John Cusick, Agent and VP of Folio Literary Management

Excellent resources and super pleasant people, too!

I had consultations with both John and Molly Cusick and found them to be wonderful to work with.They’re friendly, smart, practical and very knowledgeable.Excellent resources and super pleasant people, too!

I got so much out of it.

John was so helpful, courteous, and encouraging! I really enjoyed our chat (which FLEW by!) and I got so much out of it. I can tell he is very knowledgeable and experienced.

Get some critique coaching from John. You may not win … but at least you’ll still enjoy playing the game

I had a 10-minute phone consult with John Cusick and I couldn’t be happier. Talking to John was like being given a pep talk by your favorite coach growing up. That wily coach that knew how to bring out the very best in their players with kindness, compassion, wisdom and a sense of humour. That coach that still has their skin in the game (John is a successful writer) and still knows all the craftiest plays and sneaks. And he knows how to best wrap an injury (even if it’s just your ego). That coach that has you play to your strengths but doesn’t fail to point out your weaknesses. Get some critique coaching from John. You may not win … but at least you’ll still enjoy playing the game.

Pinpoints Missing Element in Queries

Absolutely a positive and beneficial experience. John knew right away what was missing from my query. This is not the checklist of things you need in a query, rather the missing “element” that I needed to position my book for agents. His ability to tap into it speaks to his years of experience and industry knowledge and left me excited about my next steps. As a person who has a refined manuscript, taken the query courses, and had numerous query critiques with peers this is what I needed to move forward.

Thanks John!

Nailing Those Comps

I loved this workshop. It was wonderful to have positive, understanding people presenting and guiding us. I always felt the presenters showed respect for writers at all levels. I highly recommend the presentations from Manuscript Academy. It was also a big bonus that those running these programs were very helpful with answering questions.

Improves Emotional Stakes in Query

John not only came with insights about my query, but also prioritized my questions at the start of the meeting to make sure the feedback was targeted. I walked away with ideas about my genre, suggestions around increasing the emotional stakes for my dual POV characters, and ways to make my manuscript stand out from other SFF manuscripts. This was an extremely valuable experience.

John offered suggestions on things I would have never known unless I’d taken advantage of a consultation like this. I am always so surprised how much I can learn in ten minutes!

Answers Query Process Questions

My query letter critique with John was really helpful! He answered my questions thoroughly and was super friendly. His suggestions brought up areas I had never thought of. Thank you to all at the Manuscript Academy for this opportunity to learn more about the query process!

Great feedback and highly encouraging.

John gave great feedback and was incredibly encouraging! I would absolutely work with him again! Highly recommend!

Revitalizing Coaching

I had a 10-minute phone consult with John Cusick and I couldnít be happier. Talking to John was like being given a pep talk by your favorite coach growing up. That wily coach that knew how to bring out the very best in their players with kindness, compassion, wisdom and a sense of humour. That coach that still has their skin in the game (John is a successful writer) and still knows all the craftiest plays and sneaks. And he knows how to best wrap an injury (even if itís just your ego). That coach that has you play to your strengths but doesnít fail to point out your weaknesses. Get some critique coaching from John. You may not win … but at least youíll still enjoy playing the game.

John used the time masterfully, providing valuable insights during every minute of the call.

John Cusick’s 10 minute query critique was fabulous. He narrowed down areas in my query that could be shortened and helped me reword a paragraph to be more from my protagonist’s point of view. He also pointed out areas in my query that worked well. John used the time masterfully, providing valuable insights during every minute of the call.

A Whole New Take

John’s comments were incredibly helpful. He gave me new insights and a totally different way of considering comps. Beyond that, I also got some fresh ideas about what to include in my query and how to make it stand out. Very grateful!

He was very helpful.

I had a meeting with John Cusick to go over my MG query letter. He was very helpful. We refined comps, edited the second summary paragraph, and he answered questions. I definitely recommend him.

John Cusick Says Super Cute

Thrilled to have John Cusick say my picture book description sounds super cute! He chose my comp titles to review. I stole them and added them to my query letter.

Another very helpful Manuscript Academy class. Thank you so much for all you do for the writing community.

This is the third time I’ve booked a 10 page, 15 minute consultation with John Cusick. He’s not only extremely personable and professional, but he always seems genuinely invested in me and my novel manuscripts. He provides detailed and constructive feedback that has been detrimental in improving my work. I won’t hesitate to use him for any future projects, and I’m certain his insightful advice has shaped my stories for the better and given me a much better chance at securing an agent. I’m extremely grateful!

Talking to John was like being given a pep talk by your favorite coach growing up.

I had a 10-minute phone consult with John Cusick and I couldn’t be happier. Talking to John was like being given a pep talk by your favorite coach growing up. That wily coach that knew how to bring out the very best in their players with kindness, compassion, wisdom and a sense of humour. That coach that still has their skin in the game (John is a successful writer) and still knows all the craftiest plays and sneaks. And he knows how to best wrap an injury (even if it’s just your ego). That coach that has you play to your strengths but doesn’t fail to point out your weaknesses. Get some critique coaching from John. You may not win … but at least you’ll still enjoy playing the game.

