WriteByNight Query Letter Contest!

Published: Wed, 03/19/25

Updated: Wed, 03/19/25

Dear writer,

Welcome to WriteByNight’s first-ever Query Letter Contest!

AKA our March (to Publication) Madness tournament. (With free entry!)

In my role as a writer’s ally here at WriteByNight, I meet about 50 new writers a month. Unlike agents and their form rejections, I have in-depth discussions with every single one of them.

Still, I often wonder what it’s like to be pitched dozens of books per day.

Meanwhile, you often wonder whether your submission package has what it takes to stand out.

For the next seven days, we’re going to find out together.

Grand Prize & Runners-Up

One (1) winner will receive:

1. A full query letter edit from me;

2. A query letter (and synopsis) critique from our staff literary agent, including margin notes and a 60-minute interactive discussion;

3. Publication of your full query letter in a future newsletter, along with commentary from me on why I chose you as winner and from John on what makes your query letter so compelling.

(Publication in the newsletter is optional: We understand the desire for privacy! But some agents do lurk in this space, hint hint.)

Four (4) runners-up will receive:

1. Query letter margin notes from both John and me;

2. (optional) Publication of portions of your query letter in a results newsletter.

All entrants receive:

1. A $20 discount code for a WriteByNight query letter critique AND a 10% discount code for any future service of your choice (including our full agent pitch package!).

Details & How to Enter & Eligibility

Entry Fee: FREE!

Entry Deadline: Wednesday, March 26, 12 noon Eastern

Entry Maximum: As many as come in!

How to enter:

1. Click the button below;

2. PASTE your query letter into the body of your email (extra points for artfully personalizing your letter to me);

3. (optional) ATTACH your book's first 5 pages: double-spaced, 12-pt. TNR font, 1" margins; MS Word or PDF.

Who can enter:

1. All writers of all experience levels working in all genres with a complete or nearly complete manuscript, except;

2. Any writer who has worked with WriteByNight on his/her query letter is ineligible. (Sorry!)

Who will win:

The writer whose submission package most makes me want to ask for more pages!

Fine Print:

WriteByNight is not a literary agency. The winner will not receive representation from me or WriteByNight, because that's not a thing. This is just for fun. (And public glory, if you win or place! And confirmation that you're on the right track.)

Ready to enter? Click the button, paste your query, attach your pages, and you're in!