Patricia Nelson

Queriers, I understand the impulse, but trust me: it's not in your best interest at this moment to list DIVERGENT as a comp title. #querytip

A note abt audience for YA: "crossover potential" is great, but your main selling point shldn't be "this YA will appeal to adults" #querytip

For example "I queried you w/ an earlier vers of this ms in Dec'14, but have since reworked the entire plot based on CP feedback." #querytip

Seeing lots of repeat queries lately. Best not to query an agent 2x on the same book unless VERY revised (& in that case, tell me) #querytip

Never say never, but I am probably not the right agent for literary fiction about academia/graduate students. #querytip

"[X] is not like other girls" & "[X] is just an ordinary girl" are BOTH weak ways to describe a protagonist. Be more specific! #querytip

I hate seeing well-written queries w/ impossible word counts -- VERY tough to sell a debut novel over 150k words. Cut, then query! #querytip

#querytip: I prefer to see MG opening pgs focus on a MG-age protagonist, not an adult. (HARRY POTTER is the exception that proves the rule.)

...There's no need for this. a) this cause/effect = logically flawed & b) it's an agent's job to know the market already. #querytip part 3/3

...for example "As bestsellers X & Y have shown, children love dogs, therefore this book abt dogs will be a success"... #querytip part 2/3

I get a decent amount of fiction queries that include some attempt at a market sum-up re: the book's subject matter... #querytip part 1/3

Guyyyyys when I open a file & it's not in Times New Roman... *scowls* *shakes fist* *lights Courier New on fire* #querytip

Received via email: 1) subject "Querry," 2) addressed to another agent, 3) w/ her name misspelled. This is why we proofread. #querytip #sigh

#querytip I kind of can't believe I have to say this, but a romance novel where the hero rapes the heroine is just never going to be for me.

Query personalization is nice if genuine but it's not necessary. Don't force it, e.g. "I think we'd be a great fit bc you rep YA." #querytip

#querytip Don't send a 2nd email to correct a mistake ("I left out the word count, sorry, here it is!") I prob didn't notice, but now I do.

A book for everyone is a book for no one. "YA thriller" = yes. "MG/YA scifi/fantasy thriller romance w/ crossover potential" = no. #querytip

This is really solid advice. Facing rejection? Write something new, get better, submit again, repeat. #querytip twitter.com/kellandrewsPA/…

Look for agents who rep ALL genres you write. If you write YA + picture books, I won't be the right fit for you bc I don't do PBs. #querytip

Query line to avoid: "I have no idea what I'm doing w/ this publishing thing" & similar self-deprecation. Fake it til you make it! #querytip