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What It Is
Query Ready 2026 is a 2-month small-group cohort designed to help you polish your query letter, build a strong agent list, and walk into the new year ready to query with confidence.
Over the course of 4 live sessions, you’ll learn the anatomy of a winning query letter, how to research agents, and receive a personalized edit of your query letter from me. You’ll also get worksheets, templates, and guidance on choosing comps and creating a submission strategy that works for you.
You don’t have to query alone!
Who This Is For
This cohort is for writers who are ready to take the next big step toward publication and want both guidance and accountability along the way.
Writers preparing to query for the first time and feeling overwhelmed by where to start
Writers who’ve tried querying before but want a stronger letter and strategy this time
Writers craving a community of peers who are in the same season of the writing journey
Writers who value feedback, structure, and insider knowledge on the industry
You’ll Thrive in This Cohort If You Are:
Ready to query in early 2026 (your manuscript is complete or nearly complete)
Tired of second-guessing your query and want expert eyes on it before you send
Craving structure and deadlines to keep you moving forward
Excited to learn from others and share in a supportive group setting
Motivated to do the work now so you can start the new year strong
Why work with me
I’ve spent the past six years immersed in the writing and publishing world—as the founder of Write or Die, I’ve built a thriving community of writers, interviewed hundreds of authors about their process, and helped countless creatives shape, submit, and share their work. Through my collaboration with Chill Subs, I’ve guided writers through the often-intimidating world of querying and finding the right agent.
I’ve been where you are. I spent four years writing, revising, and querying—and when I finally landed my agent, it happened in just three months, because I had done the groundwork. I know the emotional highs and lows of the process, and I bring real, lived experience to every step of the journey.
I specialize in the early stages of writing—the messy first drafts, the false starts, and the breakthroughs. I love helping writers tap into their creative rhythm, stay accountable, and build sustainable practices that last well beyond one project. I’ll offer clear, thoughtful feedback on your opening pages, treat your work with care and attention, and support you through the inevitable ups and downs of the creative process.
My own writing partnerships have been essential to my growth—I know how powerful it is to have someone in your corner. I bring that same spirit to the writers I work with.
If you're craving honest support, clear guidance, and a mentor who shows up with both strategy and heart, I’m here to walk alongside you.
What’s Included
4 biweekly live Zoom calls— interactive sessions where we’ll cover everything from query letter anatomy to agent research to submission strategy. Each session will include teaching, discussion, and space for Q&A.
Personalized Query Letter Edit— Every participant receives a line-by-line query edit from Kailey, so you’ll leave with a polished, agent-ready letter that reflects your unique voice and story.
Community & Accountability—You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll be part of a small group of writers preparing to query at the same time—sharing encouragement, ideas, and wins along the way.
A Clear Roadmap for Success – with resources, worksheets, and templates to guide you step by step.
Cohort Timeline
Over October and November, we’ll meet for four live sessions, with homework and resources in between to keep you moving forward. By the end, you’ll have a polished query letter, an agent list, and a clear plan for querying in January 2026.
Oct 2 — Kickoff & Market Positioning
Big-picture overview of querying and how the industry works
Setting your January goal and mapping the road ahead
How to choose and frame comps that align your book with the market
Between sessions: Homework + resources to draft your comps and clarify your pitch.
Oct 16 — Anatomy of a Winning Query
Line-by-line breakdown of successful queries
Craft your own query draft with guidance and examples
Between sessions: Submit your query draft for personalized feedback from me.
Nov 6 — Researching Agents 101
How to find and vet agents (tools, red/green flags)
Start building your personalized agent tracker list
Between sessions: Use worksheets to refine your agent list and query draft.
Nov 20 — Submission Strategy & Mindset
How to polish your query, finalize your agent list, and prepare to send
Query tracking systems, nudging etiquette, and resilience for the process
By the End, You’ll Have:
A polished, agent-ready query letter
A researched, prioritized agent list
A clear plan for sending out queries in January 2026
What Writers Love About Working With Me
These writers originally came to me for help with their queries and agent strategy. Inside Query Ready 2026, I’ll bring the same level of care, attention, and industry knowledge to help you polish your query and create a personalized plan to land the right agent.
“I was feeling discouraged after querying dozens of agents with no luck. Kailey’s thoughtful notes and personalized agent list gave me new direction — and I received a request from an agent within 24 hours of sending my updated query!”
— Jenna
“You hit it out of the park!!! The agent list was perfect, the rationale for each agent was clear, and you saved me countless hours of research (and badly aimed queries). I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate your thoughtful, excellent recommendations.”
“This service resulted in my first-ever full manuscript request. I’d been saying it would be a cold day in hell before I got an agent… and now I feel like the temperature in hell has maybe dropped a degree or two. Thank you for your attention to my query!”
“This. Is. Amazing.
My god, thank you SO much. I can’t believe how much time and thought went into this. I feel so encouraged!”
FAQ’s
Q: Do I need a finished manuscript to join?
A: Ideally yes, or you should be in the final revision stages. This cohort is for writers preparing to query soon, so you should have your manuscript as close to your final revision as possible.
Q: What if I can’t make a live call?
A: All sessions will be recorded, and you’ll still receive your query edit + resources.
Q: How many people will be in the group?
A: 8 -15 to keep the community intimate and allow for personalized support.
Q: Does this cohort work for all genres?
A: Yes! The principles of writing a strong query letter and researching agents apply across most genres, including literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, memoir, and narrative nonfiction. The only exceptions are poetry collections and chapbooks, which typically follow different submission paths and don’t use traditional query letters in the same way.
Q: Will you give feedback on anything beyond the query letter?
The focus of this cohort is on query letters and agent research. You’ll receive a personalized edit of your query, plus guidance on comps and submission strategy. If you’d like more in-depth coaching on pages or your manuscript, you can explore my 1:1 coaching options.
Q: Is there a payment plan?
A: Yes. You can either pay in full or in two monthly installments of $275. The payment plan is there to make the experience more accessible and spread out the cost. If you have questions about timing or need to talk through other options, feel free to reach out directly.
About the Instructor
Kailey Brennan DelloRusso is a writer from Plymouth, MA. She’s the founder and editor-in-chief of Write or Die Magazine and a columnist at Chill Subs. She is represented by Creative Artists Agency. Her work has been published in Trashlight Press and is forthcoming from Dreamworldgirl Zine and World Insane.
You can find her newsletter, In the Weeds, where she helps writers trust their creative rhythms and finish their novels. Or subscribe to her channel on YouTube.