Query Submission

Query for Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency

Thank you for your interest in querying me! I am honored that you thought of me.

Due to having a pretty full list and also managing an agency, I take on new clients rarely. In order to give as much time as possible to my current clients, I have always been closed to 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 I know.

Cold queries will not receive a response.

Note that I only represent authors and author-illustrators of books for children and teens. Please do not query adult projects.

In the form below, 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.

If the form presents an accessibility issue, you may email your query to erin_submissions@emliterary.com.

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 marginalized 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.

Step 1. Tell us about the author

Fill in these author-related fields.

First Name: (required)

Last Name: (required)

E-Mail Address: (required)

Biography: 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

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

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

Were you referred my way by a client or industry professional? If so, who? (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: 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.

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

Do you have other projects for the same age group or other ages of kids and teens ready to submit? (required)

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.) (required)

Step 3. For Artists and Illustrators

Provide illustrations or art samples, if applicable.

Upload Sample Artwork or Illustrations

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

Optional: Sign into QueryTracker

A QueryTracker account is NOT required to send a query. If you are not a member of QueryTracker, you can skip this section.
Or join QueryTracker, a free service that helps authors find agents and keep track of queries.

Signing into QueryTracker will link this query to your QueryTracker account, allowing it to be automatically tracked and displayed in QueryTracker.

Your QueryTracker Username or Email Address: Your QueryTracker Password:

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Final Step: Submit Your Query

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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.