Mastering the Query: Amy Nielsen’s Essential Tips for Aspiring Authors

Mastering the Query Process: Insider Tips from Literary Agent Amy Nielsen

Are you stuck in the querying trenches, feeling the weight of rejections (or as Amy Nielsen calls them, "passes") piling up? Fear not! In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, literary agent Amy Nielsen shares her best tips and tricks for navigating the often-challenging world of querying, along with some heartwarming advice for aspiring authors.

Amy’s journey from youth librarian to literary agent at Purcell Agency has given her a unique perspective on the publishing industry. Not only has she experienced the highs and lows of being an author herself, but she’s also passionate about helping writers bring their stories to life. In this episode, she offers a treasure trove of advice that can help writers make their queries stand out from the pack.

Fictionalizing Personal Trauma

Amy opens up about her own writing journey and shares a key piece of advice: if you're drawing from personal trauma, it can be helpful to fictionalize your story. By doing so, you create emotional distance between yourself and the material, making it easier to write about tough subjects. Her young adult novel, Worth It, is a fictionalized version of her own life experiences, a process she found both liberating and creatively fulfilling.

Do’s and Don’ts of Querying

According to Amy, the key to successful querying lies in preparation and following agent guidelines. She highlights a few must-follow "do’s" and "don’ts":

Do’s:

• Follow submission guidelines: Agents have specific ways they want to receive queries, so pay attention to those details.
• Be part of the literary community: Engage with others in the writing world. This isn’t a solo journey.
• Study the craft: Writing is an ongoing learning process. Keep honing your skills.

Don’ts:

• Don’t take passes personally: Rejections aren’t rejections—they’re passes. Keep your head up and keep going!
• Don’t give up: This industry requires tenacity. Keep at it!

The Importance of Polished Work

Amy stresses the value of delivering polished work to agents and editors. In her role as a literary agent, she often goes deep into editing—everything from developmental edits to copy edits. But here’s the kicker: more polished work is more likely to succeed in submissions. Editors, especially at big publishing houses, are often juggling numerous projects, so the less work they need to do, the better.

Amy has even created several free resources to help writers self-edit. Her developmental and line-editing guides are available on her website, offering practical advice for polishing your manuscript before sending it out into the world.

Building a Writing Community

One of the standout points Amy makes is the importance of building a supportive writing community. Writing may be a solitary act, but the process of getting published is anything but. Surrounding yourself with other writers who are on the same journey can make all the difference.

And remember, being a good "literary citizen" means giving back to the community, whether that’s through reviews, sharing resources, or simply offering encouragement to fellow writers.

Final Thoughts: Keep Going!

Amy’s pep talk to querying authors? Don’t give up! She reminds us that every pass brings you one step closer to success. The publishing world is challenging, but with the right mindset, community, and polished work, you’ll eventually find your place.

Looking for more advice? Check out Amy’s free resources, including her developmental self-editing guide and line-editing guide, available on her website. And for real-time updates, follow Amy on Twitter.

Ready to tackle your query letter with newfound confidence? Take Amy’s advice to heart and keep pushing forward. The dream of landing an agent and seeing your book on shelves is within reach—just don’t forget to paint a flower on your picket fence along the way!

Make sure to tune in to this episode for the full conversation and more  tips from Amy Nielsen, and be sure to follow us for more episodes aimed at helping you navigate the writing world.