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The Write It Scared PodcastAuthor: Stacy Frazer
A podcast to help fiction writers work through self-doubt and learn the craft of writing a novel. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Books, Education, How To Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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What Literary Agents Look for in a Query Letter (with Ann Rose)
Episode 95
Sunday, 8 March, 2026
If you’re querying—or even thinking about it—this episode is going to change how you approach your pitch.In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I sit down with literary agent and author Ann Rose to talk about what actually makes a query stand out. (Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be clear.) We dig into hook, stakes, market realities, why “Dexter meets Legally Blonde” works, and what happens after an agent requests a full.We also talk about imposter syndrome, the slower publishing climate, why publishing is product (even though writing is art), and why you might want to write your query—and your synopsis—before you finish your book.If you’ve been overthinking your pitch letter, this one will ground you fast.Timestamps 00:00 Queries Need Clarity (Not Perfection) 03:30 Ann’s Path to Agenting 07:15 Her Novels + Hook Examples 19:29 The Current Publishing Climate 23:57 What Makes a Hook Work 27:46 From Full Request to Offer 30:53 Writing Is Art, Publishing Is Product 34:50 Why You Should Write the Query First 36:45 Why Synopses MatterTobias website - www.thetobiasagency.comAnn's website - www.amroseauthor.comInstagram/Threads/TikTok - totally_anntasticBooks By Ann RoseThe Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love www.annroseauthor.comHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