I’m so pleased to see it all coming together now in a much stronger query that more clearly conveys the heart of my book.

John critiqued my opening pages, and I was so impressed, I decided to hire him to critique my query. His feedback, along with the feedback I received from other Manuscript Academy faculty, was so insightful. I’m so pleased to see it all coming together now in a much stronger query that more clearly conveys the heart of my book. Thank you so much, John! And thank you, Manuscript Academy, for having such an incredible faculty!

Finds New Story Trajectories

John was extremely helpful and helped me see that there is a brand new trajectory I can now focus on for my book. I appreciated his comments and the time he took with me. He saw the story in a different light, a different path and for that I am grateful. I look forward to the next “chapter” in the journey of trying to get an agent for my book.

Brings Out Storyís Heart

Once again, John was amazing! He not only gave me specifics on what I could do to better my manuscript, he helped me bring out the heart of my story. I highly recommend him! Thanks, John!

Pinpoints Exact Query Weaknesses

John’s critique of my query letter was so spot-on I had a “duh” moment, like, “Why didn’t I see this before?” I had to rewrite my letter, but he gave me a blueprint, pinpointing what to cut and what to add. My revision is exponentially better. I’m just relieved I worked with John before I started querying agents.

If you’re looking for someone to gush over you, he’s probably not the right person. But if you’re serious about writing the best possible query, he’s the one.

Exceptional Consultations

I had consultations with both John and Molly Cusick and found them to be wonderful to work with. They’re friendly, smart, practical and very knowledgeable. Excellent resources and super pleasant people, too!

His words were kind and gentle and gave me the direction I needed to make my story shine.

His words were kind and gentle and gave me the direction I needed to make my story shine. I highly recommend John Cusick for your next critique.

John worked on both my Picture Book and YA manuscripts with me and I am THRILLED that he did! As always, he gave me very specific suggestions for both stories and went above and beyond with his encouragment. John is the absolute BEST!

My ten-page critique meeting with John Cusick was incredibly helpful. His feedback was specific and actionable, and I left the meeting energized and optimistic.

Invaluable Feedback from an Agent

Awesome experience! I would recommend this service to any and all writer friends because hearing concrete information from an actual agent was invaluable. There is so much guesswork and insecurity that comes with Query letters and submissions. John Cusick was wonderful and gave me incredible feedback in our 10 minute session. Honestly, I wish I would have signed up for this service a year ago! It would have saved me from so much agony and self-sabotage. I was only going to sign up for Manuscript Academy for one month, but now I think I’ll hang around for a while until I’m finished submitting my current project:)

Thanks Guys!!!

Great YA Market Advice

John was quite helpful and professional. I enjoyed interacting with him about my query. Heís knowledgeable about the YA market and had great advice. I would not hesitate to engage him.

Clarifies Novel Struggles with Insight

I had a wonderful talk with John Cusick yesterday. After giving me his initial thoughts, he talked me through an element of my novel I’d been struggling with ever since finishing it. He was kind, thorough, and insightful. I feel much more confident moving forward with my novel now. Thanks, John!!

Explains Querying and Comp Titles

I learned so much from my consultation with John Cusick! As someone who has spent the last six years in STEM, I have very limited experience with creative writing/publishing. John was able to give me a lot of pointers for improving my query letter, and I now have a better understanding of the term ‘comp titles’.

Tremendously helpful and positive feedback!

John Cusick gave me tremendously helpful and positive feedback! I know my YA story is good (OK, I think it’s more than good!:)), but my query letter was all wrong. I’ve revised it and resumed the journey. Thank you Manuscript Academy for your great program to support authors.

Friendly, smart, practical and very knowledgeable

I had consultations with both John and Molly Cusick and found them to be wonderful to work with.  They’re friendly, smart, practical and very knowledgeable.  Excellent resources and super pleasant people, too!

Kidlit Knowledge with Humor

Wow. My ten minutes with John was a great investment in my writing career. He answered my questions honestly, thoroughly, and genuinely. His kidlit knowledge, combined with his humor and approachable style made the experience feel like I was talking to an old friend who happened to be an industry expert. My ten minutes flew by, but the positive impression he left is timeless. Much appreciated.

Crystal-Clear Manuscript Guidance

Such clear guidance! Mr. Cusick knew what I was attempting to do even more, at some points, than I knew what I was attempting. The comments all made so much sense once I got back to work on my story!

Engaging and Friendly Query Feedback

John Cusick offered thoughtful feedback on my middle grade fantasy first page. He was engaging and friendly (i.e. not scary). As a writer himself, I appreciated his editing notes. If you’re lucky enough to get an opportunity for a consult with him, grab it.