Every time I read a query, the opening paragraph ends with a list of big, overarching themes. And I want to convince you, nay, challenge you, to lead with intrigue instead.

The theme sentence is usually some variation of:

• A memoir of the complications of love.


• A generational saga of love, loss, and life at sea. (Okay, life at sea is intriguing.)


• A

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One thing I love about this flyer campaign is how specifically Claire calls out her dream readers in the headline:

are you jealous of your wife?

do you hate your friends’ boyfriends???

Is real estate all you and your friends talk about?

You can steal this as a prompt: can you think of three questions (these are “hooks”) that your ideal... See more

Sometimes, your story’s setting, format, or container can carry the hook, even if the story itself is subtle. Examples:

• Told in letters from a grief writing group


• Set inside a niche subculture (roller derby moms, death doulas, ASMR influencers)


• Nonlinear, countdown, or framed by a mystery

5. Add One High-Concept Layer

Sometimes all you need is one... See more