Susan Graham

So #querytip, if you're sending to multiple agents in submissions (esp back to back) & you personalize by name but not the rest of your query, we notice. So if all three agents "have an interest in...." when we don't, you don't look great. Take that extra effort, it will show.

Loves of mine! If I ask you to please email me at my email instead of submissions & you need to follow up, please follow up at my email instead of submissions. There are many submissions, & I will not see it in a timely manner. #querytip #subtip

Please follow submissions guidelines. They vary from agency to agency, but they always are the way they are for a reason. Please follow them. My work life is organized in a very specific way for a reason. Thank you. #querytip #subtip

Hi loves, it helps you to personalize your query. I know it feels like an extra hoop, but it shows you're doing your research & being thoughtful re: your work & career. When you query w/o naming an agent & it's a bcc, we see that. & again when you bcc a mass followup. #querytip

Oh goodness gracious, loves of mine, PLEASE do not subscribe someone to your email list w/o asking, but also DO NOT subscribe a submissions email to your list. At any given time w btwn 1k & 3k emails in our submissions, only submissions go there, I'm begging you #querytip #subtip

Hey so this is definitely a some agents thing, not an all agents thing, but if sub guidelines are to email submissions, pls don’t email me at My email unless I ask you to. There are lots of different reasons for this, but they all fall under please follow sub guidelines #querytip

Loves, I love you, but please don't call an agency to pitch your work. Even if your conversation is GREAT, we still have to read your work, which means you'll end up emailing anyway. Agencies have sub guidelines available online, please use them. Thank you! #subtip #querytip

#querytip #subtip - Please don't say that someone at the agency has requested your work if they have not. It's not an in, it's you starting a business relationship that can get very personal on a lie. Be honest - it's a stronger starting point & I have faith in you.

Loves, please be aware that forwarding your query repeatedly every weak w no text isn't a good way to follow up. It makes the inbox more unwieldy and doesn't reflect well on communication skills. If/when you follow up, please say new words about why. #querytip #subtip

I don't have a public track record because I am new. That's fine! That's how careers work! But it also means I can tell immediately you're just saying words in your query letter. It looks better when you've done your research. #querytip #subtip

#subtip #querytip - your very short novel about a college aged protagonist is :::probably::: not for middle grade, which is an age category for readers aged 8-12. It's very important to do your research, friends.

Whoa, please don't insert a screenshot or image of your query in the body of an email. I cannot read it, so small, thick glasses (!!!). Readability is bare minimum for queries, and you have to expect that it's no good if someone needs to ZOOM to read your work. #subtip #querytip

Very seriously, loves, please don't spam people. Sending your query to every inbox at an agency multiple times can be very overwhelming & isn't the way to establish good rapport. I promise, emailing 1 person is enough. #subtip #querytip

Speaking of submissions etiquette: if an agent or editor says, "unfortunately we don't publish this type of work" (example, if they don't rep romance or if they don't do picture books), please don't come back to them asking to refer you to someone who does. #subtip #querytip

#querytip #subtip - don't subscribe people to your newsletter or blog unless they ask you to - it's really presumptuous, and don't do this in submissions. It's not the same as a query.

#querytip #subtip - I've talked before about not gendering folks when you don't have to, but if you assume I'm married because I seem like a woman & you Mrs. me, you look Really Bad. Be remotely thoughtful, it's super easy, the bar is low & I believe in you.

Sometimes in submissions, people say, "your love of X, Y, and Z make you the perfect fit," & I have NEVER said I like those things and sometimes actively dislike them, and it is amazing. Loves, be careful, don't make those sweeping statements. Do your research. #subtip #querytip

Hello! If you are an illustrator querying an agent or editor, please also link to your website &/or portfolio! Your script is GREAT, but I want to see your art, too, please! #querytip #subtip

Similarly, if you do query one agent, don't immediately send a followup email saying, "Sorry, I actually meant this one." If the person in submissions is me, the agent will think it's funny. If it's someone else, you know... they may not. #subtip #querytip Be intentional, please.

#subtip #querytip - please don't add industry folks to your email subscription without their permission. This goes for any industry, but ask agents, editors, reviewers, etc. before you do that, please. It's just polite.