Successful Queries

This is a database of successful queries* for novels
Select a Tab below to view the same data with different organization
*Currently this list contains only queries that led to an offer of rep by a literary agent.

Questions? Feel free to @ me on Twitter: @CarissaATaylor :)

Original post and analysis:

https://carissa-taylor.blogspot.com/2016/06/query-theory-101-successful-query.html

Women's Fiction

Katie Shea Boutillier

https://querytracker.net/success/kelly_duran.php

https://querytracker.net/success/kelly_duran.php

http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/2016/05/the-secret-to-writing-a-successful-query-letter/

Specific - Must or Else

Degree & Short Stories

http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/2016/05/the-secret-to-writing-a-successful-query-letter/

https://querytracker.net/success/clay_harmon.php

Specific - Must or Else

Writing Credentials

https://querytracker.net/success/clay_harmon.php

https://imbarnes.com/2018/07/23/lets-summon-demons-because-thats-easier-than-query-writing/

Specific - Must or Else

https://imbarnes.com/2018/07/23/lets-summon-demons-because-thats-easier-than-query-writing/

https://querytracker.net/success/jessica_conoley.php

Ominous - Fight to Save all

https://querytracker.net/success/jessica_conoley.php

https://chasingthecrazies.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/quite-the-query-with-rae-chang-and-mad-queens-chess/

https://rfkuang.com/2018/04/05/how-i-got-my-agent-the-query-letter/

Specific - Choice

Studying subject matter

No (but author comments)

Catherine Schaff-Stump

https://querytracker.net/success/catherine_schaff-stump.php

Sometimes

https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/6slgyd/pubtip_agented_authors_post_successful_queries/dldtble/

Specific - choice

https://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=10033812&viewfull=1#post10033812

Ominous - Doom

The Impossible Contract

https://kadoore.com/2018/07/25/hey-what-about-your-query-kai/

https://kadoore.com/2018/07/25/hey-what-about-your-query-kai/

https://querytracker.net/success/emmie_mears.php

Ominous - Task ... BUT

Was Agented

https://querytracker.net/success/amanda_mccrina.php

Specific - Choice / Who to Trust

The Notorious Sorceror's Penultimate Work

https://querytracker.net/success/diana_evans.php

Ominous - Imminent Doom

https://querytracker.net/success/alythia_brown.php

Specific - Enemy Actions

https://subitclub.com/2018/09/04/query-letters-that-worked-city-of-lies-fantasy/

Specific - Choice

https://subitclub.com/2018/09/04/query-letters-that-worked-city-of-lies-fantasy/

Historical Fantasy

Jessica Watterson

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=9272447&viewfull=1#post9272447

Specific - Must or Else / Race Against Clock

Rebecca Mueller Callahan

https://querytracker.net/success/rebecca_mueller_callahan.php

Specific - Choice

No Degree

Connor Goldsmith

https://cassmorriswrites.com/2017/01/30/query-letter-a-success-story/

Ominous - Secret

http://agentqueryconnect.com/index.php?/topic/13212-query-that-led-to-representation/

Specific - Choice

https://querytracker.net/success/noah_beit-aharon.php

Specific - Choice

Sometimes

Weronika Janczuk

https://querytracker.net/success/lindsay_smith.php

Specific - Choice

The House of Arkhangel'sk

https://querytracker.net/success/jane_kindred.php

Specific - Task & Sacrifice

Pubbed - Short Stories

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=4902072&viewfull=1#post4902072

Hopeful - MC is the ONE

https://querytracker.net/success/james_pray.php

Ominous - Upcoming Obstacles

Degree - MFA

The Impossible Contract

https://kadoore.com/2018/07/25/hey-what-about-your-query-kai/

Yes - at beginning

Degree in Classics

https://kadoore.com/2018/07/25/hey-what-about-your-query-kai/

The Library at Mt. Char

https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/6slgyd/pubtip_agented_authors_post_successful_queries/dldz99h/

pubbed non-fiction

The Whitefire Crossing

http://www.courtneyschafer.com/query.html

Specific - Must or Else

http://www.courtneyschafer.com/query.html

https://scottdrakeford.com/2016/02/13/the-query-that-worked/

https://scottdrakeford.com/2016/02/13/the-query-that-worked/

The Library at Mt. Char

https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/6slgyd/pubtip_agented_authors_post_successful_queries/dldz99h?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

