Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Laura Crockett @LECrockett

It is NOT a negative. It won't matter one way or another if you mention in the query, but we will ask when we offer rep what you do for a living (out of curiosity, getting to know you/your background, etc). Publishers also work with your schedule re: promotion. #querytip twitter.com/jenniferdfowle…

Follow-up: if your background/experience plays into elements of the manuscript (your MC is also a graphic designer, studied biology, has a child w a disability, plays X instrument), that's HELPFUL to know in the query. It means you know what you're talking about. #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Jennifer D Fowler @jenniferdfowler

Agent question - if a querying author has a full time job, is that a negative for you? Will you be more likely to pass because they won’t have as much time for promotion?

#WritingCommunity
#querytip
#askagent

It is NOT a negative. It won't matter one way or another if you mention in the query, but we will ask when we offer rep what you do for a living (out of curiosity, getting to know you/your background, etc). Publishers also work with your schedule re: promotion. #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Words agents dread seeing in a query: "My manuscript is amazing; there isn't anything like it."

🙃

Got any other words you can use to describe your manuscript? #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

I will be off on Christmas/New Year vacation Dec 14 5pm EST through Jan 6. Queries received in that time will receive a response by Jan 11 only if I want to read more. Details in my OOO message. #amquerying #querytip

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

A writer found my parents’ home address and MAILED their self-published book TO THAT ADDRESS with a request for REPRESENTATION.

No. Absolutely not. No. This is NOT okay. It is a huge violation of privacy. I’m appalled.

#querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Mass market is not a genre.

Mass market is an inexpensive print production format.

#querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

I average ~3 dream queries a week. More than fae/fairy queries, which are common too. Dream walking, dream reading, living in dreams, dreams coming true, dream manipulation...

The downside is that these queries focus on the gift rather than the character & plot. #querytip 1/3

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips
Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Laura Crockett @LECrockett

Bonus points for sharing comp titles/authors. WHO best represents your writing style? WHAT book(s) comes to mind similar in tone/atmosphere/theme to yours? This helps the agent (and later the editor, sales, publicity, librarians, READERS) know the exact target audience. #querytip

That said, do be sure to list titles/authors that have been published within the last 5 years or so. It proves you are keeping up to date with the market. Saying your book is like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings or Agatha Christie doesn't cut it. #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Laura Crockett @LECrockett

It is Very Important to know the genre & market for your ms. Is this MG, YA, adult (market/audience)? Is this contemporary, historical, fantasy, romance, mystery, sci-fi, thriller (genre)? You're doing yourself a disservice without this! #querytip

Bonus points for sharing comp titles/authors. WHO best represents your writing style? WHAT book(s) comes to mind similar in tone/atmosphere/theme to yours? This helps the agent (and later the editor, sales, publicity, librarians, READERS) know the exact target audience. #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

It is Very Important to know the genre & market for your ms. Is this MG, YA, adult (market/audience)? Is this contemporary, historical, fantasy, romance, mystery, sci-fi, thriller (genre)? You're doing yourself a disservice without this! #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips
Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

If you're writing contemp YA:
- today's teens were born 2000-2004
- their parents 1960-1980 (likely 1970s)
- their grandparents 1930-1950 (likely 1940s).

Outliers are possible, yes, but be aware of the timeline and the characters' cultural history. #writingtip #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Erin Cashman @etcashman

Many fantasy submissions focus too much on unique worldbuilding and not enough character. Readers want to know what happens to a character, first and foremost. The worldbuilding is important - but it should compliment and always be in service to character and plot #1st5pages

I see this crutch a lot in my inbox. The writer pitches the world, with barely a mention of the character I'm supposed to follow and befriend. We can discover the world together throughout the narrative later -- entice me with the character and plot. #1st5pages #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

It appears that in eager, stumbling haste to get their work Out There, writers are forgetting to do their research on agents, what they rep, and following submission guidelines.

Take a deep breath. You're more likely to be rep'd if you follow instructions. #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Heroine: a female.
Heroin: a drug.

Know the difference. #querytip #writingtip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

Life is lessons through experience. Reading is a form of experience. Help us better understand your MC by having readers experience MC's life (showing) vs having the MC explain their life (telling). Let's be more empathic people. #writingtip #querytip

Laura Crockett
@LECrockett
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TriadaUS | Opinions my own | she/her
148 MSWL
24 AskAgent
322 Queries
88 Tips

"If you're looking for a hook, you won't find one."

Then how am I supposed to be interested in your ms if nothing hooks me in? #querytip