The Query Show http://www.thequeryshow.com A podcast to help writers get published, hosted by editor and author Blair Thornburgh. Each episode takes a deep dive on a query letter (or two) and diagnoses its strengths and weaknesses so that authors can put their best foot forward into the world of agents and editors. Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:21:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 nopublishing,writing,query,letter,authorThe Query Show is a show about query letters! Join your host, editor and author Blair Thornburgh, as she breaks down query letters from real authors and gives helpful, occasionally goofy feedback. A podcast to help writers get publishedBlair Thornburghblair@thequeryshow.comBlair Thornburgh Episode 16: Romance http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/04/22/episode-16-romance/ Mon, 22 Apr 2019 06:32:26 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=190 Episode 16: Romance Read More »

]]> Romance means double the emotional arcs, double the stakes, and plenty of opportunities for hijinks. So: how information-dense should your query be? Can our beloved  cause-and-effect language ever lead you astray? How can you balance external plot, internal arcs, and, you know, that big ol’ relationship that’s at the literal heart of your book?

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noRomance means double the emotional arcs, double the stakes, and plenty of opportunities for hijinks. So: how information-dense should your query be? Can our beloved  cause-and-effect language ever lead you astray? How can you balance external plot, internal arcs, and, you know, that big ol’ relationship that’s at the literal heart of your book? Download … Episode 16: Romance Read More »Blair ThornburghRomance means double the emotional arcs, double the stakes, and plenty of opportunities for hijinks. So: how information-dense should your query be? Can our beloved  cause-and-effect language ever lead you astray? How can you balance external plot, internal arcs, and, you know, that big ol’ relationship that’s at the literal heart of your book? Download … Episode 16: Romance Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode 15: Fantasy http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/04/01/episode-15-fantasy/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 06:13:03 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=182 Introducing worldbuilding while establishing character goal, motivation, and conflict—all that and magical Enchanteds, dreamwalkers, and the ever-present format for comp titles. Plus: are rhetorical questions as effective as statements? Two fantasy queries today with a lot to offer.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noIntroducing worldbuilding while establishing character goal, motivation, and conflict—all that and magical Enchanteds, dreamwalkers, and the ever-present format for comp titles. Plus: are rhetorical questions as effective as statements? Two fantasy queries today with a lot to offer. Download a copy of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music ArchiveBlair ThornburghIntroducing worldbuilding while establishing character goal, motivation, and conflict—all that and magical Enchanteds, dreamwalkers, and the ever-present format for comp titles. Plus: are rhetorical questions as effective as statements? Two fantasy queries today with a lot to offer. Download a copy of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archivepublishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/03/25/episode-fourteen-middle-grade-contemporary/ Mon, 25 Mar 2019 07:02:57 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=170 Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary Read More »

]]> How long should a query be? When can you go deep on detail, and when is it just not relevant? Two excellent queries today that dig into this and more, as well as our old favorites: cause and effect, emotional stakes, and internal arcs!

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noHow long should a query be? When can you go deep on detail, and when is it just not relevant? Two excellent queries today that dig into this and more, as well as our old favorites: cause and effect, emotional stakes, and internal arcs! Download copies of this week’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music … Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary Read More »Blair ThornburghHow long should a query be? When can you go deep on detail, and when is it just not relevant? Two excellent queries today that dig into this and more, as well as our old favorites: cause and effect, emotional stakes, and internal arcs! Download copies of this week’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music … Episode Fourteen: Middle Grade Contemporary Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Thirteen: Picture Books http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/03/18/episode-thirteen-picture-books/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 06:10:30 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=164 Episode Thirteen: Picture Books Read More »

]]> The deceptively simple picture book query! How do you query a book whose text probably isn’t much longer than the manuscript itself? How can you make sure you convey the plot and the feeling of reading aloud? And how much of your bio paragraph should the query take?

