I've offered free query critiques for a while now, but this is my first attempt at making it more official! Please bear with me as I figure out the new system! For now, I am just accepting requests for query critiques, but I frequently give away larger critique packages on X, and provide full developmental edits through the programs listed on the Mentorship and MSWL tab. 

If you have a question, want to provide feedback, or just would like to get in contact, please use the messaging form at the bottom of the page.

  Why I Do This

I got my agent without paying a cent. (Seriously. I didn't even have a Microsoft Office subscription.) But I was only able to make it happen because of an excellent public school education, friends who offered to read my book, mentors who gave advice, and online strangers who generously volunteered their time. Not only do I want to pay forward the kindness they showed me, I also know that those kinds of communities are not accessible to everyone.  

There are a ton of barriers to traditional publishing, especially for marginalized writers like myself. The rise of paid query critiques, AMAs, and beta reading puts up even more obstacles. My hope is that by passing on my knowledge without a paywall, we'll have a more diverse group of writers succeeding in traditional publishing and perhaps even a more collaborative and kind writing community. 

  How It Works

Fill out the form below with a copy of your query and a little bit about your process so far. I will respond with in-depth critique of the content of the query and the ways it fits or deviates from the standard for submission. I usually make line comments and then send a write-up with my larger thoughts. I frequently send relevant links to examples I think may be helpful or sources featuring expert opinion. 

I cannot guarantee a timeline for when I will respond. I also may remove queries that don't follow the guidelines below. 

 Issues with the form? Try this link instead.

Guidelines

I dislike having to write this section, but unfortunately, I have encountered issues in the past. Pretty much all of these guidelines can be summed up by the fact that I am providing this service for free! Please remember that I am not a professional. Because of that, I do not accommodate inconvenient, unreasonable, or unkind requests. I will simply remove the query from my inbox and move on to other applicants. 

Some other guidelines--

• Please don't send me a synopsis or chapters along with your query. I only review queries through this form. 

• Please don't send me multiple queries in the same request. (This includes multiple versions of the same query.) I budget time to work with one single letter and can't look at historical examples, multiple iterations, or versions that have been changed for specific agents. 

• If you have additional questions or would like me to look at something else, please just fill the form out again attaching the query you're referencing.

• Please don't try to circumvent any of these rules by offering to pay me. I truly do offer these services on principle and I will not accept money.

  Privacy

Nothing that is sent to me will be shared with any other person or program. I do not send queries to anyone else, nor do I use any AI software. I store the queries on a private account on a private device. I typically keep a copy of my edit letter and comments for my own records, but if you'd prefer I delete all instances of your writing after we work together, just let me know and I'm happy to honor that. 

  Response and Testimonials

If you received critique that was helpful to you in any way and you want to give back, there are a number of non-monetary options! 

• Please send me an update on your successes! I really, really love hearing these and it is truly meaningful to see my work make a difference in your story. 

• Feel free to post about your experience and tag me if you like. I'll add it to my testimonials below! 

• You can follow and interact with me on social media and add my books on GoodReads! These are available on my "Links" page.

• You can take what you know and pass it on to the next generation of writers without charging them! Feel free to share my advice and comments as widely as you want. Our whole community benefits when we trade knowledge without barriers. 

And just to reiterate, none of these are necessary. Please do not feel pressured to 

do or say anything, this is truly meant to be free!