Query Submission

Query for Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency

I am seeking middle-grade and YA fiction queries from writers who 1) have referrals from industry people I know, who are familiar with the writer and their work; 2) who attended conferences or writing events that included me on the faculty; or 3) whom I have corresponded with encouragingly in the past. I am not open to cold (unsolicited) queries, which will receive no response. I only represent children's books. I am not accepting picture book queries or submissions at this time, as that side of my list is quite full. Please include the first ten pages of your project with your query. Again, no picture books, please, and no works for adults.

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 occasionally open my form to writers working in specific genres that I have a hankering for, and accept unsolicited queries for those. I do not have any such requests at this time.

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

I hate how pedantic forms require me to be, but the details below are meant to help you succeed in providing what I need in order to best consider your query.

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 sample 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 (think of jacket flap bios), although if you wish to share more, feel free. Upon your request, any disclosures about neurodiversity, sexuality, or other marginalized identity mentioned in your query will be kept confidential.

I represent author-illustrators but not artists who do not also write. Because I am not currently considering picture book submissions, this means that when it comes to author-illustrators, I'm only considering those who are querying graphic novels. I am not seeking graphic novel texts from writers, but am open to those from author-illustrators who fit the criteria for referrals etc. that is outlined in the first paragraph above.

Please only upload art or dummies in the upload section, NOT full manuscripts or manuscript pages. Your sample manuscript pages should be pasted into the sample field, and if I am interested in reading more, I will specifically request the full manuscript. Art is not required (or desirable) from writers--only from artists.

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

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)

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? If so, 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.

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

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? If so, 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

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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.