Yes - at the beginning

Published - Non Fiction

Superhero/Thriller

https://www.blackgate.com/2010/10/23/my-agent-hunt/

Specific - Must or Else

Pubbed - short stories

Hannah Ferguesen

https://querytracker.net/success/michelle_ruiz_keil.php

Specific - Must or Else

Writing Group Member / Contest Finalist

https://querytracker.net/success/emily_a_duncan.php

Historical Fantasy

http://writerunboxed.com/2011/09/09/erin-morgenstern-part-ii/

Ominous - Secret

Martine Fournier Watson

https://querytracker.net/success/martine_fournier_watson.php

Ominous - Doom

Pubbed & story shortlisted for a prize

https://querytracker.net/success/martine_fournier_watson.php

Ramsey Hootman

https://querytracker.net/success/ramsey_hootman.php

Ominous - Secret

A Tricky Understanding

http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/query-that-hooked-my-agent.html

Quip - Humor

The Decadence Papers

https://querytracker.net/success/rachel_e_pollock.php

Literary-Upmarket

http://agentqueryconnect.com/index.php?/topic/17472-literarycommerical-query-that-led-to-11-full-requests-and-3-offers-of-representation/

Literary-Upmarket

Courtney Miller-Callihan

https://querytracker.net/success/ra_burrell.php

Magruder's Curiosity Cabinet

Courtney Miller-Callihan

https://chasingthecrazies.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/quite-the-query-h-p-wood-magruders-curiosity-cabinet/

Women's Fiction

https://querytracker.net/success/kristen_bonardi_rapp.php

Ominous- Secrets

William Michael Goins

https://querytracker.net/success/michael_goins.php

Historical Romance

http://querylettersuccess.com/author/stacy-henrie/

Specific - Choice

https://querytracker.net/success/samuel_thomas.php

Ominous - Secret

Sometimes

Degree - PhD

Stephanie Thornton

https://querytracker.net/success/stephanie_thornton.php

Specific - Choice

No Degree

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=4522323&viewfull=1#post4522323

Specific - Must or Else

Pubbed - Short Stories

http://zencho.org/my-publishing-journey-my-query-letter-for-sorcerer-to-the-crown/

No (but author comments)

https://cffullerton.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/the-query-that-got-me-my-agent/

Pubbed - small Press

https://querytracker.net/success/linda_jackson.php

Ominous - Task ... BUT

OwnVoices - Historical

Between Earth and Sky

Amanda Skenandore

http://www.amandaskenandore.com/query-letter/

Specific - Secret

No - daughter-in-law

Pubbed / Pitch Wars

http://www.carolinewoodswriter.com/blog/2017/1/31/a-query-letter-that-worked

Specific - Must or Else

professor / MFA / pubbed

Women's Fiction

Erin Lindsay McCabe

http://erinlindsaymccabe.com/2014/02/18/query-letters/

Specific - Must or Else

http://erinlindsaymccabe.com/2014/02/18/query-letters/

Romantic Suspense

https://querytracker.net/success/em_powell.php

Ominous - Secret

Damian Angelica Walters (formerly Damien Walters Grintalis)

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=4805730&viewfull=1#post4805730

Quip - Voice

http://agentqueryconnect.com/index.php?/topic/36915-query-got-18-rejections-1-full-request-and-representation/

Ominous - Secret

Award winner

http://agentqueryconnect.com/index.php?/topic/36915-query-got-18-rejections-1-full-request-and-representation/

Camille Noe Pagan

http://booksbywomen.org/write-your-query-first-for-a-better-novel-by-camille-noe-pagan/

http://booksbywomen.org/write-your-query-first-for-a-better-novel-by-camille-noe-pagan/

Michael Landweber

https://querytracker.net/success/michaell.php

Ominous - Question

Pubbed - Short Story

Literary-Upmarket

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=8047068&viewfull=1#post8047068

Ominous - Secret

Magical Realism

The Secret Ingredient of Wishes

Susan Bishop Crispell

https://susanbishopcrispell.wordpress.com/2018/07/25/pitch-wars-successful-query/

Specific - Must or Else

Comps - Authors

https://susanbishopcrispell.wordpress.com/2018/07/25/pitch-wars-successful-query/

Magical Realism

Paper House (formerly Latkes With Sylvia)

Anna Spargo-Ryan

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=8649068&viewfull=1#post8649068

Ominous - Question/Secret

Magical Realism

Stephanie Knipper

https://querytracker.net/success/stephanie_knipper.php

Deg - MA Eng

http://misaramirez.com/for-writers/the-lola-pi-query/

Ominous - Doom

Agented Before

http://gigipandian.com/my-successful-query-letter/

Specific - Must or Else

Editor interest, Award

http://gigipandian.com/my-successful-query-letter/

Paranormal Romance

http://suzannevanrooyen.com/2013/10/13/queries-that-worked-no-26/

Ominous - Uncertain Future

Pubbed - Short Story

Romance (Erotica?)

http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2008/09/12/the-query-project/

Editor/Pubbed

No - but author does

Talesof a Malayan Ghost Bride

http://jennybent.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/its-really-not-about-who-you-know.html

