Joel Brigham (Brigham Editorial)
@joelbrigham.bsky.social
Developmental Editor, Writing Coach, #RevPit Editor, MG/YA Author, Educator, and Overall Very Friendly Person.
brighameditorial.com
brighameditorial.substack.com
brighameditorial.com
brighameditorial.substack.com
Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize for Literature for his novel, "Herscht 07769." It's a book about a graffiti cleaner in Germany who writes letters to Chancellor Angela Merkel to alert her to the world’s impending destruction.
It features ONE period in 400 pages.
It features ONE period in 400 pages.
October 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize for Literature for his novel, "Herscht 07769." It's a book about a graffiti cleaner in Germany who writes letters to Chancellor Angela Merkel to alert her to the world’s impending destruction.
It features ONE period in 400 pages.
It features ONE period in 400 pages.
My office today:
July 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
My office today:
Well, since #RevPit winners have to be submitted to the board by tomorrow, I figure now is as good a time as any to run another #10Queries.
If you were mentioned in this one OR my first batch a few weeks ago, I'll send an email after the winners are announced!
Alright. Let's party, Dear Revelers:
If you were mentioned in this one OR my first batch a few weeks ago, I'll send an email after the winners are announced!
Alright. Let's party, Dear Revelers:
April 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Well, since #RevPit winners have to be submitted to the board by tomorrow, I figure now is as good a time as any to run another #10Queries.
If you were mentioned in this one OR my first batch a few weeks ago, I'll send an email after the winners are announced!
Alright. Let's party, Dear Revelers:
If you were mentioned in this one OR my first batch a few weeks ago, I'll send an email after the winners are announced!
Alright. Let's party, Dear Revelers:
I just finished my second round of #RevPit submission read-throughs, and I think this is a good time for a good, old-fashioned #10queries, where I provide general (anonymous) feedback about ten random submission packages. "Q" = query, and "P" = pages. See if you can find yourself in these!
March 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I just finished my second round of #RevPit submission read-throughs, and I think this is a good time for a good, old-fashioned #10queries, where I provide general (anonymous) feedback about ten random submission packages. "Q" = query, and "P" = pages. See if you can find yourself in these!
One year ago, I chose @azchengwrites.bsky.social as my RevPit winner. Today, she's got a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster. My heart beams. Congrats, Angelica!!!
March 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One year ago, I chose @azchengwrites.bsky.social as my RevPit winner. Today, she's got a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster. My heart beams. Congrats, Angelica!!!
Good morning, dear Revelers! I'm the first #AskEditor session this morning (at 11:00 a.m. EST) for #RevPit, so please drop any questions you've got about writing, revising, querying, etc.
(Note: This is not a thread to ask what I'm interested in for RevPit. General writer stuff only, please!)
(Note: This is not a thread to ask what I'm interested in for RevPit. General writer stuff only, please!)
March 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Good morning, dear Revelers! I'm the first #AskEditor session this morning (at 11:00 a.m. EST) for #RevPit, so please drop any questions you've got about writing, revising, querying, etc.
(Note: This is not a thread to ask what I'm interested in for RevPit. General writer stuff only, please!)
(Note: This is not a thread to ask what I'm interested in for RevPit. General writer stuff only, please!)
I forgot that in my first year of #RevPit I called the esteemed group of authors who submitted to me #TeamLittleMonsters, and I honestly don't remember why. But I apparently made a logo for it, which is very on-brand for me.
March 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I forgot that in my first year of #RevPit I called the esteemed group of authors who submitted to me #TeamLittleMonsters, and I honestly don't remember why. But I apparently made a logo for it, which is very on-brand for me.
Alright, Revelers, it's time for my #RevPit Meet the Mentor session! Consider this the start of the thread. I'll RT the questions in here and answer them as I go. Let's get to it!
March 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Alright, Revelers, it's time for my #RevPit Meet the Mentor session! Consider this the start of the thread. I'll RT the questions in here and answer them as I go. Let's get to it!
The first five authors who can satisfy the following will get a one-pass query letter critique for just $20:
1. Repost one of my Query Month posts
2. Get your query letter under 350 words
3. Fill out the contact form at my website.
FIVE AUTHORS ONLY! HURRY!
1. Repost one of my Query Month posts
2. Get your query letter under 350 words
3. Fill out the contact form at my website.
FIVE AUTHORS ONLY! HURRY!
January 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The first five authors who can satisfy the following will get a one-pass query letter critique for just $20:
1. Repost one of my Query Month posts
2. Get your query letter under 350 words
3. Fill out the contact form at my website.
FIVE AUTHORS ONLY! HURRY!
1. Repost one of my Query Month posts
2. Get your query letter under 350 words
3. Fill out the contact form at my website.
FIVE AUTHORS ONLY! HURRY!
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 31: When is it time to rework a query letter?
One of the hardest things about querying is figuring out why your query letter is failing. How are we supposed to know if the query, concept, or manuscript is the problem?
