Three days of query craft, live-editing, and insider
publishing information to get your book to YES.
with ALLISON K WILLIAMS & JESSICA BERG
Plus Literary Agents & Publishers
Weekend Intensive | April 24-25-26, 2026
STOP STRUGGLING. START PUBLISHING.
Querying doesn't come with feedback--so how do you know if you're doing it right or wasting your time?
Get expert advice with specific directions and the industry knowledge you need. Feedback from working literary agents. Insider info from editors and publishers looking for books like yours.
Let's get your words into the world.
REGISTER NOWGet confident about querying.
- Learn query format--and how it sells your book
- Hear live feedback from literary agents
- Find out what agents and publishers REALLY want
- Choose the best comp titles to sell your book
- Discover your best publishing path
MORE THAN A WEBINAR.
Experience all the benefits of a physical event replicated online, with casual chat, Q&A time, breakout rooms and 100% interactive sessions. Build your writing career—and grow your literary community.
Got Questions?
Big Five. Literary. Indie.
Find the right publishing path for YOUR book.
YOUR GUIDES
Allison K Williams
Writer - Editor - Speaker - Coach
Allison K Williams brings deep understanding of dramatic structure, sensitivity to voice and theme, technical expertise, and contagious enthusiasm for your work.
She is the author of Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro From Blank Page to Book and the Social Media Editor of Brevity.
She has edited and coached writers to deals with Big Five, literary and independent presses and publication in the New Yorker, Time, the Guardian, the New York Times, McSweeney’s and TED Talks.
Allison herself has written for NPR, CBC, the New York Times, Creative Nonfiction, McSweeney’s, Kenyon Review and Travelers’ Tales. Her plays, including London Fringe Best of Fringe Winner TRUE STORY have been produced worldwide.
Jessica Berg
Literary Agent
Jessica Berg is a literary agent, author, and the founder of Rosecliff Literary. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and contributes regularly to Writer’s Digest.
Jessica serves on the boards of the Women’s National Book Association and the Historical Novel Society, and teaches nationally on querying, comp titles, and the business of authorship, with a focus on building sustainable, long-term writing careers. Her client list includes Vincent Zandri, Lisa Roe, Arizona Bell, and others.
Vicky Weber
Literary Agent
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with CMA, bestselling children’s book author, and publishing industry expert, guiding writers through the process of crafting, publishing, and marketing successful books. With a background in education, Vicky is passionate about breaking down complex industry concepts into actionable steps.
Vicky seeks Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Upmarket Fiction, Mystery, Speculative, Fantasy, Historical Fiction and Women's Fiction.
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Literary Agent
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency with nearly a decade of industry experience.
She represents Adult Romance in every category except Science Fiction, plus Book Club Fiction, Adult Mysteries, Domestic Suspense, and light Horror. She also accepts the occasional YA novel.
Cathie is a 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she earned a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in history. She currently resides in Minnesota.
Vicky Weber
Vicky seeks Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Upmarket Fiction, Mystery, Speculative, Fantasy, Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction.
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
She represents Adult Romance in many categories, plus Book Club Fiction, Adult Mysteries, Domestic Suspense, light Horror and the occasional YA novel.
Erin Wood
Et Alia books have won numerous awards including Library of Congress Great Read for Youth, National Federation of Press Women, IPPY awards, Indie Next, and Will Rogers Medallion.
Gemma Creffield
Vicky Weber
Literary Agent
Vicky Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and publishing industry expert with years of experience helping authors navigate both traditional and self-publishing.
As the founder of At Home Author, she has guided countless writers through the process of crafting, publishing, and marketing successful books. Whether securing book deals for her clients or sharing insights on the ever-evolving publishing market, she is dedicated to helping authors turn their creative dreams into reality.
Amy Collins
Literary Agent
Amy Collins is an agent with the Talcott Notch Literary Services with more than 30 years in the publishing industry as a book buyer, Sales Director for a large non-fiction publisher, and the founder and President of New Shelves Books, one of the largest book sales and marketing companies in the US.
Collins is herself a USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL bestselling author.
