Refine your query letter, strategize your querying approach, and learn to sell yourself, and your book, to literary agents with the power to get you published.

Querying can be just as frustrating as it is exciting. You've dreamed of the moment that your manuscript is polished and you're finally to finally pursue a literary agent in hopes of a book deal. There's a chance you've sent out dozens of queries in exchange for silence and thoughts of where you went wrong. 

An effective query letter balances your personality as a writer, a strategic approach tailored to the litagent you hope to engage, and the ability to sell yourself as an author with longstanding potential. 

1-on-1 Query Letter Reviews are designed to give you the querying insight, critique, and targeted approach you need to write a memorable query. 

About Alisha 

Alisha Sevigny is a former literary agent, current freelance editor and published author of several acclaimed Young Adult (YA) novels, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS, KISSING FROGS, and the SECRETS OF THE SANDS trilogy, set in Ancient Egypt.

As a former literary agent with The Rights Factory, Alisha has had the pleasure of representing many talented domestic and international clients, including a holistic beauty guru and a renowned environmental activist, as well as several debut fiction authors:

• Kristen Ma (Beauty, Pure and Simple)
• Emily Hunter (The Next Eco-Warriors)
• Susan Glickman (The Tale-Teller, Safe as Houses)
• Aya Tsintziras (Pretty Bones)Karen Wheeler (Tout Allure, Tout Suite)

Exceedingly familiar with the publishing industry, both as a former agent and hybrid writer, Alisha specializes in pitches and developmental edits.

Her editorial client, P.H. Oliver, (THE GYNESAURS) was the only self-published author to be long-listed for 2018's Stephen Leacock Medal of Humour Award, representing the top 10 funniest books in the country. 

Other freelance clients include award-winning musician, Linda Brooks, and her non-fiction collection of essays, songs and photographs, ORCHESTRA IN MY GARDEN.

Alisha is continuously giving workshops on the writing and publishing process and enjoys working with authors of all genres and backgrounds.

What Writers Are Saying About Alisha

"Working with Alisha was wonderful — from pitching to her via email to meeting in person to discuss her evaluation. Alisha made it easy to work together as she is always pleasant and genuinely cares about helping writers. I appreciate that she offered lots of encouragement and specific recommendations to help make my book the best it can be."
— Marisa B., Toronto

"I really benefited from the clear comments on my manuscript which Alisha provided me. They were concise, very helpful and improved my knowledge of the writing trade. Her comments certainly improved the quality my non-fiction book."
— James B., Orillia

"Alisha was a great help in reviewing and in helping to refine my pitch for my novel before sending it off to a literary agent." 
— Rhesa S., Toronto

"Alisha combed through my 140,000 word manuscript offering many different strategies that I could employ to bring it down to the recommended maximum word count (under 100,000) for the genre in which it would be classified.  Readers have since told me that they were most impressed with the tightness and pace of the book, feeling that every line was worth reading.  There is no doubt in my mind that this high praise was due to Alisha's keen instinct for what a reader wants and needs in order to keep turning the page.  Indeed, this, I would say, is the hallmark of Alisha's own writing. She pointed out plot and character inconsistencies that I had missed, even after much scrutiny and gently curtailed my penchant for overly verbose descriptions. She provides a thorough and discerning voice that will allow you to reconsider and/or validate your work from a fresh and knowledgeable perspective, always keeping the writer's delicate ego in mind.  A pleasure to work with from beginning to end."
— P.H. Oliver

How It Works

Author, editor, and former Literary Agent Alisha Sevigny will meet you 1-on-1 via Zoom to give detailed feedback about your query letter. This includes:

• 45 minutes 1-on-1 with a published author, editor, and former literary agent
• Insight into what's working and not working in your letter
• Editing suggestions for how to write winning copy about your book
• Tips and techniques on how to personalize your query to earn an agent's attention
• Suggestions on how to write a more dynamic bio that will leave an impression
• A review and critique of your synopsis

Have a question? 

If you have any questions about working with Alisha, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!