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Query letter samples for fantasy novels

Writing a perfect query letter to a literary agent is difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. I’ve written two query letter samples for fantasy writers to help inspire you on how to get started. I’ve also included a query letter template if you need a jumping off point to start drafting your own query. You can see how this leads into the two samples I wrote. All of the information in the samples is completely made up. I just wanted to give an idea of what your own query letter might look like. No query letter is… Read More »Query letter samples for fantasy novels

Query letter samples for LGBTQ+ fiction

Writing a query letter is difficult for everyone, whether they nail it from the beginning or it takes many attempts to get it right. I’ve written some query letter samples to help you draft your own query letter for your LGBTQ+ novel. Below you’ll find a query letter template designed with LGBTQ+ fiction in mind. You can use this template as written, with your own information replacing the placeholders, or you can take it just as inspiration on wording your letter. No query letter is perfect, and every agent is after something different. I hope these help you when drafting… Read More »Query letter samples for LGBTQ+ fiction

Query letter samples for romance novels

If you’ve never written a query letter before, you probably don’t know where to start. Not many published authors will share the query letter that got them agent representation. While there are lots of templates out there, having some romance query letter samples can really help you figure out how to write about your novel. I’ve written a query letter template of my own that uses all the query letter tips I’ve heard about and used myself. Then I’ve created two fake samples of letters, making up details about novels and their fake writers. No query letter is perfect, and… Read More »Query letter samples for romance novels

Free agent query letter feedback for Trans Awareness Month

Every year, I offer free agent query letter feedback for trans and non-binary writers. I do this to support under-represented writers in getting published, because we need more trans and non-binary writers on our bookshelves. Writers who identify as trans, non-binary, or both can receive supportive, constructive feedback by emailing me with their query letter and synopsis. You’ll also receive free proofreading for both to catch any typos that might distract from your otherwise amazing descriptions. Read on for more information to get the most out of this offer! What does agent query letter feedback involve? If you’re a trans… Read More »Free agent query letter feedback for Trans Awareness Month

Gay romance writing prompts for your next novel

The romance genre is overflowing with stories, but gay romance is still just taking off. If you need ideas for short fiction or a novel, these gay romance writing prompts are for you. I’ve kept all but two prompts gender-neutral, but any prompt could be changed to be for a particular couple. You could use them for MM romance, sapphic fiction, or include non-binary characters as part of your gay romance cast. Any acknowledgement or credit for using any of my writing prompts is always appreciated, whether it’s linking to my website from yours or a social media shoutout. 22… Read More »Gay romance writing prompts for your next novel

Queerly Written UK | an LGBTQIA+ writers network

Finding a safe community online can be difficult, especially when some social media channels have been dominated with homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise bigoted people. As a queer writer, I realised I didn’t have a solid community, so I sought about setting up one. Enter Queerly Written UK: an LGBTQIA+ Writers Network on Facebook. Facebook isn’t my favourite platform by far, there are all kinds of issues with it, but for a free social media platform with the potential to meet others? It’s sadly the best we have, especially in setting up a group. I co-created Queerly Written UK to be… Read More »Queerly Written UK | an LGBTQIA+ writers network

Everything you need to know about NaNoWriMo in the UK

Finding motivation to write and others to write with can be a bit of a struggle in the UK, especially if you live outside of major towns and cities. While there are many writing groups online, nothing quite compares to NaNoWriMo. A worldwide writing challenge, NaNoWriMo is full of writers striving for a major goal: to write 50,000 words in a single month. Popular with novel writers, the challenge was initially set up to make a big start (or even to fully complete) a novel manuscript. Primarily based in the United States, NaNoWriMo is becoming more popular every year. So… Read More »Everything you need to know about NaNoWriMo in the UK

17 alternatives to NaNoWriMo to help you write more

National Novel Writing Month was a writing challenge, word tracker, and writing community all in one. While there are no alternatives to NaNoWriMo that encompass all three, I’ve put together a list of websites and ideas to help you write more. NaNoWriMo doesn’t work for everyone, whether because you simply don’t have to time or you’re not writing a novel. These alternatives will help you meet whatever writing goal you want to set for yourself. Never heard of NaNoWriMo? Check out everything you need to know about NaNoWriMo. 2024 update: I wrote this before safeguarding issues with NaNoWriMo were highlighted,… Read More »17 alternatives to NaNoWriMo to help you write more

What does a proofreader do in the self-publishing process?

Self-publishing a novel requires a lot of planning, money, and, let’s face it, stress. Taking on everything yourself isn’t impossible, but it isn’t for everyone either. Even once you know about the different stages in the self-publishing process, more questions come up… like what does a proofreader do? Proofreading is one of the final steps when self-publishing a novel, and finding the best proofreader for the job can be overwhelming. Especially when you have to look at so many other publishing services too. Knowing how proofreading fits into the self-publishing process, what it entails, and how to find a proofreader… Read More »What does a proofreader do in the self-publishing process?

Horror writing prompts

Are you looking for inspiration for your next horror story? These horror writing prompts are guaranteed to get your heart racing and your imagination brewing up a storm. As a genre, horror can encompass so much: fantastical elements, scientific monstrosities, psychological thrills, monstrous humans, and more. Ghosts, vampires, serial killers, stalkers, and all kinds of villains lurk in the shadows. Whether you’re looking for horror story writing prompts or scary writing prompts to challenge your friends with, you’ll find 22 horror prompts and some horrific character ideas below. Any acknowledgement or credit for using any of my writing prompts is… Read More »Horror writing prompts