One of the hardest things about querying is figuring out why your query letter is failing. How are we supposed to know if the query, concept, or manuscript is the problem?
January 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 31: When is it time to rework a query letter?
One of the hardest things about querying is figuring out why your query letter is failing. How are we supposed to know if the query, concept, or manuscript is the problem?
One of the hardest things about querying is figuring out why your query letter is failing. How are we supposed to know if the query, concept, or manuscript is the problem?
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 30: The art of the nudge.
Hitting the query trenches as an author taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: BE PATIENT.
Hitting the query trenches as an author taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: BE PATIENT.
January 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 30: The art of the nudge.
Hitting the query trenches as an author taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: BE PATIENT.
Hitting the query trenches as an author taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: BE PATIENT.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 29: Debunking the Myth of the "Dream Agent."
Every querying author has an agent on their list that would be perfect. They represent your genre, including one of your favorite authors. They've been successful selling to major publishers.
Every querying author has an agent on their list that would be perfect. They represent your genre, including one of your favorite authors. They've been successful selling to major publishers.
January 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 29: Debunking the Myth of the "Dream Agent."
Every querying author has an agent on their list that would be perfect. They represent your genre, including one of your favorite authors. They've been successful selling to major publishers.
Every querying author has an agent on their list that would be perfect. They represent your genre, including one of your favorite authors. They've been successful selling to major publishers.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 28: Can I re-query an agent who rejected my manuscript if I've made major revisions?
You're finally ready to query, so naturally your dream agents are among the first you submit to. It's exciting!
And then it's donkey-kick in the stomach when they reject you.
You're finally ready to query, so naturally your dream agents are among the first you submit to. It's exciting!
And then it's donkey-kick in the stomach when they reject you.
January 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 28: Can I re-query an agent who rejected my manuscript if I've made major revisions?
You're finally ready to query, so naturally your dream agents are among the first you submit to. It's exciting!
And then it's donkey-kick in the stomach when they reject you.
You're finally ready to query, so naturally your dream agents are among the first you submit to. It's exciting!
And then it's donkey-kick in the stomach when they reject you.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 27: Can I query two agents at the same agency?
It's hard enough finding agents who seem interested in what you've written, so when you realize that two of the agents on your list are at the same agency, it can be a bummer.
It's hard enough finding agents who seem interested in what you've written, so when you realize that two of the agents on your list are at the same agency, it can be a bummer.
January 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 27: Can I query two agents at the same agency?
It's hard enough finding agents who seem interested in what you've written, so when you realize that two of the agents on your list are at the same agency, it can be a bummer.
It's hard enough finding agents who seem interested in what you've written, so when you realize that two of the agents on your list are at the same agency, it can be a bummer.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 26: How do you query if you write in multiple genres or across multiple age levels?
This post is less about writing the actual query letter, and more about the plan and process for authors who aren't just writing a single genre for a single age level.
This post is less about writing the actual query letter, and more about the plan and process for authors who aren't just writing a single genre for a single age level.
January 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 26: How do you query if you write in multiple genres or across multiple age levels?
This post is less about writing the actual query letter, and more about the plan and process for authors who aren't just writing a single genre for a single age level.
This post is less about writing the actual query letter, and more about the plan and process for authors who aren't just writing a single genre for a single age level.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 25: Do query letters need trigger warnings?
The mere concept of a "trigger warning" can make some people groan, while others not only appreciate them but expect them.
The mere concept of a "trigger warning" can make some people groan, while others not only appreciate them but expect them.
January 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 25: Do query letters need trigger warnings?
The mere concept of a "trigger warning" can make some people groan, while others not only appreciate them but expect them.
The mere concept of a "trigger warning" can make some people groan, while others not only appreciate them but expect them.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 24: What are agents looking for in a query letter versus a synopsis document?
Here's something I see a lot: query letter pitches pulled word-for-word from the synopsis document. Like, every word of the query pitch is just recycled from the synopsis.
Here's something I see a lot: query letter pitches pulled word-for-word from the synopsis document. Like, every word of the query pitch is just recycled from the synopsis.
January 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 24: What are agents looking for in a query letter versus a synopsis document?
Here's something I see a lot: query letter pitches pulled word-for-word from the synopsis document. Like, every word of the query pitch is just recycled from the synopsis.
Here's something I see a lot: query letter pitches pulled word-for-word from the synopsis document. Like, every word of the query pitch is just recycled from the synopsis.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 23: Tips for writing the bio paragraph in your query letter.
Well, it's time to write the bio paragraph. Let's look at the best way to do that (even if you don't have professional writing credentials):
Well, it's time to write the bio paragraph. Let's look at the best way to do that (even if you don't have professional writing credentials):
January 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 23: Tips for writing the bio paragraph in your query letter.
Well, it's time to write the bio paragraph. Let's look at the best way to do that (even if you don't have professional writing credentials):
Well, it's time to write the bio paragraph. Let's look at the best way to do that (even if you don't have professional writing credentials):
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 22: What is "metadata" in a query, and where does it go?