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noThe deceptively simple picture book query! How do you query a book whose text probably isn’t much longer than the manuscript itself? How can you make sure you convey the plot and the feeling of reading aloud? And how much of your bio paragraph should the query take? Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen … Episode Thirteen: Picture Books Read More »Blair ThornburghThe deceptively simple picture book query! How do you query a book whose text probably isn’t much longer than the manuscript itself? How can you make sure you convey the plot and the feeling of reading aloud? And how much of your bio paragraph should the query take? Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen … Episode Thirteen: Picture Books Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Twelve: YA Contemporary and Contemporary Romance http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/03/11/episode-twelve-ya-contemporary-and-contemporary-romance/ Mon, 11 Mar 2019 06:15:52 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=155 Timelines and query pacing and when it’s appropriate to say “I am seeking representation” and more! Stakes come up both for international intrigue and a romp through a woodsy divorcee retreat.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noTimelines and query pacing and when it’s appropriate to say “I am seeking representation” and more! Stakes come up both for international intrigue and a romp through a woodsy divorcee retreat. Download copies of this episode’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music ArchiveBlair ThornburghTimelines and query pacing and when it’s appropriate to say “I am seeking representation” and more! Stakes come up both for international intrigue and a romp through a woodsy divorcee retreat. Download copies of this episode’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archivepublishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/03/04/episode-eleven-ya-fantasy/ Mon, 04 Mar 2019 06:15:21 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=148 Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy Read More »

]]> It’s a fantastic (literally) week on TQS, which means we’re getting deep into stuff like worldbuilding, showing vs. telling key plot elements, and infusing narrative style into the query itself. Plus: COMP TITLES. Always comp titles! Your fave and mine!

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noIt’s a fantastic (literally) week on TQS, which means we’re getting deep into stuff like worldbuilding, showing vs. telling key plot elements, and infusing narrative style into the query itself. Plus: COMP TITLES. Always comp titles! Your fave and mine! Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free … Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy Read More »Blair ThornburghIt’s a fantastic (literally) week on TQS, which means we’re getting deep into stuff like worldbuilding, showing vs. telling key plot elements, and infusing narrative style into the query itself. Plus: COMP TITLES. Always comp titles! Your fave and mine! Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free … Episode Eleven: YA Fantasy Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Ten: MG Contemporary & Sci-Fi http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/02/12/episode-ten-mg-contemporary-sci-fi/ Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:24:35 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=139 Two middle-grade novels with high-flying high stakes today! We’re talking the crucial intersection of internal and external arcs, the difference between “is” and “becomes,” and a comp title extravaganza.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noTwo middle-grade novels with high-flying high stakes today! We’re talking the crucial intersection of internal and external arcs, the difference between “is” and “becomes,” and a comp title extravaganza. Download a copy of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music ArchiveBlair ThornburghTwo middle-grade novels with high-flying high stakes today! We’re talking the crucial intersection of internal and external arcs, the difference between “is” and “becomes,” and a comp title extravaganza. Download a copy of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archivepublishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Nine: YA Contemporary http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/02/04/episode-nine-ya-contemporary/ Mon, 04 Feb 2019 06:07:30 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=129 Episode Nine: YA Contemporary Read More »

]]> We have an agent success! Find out which fabulous featured author has secured representation. And two excellent YA queries to review today, and some deep dives into striking the balance between details of the plot, abstract emotional arcs, and synthesizing that crucial third paragraph.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noWe have an agent success! Find out which fabulous featured author has secured representation. And two excellent YA queries to review today, and some deep dives into striking the balance between details of the plot, abstract emotional arcs, and synthesizing that crucial third paragraph. Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by … Episode Nine: YA Contemporary Read More »Blair ThornburghWe have an agent success! Find out which fabulous featured author has secured representation. And two excellent YA queries to review today, and some deep dives into striking the balance between details of the plot, abstract emotional arcs, and synthesizing that crucial third paragraph. Download copies of the queries and critiques Listen Now Music by … Episode Nine: YA Contemporary Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Eight: Historical Fantasy & Historical Fiction http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/01/28/episode-eight-historical-fantasy-historical-fiction/ Mon, 28 Jan 2019 06:08:23 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=124 Episode Eight: Historical Fantasy & Historical Fiction Read More »

]]> Ancient Egypt and Reformation Amsterdam are the settings of today’s queries. We’re digging into settings, stakes, and how to keep it emotionally relevant even when Big Stuff is happening in the world. Plus, how do you query a book that’s a companion to a self-pub novel, and add in comps when your subgenre is super narrow?

