Literary Agent
I’ve read at least 3 time travel queries this morning. What’s in the water, guys? Is it just pandemic wishful thinking? #querytip
Literary Agent
Your nonfiction book proposal is an argument. The overview sets up the argument. Every chapter in the TOC makes a sharp case of its own that builds your bigger thesis. The sample chapter shows you can "argue" your case persuasively. #pubtip
Literary Agency
The Art of Communicating with Literary Agents youtu.be/iq8kWEi0KqM via @YouTube #pubtip
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: One question that every good query letter should answer is, why does this book matter RIGHT NOW?
Literary Agent
#WriteTip (#QueryTip #HelpfulStepForYourReadersTip)
Include page numbers on your #WIP manuscript for easy reference. Your beta readers (as well as agents, editors, and anyone providing feedback on the draft) will love you for it.
#amwriting #amrevising #amquerying
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: When I respond to an author saying that I'm open to future queries from them, I don't typically mean in the same week or the same month. Developing a project usually takes a long time, and I'm not always able to take a second look immediately.
Editor
Dear authors, while you should write in whatever font or size or spacing is comfortable for you, before you send to your editor, always make sure it is double-spaced, in a standard style font, at 12pt size. #pubtip
Literary Agent
Melissa Edwards @MelissaLaurenE
Worth wondering: does your manuscript ever get stuck in the minutiae of a topic you know well?Like when you’re watching a legal show and you say, “that’s not how it works?” And you know they cut the boring stuff...
Have you?
Oh, this is a really smart question to ask yourself. #querytip
Literary Agent
Even a high profile self-published book can be an example of a missed opportunity. See the details here from this prolific editor and author @terrywhalin at: bit.ly/36KOpi8 #writingtip #pubtip
Literary Agency
How to Conquer a Literary Agent's Slush Pile #querytip youtu.be/5CrICmJRuQY via @YouTube
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Lynn Jones Johnston @lynnjohnstonlit
If another book has the same title, can I use it? Mostly yes. Titles can't be copyrighted (but some are trademarked so watch for that). If a book on the same topic was a big seller, avoid that title.Book title inspiration can come from anywhere: turn of a phrase, poem, literary ref, quote, fresh word pairings. Watch 1-word titles, which are not search friendly but otherwise, don't shy away from DARING GREATLY. (see what I did here?) #pubtip
Literary Agent
#QueryTip
I welcome the chance to see illustrated dummies. Sadly, my Query Manager form doesn't accept large attachments. Instead, please provide a (password-protected) portfolio link, Dropbox link or a Google doc link. I promise I'll click through to look!
Best of luck!
Literary Agent
emmy, purveyor of spines @emmy_of_spines
#QueryTip: manuscripts should be formatted in a standard and easy to read way, either Chicago Style or something that's pretty similar. When I'm sorting through hundreds at a time, I'm grateful to the helpful and professional authors who take the time!1/ I want to rephrase this #QueryTip, thanks to @a_h_reaume who took the time to explain the exclusivity of my language use here.
When possible, agents definitely appreciate it when MSs are formatted in a standard and easy to read way, to the best of the author's ability!
Literary Agent
Kristin Button Wright @kbuttonw
In June, my ninth MS will be published. Before it, six others went on ten rounds of sub over four years to about 12 editors each. It took three MS, Pitchwars, and at least 250 rejections to get my first agent, and more to get my second. twitter.com/sarcasmlemons/…Publishing = patience. #pubtip
Literary Agent
Elana Roth Parker @ElanaRoth
Seeing 2 trends in my queries:- Writers who note I’m looking for diverse books but don’t present any diversity in the query.
- White writers comping to recent hits by BIPOC authors.
These are…not great tactics. Diversity isn’t a keyword to just check off. #querytip
The better approach is just to be true to who you are and what your book is. Everything else feels disingenuous and a little manipulative. #querytip
Literary Agency
Do Genres Limit a Writer? youtu.be/l5slCC7GSLs via @YouTube #querytip #writetip
Literary Agent
I spent many years not logging query data, but my 2021 goal is to be more organized.
Some #querystats: so far in 2021 I have received ~600 queries addressed to me.
I have requested 79 manuscripts to date (as of this wk).
I have offered rep to 1 slush pile project.
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: If your book is the novel you wrote during the pandemic, that's fine, but your query letter is probably not the time to share that! Most novels take years to get right, so an agent may be rightfully skeptical if your work is just a hatchling.
Literary Agent
Whether I'm your agent or not, I want to be helpful and transparent in this industry. Please reach out. Please ask questions. I will help however I can. #amagenting #querytip #amquerying