Query Submission

Query for Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency

EMLA is a closed agency: We don't accept unsolicited queries. I provide avenues for querying by speaking to groups and conferences, participating in pitch contests, and accepting referrals from creators and publishing professionals we know. This is so I can spend the majority of my time working on behalf of my clients and the agency as a whole, and still have a personal life. Cold queries will not receive a response.

Fields marked "(required)" are required; all others are optional. This is not a test; truly, just include answers where you wish to. The pages from your work are the most important part.

In the bio, I'm looking for information pertinent to you as a writer and/or to the manuscript being queried, although if you wish to share more, feel free. (Think of jacket flap bios.) If you disclose anything about neurodiversity, sexuality, or other identity in your query, it will be kept confidential.

I represent author-illustrators but not artists who do not also write.

Please only upload art or picture book dummies in the upload section, NOT full manuscripts. If I am interested in reading more, I will specifically request the full manuscript.

About The Author

Fill in these author-related fields.

First Name: (required)

Last Name: (required)

E-Mail Address: (required)

Street Address:

City:

State/Province:

Zip/Postal Code:

Biography: (required) Tell us a little about yourself and any writing credentials you may have.

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?

Did I speak to a group or conference where you were in attendance? Which one/which year?

Did I request your query at a pitch contest? Please paste in the pitch.

Have any other EMLA agents requested your query or submission? Who? (Please do not send to more than one EMLA agent at a time. It's probably best to focus on others over me if you have a choice, since I sign new people so rarely.)

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: 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.

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 10 Pages 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 10 pages 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 paragraph pitch for your book.

Describe the Potential Target Audience for Your Book: Who will want to read your book. For example, girls under 12, fans of John Grisham, etc. (500 characters or less)

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

Has this project already been submitted to editors? (required)

Do you have other projects for the same age group ready to submit? (required)

Do you have projects for other age groups (kids and teens) ready to submit? (required)

For Artists and Illustrators

Provide illustrations or art samples, if applicable.

Link to online art samples or portfolio: (if you have one)

Upload Sample Artwork or Illustrations

Acceptable file formats: doc, docx, pdf.
File Size Limit: 2 MB (same as 2,000 KB)

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Important: After submitting your query, you will receive a personalized link to a special page that you can visit any time to check your query's status.

If the recipient of your query would like to read more, they will contact you through that page as well as through email.