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The Write It Scared Podcast

What Literary Agents Look for in a Query Letter (with Ann Rose)

Mar 08, 2026 Season 3 Episode 95

Stacy Frazer

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 Matter

Tobias website - www.thetobiasagency.com

Ann's website - www.amroseauthor.com

Instagram/Threads/TikTok - totally_anntastic

Books By Ann Rose

The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean

A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love

www.annroseauthor.com

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis