ALL The STEPS & Support YOU NEED TO
Query Letters: Making Your Pitch Stand Out
Included with the CPP
PRO Membership
Nick Carrington, PhD. Writer and Editor
For the last ten years, I've been a writing instructor at Cedarville University. My creative and journalistic writing has appeared in Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Servants of Grace, Outreach Magazine, Servants of Grace, and others. I also serve as an editor for Hope Blooms, the digital publication of the Early Pregnancy Loss Association. For the last few years, I have edited fiction for aspiring authors.
Hello, I'm Nick Carrington, and God has given me a love of the written word. I have written fiction, articles, website content, and features, and have edited all of the same. My desire is for Christian writers to steward their gift well, writing both to serve God and others.
Query letters are one-page documents that provide basic manuscript information, describe the plot, and give a snapshot of the author.
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The Course Curriculum
This course explores the structure of query letters and best practices for writing them while giving examples.
By taking this course, you will learn HOW TO...
1. Book
The goal of the book section is to situate the manuscript within the publishing market. It includes information about length and genre through various means. With this information, an agent can understand where the manuscript would sit on the shelf in a bookstore and also how it fits into their own catalog.
3. Cook
In this section, authors provide information about themselves. It usually includes credentials, past publications, and any personal information that might give agents insight into the author’s personality. Usually, this section is short and to the point, and if there is room for any voice to come out in the query letter, it’s usually here.
2. Hook
The hook section is plot focused and details key elements of the story. It will introduce an agent to main characters, the hook that will drive the story’s drama or tension, and the stakes for the main character. Most agents sell commercial books to publishers based on the plot, so this section may be the most important of the three.
4. Learning the Structure
The query letter is typically 250 to 400 words, so none of these sections is very long. The art of writing an effective letter is saying a lot concisely. In each lesson, we look at a different section, break down what goes in each, and give advice on how to accomplish the goals of these sections.
Learn from a fellow believer called to Christian publishing
God gives us many responsibilities, including cultivating the talent He's instilled in each of us. My faith is the foundation for all my writing and editing, even when not working on projects directly related to the faith.
Learn from a fellow Christian author whose walked the road
I still have a lot to learn about the craft, but God has allowed me to write in many different styles and explore the techniques we discuss in the course. I'll help you write better with the goal of loving God and loving others through your work.
- If you ever get stuck, we're here to help. You'll never have to go it alone. -
No Question Goes Unanswered Guarantee
All of our courses have a place for you to ask questions for your instructor. Alerts will be sent to him or her automatically for questions sent in from their courses, and they will respond in a timely fashion. You'll never be left without a response. So relax - you are in good hands.
100%
No Question Goes Unanswered
Who Is This Course For?
ALL THE STEPS & SUPPORT YOU NEED TO
Query Letters: Making Your Pitch Stand Out
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Frequently Asked Questions
Email us (cpp-info@cpportal.com) if you still have questions!
We break down the basic structure of a query letter, going through each part with examples to give you the best chance to move your manuscript forward in the process.
All courses have an option for asking questions. We'll respond to your questions quickly so you can get the support you need.
All you need is a computer, tablet, or phone and a good internet connection. No special software or other purchases are required.
CPP Pro Members will have access to our Pro-only community as it comes online, where they can interact and engage with other members. CPP Pro Membership provides an all-access-pass to ALL current and future courses and other benefits. Learn more about CPP Pro Membership here.
This course is meant to be DIY and allow you to publish your book independently. However, if you end up needing hands-on help or support because you don't have the time or simply don't want to do it yourself, we offer discounted "done-for-you" project quotes. Just send us a note at cpp-info@ccportal.com and we'll get in touch to discuss how we can help.
Since enrollment gives you instant access to the entirety of this this digital product along with all of our downloadable course resources, your purchase is non-refundable.