Goal: Hear what agents, publishers and readers want. Then, find what the most compelling parts of your manuscript/book idea are and how to prove it.

Believe it or not, readers, agents, and publishers are all looking for the same thing:  Something new but that feels familiar. That theme will be explored in depth.

This first week, Amy will share a time-tested practice that will instantly increase your understanding of what publishers are looking for, what kind of authors agent are signing, and how to evaluate your work against what readers are actually buying.

This session will include HOW TO FIND THE BESTSELLING POINTS of your book and your author background.

• Assignment: Complete a potential readership analysis
• Assignment: List the ways your book satisfies your potential readers

Goal: Find the most compelling comps and develop a practice that will help you throughout your entire career

This class will walk you through the process of finding comparable titles and authors. Finding and using “comp” titles is one of the hardest parts of querying and this class will demystify the process. The class covers what the industry uses comps for and why they are so important. Then it shows HOW to find the titles with the best sales numbers by using readily accessible online tools.

This 5-step process to find the best comps does not need to be frustrating or difficult. Amy will walk the entire class through the process and give one-on-one assistance.

The tools and guidance provided will give you everything you need to do your own research and find comps in the future as well!

• Assignment: Find 5 comps using this system
• Assignment: Fill out this form with the 5 comparable titles: https://forms.gle/FKsEGWzYwqj3suAf9

Goal: Build an irresistible pitch and query letter from the ground up, using fresh angles and targeted structure. Focus on storytelling, voice, and market viability.

Now that you understand the market, your readers, and you have comparable titles that can PROVE your work will appeal to both the market and readers, it is time to write your query letter.

This class focuses on log lines, pitches, and showing the stakes in your letter.  We will use the online Zoom Q&A this week to share and review pitches and workshop if there are any ways your logline, pitch or query letter can be improved.

• Assignment: Create a document that includes
• A log line
• An elevator pitch
• A query letter

You are going to need a full plot synopsis of your novel or memoir.. And Non-Fiction writers will need a chapter by Chapter Breakdown when you start querying. No, it does not have to be as hard to create as you think! This class will go over what a synopsis is supposed to include (and NOT include) and then help you streamline and polish your plot synopsis or chapter by chapter breakdown so that you get more requests.

This is a also a great class for those still writing their books. It helps you determine if your book has all the elements an editor will be looking for.

• Assignment: Use the system taught to write a 750-800 word synopsis.
• If a Chapter by chapter breakdown is more appropriate for you, provide that instead.

Goal: To save you time and energy by introducing you to websites and online tools that allow you to find agents looking for your book (including contact information.)

In this class, Amy will share her screen and walk you through a dozen sites and tools that will shorten your search time and improve your chances.  You will see and hear her navigate the sites in real time.  This will be one of the most valuable parts of the entire course.

• Assignment: Watch the video and download the handout with live links to all the sights shown in the class.
• Assignment: Pick 5 agents using 5 different sites and upload to WD sharing WHY you think they are a great choice.

The Zoom Q&A will be for evaluating the agents chosen and workshopping where needed.

“I found Amy to be savvy about publishing, down-to-earth, and funny as hell.” -Nancy McMillan

“I just want to say how much I have enjoyed this class. Your professional generosity is so refreshing and valuable. I think every single person in our class felt seen and personally guided. I know I certainly have.” - Pam O’Hara

“This class was a gift not only to my career but to my spirit. As a writer who finds pitching and promoting myself anxiety-provoking, I appreciated Amy’s breaking down the intimidating into a plan of small, easily actionable steps. She is a generous teacher who inspires as well as she informs.- Karen Novak

“This session made me realize I didn’t hate pitching. I just didn’t truly understand its power and how to personalize it to my needs toward those I want to reach. Now I can’t wait to get started.-Louis. H. Mitchell