We are honored that author Elizabeth (Liz) Holden, author of the forthcoming YA novel Mighty Millie Novak, allowed us to go through her work as a teaching tool for you--what each element accomplishes, WHY it works, and how you can do the same in your own query and first page.

If you'd like to follow along visually, head to our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@manuscriptacademy, or the podcast episode page, https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-elizabeth-holden, for the captioned video, transcript, and more.

And be sure to check out our other episode, The Roller Derby of Querying, in our feed.

TIMESTAMPS:

Elements of a Successful Query (00:05:25) Analysis of the query's opening, use of comps, and character introduction.

Navigating Conflict and Tension (00:07:17) Discussion on building conflict and tension in the query and its impact.

Character Growth and Story Arcs (00:10:47) Explanation of character growth and the importance of story arcs in the query.

Personal Experience and Bio (00:12:13) Analysis of the author's personal experiences and bio presented in the query.

Flexibility and Professionalism (00:13:31) Discussion on the author's flexibility and professionalism demonstrated in the query.

Setting High Stakes (00:16:10) Analysis of the opening line and setting high stakes in the first page of the story.

Mighty Millie's Dream (00:17:50) Mighty Millie's aspirations and determination in roller derby are highlighted, setting the stage for the story's conflict and potential growth.

Coach Ann's Challenge (00:18:39) Mighty Millie's desire to prove herself and her ambition to be recognized as a formidable competitor in roller derby are showcased.

A Disastrous Setback (00:19:29) A dramatic turn of events leads to Mighty Millie's setback, creating tension and raising the stakes for her roller derby aspirations.

The Power Dynamics (00:21:04) The discussion revolves around the protagonist's power dynamics, her aspirations, and the fluctuations in her journey, setting the tone for the story's development.

Book Launch and Roller Derby (00:22:20) Elizabeth Holden discusses her upcoming book launch and the roller derby theme, adding an exciting real-life connection to the story.

Learn more about Liz here: https://elizabeth-holden.com/