I'll let someone who understands it take it on."

Oh, there's a ton of that in my most recent work. In fact, at one point, a different set of characters wonder just what the F the earlier ones were thinking when they did something assessed by the 2nd group to be potentially lethally stupid.

Lots of theorizing, some accurate, some wrong. It's fun!

That sounds like a great use of theorizing! Well done Becca!

Have you read Anxious People? I think it's a lot of fun to hear the characters talk about how the other characters aren't very smart (though they just approach the world very differently).

A lot of agents love when characters "theorize"—when they wonder, hope, fear what might happen next. This can efficiently show personality, stakes, context, and possible outcomes.

In any given moment, what does your character HOPE will happen? What are they AFRAID will happen? ✨ #WritingCraft

When to Query Literary Agents: December vs January (What Agents Really Think) Should you query literary agents in December or wait until January? Agents reveal the truth about timing, response rates, and "yes mode" in this guide.Alternative Meta Description:Literary agents deba...

I can see how it would look like a month "off"--but there are a few more factors at play.

In case you're curious, here's a blog post about the discussion! There are two main schools of thought.

manuscriptacademy.com/december-vs-...

I do think it's reasonable that agents take a little time off (a week or so) for the holidays!

To take no time off all year, especially in a field that requires so much mentally, emotionally, and energetically--to my mind, that's asking for burnout.

But if you want a 24/7/265 agent, I understand!

To query or not to query in December? 🎄

Two schools of thought: (1) Just get in line! (2) Wait for January when agents return refreshed with clearer list goals.

Also consider your own psychology—if you'll obsess over commas, spend December editing. ❄️ #QueryTips

Yesterday, we welcomed Nour Sallam from Caldwell Agency who gave live feedback on queries across romance, fantasy, YA, memoir & more.

The talent in our community is AMAZING.

Nour's exact words: "I am very, very impressed, like shockingly impressed." 💕 #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying

Is there anything that consistently causes confusion?

Would your readers get a good letter grade?

Ideally, everyone on your speed read list would make honor roll.

You are, then, much more ready to query.

A reminder that agent-speed comprehension works differently than the luxurious reading pace of a critique partner, English major, or coffee shop read.

How to fix? Print your query, share with someone who knows nothing about it, set a timer for 60 seconds, then quiz them.

Pivot as needed.

A typewriter on a magenta background that says "Live agent feedback panel with Nour Sallam, November 18, 8:30pm ET"

Tomorrow! We have a members-only Query + Page Agent Feedback panel featuring Nour Sallam--can't wait!

Members, your instructions to send your work are in your email.

See you tomorrow!

Remember how coffee shops used to feel in the nineties--like you were surrounded by creative possibility, and maybe the next table over, someone was writing a book you'd love in a year? ✨

☕ Members, join us for that creative boost with an e-room of good vibes, great writers, and new best friends.

We're here if you have any questions!

A testimonial with the quote "I have gotten two new manuscript requests from established agencies in the past two hours. Excluding the conference results, this exceeds my whole previous 12 months and 300 queries. Good advice! Thanks."

Agent + Editor Meetings are live for November!

If you're tired of form letters and want insightful advice, our kind, thoughtful (and even warm and funny) agents are here to help.

We hope everyone gets requests like Erik, below! We love good news.

Learn more: manuscriptacademy.com/consultations

And more!

More featured October 2025 reviews!

Agent & Editor Meetings are now live for members!

If you're tired of form letters and want to know how to *really* improve your work--why not ask an agent?

Here are some reviews from our October 2025 meetings!

Meetings go live for non-members Friday at 3pm ET.

I've got meeting slots available in November and would love to chat with you about your work!

Agent & Editor Meetings go live TODAY at 3pm ET for members, and Friday at 3pm ET for non-members.

We have a really fun month of events! Check them out here: manuscriptacademy.com/calendar

And we got so many lovely notes for last month! One of our favorites, below. 😃

Can't wait for this month!

📚#TenQueries Live with Agent Noelle Falcis Math
📖Live Queries & Pages Panel with Agent Nour Sallam
☎️Publishing Help Desk with Agent Jessica Sinsheimer
📝Write Together with Julie

Agent meetings go live tomorrow/Wednesday at 3pm ET for members, Thursday for non-members.☕

Querying writers -- Please give yourselves some grace and stop fretting about a few silly typos in your queries. We probably won't notice them, we're not going to hold them against you, and if we DO hold them against you, you don't want to work with us anyway.

Text that says “free replay: MSWL live agent panel: horror” over a background of Halloween pumpkins

Want to work on tension, character & querying - for free?

Check out our #MSWL live replay from last week!

One attendee said “I feel like I just had an entire MFA course. Except MFA programs get snooty about 'genre fiction.' "

Check it out! manuscriptacademy.com/mswl-live-ag...

I really like @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social. They have a plethora of authors and edits you can choose from to book meetings with to get help on query letters, query packages, and can help researching agents to query. They also have forums and monthly zoom classes with editors and agents.

Thank you, J.J.! We do our best! :)