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Query Letter Basics for Aspiring Fiction Authors
This event happened on Thu, Feb 5, 2026
â˘
Virtual
Overview
97 Lovely Attendees
97 Lovely Attendees
Your Host
Kells McPhillips
Freelance Writer + Photographer.
Bend, OR, USA
Hi, Iâm Kells! Iâm a writer and photographer living in central Oregon. My journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Bustle, Fortune, and others. On the brand side, I regularly work with Peloton, Calm, and Equinox.
My short fiction has been shortlisted for The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers, and I was the recipient of theOffice Fellowship in Santa Monica, California. Iâm represented by Nicole Cunningham at Trellis Literary Management.
About this FieldTrip
So you’ve polished your novel* and you’re ready to find an agent. You just have one question: “Um, how???” In this session, we’ll talk about how to write a stand-out query letter and curate a list of potential agents.
You’ll walk away with a query outline and the resources you need to locate literary agents who represent your genre.
Please note: This workshop is for *fiction writers. Non-fiction querying is a different process :)
What to know or bring
What to expect
Workshop format!
A hands-on session where participants get to build, craft, or create something tangible.
It will be recorded!
The recording will be shared within 24 hours in the follow up email for a 4-day window, and available at the top of this page. Make sure to register for access!
Your Host
Kells McPhillips
Freelance Writer + Photographer.
Bend, OR, USA
About Kells McPhillips
Hi, Iâm Kells! Iâm a writer and photographer living in central Oregon. My journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Bustle, Fortune, and others. On the brand side, I regularly work with Peloton, Calm, and Equinox.
My short fiction has been shortlisted for The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers, and I was the recipient of theOffice Fellowship in Santa Monica, California. Iâm represented by Nicole Cunningham at Trellis Literary Management.
Attendees
Marilyn Moy
Femy Praseeth
Writer, Storyteller & Artist at Sunshine and Chai.
Margo Bettencourt
Consultant at Self Employed.
Irene Pozoukidis
Middle Grade Fantasy Author.
Laura Bzowy
Mentor of Mini Musicians at Studio de Chaos.
Yannis Lobaina
Artist. Author. Mindful Nature Photographer. at AlbART Collective.
Manuel Gomes
Founder / CEO at Skillful Sardine.
Rachel Arundel
Creative Producer .
Nina H.
Writer.
Jimmy S
Freelancer.
Lauren Deborah (they/them)
joy facilitator, comedian, artist, writer.
Kells McPhillips
Freelance Writer + Photographer.
Rose K
Deepak B
Heather Lipkovich
Kailey Law
Jade Flower Foster
Corey Frederick
Julia Elmer
Simona Martini
How to make the most of FieldTrips
The FieldTrips experience is defined not only by what the host has to share, but also by how we show up individually and collectively. The way we show up impacts our capacity to be moved, inspired, and activated.
Show up fully
Get ready to be immersed! Engage with smiles, nods, waves, emojis. Share in the chat. Get cozy. Turn off notifications. Sip your favorite beverage.
Stay curious
Wear your beginnerâs hat. Go with the flow. Welcome the stumbles and fumbles. Congratulate yourself for trying. Keep going!Â
Celebrate your host
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Support each other
Weâre all figuring things out in real time. Celebrate, rather than critique emerging ideas. Cheer each other on as you try new things. Try âYes! AndâŚâ in conversation.
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