**"Mastering the Query and Navigating Publishing: Insights from Literary Agent Adria Goetz"**
Episode Summary
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid sit down with Adria Goetz, a Senior Literary Agent at KT Literary, to discuss the secrets to crafting a standout query, navigating industry challenges, and the latest trends in publishing. Packed with actionable insights, this conversation is a must-listen for aspiring writers looking to get their manuscripts noticed.
Guest Bio
Adria Goetz is a Senior Literary Agent and Illustration Coordinator at KT Literary, where she represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She has helped bring to life bestsellers like Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden and The Crescent Moon Tea Room. A lover of whimsy, Adria enjoys re-watching Gilmore Girls and dreaming of life in a mossy stone cottage.
Key Discussion Points
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The Anatomy of a Strong Query Letter
Adria emphasizes the importance of crafting a query letter that is warm, professional, and specific. She highlights how vague pitches like “a story about a woman on a journey to find herself” fall flat compared to vivid details that immediately intrigue an agent. Including unique personal touches in the author bio, such as hobbies or interesting facts, can also help writers stand out in a crowded submission pile. -
The Reality of Agent Submissions
Adria pulls back the curtain on the submission process, revealing that agents often receive 5,000–6,000 queries a year and only take on a few clients. She reassures writers that rejection isn’t always about the quality of their work but often stems from factors like the agent’s bandwidth, editorial vision, or market fit. -
Dealing with Industry Challenges
The episode tackles tough scenarios like when an editor leaves a publishing house mid-project, leaving a book “orphaned.” Adria advises writers to stay positive, build rapport with their new editor, and be proactive in keeping their book on track. -
Market Trends to Watch in 2025
Adria shares insights into emerging publishing trends, including the popularity of cozy fantasy, romanticcy, and genre mashups like “rom-coms about serial killers” or “whodunit mysteries in space.” She notes a growing interest in books with magical speculative elements and neglected age groups, such as stories featuring 14–15-year-old protagonists. -
Building Resilience as a Writer
Adria offers encouragement to writers facing rejection, advising them to view near misses as signs of progress and to keep knocking on doors until the right one opens. She stresses the importance of persistence and proactive marketing, especially for authors whose previous books may not have performed well.
Conclusion and Takeaways
Adria Goetz delivers a wealth of actionable advice for aspiring writers, from crafting a compelling query letter to navigating the highs and lows of the publishing industry. The episode underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and proactive effort in building a successful writing career. With insights into 2025 market trends and advice for making connections in the industry, this episode is a must for writers eager to take their work to the next level.
Mentioned Links
- Learn more about Adria Goetz: KT Literary
- The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors (Cover reveal for The Library of Curiosities)
- Podcast blog and notes: Writers With Wrinkles
Beth McMullen
Author
Beth McMullen is the author of the Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series , the Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series, and The Secret of the Storm series (Aladdin/S&S).
She is also the author of the Spy Mom series (Hyperion).
Beth lives in Northern California with her husband, kids, and very grumpy cats. She's obsessed with podcasts and might give up writing in order to have more time to listen. Could happen.
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