When I was a little infant of a writer with no idea how to submit to anyone or anything, a friend of mine suggested I head on over to the querytracker website. There I met Elana Johnson. She ripped my query into about seventenn different pieces and really made me work to turn it into something I would be proud to send to a literary agent.

The best part of what she did was this: She gave me the tools to make it awesome. She TAUGHT me how to do it on my own. She’s awesome.

Now, she’s written a book that you need to own: From the Query to The Call

This book is like a one stop shop to getting an agent, and let’s be honest–that’s exactly what most of us need.

It kind of reminds me of those “What to Expect when you’re Expecting books.” There’s a lot of stuff that you don’t really want to know in there, but you REALLY need to know it in order to make it through the next 8-10 months of your life while you’re having a baby landing an agent.

Elana is the kind of person who understands that a query has to have a real hook, and this book breaks it down in a step-by-step format to really make your query stand out in the slush pile.

The part about the call was really interesting for someone who hasn’t yet received her call. She interviewed several authors who’d been through the agent call, and basically helps you get prepared for twenty minute phone conversation that could be the launch to your entire literary career. That’s kind of a big deal, people.

I want to make it clear that I’m not suggesting you read this book because I think the author is fabulous. I want you to read this book because I think it will help you take that big next step in your writing journey.

She’s giving away books here this weekend so get to it!