Rachel Brooks

Example of a query letter that landed an agent, then later a book deal with @FeiwelFriends @MacKidsBooks! #querytip twitter.com/TriciaLevensel…

P.S. Can you tell I'm reading queries today? Ha! Sorry to those who didn't want to see a giant #querytip thread. Back to normal programming!

A not fit could mean I think another agent would do better by you and me taking you on only a disservice to you and your book. #querytip

A not fit could be you've been rude online or in our communication, and unprofessional people are not a fit for my time/list. #querytip

A not fit could be that (although rarer reason) this industry is small and I know scuttlebutt about you and am dodging you/bullet! #querytip

A not fit could be very subjective even with a kickass premise and writing, but the voice or some other X factor not clicking. #querytip

A not fit could mean it needs too much revising. Too much even for an R&R, or not passionate enough about it for R&R. #querytip

A not fit could mean the agent doesn't think editors will bite on a book like that right now. Maybe it's a flooded market. #querytip

A not fit could mean it's too similar to something already on the agent's list. Agents don't want to shop two things too similar. #querytip

When an agent passes and says a book is not a fit, it can many MANY things beyond just whether they rep the genre or not. #querytip

.@thebooksluts Some people lead with a huge bio, and barely state anything about the novel, as if the bio is sufficient. It's not! #querytip

I don't mind if you do not have a degree, connections, awards, etc., because if your manuscript rocks that doesn't matter! :) #querytip

You don't need to list phone day/time availability in your query. Premature at this stage. Agent hasn't even asked for full yet. #querytip

#querytip: Claiming your manuscript will make us both rich or a bestseller makes you sound ignorant of publishing realities. And arrogant.

I've said this before: passes are nothing against YOU. Most of YOU are lovely. If your book is not a fit, it's not a fit. #querytip

Editors & agents talk. Agents talk to other agents. Editors talk to other editors. Catch more flies with honey, ya know? #querytip #lifetip

If you have an author website, twitter, etc., it's helpful to include that in your query. Below your signature is a great spot! :) #querytip

No need to "pre-query" agents, asking if they want to see your query about X. Send the query & we use that to properly assess. #querytip

A teardown + false statement about your genre tells 1) you don't respect the genre you write in & 2) you haven't read much in it #querytip

It's not rude to take time after an agent's offer of rep to contact the other agents, talk to writer buds & decide. Smart actually #querytip