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noAncient Egypt and Reformation Amsterdam are the settings of today’s queries. We’re digging into settings, stakes, and how to keep it emotionally relevant even when Big Stuff is happening in the world. Plus, how do you query a book that’s a companion to a self-pub novel, and add in comps when your subgenre is super … Episode Eight: Historical Fantasy & Historical Fiction Read More »Blair ThornburghAncient Egypt and Reformation Amsterdam are the settings of today’s queries. We’re digging into settings, stakes, and how to keep it emotionally relevant even when Big Stuff is happening in the world. Plus, how do you query a book that’s a companion to a self-pub novel, and add in comps when your subgenre is super … Episode Eight: Historical Fantasy & Historical Fiction Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Seven: Women’s Fiction & NA Romance http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/01/21/episode-seven-womens-fiction-na-romance/ Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:05:28 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=109 Two queries about the hazards of love, finding yourself, and—as always—the electric currents of emotional stakes. Find out what you can cut from your query and why sometimes it’s okay to get unconventional.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noTwo queries about the hazards of love, finding yourself, and—as always—the electric currents of emotional stakes. Find out what you can cut from your query and why sometimes it’s okay to get unconventional. Download copies of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music ArchiveBlair ThornburghTwo queries about the hazards of love, finding yourself, and—as always—the electric currents of emotional stakes. Find out what you can cut from your query and why sometimes it’s okay to get unconventional. Download copies of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archivepublishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Six: YA Fantasy http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/01/14/episode-six-ya-fantasy/ Mon, 14 Jan 2019 06:05:34 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=106 Episode Six: YA Fantasy Read More »

]]> Two fantasies with high stakes, life-or-death situations, and romance today on The Query Show. How do you keep your characters active in a query while still encompassing all the critical worldbuilding that a fantasy needs? What’s the key to nailing the bring-it-home paragraph in a query? And what’s the difference between a door and a trap door?

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noTwo fantasies with high stakes, life-or-death situations, and romance today on The Query Show. How do you keep your characters active in a query while still encompassing all the critical worldbuilding that a fantasy needs? What’s the key to nailing the bring-it-home paragraph in a query? And what’s the difference between a door and a … Episode Six: YA Fantasy Read More »Blair ThornburghTwo fantasies with high stakes, life-or-death situations, and romance today on The Query Show. How do you keep your characters active in a query while still encompassing all the critical worldbuilding that a fantasy needs? What’s the key to nailing the bring-it-home paragraph in a query? And what’s the difference between a door and a … Episode Six: YA Fantasy Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Five: Middle Grade (Times Two!) http://www.thequeryshow.com/2019/01/07/episode-five-middle-grade-times-two/ Mon, 07 Jan 2019 06:05:02 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=88 Episode Five: Middle Grade (Times Two!) Read More »

]]> It’s a middle grade extravaganza! Today we look at two queries for middle grade stories that address themes of bullying, fantasy worlds, and very sticky marshmallows. Plus, we talk balancing the query: how much should be story vs. intro vs. bio?

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noIt’s a middle grade extravaganza! Today we look at two queries for middle grade stories that address themes of bullying, fantasy worlds, and very sticky marshmallows. Plus, we talk balancing the query: how much should be story vs. intro vs. bio? Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere … Episode Five: Middle Grade (Times Two!) Read More »Blair ThornburghIt’s a middle grade extravaganza! Today we look at two queries for middle grade stories that address themes of bullying, fantasy worlds, and very sticky marshmallows. Plus, we talk balancing the query: how much should be story vs. intro vs. bio? Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere … Episode Five: Middle Grade (Times Two!) Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Four: Women’s Fiction http://www.thequeryshow.com/2018/12/30/episode-four-womens-fiction/ Sun, 30 Dec 2018 18:58:07 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=60 On today’s episode, we’re looking at a women’s fiction query that shows off some great methods to stay concise while still communicating everything an agent needs to know. Plus, the order of operations of query paragraphs!

