Fake Query Letters by Dead Authors - Softcover

Brown, David Griffin; Barker, Michelle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1738076687 ISBN 13: 9781738076680

Publisher: Darling Axe Publishing, 2026

Synopsis

Fake Query Letters by Dead Authors imagines what would happen if classic authors had to query their novels in today’s publishing market.

What if Jane Austen was querying Pride and Prejudice right now? Would Emily Brontė survive the slush pile? Would Nathaniel Hawthorne get rejected for an unlikeable protagonist, slow pacing, or excessive backstory?

Inside, we review fake query letters and synopses for five classic novels alongside their very real opening pages, then step into an agent’s shoes to analyze what works, what fails, and why.

Featured disasters include:

• Pride and Prejudice
• Wuthering Heights
• The Scarlet Letter
• Anne of Green Gables
• Jane Eyre

Part satire, part craft book, and part publishing-industry therapy session, Fake Query Letters by Dead Authors offers practical querying insights while reminding writers that even literary masterpieces would struggle in the trenches of modern publishing.

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PRAISE FOR OUR FIRST BOOK
Immersion & Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling

5/5 – “Michelle Barker and David Griffin Brown have crafted a literary gem that deserves a permanent spot on every writer's bookshelf.”

5/5 – “This book is a treasure trove for both aspiring writers and seasoned authors, offering profound insights into the art of creating immersive and emotionally resonant narratives.”

5/5 – “If you aspire to craft stories that captivate and resonate, this book is an indispensable companion.”

5/5 – “‘Immersion and Emotion’ has been truly transformative for my writing journey.”

5/5 – “Clear, concise, and jam-packed with practical insight for writers."

5/5 – This book is one that will remain close at hand for reference.”

5/5 – "I highly recommend it for writers of all skill levels."

5/5 – "Michelle and David have compiled the definitive book on how to write a powerful novel."

Edition details

• Publisher: Darling Axe Publishing
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1738076687
• ISBN 13: 9781738076680
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 149