Literary Agent
Links for 2021:
Agency: belcastroagency.com
MSWL: manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kait…
Query Manager: QueryManager.com/KaitlynJohnson
Website: kjohnsonfreelance.com
#amagenting #amquerying #querytip
Literary Agent
Authors ask why agents reject projects. For me, most of my rejections are because the word count is way to low or high, or it's a genre I don't represent. Research both and you are ahead of the game.
#writingcommunity #amagenting #amwriting #querytip
Literary Agent
Dear Querying Authors:
Please never send a batch of queries out to a distribution list or “newsletter-style” query to agents. I don’t think any one of us read those, and I hit the trash button without responding. #querytip
Literary Agent
Carly Watters @carlywatters
Tomorrow at 10am I'm going to do an #askagent in my IG stories.Step 1) put your question in the question box at ~10am
Step 2) watch me answer it via video in my stories later in the day
Watch past Q&A here in my highlights: instagram.com/carlywatters/
In the meantime, if you want some #pubtip or #querytip content you can listen to my two recent podcast interviews:
1) manifesther-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/autho…
2) buzzsprout.com/1309201/694724…
Literary Agent
A #querytip heading into 2021: read submission guidelines! I’m seeing an uptick in queries with no material, and I can’t consider your book without a sense of your writing. I ask for first chapter attached, but any equivalent amount (5-15 pgs) works fine. #amquerying
Literary Agent
Good morning!
My podcast ep with The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is live!
We talk multi-POV storytelling and then lots of business: PRHSS merger, working during Covid and more.
#pubtip #writetip
Listen here: buzzsprout.com/1309201/694724…
Literary Agent
Jessica Corra @jessicacorra
#querytip if an agent asks for a synopsis with the query, they don't want an extended blurb, they want to know what happens. So the secret (someone is more than they appear!) should be SPELLED OUT in the synopsis. We want to know if you can hold a plot together.I highly rec sending your synopsis even it's optl on my sub form. I use it as a tool when considering subs & sometimes can be a deciding factor in me requesting a full. If I like the premise/writing but am struggling to see where the story goes, I look at your synopsis #querytip
Literary Agent
@IRLeviJacobs said I could share comp line from query. This shows me EXACTLY what to expect&made request easy. Be creative in how you word comps.
"TITLE is Science Fiction plotted like V.E. Schwab, charactered like Susan Dennard, and magicked like Brandon Sanderson."
#querytip
Literary Agent
A quick thread of my #querystats for the end of the year! I hope this helps perspective if you feel you are getting rejects. I'm currently closed to queries and my oldest query is from November 11th. I still have some full manuscripts older than that.
#amagenting
#querytip
Literary Agent
Dr. Lacy M. Johnson @lacymjohnson
Friends: where are your favorite places that publish personal essays by folks without prior publications? I have a handful of students who are writing some *amazing* work that deserves a wider audience than just me.Bookmark this thread, writers.
#Pubtip: If a book is your goal, build a string of writing credits. Book publishers do NOT want to be the first to publish you.
Literary Agent
The holidays are coming, agents are shutting down. Hold off on queries until the new year #querytip
Literary Agent
Since we’re nearing the end of the year, I thought I’d share some 2020 #querystats!
This year I’ve received (so far, I’m open to queries and still receiving more every day) 2,931 queries through QT. I’ve also received queries through email (mostly requests/referrals)...
Literary Agent
Editing tip:
Avoid double-writing. Don't explain what your words show.
Ex:
She couldn't contain her excitement. She sprinted across the street and tackle-hugged him. -> She sprinted across the street and tackle-hugged him.
Much more better 👍
#writingcommuity
#querytip
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: I have gotten a bunch of queries lately for books that have already been self-published or posted for free online, or that are about to be. Except in very rare cases, that means that the book isn't eligible for submission to publishers, and therefore, I can't rep it!
Literary Agent
The About the Author section in book proposals can be in 1st or 3rd person. If your proposal is mostly impersonal, switch to 1st in the ATA. If a memoir or contains personal stories, try 3rd. The goal is to convey you're credible & relatable. #pubtip
Literary Agent
Editing tip of the day:
Remove “began to” and “started to” for your MS. Use the verb that follows.
Ex:
The sky started to glisten. —> The sky glistened.
Much stronger 👍
#querytip
#amquerying
#WritingCommunity
#writerslift
#authorlife
Literary Agent
I get asked a lot about what my favourite industry books are.
Here's a thread. #pubtip
This is THE book that gave me such a strong foundation for agenting: the late Carole Blake's FROM PITCH TO PUBLICATION.
Aspiring agents, get this one: goodreads.com/book/show/1025…
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: check your spam. I've noticed that my replies--requests and rejections--are occasionally not received, which creates confusion and angst! Make sure you're checking your spam at least once a week!
Literary Agent
A week ago @jmcgowanbks & I did a video on whether to Query in December youtu.be/k3NPk-i2_7U I'm still getting a ton & I'm not all that hungry this month (I will be in January). Therefore, I'm rejecting more. Just a hint. #querytip
Literary Agent
This is more of a general #WritingTip than a #QueryTip, but the terms "sociopath" and "psychopath" are outdated, ableist psychological terms that stigmatize people with psychiatric disabilities that can be diagnosed as personality disorders. Stop using them.