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noOn today’s episode, we’re looking at a women’s fiction query that shows off some great methods to stay concise while still communicating everything an agent needs to know. Plus, the order of operations of query paragraphs! Download a copy of today’s query and critique Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music ArchiveBlair ThornburghOn today’s episode, we’re looking at a women’s fiction query that shows off some great methods to stay concise while still communicating everything an agent needs to know. Plus, the order of operations of query paragraphs! Download a copy of today’s query and critique Listen Now Music by Lee Rosevere via Free Music Archivepublishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Three: Sci-Fi (Times Two!) http://www.thequeryshow.com/2018/12/24/episode-three-sci-fi-times-two/ Mon, 24 Dec 2018 15:25:45 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=54 Episode Three: Sci-Fi (Times Two!) Read More »

]]> On today’s episode, we’ve got two fun sci-fi query letters to read, enjoy, and ponder over. Some thoughts on big pile-up sentences, appropriate comps, getting strange bedfellows into the bed, kicking alien ass, and giving (or not giving) a chronometer to a teenager.

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noOn today’s episode, we’ve got two fun sci-fi query letters to read, enjoy, and ponder over. Some thoughts on big pile-up sentences, appropriate comps, getting strange bedfellows into the bed, kicking alien ass, and giving (or not giving) a chronometer to a teenager. Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by … Episode Three: Sci-Fi (Times Two!) Read More »Blair ThornburghOn today’s episode, we’ve got two fun sci-fi query letters to read, enjoy, and ponder over. Some thoughts on big pile-up sentences, appropriate comps, getting strange bedfellows into the bed, kicking alien ass, and giving (or not giving) a chronometer to a teenager. Download a copy of today’s queries and critiques Listen Now Music by … Episode Three: Sci-Fi (Times Two!) Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode Two: YA Fantasy (Times Two!) http://www.thequeryshow.com/2018/12/11/episode-two-ya-fantasy-times-two/ Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:33:52 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=50 Episode Two: YA Fantasy (Times Two!) Read More »

]]> Today on The Query Show, we’re looking at query letters for two YA contemporary fantasy novels, and talkin’ genre expectations, breaking through a crowded market, and lots of “phraseological” musings on how best to convey a plot in not a whole lot of words. Tune in, or whatever we say now that nobody uses radios anymore!

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noToday on The Query Show, we’re looking at query letters for two YA contemporary fantasy novels, and talkin’ genre expectations, breaking through a crowded market, and lots of “phraseological” musings on how best to convey a plot in not a whole lot of words. Tune in, or whatever we say now that nobody uses radios … Episode Two: YA Fantasy (Times Two!) Read More »Blair ThornburghToday on The Query Show, we’re looking at query letters for two YA contemporary fantasy novels, and talkin’ genre expectations, breaking through a crowded market, and lots of “phraseological” musings on how best to convey a plot in not a whole lot of words. Tune in, or whatever we say now that nobody uses radios … Episode Two: YA Fantasy (Times Two!) Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author Episode One: Picture Book http://www.thequeryshow.com/2018/11/28/episode-one-picture-book/ Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:01:08 +0000 http://www.thequeryshow.com/?p=18 Episode One: Picture Book Read More »

]]> Welcome, writers! On this inaugural episode of The Query Show, we get situated, learn about your charming host (ahem), and dive right in to a podcast for a hilarious picture book featuring rodents, baked goods, and the high seas. Learn how to use comp titles effectively, be personable with an agent, and describe your plot most effectively. Plus, Blair mispronounces “SCBWI”!

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]]> blair@thequeryshow.com (Blair Thornburgh)noWelcome, writers! On this inaugural episode of The Query Show, we get situated, learn about your charming host (ahem), and dive right in to a podcast for a hilarious picture book featuring rodents, baked goods, and the high seas. Learn how to use comp titles effectively, be personable with an agent, and describe your plot … Episode One: Picture Book Read More »Blair ThornburghWelcome, writers! On this inaugural episode of The Query Show, we get situated, learn about your charming host (ahem), and dive right in to a podcast for a hilarious picture book featuring rodents, baked goods, and the high seas. Learn how to use comp titles effectively, be personable with an agent, and describe your plot … Episode One: Picture Book Read More »publishing,writing,query,letter,author