CAA Webinar - How to Write a Query Letter and Land That Literary Agent!

Last night I signed onto a webinar that was put on by the Toronto branch of the Canadian Authors Association (CAA), which I am a member, on How to Write a Query letter and Land That Literary Agent. Megan Beadle, pictured right, of the Beadle Literary Agency was the presenter.

Are you an author with a manuscript you’re using as a doorstop? Or perhaps you have your own company and a wonderful story or idea but no idea what to do with it. Or you’re an artist and illustrator with a picture book thinking… what now?!

That’s where Megan Beadle comes in: This webinar will teach you the techniques of writing the perfect query letter.

You will learn:

• The do’s and don’ts of writing a query letter 
• What makes a submission stand out among thousands of others in the slush pile 
• What an editor or agent looks for in a literary novel, a genre book, a non-fiction pitch, or a picture book pitch and does it differ? Psst… YES! 
• What the number one complaint about submissions is according to a survey of thousands of agents and editors in North America 
• What the benefits of getting an agent and publishing traditionally are The number one most important secret when reaching out to agents 
• And last, but not least, how to get that agent and book deal!

The webinar lasted an hour and a half and was very well presented. Megan was an enthusiastic presenter and did manage to cover all the points above, plus some extras. The CAA followed up quickly this morning with an email with the recording of the webinar, the accompanying PowerPoint presentation and a PDF of some well put together query letters.

As I feel I am just a month or two away from trying to hire an agent for my latest book, Saving Tiberius, this webinar came along at a great time.

I would not hesitate to sign up for any future Canadian Authors Association webinars.