Querying
The classic spreadsheet aside, here are some amazing websites that helped me create and narrow down my list of agents. Querying is hard enough. These sites were invaluable!
Query Tracker: Not only can you search agents and editors on this site, but you can keep track of your queries as you go, query through the site, look at response time, and all kinds of other fun things. This is a querying must!
Manuscript Wishlist: This website is connected to Manuscript Academy, and it is truly a paradise for any writer looking for agents. If you are looking for an agent with a specific interest, you can find all kinds of information here. You can even search a genre or element of story to find agents and editors looking for those things.
Publisher’s Marketplace: Requires a monthly subscription, BUT it has all kinds of information on agents and what they have sold. So, once you have your list of agents, you can start honing in on their sales history and interests here.
Queryletter.com: Just some examples of successful query letters. I feel like these are hard to find online, but here are 161 of them for you to read through.
Submission Package
I wouldn’t wish the creation of a submission package on my greatest enemy. But they are so so necessary for querying. Here are some great resources for writing the dreaded synopsis, the terrifying query letter, and perfecting those first pages.
Query Shark: Is a blog where an agent critiques query letters. It’s really great for learning how to edit and create your own query. They also offer a paid service to have your own query edited if you so desire.
Manuscript Academy: This is an incredible writing resource. You can choose to pay for a subscription or just use the free version. The free version allows you to pay agents/editors to read over your submission package and give feedback. The subscription gives you tons of classes to choose from, and you can even find critique partners through some of the classes and forums. I highly recommend this site.
Synopsis: Try any of the following. These blog posts and articles are incredible resources for writing your synopsis: Publishing Crawl, Masterclass, and this!
Beta Readers
We all need beta readers, and we all need a few beta readers who aren’t friends and family. In fact, finding good, trusted beta readers is one of the hardest and most essential things a writer can do. Not everyone has friends who are writers, so this one is for you!
Critique Circle: This is a great critique site, where you pay for critiques with critiques of your own. It’s a great way to learn from others and challenge yourself to be better. There is both a free and paid option with this site. But I have had a lot of great luck using this site.
Beta Reader Matchups: Oh man, I’m going to talk about The Shit podcast in the next section, but my word. They are so helpful and amazing. Also, they have a great beta reader matchup program!
Fiverr.com: Obviously, nothing on fiverr is free. And it’s very important that you pick through all the beta readers on there for one with good reviews and who fits what you need. I have had mixed success with this site, but definitely worth looking into.
Podcasts
Obviously, there are tons of writing podcasts to listen to, and they are wonderful. These are the podcasts I have personally found the most helpful and inspiring.
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing: Two agents and a writer talk query letters, writing, and interview authors. They have so much insight into the publishing world and actually critique first pages and queries on their show. This podcast is invaluable and completely free.
Writing Excuses: This podcast was my introduction to writing podcasts as a whole. It’s a bunch of well known authors (Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, DongWon Song, Mary Robinette Kowal), and a ton of guests hosts you’ve definitely heard of (VE Schwab, Zoraida Cordova, and so many more). They talk different aspects of writing and how they approach it. We are talking 19 seasons of writing advice as I write this. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Manuscript Academy Podcast: A podcast where agents and authors talk about submission, queries, writing, all in one place. This podcast has the goods, and the episodes are almost all under and hour, so perfect for a commute.
Jenn Neal 
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