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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
for authors submitting their writing to agents

Submission packages

Are you thinking about submitting your writing to a literary agent? I can help with your submission material! I’m signed with an agent and published by Hodder, an imprint of Hachette, one of the largest publishing houses. It took me a long time to get there, so I know what a struggle it is to get your work noticed. I can help you strengthen your query letter, refine your opening chapters, and nail down your synopsis. Some of the authors I’ve worked with have gone on to sign contracts with literary agents for their writing and have been shortlisted for awards judged by professional agents. While nothing is guaranteed when it comes to success in the publishing industry, one thing we can control is the writing and how we present ourselves – and I’m here to help you put your best foot forward so you have the best chance possible.

Please note that I only offer these services for fiction.

Query letter editing

two editing rounds included

You’ll receive detailed feedback and edits on your query letter to make it more snappy and engaging. I’ll edit it using Track Changes to remove redundancy, repetition, and fix any errors in spelling and grammar, as well as suggesting changes to your author bio and any comp titles. Depending on how rough your query is, I may do some heavier rewriting and restructuring. If your query letter is too long or too short, examples for how to expand or scale back will be provided.

An example of a revised query letter will be included to give you a point of reference for revising. After you’ve made your own changes, I’ll do one more round of editing.

Email follow-up and a resource on where to find agents included.

Book a query letter edit
Submitting writing to literary agents – the query letter

Opening chapters


I will provide an in-depth assessment and comments on your opening chapters, up to 10,000 words. The focus will be on on helping you to make them as strong as possible, with a clear hook and an engaging start to your story to keep agents interested. I’ll provide around 5–10 pages of feedback on the different elements of your story, including the plot, characters, your target market/genre, and strengths and weaknesses in terms of craft. I’ll also annotate the manuscript with in-line comments.

Email follow-up and a resource on where to find agents included.

Book an opening chapters package
Opening chapters service for authors submitting writing to agents

Premium package


The premium submission package covers your entire submission package all at once.

This services includes both the query letter editing service and the opening chapters service described above. I will also provide 1–3 pages of notes on a full synopsis, along with in-line comments.

Email follow-up and a resource on where to find agents included.

Book premium package
Premium submission package for authors submitting writing to literary agents

Literary agent research


Finding the right literary agent to send your work to can be time-consuming and overwhelming. This service is for writers who want a targeted list of agents without the stress of doing the research.

I will read your opening chapters (up to 10,000 words) and your query letter before carefully selecting 10–15 agents who are a good fit for your manuscript. You’ll receive a curated list including contact details, submission requirements, and why they’re a good match for your work.

Please note: This is a research service only. I do not critique your submission materials or submit your work to literary agents on your behalf.

Book literary agent research
Literary agent research service

Frequently Asked Questions

can you write my query letter for me?

I only offer query letter editing. I do not write the query letter itself, so if you don’t have one, please do that before you get in touch with me. Writing pitches is something all authors have to do, even when they land an agent and a publisher! So it’s an important skill to learn. Even if it’s a rough query letter, we’ll have something to work with, and I can help you to shape and polish it.

Can you refer my project to your literary agent or publisher?

No, I don’t do referrals.

Can you guarantee i’ll get an agent for my writing afterwards?

This isn’t something anyone can guarantee. Unfortunately, finding an agent is very difficult and although I can help you make your submission package as strong as possible to give you a solid chance, so much of writing and publishing is subjective. Don’t give up if you don’t find an agent for your first manuscript – it often takes multiple attempts. It took me several years to finally sign with an agent, and another five to get a book deal!

still unsure?

What other writers are saying

Surpassed my expectations

Working with Rachel surpassed my expectations because of her thoroughness and attention to detail. Rachel finds the positives in your work and offers practical and constructive feedback that genuinely shapes your manuscript into something so much better. Her advice has helped, not only for this book, but it will undoubtedly feed into my future work. Her communication and professionalism is faultless. Deadlines were clear and upfront, making her incredibly easy to work with. I would not only recommend hiring Rachel, but would definitely look to work with her again.
jennifer paxman
Thriller author

Ready to get started?

    Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association

    Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! ✨️

This Homeward Ache by @amybaiklee – a beautifully written book on why we feel a mysterious sense of yearning/longing for something that always feels just out of our reach. Reminiscent of C.S Lewis's non-fiction writings (but better, in my opinion!), this book explores the longing for a home beyond the world we inhabit. It was gorgeous. Profound, thought-provoking, and very comforting to me.

A Sign of Affection by @morishita.suu – I love this manga series! And manga is ideal for reading after surgery since it's heavy on art, and not too wordy. This series has the most adorable and wholesome love story I've ever read. We follow college students Itsuomi and Yuki. Itsuomi is a keen traveller and multilingual and Yuki is deaf. These two help one another navigate life and challenges as they fall in love. It's very sweet.

--

What have you been reading lately? 📚

I hope to get back to writing soon myself too!
    Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on my lunch break. 🌲🍃 Some much-needed trees and blue skies to soothe the soul!
    A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛ A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛️ This is something I've been reminded of constantly lately as I've been facing a lot of personal challenges and I've sort of distanced myself from some elements of social media as a result. 

There is so much we don't share online. I value my privacy, so I often don't talk about my personal struggles – that's not to say they don't exist.

Remember, when you look at social media, the cliche really does apply that you're seeing a highlight reel. You might be sitting there comparing yourself and wondering why you're not as successful or having as much fun as that person, but beneath all of that, they could be grieving, or dealing with family issues, housing problems, health problems, loneliness – anything! 

Even relationships on social media can feel manufactured. Liking posts isn't the same as connection. This is part of why I made the cat café series so focused on places where people can come together. We need them. It's not easy to find places like that in real life, but I think it's important we try. Even if it's just a book club, a writing group, a class, or a favourite café.

I'm sharing this in case anyone needs to hear it too. And I hope whatever challenges you are facing, you have some support (even if just in the form of a furry friend). ❤️🐱
    Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer yet? I heard the baker Clem has been whipping up some delicious cakes... 🐈☕️🧁

(Yes this post is an excuse for me to post a photo I took in April during the time of the cherry blossoms flowering, then promptly forgot to share... 😂)

#cakeoffatthecatcafe #rachelrowlands #romancebooks #romancereads #sweetromance #catsagram
    What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catp What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catpurrcino Cat Café... ☕️🐈‍⬛️ 

On a more serious note, I'll soon be revising the third book in the cat café series! I'm having surgery next month, so revisions are not going to be as quick as I would have liked them to be, and I've had to rearrange many of my editing projects (if you are a client of mine, the support and understanding has been SO appreciated ❤️). I was feeling overwhelmed about it all this morning as I was taking Haru to her yearly health check at the vet. She hates going and was not happy with me for being put in her carrier! But when we got home? She was so happy to be back and immediately bounced back, nuzzling my hand and being her usual sweet, happy self. (Before heading off for a nap...)

Cats can teach us so many life lessons about bouncing back! She reminded me of that today. I can't bring her to hospital with me but I can try to be more Haru... Maybe a topic for a future newsletter... 😉😂

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