Online query critique

I just finished watching Marla Miller’s quick query critique online, featured in the May newsletter of Marketing the Muse. Since I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest in Marla’s excellent query writing workshops at writers conferences, I wondered how her critique would come across in this format. It’s only seven minutes long and spot on. Marla takes a close look at a query letter written to an agent. The letter, pitching the writer’s novel, is printed below the video frame so you can follow along. Marla reads the letter, then goes through it suggesting steps for tightening it up and taking out ambiguities. Marla’s mini-workshop is one of the most helpful critiques I’ve seen. Like her Web site MarketingTheMuse.com, the critique offers straightforward no-nonsense but supportive advice to writers on how to market their work. It’s a smart, savvy site worthy of checking out. Marla has written for WriterMag.com and More.com. Her book All American Girls: The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team was published by Simon & Schuster. 

—Elfrieda Abbe, publisher

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