Jessica Faust

How many agents does it take to write a pitch? Sometimes all 10. #querytip

If you're talking fiction I think the intro is "Dear Agent: After seeing your MSWl I felt I should query you with my 80,000 word mystery entitled Title....

Blurb

Bio

Close #askagent #querytip

6. Be prepared to ask questions. What is the market looking for? What is your passion project or MSWL right now? What have you been reading for pleasure? Are there any other pros you think I should be talking to? #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

5. If a request is made write down exactly what the agent wants. The back of a business card is good, but a notebook might be a better way for you to keep track of all requests and your own notes on the agents #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

4. When finished with the blurb take another deep breath. Some agents might want to ask questions or chat further. Others will simply request or pass. (I'm a question asker). #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

A blurb should be 1-2 (preferably about 2) paragraphs describing the action, the hook and the excitement in your book. If you are still unsure what that means imagine you are telling a friend about your favorite book or movie. Or just read some back cover copy. #querytip

3. Then launch! I've written... a WORLD COUNT, GENRE, titled TITLE, about.... here's your blurb. #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

2. Introduce yourself. Ask how the agent is doing, give some little tidbit about yourself (where you're from, what genre you write, if you've been published before, or just mention the weather). #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

1. Sit down and collect yourself. Set down your bag, get out your papers and take a breath. There's no real rush. #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

First there's this video for those who haven't yet seen it on pitching at conferences youtube.com/watch?v=h_R5Qq… #Pitch #querytip

The Promises Made in Queries #amquerying #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/07/10/the…

Red Flag #5: Mislabeling your book just to get in the door. If the agent doesn't rep your genre, calling your SF a paranormal romance will not help. #querytip

Red Flag #4: Belittling the writing of others. No agent wants a client who feels they should write a book because there are no good books being published these days. Remember, the agent you queried makes a career on those books. #querytip

Red Flag #3: No title. Titles don't always come easy & often they will be changed, that being said, a strong title can sell a book. #querytip

Red Flag #2: No formal letter. An author who simply dumps a blurb in your lap without a formal introduction, bio or effort to write the blurb appears unprepared for a professional writing career #querytip

Red Flag #1: Word count. From the early stages of your manuscript know acceptable word count ranges. #querytip for most adult books 50k is too short & 150k is too long.

I read every query & will request if the book looks intriguing, despite any red flags. That being said, there are red flags every agent watches for & that might result in quick rejections. #querytip

Is this nonfiction? Are they critical to the story? If they aren't critical to the story and the progression of the story I'm not sure you need to include the information in the query. Would it need to be on cover copy? #querytip #askagent

In terms of writing queries, I strongly suggest you get a group separate from your critique partners to critique only queries. #askagent #querytip

I sometimes even suggest you consider rewriting the book to match the query. #querytip #amwriting