Amelia Appel

#querytip: Keep to one email thread! Whether it be correcting a mistake in your query, providing materials an agent replied to request, or updating with an offer, you can change the subject line if necessary, but keep the thread so we have everything in one place 😊

Querying writers! If you receive an offer of rep (yay!) it is standard to let every agent still considering know and give them 2 weeks to make a decision on your work. You increase your chances of finding the best fit! It might be the first agent; it might not! #querytip

#querytip: Be specific! So many queries are too vague and focus more on comps/tone/experience than the actual story. If I read your query and still don’t know what your project is about, I have no basis to request more. Not a bad idea to see if a cp can help before querying 😊

I love some piping hot audacity in the morning! By which I mean I don’t; please don’t flout submission guidelines. #querytip

First pages are crucial. Your story must have a reason for starting where/when/with whom it does. In a query, the content of your first pages should clearly be in line with your pitch - don’t mislead your audience! #querytip

Querying writers! Be sure to check your records when querying. I get so many of the exact same query that I’ve already responded to. Save yourself (and us! Agents are swamped!) time by keeping track of who you’re querying and what they say! #querytip

#querytip: Don’t be self-deprecating in or nervous about your author bio! Yes, I ask for a bio to learn about your writing credentials (if you have any) but also about YOU. It’s not a red flag to me if you haven’t been published anywhere before or if you don’t have an MFA.

Normalize not opening your manuscript with the protagonist waking up 🙏 #querytip

#querytip: Agents don’t reject on a whim. Don’t re-query an agent who’s already passed with the exact same material. Their reason for passing will still be there and you’re wasting their time. Try someone else, revise, or try a different project.

Don’t forget to include your signature in your query! It’s important, period, but I also prefer to personalize my responses, which is hard to do if your name is nowhere in your query. #querytip

I’m going to be bold and speak for every single agent/editor in existence when I say: Please do NOT pitch us on LinkedIn. #querytip

Quarantine #querytip: Don’t leave your synopsis open-ended. If we ask for a synopsis, we want to know how the story ends! Your *pitch* gets our attention, your synopsis tells us the plot - don’t use it to add drama. A synopsis should have spoilers!

Quarantine #querytip: I’m seeing a lot of “recently completed” manuscripts in my inbox, which sounds like “unrevised first draft” and therefore not ready for agents. Whether that’s the case or not, I don’t need to know when you finished it, I just need to know what it’s about!

I’m seeing a lot of synopses that leave out key info. Leave me eager to learn more with your pitch - give me the details in your synopsis. For example, if finding a murderer is key to your plot, the synopsis better tell me whodunnit! #querytip

Writers, be conscious of font in your query. You want it to be easy for agents to read! You will NEVER ever ever go wrong with 12 pt Times New Roman. No need to try to stand out this way - let your writing shine on its own! #querytip #amwriting #amquerying

Tailoring your queries to each agent is great! Just make sure you proofread and always update your placeholders - “blah blah blah” works as represented title fillers in draft, but fill that in properly before you send 😳😂 #querytip

#querytip Be wary of overly describing your manuscript. Don’t spend a lot of time saying it’s this or that or this adjective other thing. Jump right in. SHOW me. What’s it really about? Long, vague, adjective-riddled sentences pull agents out. We want to be as excited as you!

I just read several queries in a row where the first sentence was about the mc waking up. Your opening is super important! If you have an original story but the first sentence isn’t, it’s harder to pull a reader in. #querytip

Writers, be aware of your word count. I’m seeing a lot of 100-160k word manuscripts that really shouldn’t be that long. Research the appropriate word count for your genre and trim accordingly. I know it’s tough, but it often greatly helps your pacing! #querytip

#querytip: Use your pitch to intrigue, not impress. Flowery language won’t make me any more interested in your story than simply getting your point across will (especially when you misuse a fancy adjective as a noun).