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Literary Agent
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency with nearly a decade of industry experience.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Cathie is a 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she earned a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in history. She currently resides in Minnesota where she and her husband of 33 years share two grown children, a son-in-law, and a precocious black lab-mix named Ozzy.
QUERY BOOTCAMP MEANS GETTING IT DONE
Three days to a polished query and a big head start on your submissions list.
Focused time and a commitment to “show up” helps you get that query DONE and prepare your best submissions material.
Insider publishing info and specific guidance from working literary agents get you ready to go.
Query Bootcamp combines education, networking, and writing career growth. You’ll leave with new ideas, renewed commitment to your craft, and you’ll know your best publication opportunities.
Allison K Williams has guided authors in selling their books to Big Five, university, literary and small presses, and reaching the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists.
Jessica Berg is on top of market trends, representing authors for Big Five and mid-size press deals, audiobooks and media deals.
Not only will they share their deep knowledge of the publishing market, you’ll get their sources for insider information.
Unlike the traditional “workshop,” you’ll be revising as we go. Tools, techniques, and discoveries made in live-editing will be immediately applied to your query.
Check-ins may include sharing short sections, but writers won’t read each others’ work in advance or in full. It’s like working at your favorite cafe—with peer and editorial support.
You need to know the publishing market–but you also want to stay true to your voice, style, and story. Fortunately, the best preparation for traditional publishing is also the best prep for self- and hybrid publishing. Find out what makes agents, publishers, and readers turn the page.
In live-editing, Allison & Jessica share queries or first pages on the screen, reading aloud and discussing suggested edits.
Throughout live-editing time, you’ll apply specific techniques to your own query and pages.
Need personal feedback? Add an edit of your revised query, synopsis or opening pages when you register (additional cost).
Allison has worked with...
THE DAILY SCHEDULE
ALL TIMES US EASTERN
| TAKE A MOMENT & BREATHE | |||
| AFTERNOON | |||
| 12:00-12:30 | CAFE TIME | Zoom Room open for casual chat & questions with Allison & Jessica. | |
| 12:30-1:00 | WELCOME | Greetings, introductions & setting our goals | |
| 1:00-2:00 | QUERY 101 | What goes in a query and why? Plus time to draft or revise your query, with Q&A in the chat | |
| 2:00-2:30 | LIVE-EDITING | Query feedback live on screen, with notes for everyone’s revisions | |
| 2:30-2:45 | BREAK | ||
| 2:45-3:45 | COMPS 101 | What are comp titles, why do you need them, and resources to find good, current comps | |
| 3:45-4:00 | CLOSING WORDS | Day ends 4PM Eastern | |
| TAKE IT HOME | REVISE & FIND YOUR COMPS | Revise and polish your query, including choosing your best comps | |
| TAKE A MOMENT & BREATHE | |||
| MORNING | |||
| 9:30-10:00 | CAFE TIME | Zoom Room open for casual chat & questions with Allison & Jessica. | |
| 10:00-11:00 | LIVE-EDITING | Query feedback live on screen, with notes for everyone’s revisions | |
| 11:00-12:30 | LITERARY AGENT FEEDBACK | One of our special agent guests will hear your queries and give feedback | |
| AFTERNOON | |||
| 12:30-2:00 | LUNCH | Zoom Room re-opens at 1:55PM Eastern | |
| 2:00-3:00 | FIRST PAGES | The Five Elements of great first pages–and the importance of starting with SUCK, plus time to apply the craft to your own first pages. | |
| 3:00-3:45 | LIVE-EDITING | First Pages feedback live on screen, with notes for everyone’s revisions | |
| 3:45-4:00 | CLOSING WORDS | Day ends 4PM Eastern | |
| TAKE A MOMENT & BREATHE | |||
| MORNING | |||
| 9:30-10:00 | CAFE TIME | Zoom Room open for casual chat & questions with Allison & Jessica. | |
| 10:00-11:00 | WHO TO QUERY? | Resources to find the right literary agents and publishers for you, and red flags/scams to watch out for. Plus, what to prep for submissions (so it’s easy!) | |
| 11:00-12:00 | PUBLISHER PANEL | Literary and small-press publishers join us to tell you exactly what they’re looking for–and what to do if that’s not what you’re writing. | |
| AFTERNOON | 12:00-1:00 | LUNCH | Zoom room re-opens 12:55PM Eastern |
| 1:00-2:30 | LITERARY AGENT FEEDBACK | Literary agents join us to hear YOUR queries and give feedback | |
| 2:30-3:00 | CLOSING WORDS | Review, inspiration, your questions & next steps. Day ends 3PM Eastern. | |
NEED MORE TIME & FOCUS?
