Query Submission

Query for Ali Herring, Spencerhill Associates

Thank you for choosing to share your work with me. I'm looking forward to reading and making new connections. Even though I can't take on every author, please know that you've accomplished something great by finishing your book. For all your hard work, creativity and willingness to put yourself out there, you have my appreciation.

AUTO PASSES: Word count outside of genre expectations or age group. You don't tell me what's at stake for your main character in your pitch.

NOTE ABOUT AGENCY: A response from one agent is a response from all, so choose wisely. You can only query one of us. Also please note, 9 times out of 10, if it's a historical based in reality (not talking about a fantasy with a historical feel), another Spencerhill agent is a better fit.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS FORM IS THE BOX FOR "PITCH." This is what I look at first. This must be a concise elevator pitch that makes me want to read your sample, so HOOK ME HERE. It must include plot arc (what results because of the story problem) and stakes (what your main character will lose or gain if they don't/do solve the story problem). Here are examples of good pitches from my client's work:

PITCH EXAMPLE ONE:
THE CLACKITY is about a girl (MAIN CHARACTER) who must enter an abandoned abattoir that acts as a gateway to a world of ghosts, witches, and monsters to play a game (PLOT) with deadly consequences (STAKES) in the hopes she'll rescue her aunt, the local paranormal expert (STAKES).

PITCH EXAMPLE TWO:
THIN AIR is a locked-room thriller (GENRE) set on an eight-hour luxury flight bound for Paris, featuring 16 high school students competing for a prestigious scholarship (PLOT)—one someone is willing to kill to win (STAKES).

PITCH EXAMPLE THREE
BEWARE THE MERMAIDS is about a close-knit group of 50-something women who call themselves the Mermaids and buy a sailboat to challenge one of their own's cheating husband to a sailing race from Newport Beach to Mexico (PLOT) on a voyage of self-discovery with a twist—winner take all or lose everything (STAKES).

Step 1. Tell us about the author

Fill in these author-related fields.

First Name: (required)

Last Name: (required)

E-Mail Address: (required)

Website Address: (if you have one)

Twitter Handle (if you have one)

Have you previously published other books? Yes No

Have you ever been represented by a literary agent before? Yes No

If this query is a referral, who referred you?

Have I requested a full manuscript from you before?

Answering an #MSWL? Copy and paste it here.

What's at stake for your main character? (required)

Step 2. Tell us about the book

Fill in these book-related fields.

Title: (required)

Genre: (required) This agent only represents the genres shown in this list. Selecting an inaccurate genre will result in a rejection. If your book's genre is not shown here, please go to QueryTracker for a list of agents who do represent your genre.

Word Count: (required) Enter the approximate WORD count of your book. Enter numbers only. Do not include any letters or special characters.

Is this book currently published or has it ever been published before? Yes No

Query Letter: (required) Tips for formatting and pasting text Enter your query letter for this book. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

Pro Tip: Make your query letter shine, get it critiqued for free at qtCritique.com

Synopsis: Tips for formatting and pasting text Enter a short synopsis of your book. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

The First 3 Chapters of Your Book (or full book proposal if non-fiction): (required)
(If your book is shorter than this (such as a picture book) please include the entire text.) Tips for formatting and pasting text Paste in the first 3 chapters of your book, or your full book proposal if your book is non-fiction. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

Pitch: (required) Enter a one sentence pitch for your book.

Similar Books: List some books that are similar to yours. (500 characters or less)

Optional: Sign into QueryTracker

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Final Step: Submit Your Query

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Query for Ali Herring, Spencerhill Associates

Step 1. Tell us about the author

Step 2. Tell us about the book

Optional: Sign into QueryTracker

You are signed into QueryTracker with username . This query will be linked to that account and auto-tracked in QueryTracker.

Final Step: Submit Your Query

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This query will be linked to that account and auto-tracked in QueryTracker.