Your query will consist of 3 sections:
1. Pitch
2. Metadata
3. Bio
We've talked a TON about the pitch this month, but today we'll get into metadata--what it is, and where it goes in your query.
Your query will consist of 3 sections:
1. Pitch
2. Metadata
3. Bio
We've talked a TON about the pitch this month, but today we'll get into metadata--what it is, and where it goes in your query.
January 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 22: What is "metadata" in a query, and where does it go?
Your query will consist of 3 sections:
1. Pitch
2. Metadata
3. Bio
We've talked a TON about the pitch this month, but today we'll get into metadata--what it is, and where it goes in your query.
Your query will consist of 3 sections:
1. Pitch
2. Metadata
3. Bio
We've talked a TON about the pitch this month, but today we'll get into metadata--what it is, and where it goes in your query.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 21: GREEN FLAGS in query letters that make agents raise their eyebrows and sit up a little straighter in their chairs.
If we did red flags yesterday, we've gotta do green flags today, right?
If we did red flags yesterday, we've gotta do green flags today, right?
January 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 21: GREEN FLAGS in query letters that make agents raise their eyebrows and sit up a little straighter in their chairs.
If we did red flags yesterday, we've gotta do green flags today, right?
If we did red flags yesterday, we've gotta do green flags today, right?
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 20: RED FLAGS in query letters that make agents say "no."
Agents are good at their jobs. So good, in fact, that they can sometimes make a decision on a query letter in just a few seconds.
Agents are good at their jobs. So good, in fact, that they can sometimes make a decision on a query letter in just a few seconds.
January 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 20: RED FLAGS in query letters that make agents say "no."
Agents are good at their jobs. So good, in fact, that they can sometimes make a decision on a query letter in just a few seconds.
Agents are good at their jobs. So good, in fact, that they can sometimes make a decision on a query letter in just a few seconds.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 19: How long should a query letter be?
I've said it many times already, but here's the short answer: no more than 350 words, and preferably closer to 300 words.
If your query letter is longer than that, one of a few things is most likely happening:
I've said it many times already, but here's the short answer: no more than 350 words, and preferably closer to 300 words.
If your query letter is longer than that, one of a few things is most likely happening:
January 19, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 19: How long should a query letter be?
I've said it many times already, but here's the short answer: no more than 350 words, and preferably closer to 300 words.
If your query letter is longer than that, one of a few things is most likely happening:
I've said it many times already, but here's the short answer: no more than 350 words, and preferably closer to 300 words.
If your query letter is longer than that, one of a few things is most likely happening:
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 18: How much information is T.M.I. in a query letter?
(a.k.a., should I explain themes, deeper meaning, and/or the inspiration of my book?)
The easy answer is no.
The more nuanced answer is, "You can if you want to, but there are some things to keep in mind."
(a.k.a., should I explain themes, deeper meaning, and/or the inspiration of my book?)
The easy answer is no.
The more nuanced answer is, "You can if you want to, but there are some things to keep in mind."
January 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 18: How much information is T.M.I. in a query letter?
(a.k.a., should I explain themes, deeper meaning, and/or the inspiration of my book?)
The easy answer is no.
The more nuanced answer is, "You can if you want to, but there are some things to keep in mind."
(a.k.a., should I explain themes, deeper meaning, and/or the inspiration of my book?)
The easy answer is no.
The more nuanced answer is, "You can if you want to, but there are some things to keep in mind."
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 17: The Do's and Don'ts of Comp Titles.
One of the reasons people hate the pressure of querying so much is because they have to come up with comp titles. No one likes doing this. It's horrible. But hopefully, I can help make it a little *less* horrible.
One of the reasons people hate the pressure of querying so much is because they have to come up with comp titles. No one likes doing this. It's horrible. But hopefully, I can help make it a little *less* horrible.
January 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 17: The Do's and Don'ts of Comp Titles.
One of the reasons people hate the pressure of querying so much is because they have to come up with comp titles. No one likes doing this. It's horrible. But hopefully, I can help make it a little *less* horrible.
One of the reasons people hate the pressure of querying so much is because they have to come up with comp titles. No one likes doing this. It's horrible. But hopefully, I can help make it a little *less* horrible.
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 16: How personalizing query letters can help you, and how it can be a huge waste of time.
Every agent I've ever talked to about this has said something like, "I appreciate when authors personalize queries, but it never makes or breaks a submission package."
Every agent I've ever talked to about this has said something like, "I appreciate when authors personalize queries, but it never makes or breaks a submission package."
January 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 16: How personalizing query letters can help you, and how it can be a huge waste of time.
Every agent I've ever talked to about this has said something like, "I appreciate when authors personalize queries, but it never makes or breaks a submission package."
Every agent I've ever talked to about this has said something like, "I appreciate when authors personalize queries, but it never makes or breaks a submission package."