Specific - Must or Else

OwnVoices - ish

No Degree

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=5399873&highlight=literary#post5399873

Specific - Task

Contem Romance

https://querytracker.net/success/elizabeth_mccay.php

https://querytracker.net/success/elizabeth_mccay.php

https://amytruebloodauthor.com/quite-the-query-may-bridges-and-killing-june/

Specific - Must or Else

https://amytruebloodauthor.com/quite-the-query-may-bridges-and-killing-june/

Historical Suspense

Maddison Michaels

https://querytracker.net/success/maddison_michaels.php

Ominous - Lives/Hearts in Jeopardy

Mentored by pubbed author

https://querytracker.net/success/maddison_michaels.php

Romantic Comedy

Chai, Beards, and Harmony

https://farahheron.com/2018/07/23/what-does-a-successful-query-look-like/

https://farahheron.com/2018/07/23/what-does-a-successful-query-look-like/

Amy Elizabeth Bishop

https://amytruebloodauthor.com/quite-the-query-adele-buck-and-acting-up/

Specific - Must or Else

https://amytruebloodauthor.com/quite-the-query-adele-buck-and-acting-up/

Contemporary Romance

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=9772322&viewfull=1#post9772322

Ominous - Secret

Miliatary Romance

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=9829641&viewfull=1#post9829641

Upbeat - Love Blooming

No Degree

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=9619572&viewfull=1#post9619572

Specific - Task

The Write Type of Wrong

Jessica Watterson

https://chasingthecrazies.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/quite-the-query-dylann-crush-and-the-write-type-of-wrong/

Specific - Choice

https://chasingthecrazies.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/quite-the-query-wendy-qualls-and-worth-waiting-for/

No Degree

Contemporary Romance

http://agentqueryconnect.com/index.php?/topic/19762-caught-me-one-of-dem-agent-thingys-yall/

Ominous - Impending Doom

Contemporary Romance

http://laurenlayne.com/query-letter-example/

Specific - Choice

Women's Fiction

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?92925-Successful-Queries&p=8310407&viewfull=1#post8310407

Ominous - Secret

Contemporary Romance

https://querytracker.net/success/elizabeth_otto.php

https://querytracker.net/success/angela_quarles.php

Specific - Choice

Contemporary Romance

https://querytracker.net/success/barbara_longley.php

Ominous - Obstacle Looming

Sometimes

Pubbed - Small Press

Contemporary Romance

https://querytracker.net/success/macy_beckett.php

Specific - Choice

Regency Romance

Aislinn Macnamara

https://querytracker.net/success/aislinn_macnamara.php

Upbeat - New Twist

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries-agent-sara-megibow-and-the-siren

Ominous - Secrets

Historical Romance

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries-agent-jennifer-schober-and-letters-from-home

Contemporary Romance

A Cruel Kind of Beautiful

http://michellehazenbooks.com/example-of-my-successful-query/

Specific - Must or Else

Yes - at beginning

http://michellehazenbooks.com/example-of-my-successful-query/

Contemporary Romance

Mary Ann Marlowe

http://www.maryannmarlowe.com/?p=4271

Specific - Must or Else

http://www.maryannmarlowe.com/?p=4271

Contemporary Romance

She Came From Beyond

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/successful-queries-agent-sarah-yake-came-beyond

Awards & pubbed

Contemporary Romance

https://reneeaprice.weebly.com/blog/my-successful-query

Specific - Choice

Comps - Authors

https://reneeaprice.weebly.com/blog/my-successful-query

Contemporary Romance

https://reneeaprice.weebly.com/blog/my-successful-query

Specific - Choice

Erotic Romance

http://maddisonmichaels.com/lissa-lindens-successful-query-letter/

http://maddisonmichaels.com/lissa-lindens-successful-query-letter/

Maddison Michaels

http://maddisonmichaels.com/maddisons-query-letter-success-story/

Sometimes

Mentorship

http://maddisonmichaels.com/maddisons-query-letter-success-story/

Historical Romance

The Madness of Miss Grey

https://juliabennet.com/2018/06/08/the-query-letter-that-got-me-my-agent-with-commentary-from-jessica-alvarez-of-bookends-literary-agency/

https://juliabennet.com/2018/06/08/the-query-letter-that-got-me-my-agent-with-commentary-from-jessica-alvarez-of-bookends-literary-agency/

A Cruel Kind of Beautiful

http://michellehazenbooks.com/example-of-my-successful-query/

Specific - Must or Else

Indie Author

http://michellehazenbooks.com/example-of-my-successful-query/

https://www.taraleighbooks.com/blogposts/query-letter

Specific - Choice

Yes - Background

https://www.taraleighbooks.com/blogposts/query-letter