Janet Reid
Literary Agent
By day I'm a literary agent in NYC. By night I'm the QueryShark. My favorite color is fuchsia. I love maps, interrobangs, and twisty plot lines.
Literary Agent
Effusive praise in a query just sets my teeth on edge. Actually almost any praise in a query sets my teeth on edge.
A query is not about me.
It's about your book.
Tell me about the book; not how fabu I am (I already know that)
#querytip
Literary Agent
I don't know why query letter writers apologize for not being published previously.
Fully 1/3 of my clients had ZERO pub credits when I signed them, and then sold their books.
#querytip
Literary Agent
If you spend the first three paragraphs of your query extolling my Amazingness, you're not talking about your book.
I already know I'm the cat's jammies. Don't waste time telling me. 🙄🙄
#QueryTip
Literary Agent
Janet Reid @Janet_Reid
For some reason people are including a synopsis with their queries to me.It's not a deal breaker but it drives me nuts (admittedly a very short journey).
The reason I hate it is because:
I have to scroll through the synopsis to get to what I DO want: the pages.
Save us both some anguish here, leave your synopsis OUT when you query me.
#querytip
Literary Agent
Janet Reid @Janet_Reid
The great line from A League of Their Own, spoken by Tom Hanks to Geena Davis:“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”
This is one way to think about stakes for Your Hero.
How and why is doing what she must going to be hard?
#Querytip
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Janet Reid @Janet_Reid
You are the role model and example for your kids. Literally NOTHING is more important for their development as good people than having good parents. NEVER disparage that. Not even jokingly in a query.I have only seen this from women writers, particularly stay at hom moms, but it applies across the board. As does my threat to come to your house and smack you with a lost sock to reinforce my point. #QueryTip #WritingCommunity #queryshark
Literary Agent
"horrific thriller" does not mean a thriller about horrific events. #querytip
Literary Agent
A query letter that starts out "in lieu of a query I am sending..." goes straight to spam. Email address flagged as "divert to spam from now on." #querytip
Literary Agent
I believe what I see, not what you tell me: "I love your client's work, particularly Laird Barren" #QueryTip #proofreadingday
Literary Agent
A series of events is NOT a plot. A plot has events, yes, but also, what changed for the MC, and what it cost the MC to change. #QueryTip (I pass on queries with no plot)
Literary Agent
So, just in case you're revising your query, here's a line you can take out: "I know my book needs work." #QueryTip
Literary Agent
Please don't use "the greatest" to describe your book unless you are writing about he who floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. #querytip
Literary Agent
Tone-deaf closing line in a query: "I look forward to your speedy response." Use: "thank you for your time and consideration." #Querytip
Literary Agent
Don't quote rejection letters in a query. Even/especially if it's "reasonable" It's NOT a selling point under any circumstances. #QueryTip
Literary Agent
Reach out to an agent's clients for references only AFTER yo get an offer of rep from said agent. Not before. Any questions?? #QueryTip
Literary Agent
Why you query ONLY when ready to send ms right away:
Query to my inbox: 12:26pm today
Rquest for full: 12:46pm today
#querytip
Literary Agent
I respond so poorly to "MUST READ" in a query that putting it in the subject line is something you might want to reconsider. #QueryTip
Literary Agent
It's better to just leave off the salutation rather than write Dear Sir/Madam in a query letter. #QueryTip
Literary Agent
One thing that really never belongs in your query letter: your GPA. No, not even that 4.2 you're so proud of. #QueryTip