The Virginia G. Piper
Center for Creative Writing

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Classes

Virtual Residency: Finding the Right Agent with Yi Shun Lai, Tiffany Hawk

Date(s): Saturday and Sunday, October 17 - 18, 2020, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Arizona time
Location: Zoom
Type(s): Presentation, Workshop
Genre and Form(s): Agents, Business of Writing, Publishing
Cost: $159

Register for this Workshop

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About the Class

In this brief virtual residency, you will learn all about targeting the right agent for your work. These seasoned instructors will cover everything from research methodologies to testing your first pages and query letters. Over the course of two days Yi Shun and Tiffany will put their experience and talents to work in helping students to workshop their query letters. Within that time, students will participate in three zoom lectures, engage in multiple breakout rooms, and complete several projects. Here are the elements of each day. 

Course registration closes on Tuesday, October 13 at Noon. 

Saturday: Finding and querying an agent

  • Your book’s innate, unique qualities 
  • Comp titles
  • Web tools to find agents
  • What you’re looking for once you ID some agents

Sunday: Query letter workshop

  • Components of a great query letter 
  • Personalization
  • Writing an awesome hook
  • Revision

Meet Your Instructor


Yi Shun Lai

Yi Shun Lai (say "yeeshun" for her first name) lives in Southern California. Her debut novel, Not a Self-Help Book: The Misadventures of Marty Wu was a semi-finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Her memoir Pin Ups will be published in September 2020 by Homebound Publications. She teaches in the MFA programs at Bay Path and Southern New Hampshire Universities.

Learn more about Yi Shun Lai

Photograph of Tiffany Hawk


Tiffany Hawk

Tiffany Hawk is a former flight attendant with an MFA from UC Riverside. Her debut novel, Love Me Anyway, was published by St. Martin’s Press. Her stories have appeared in such places as The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, StoryQuarterly, GQ, National Geographic Traveler, and on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” She currently lives in Tucson and works as a freelance editor and private writing coach.

Learn more about Tiffany Hawk

About the Piper Writers Studio

The Piper Writers Studio is committed to supporting writers in every stage of their development by providing challenging, diverse, and accessible educational opportunities. All classes are not-for-credit, and are intended for an open to the public. You do not need to be an ASU student to attend. Writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experience levels are welcome. Discounts for students, senior citizens, individuals experiencing economic challenges, and other groups are available for every class. To learn more about the Piper Writer Studio, visit our website at http://piper.asu.edu/classes/about.