Ever wondered what actually goes through an agent’s mind when they open your query? Not the polished version they’d share at a conference panel–the real, in-the-moment reaction?
That’s exactly what you get here.
In this #YourQueries Live session, literary agent Stephanie Wintner of KO Media Management reads real member queries at inbox speed–and shares every thought as she goes. What’s landing. What’s confusing her. What’s making her want to keep reading. And what’s making her want to click away.
Stephanie is a true generalist with a big heart for writers, representing everything from picture books and graphic novels to adult fiction and nonfiction. That range shows in her feedback. Across many genres–picture books, women’s fiction, narrative nonfiction, YA fantasy, rom-com, cozy mystery, middle grade, memoir, paranormal romance, and grounded speculative fiction, and more–she walks you through what’s working, what could be sharper, and what would make her reach out for pages.
Here’s what we love about this format: even if your work isn’t read, there’s a lot to learn. Every note Stephanie gives applies across genres, because the things that make queries work (and the things that quietly sink them) tend to be universal.
Don’t miss the Q&A at the end, where she breaks down what “high concept” actually means, how to handle multi-POV queries without losing the thread, and how fast agents really read — and what that means for you.
Grab your tea. (We like this one. Not sponsored.) This one’s worth every minute.
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About the Instructor
Stephanie Winter
Stephanie Winter is a multi-passionate booklover, specializing in visual works across genres and age categories, including graphic novels and nonfiction. From horror and thrillers to queer romance, her tastes in prose and illustration are varied and expansive. Stephanie holds a BA in English from the University of Toronto, a MA in English: Issues in Modern Culture from University College London, UK, and is a member of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival Board of Directors. Stephanie joined the KOMM team in early 2024 and brings with her 10+ years of combined academic, publishing, and bookselling experience.
Stephanie is primarily acquiring across three pillars: adult fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. She’s actively seeking titles with diverse and inclusive representation that offer smart, culturally aware, and enriching narratives. In fiction, she particularly enjoys Commercial and Upmarket projects (Rom-Coms, Thriller/Suspense, etc.) that offer millennial and/or queer-affirming perspectives. In nonfiction, she’s on the hunt for Pop Culture, Cultural Criticism, millennial Business and Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, How-To, and Lifestyle projects. Overall, she’s looking for stories that will engage with and change the way we view the world around us.