Elana Roth Parker

So maybe you want to spell your own characters' names consistently in your query? Maybe? #querytip

Alright. All November queries have been answered. If you didn’t hear from me, something happened…try again! #querytip #amagenting

It pretty much always rubs me the wrong way when you specify the precise ages you think your book is for. #querytip

Formatting, people. Formatting. Don’t make my eyes hurt. #querytip

With few exceptions, I reply to queries within 2 weeks. Would it kill you to notify me you've gotten an offer within that time? #querytip

In a batch of about 15 queries: Dear Sara, Dear Jessica, Dear Michelle, Dear Sir/Madam. Sigh. #querytip

I don’t know. Maybe a picture book just shouldn’t be 2,600 words long? Maybe? #querytip

Whenever people say, “According to your website…” I think of high school papers that start with, “Webster’s dictionary defines…” #querytip

I love getting “Dear Sir or Madam” queries at my one-woman literary agency. It’s superb research. #querytip

I’d really caution against naming a character something distinct and iconic from a major Hollywood franchise. #querytip

For anyone perpetually confused about magical realism, please read @michellewitte’s superb 5-part series. michellewittebooks.com/2015/07/what-i… #querytip

You guys are killing me with all the images embedded in the queries. Yeah, stop. #querytip

I’m all for lean query letters, but there is a thing as TOO lean. Try not to edit the coherence out in an effort to be concise. #querytip

Kids, I am this close to adding a “not right for me because I don’t understand the concept” form rejection. Make sure it’s clear! #querytip

So, like, you don’t have to actually quote my submissions guidelines back to me in your letter. You can just execute them. #querytip

For the love of Pete, learn the mechanics of the English language before querying a novel. Punctuation isn’t a free-form art. #querytip

Not a must-do, but I'm really coming around on authors including their query letter on the first page of a requested manuscript. #querytip

For the love of Pete, don’t paste your query into an email as an image. The text function works just fine. #querytip

Kids, no novel ever needs to be 237,000 words long. That’s 4 novels worth of words. Something’s gotta go. #querytip

Mostly applicable to picture books: your query letter shouldn’t be longer than the manuscript. Just a thought. #querytip