PLOTTING & WRITING A BOOK THAT SELLS
CRAFT & PUBLISHING VOYAGE
FLASH & FLOW WRITING IN MOROCCO
ULTIMATE REVISION WEEKEND
QUERY BOOTCAMP
COMBINED VALUE PACKAGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Joining The Intensive
Nope! While Query Bootcamp will get you ready to send out your manuscript, it’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the market while you’re still writing.
- You can be working on a novel, memoir, essay collection, or creative nonfiction.
- You’re writing in English, because we aren’t fluent enough to edit in any other language. (English need not be your mother tongue.)
- You DON’T need a degree in writing (or anything else!).
- You DON’T need previous publication credits.
There are no guarantees! In our previous publishing-focused events, some writers have been invited to submit full manuscripts, but it very much depends on what the pros are looking for and how ready your work is. You’ll still hear valuable insights and writing inspiration.
This intensive is about refining your query and effectively pitching your book—the agents represent a wide range of genres, and remember, they know other agents for referrals, too!
We love teaching, and we do quite a bit of it throughout the year. Very often, students ask to be added to the waitlist for the next retreat or intensive, sometimes regardless of location! When a new event is announced, we tell the waitlist first, and events often sell out before they’re publicly announced.
Sign up for The A-List to get first notice of waitlists and open registrations for upcoming retreats.
If the button at the top of the page says “Sold Out,” there’s a waitlist and we’re happy to add you to it. Email us through the contact form, and we’ll confirm your spot on the list. Most intensives have included waitlisters; we usually know 2-3 weeks in advance.
Intensive Days
Plan to spend another hour Friday revising your query letter after class.
You’ll get resources to check out for the comps, agents and publishers who will be right for you. Plan to spend another 2-4 hours making your lists; that might be the same weekend as Bootcamp, or take a break and pick it up again afterwards. You’ll have the recordings for guidance!
Allison will be offering synopsis and first pages feedback at an additional cost. You’ll be able to add extras when you register.
For feedback on more pages, check out Allison’s regular editorial offerings here.
Or Jessica’s regular editorial offerings here.
You can also find out about upcoming webinars and events by visiting Allison’s linktree, or joining the A-List monthly events email, or visiting Jessica’s linktree or weekly newsletter.
If you have accessibility concerns, let us know. We’ll work with whatever technology you need to make the virtual intensive work for you.
Allison has worked with writers who are d/Deaf, hearing-impaired, blind, visually-impaired, neuro-atypical and with physical disabilities.
We want to work with you—let’s discuss how to make it an excellent experience.
Bookings & Payments
We accept Venmo, Zelle, Canadian e-transfers, US checks, PayPal and credit cards via PayPal.
If you’d like to pay in two installments, due March 30 and April 20, email us through the contact form.
For Canadians, we give a discount on the exchange rate for payments made via Interac/eTransfer. Contact us for details.
We have two tuition-free places reserved for writers from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to LGBTQ+, BIPOC, working-class, neurodivergent and emerging writers. To apply, please use the contact form; share a brief statement of how this intensive will help you as a writer, and any literary citizenship activities you already do.
If you are unable to attend live, there is no refund, but you still receive the workbook, the contact list and all slides and session recordings. We encourage you to enjoy the session recordings when you can. You may also want to contact other writers from the intensive to spend time working on the exercises together.
Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to cancel the intensive in the event of civil unrest, natural disaster or Act of God. In the event of cancellation of the intensive in its entirety, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid. You agree to release Rebirth Your Book and its agents and/or representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend.