Jennie Goloboy

When I read a query letter, I'm looking for a description of the plot and the characters. If I can't find it because you've buried it in paragraphs describing your characters and prose style as "memorable," or quoting my #mswl back to me, it makes your query less appealing.

I am sorry to say this, but if you are looking for an agent on your self-published novel because your sales are terrible, the odds of an agent taking it on are very small. #querytip

I'm getting a ton of Beauty and the Beast retellings right now, FYI. Was it the live-action movie? #querytip

I really really really don't represent screenplays. #querytip

Hello, writers! Science fiction and fantasy novels now typically contain female characters. You don't have to specify that you've written about women. In fact, this makes you sound far less hip! #querytip

Quick #querytip : don't query agents with an unfinished novel. "Paperback Writer" is steering you wrong!

"40,000-page book"? I really hope that's a typo! #querytip

I think the most common reason I pass on a query is that the manuscript isn't actually book-length. Under 60,000 words for an adult SFF novel is an automatic pass for me. #querytip

Related: if all the women in your novel are sex slaves, I'm probably not the agent for you. #querytip

They Made Me Have Sex With An Alien: not a genre I enjoy #querytip

Today's #querytip - don't write your query letter in ALL CAPS.

No, you can't promise that Hollywood will make a movie out of your book. Or that your book will be a bestseller. #querytip

I'm a really tough sell for retellings. #mswl #querytip

#querytip : As a feminist, I will not represent your book about how women are different than men. I know where your argument is going next.

Want to make your manuscript unique? Don't start it with your protagonist waking up. #querytip

Guys, I really don't represent picture books. Really! #querytip