You're invited to "How to Get Published" with Canadian literary agent Rachel Letofsky

The Dutch Orphan by Ellen Keith
represented by Rachel Letofsky

“How to Get Published”

An editor & a literary agent tell all

Sunday, December 1, 2024
1:15 – 5:00 p.m. Toronto time
Offered online and accessible wherever there's Internet

If you've ever dreamed of becoming a published author, this workshop is for you. We’ll focus on the process of submitting to an agent or publisher, and show you exactly how to write a query letter that will get a “yes.” Bring all your questions. Come and get ready to be published!

Special Option: Participants are invited to prepare a draft of a query letter you might use to interest an agent or publisher in your book. You don't need to prepare anything, but if you like, email me a draft of your query prior to our workshop. Rachel and I will critique several queries, perhaps half a dozen, so everyone can see what works, what doesn’t and how to improve your query. Do remember that agents come to these events wanting to hear what you’ve got. ~Brian

Guest speaker Rachel Letofsky is a literary agent with CookeMcDermid. One of Canada’s larger agencies, CookeMcDermid was founded in 2017 when two preeminent literary agencies, The Cooke Agency and The McDermid Agency, amalgamated, combining nearly 50 years of experience.

CookeMcDermid is a full-service literary agency representing authors in many genres in Canada, the United States, and throughout the world. This includes literary, commercial and speculative fiction; a broad range of narrative nonfiction; health, wellness and lifestyle resources; as well as middle-grade and young adult books. These books have been adapted into major motion pictures and translated into over 60 languages. 

CookeMcDermid sells directly into Canada, US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and India, and translation rights in conjunction with 35 co-agents around the world. CookeMcDermid also has an in-house film/tv division that sells these rights directly, or works with associates to do so, in accordance with the needs of the project.

Rachel Letofsky specializes in children’s literature (middle-grade and YA, fiction and nonfiction), narrative-driven nonfiction and literary, commercial, contemporary and historical fiction for adults.

Rachel is actively seeking ground-breaking and heart-breaking middle grade and YA titles in all genres. She is drawn in equal measure to works with a whimsical nature or a grounded, gritty edge, though in either instance, unforgettable characters and original concepts are a must.

Rachel also has a soft spot for exquisite literary fiction and thought-provoking, high-concept speculative fiction. In nonfiction, Rachel is looking for narrative-driven memoirs, and anything quirky, life-affirming or mind-blowing.

Also: “Brian, As a bit of a scoop for you and your attendees … I am actively seeking thrillers now (a genre I hadn’t traditionally represented) and looking specifically for historically based true crime (but not commonly known and previously well-covered cases), nonfiction too these days, and I really want to find a fun Jewish Rom-Com too!”

Rachel is on X (formerly Twitter) at @rachelletofsky

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University, and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Windsor to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.  

See reviews of and works inspired by Brian's classes, workshops, and retreats here.

Fee: $45.13 + 13% hst = $51 paid in advance by mail or Interac

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.