Want to Write a Great Memoir Query Letter? Marla Miller Can Help!

Shirley Showalter | Apr 26, 2011 | , |

Marla Miller, query coach

Meet Marla Miller, marketing expert, blogger, writer, columnist in The Writer, workshop giver, and query letter critique-er

I first met Marla in 2007 when I attended the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. I was totally new to both creative writing and marketing, so I soaked up every word of advice and made several new friends. Marla loves to give advice and to help other writers discover their own inner wisdom. In fact, she’s great. I was told by a frequent participant at SBWC, “Make sure you take Marla’s workshop!” I did, and I’m glad. You can meet her online at her website where you will also find her blog.

Marla has agreed to allow me to import some of the free critiques she gives on her website. If you find these helpful, please say so, and we will run them as a regular feature. Here’s the first one. Welcome, Marla. I’m deeply honored that you want to connect and so excited that memoir writers can have you as their coach through 100memoirs.com.

You can watch a short YouTube critique of a memoir below–and then subscribe to Marla’s YouTube channel for many more! Let me know if you enjoy, and I’ll offer more of these from time to time.

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Shirley Showalter

7 Comments

  1. Loretta Willems on April 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    The video was great. Definitely include them.

    Reply
    • shirleyhs on April 27, 2011 at 10:50 pm

      Thanks, Loretta. Glad to have your thumbs up!

      Reply
  2. Richard Gilbert on April 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    This is so helpful, Shirley. Thanks for calling attention to Marla, whose blog I’m going to subscribe to! Her advice is kind and discerning.

    Reply
  3. shirleyhs on April 27, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Great, Richard. So glad you found Marla’s video helpful. She had given good counsel to many writers. She does not hesitate to be blunt but never in an unkind way. She tells you what she honestly believes–and always believes that you can get it with another rewrite or another approach. You will enjoy her website. I subscribed also.

    Reply
  4. GutsyWriter on April 30, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    I can say from experience that Marla is great, Shirley. I had a 20 minute Skype consultation with her for my memoir query and even managed to get three top NY agents to respond to my query. She is the best. Go Marla!

    Reply
    • shirleyhs on May 5, 2011 at 1:11 am

      Thanks, Sonia. I’m glad you were able to tap into some of Marla’s expertise. I’m sure she appreciates the support also. Hey, and way to go with getting responses from agents. No easy task!

      Reply
  5. marla miller on August 22, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    hi to all,
    i just discovered this thread, great chitchat and sooo glad you find the quick query critiques helpful. I’m delighted to be linked with 100memoirs.com and hope you all visit MarlaMiller’s MarketingtheMuse at marlamiller.com
    Best
    Marla
    PS shirley, thanks for the ‘blunt but kind’ critique….I always try…:)

    Reply

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