Thank you for meeting with us during ThrillerFest 2023! Please note that this section (2023 ThrillerFest: QueryFest - PitchFest) is solely for correspondence with PitchFest and QueryFest participants from whom we requested additional information. If you were not a participant of ThrillerFest/PitchFest/QueryFest 2023, and if your submission was not requested, please return to our website - www.akalm.net - for submission instructions.
We proudly seek, represent, and manage the tellers and the tales, those who dare, those who share, and those who empower with words and pictures. We encourage BIPOC and underrepresented authors and works that establish, enlighten, and entertain through thoughtful and thorough reflection, transparency, clarity, and honesty. We take seriously the belief that words matter. In fact, we believe that well-written work may be one of the most powerful forces in the universe.  

Things to Remember
Please take the time to complete the Question section. Your answers should be about you, your work, and your understanding of not only how and why we may decide to work together, but why we need to invest our time in one another.
Please include a 250-500 word synopsis in the Synopsis section.
Things to Know
We represent a variety of debut and bestselling authors and their projects,
- If relevant, please include a list of credentials you may have acquired throughout your writing career. We'd like to know about nominations, awards, endorsements, and anything we might be able to share with the publishing powers that be. Feel free to include this information in the Query section, or you may include it in the body of your query itself.
- If you've self-published, please include details such as rankings, reviews, and sales numbers. Please include this information in the Query section, or you may add it to the body of your query itself.
- If you consider yourself a debut author, please let us know. We are honored to welcome you into the wild, wacky, wonderful world of publishing. We enjoy working with less-established authors, and we're offering you virtual high-fives and fist bumps. After all, reaching out to us has already brought you one step nearer to the successful publication of your work. Please include this information in the Query section, or you may add it to the body of your query itself.


Notes Regarding Proper Submission
- Your manuscript, or sample pages, should be formatted in 12-point Times New Roman for readability.
- Your manuscript should be double-spaced.
- Your synopsis and supporting materials may be single-spaced.
- Please provide several forms of contact such as phone, email, social media handles, and blog addresses. If we can't get in touch, your submission will be subject to rejection.
Please understand that failure to follow submission guidelines may result in automatic rejection.


Please note the accepted digital document forms.
File extensions:
Documents:                                .doc, .docx, .rtf
Images:                                      .jpg, .png
Other:                                         .ppt, .pptx
PDF is not accepted.

Best wishes to you, we look forward to reading your work, and we thank you for your consideration. Write well.

Hello! We're glad you're here.

Take a deep breath. As you exhale, say, "I have arrived." Yep! It's true, and it's time we make sure the world knows about you, your literary genius, and our affiliation. We think you rock and believe there are things far worse than being considered a legend in your own time. 

Like all great moments in history, your status and rise to fame and glory took, and will continue to take, some work. Never fear, we have a plan. I'm asking you to spend a little time helping me introduce you to editorial contacts who need to know your name and work. I'll warn you, this little exercise will take a minute. I promise that you'll be ready to strangle me when you get to the "Few More Things" section. But, I promise, I ask about "coffee or tea" because we need to know you to grow you. 

You might be surprised at how shy and inquisitive editors and publishers can be. Icebreakers are essential, communication will help with negotiations now and in the future. 

How did our bio come about, you ask? Well, editors like to know about manuscripts and the authors behind them, but it's deeper than that. I don't simply email an editor a sentence or two or even a few pages of your manuscript and hope for the best. The process is a dance, and I admit I may be a bit of a flirt. I enjoy enticing editors with snippets regarding the delicious projects I represent. Then, I follow up with supporting points and material. 

It is such fun when an editor shows interest in a project, then likes it all the more because they click with the author. Your bio is the first step in that process. Yes, this step could be compared to running a matchmaking service, and that's fine with me. The journey becomes almost romantic when we discover that "happily ever after" best placement for your work.

I'll admit that we've been accused of acting like stage moms. Mannerly to a fault, we do what it takes to cover the necessary territory, and this list of questions is a mishmash of bio question sheets that I've collected from the places that do it best. They know how to garner attention and use it wisely. So, while this little exercise in author and project exploration may take some time, we think the results will be well worth the effort. 

We want everyone to know you, including organizers and participants of all things bookish. We also focus on speaking events relevant to your project, and speculation regarding your inclusion in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is all part of the fun. If you haven't thought about what your parade float or inflatable should look like, the bio will help your envisioning process. Further, don't even get us started on which book clubs should have your work on their roster. We believe in The Today Show's Read with Jenna, Oprah's book club, and others. Apparently, more than a million readers also enjoy what they have to say, so let's get them ready to talk about what you've created. 

We thank you for taking this next step on our journey. I suggest you pull out your favorite hairbrush, aka microphone, and practice up for your first "interview" with NPR, CBS Morning, or that reporter from your local newspaper. Remember to sit up, both feet planted firmly on the ground, with shoulders back and perhaps a nice cup of something delicious on the table beside you. Was that coffee or tea, by the way? The idea, my dear, is to believe in yourself. Shine so that I might sense the sparkle as I read your responses. See? I told you it would be fun.

Remember, once we pen the deal of the century, you will be required to complete your publisher's bio. The word that comes to mind for what they'll request is "cakewalk" after the completion of what our bio has been lovingly nicknamed the "War and Peace" of bio sheets. It's all about presentation, and we'll be ready for whatever a publisher throws our way. Sneaky, eh? 

Now, a few simple instructions:

• Please answer questions thoroughly.
• Every represented work requires a bio sheet of its own.
• Subsequent projects need a new sheet, but you can place an "x" in the boxes that don't apply. Thus, complete the "personal" and "Nitty Gritty" info, then place an "x" in less relevant boxes. For example, you probably won't change from Coffee if you're a tea drinker.
• Once you hit the "send" key, you'll receive notice of receipt. 
• If Submittable isn't for you, download the form and send it as a Word doc to my inbox (terrie@akaliterary.com). 
• Questions? Contact us via email or text, or set up a meeting via our calendar: https://calendly.com/akalm/30-all -We're here to help you, after all.

Best wishes,

Terrie, and everyone at AKALM