Lane Heymont

Don't insult *insert any genre of book* in your query. I probably read said genre, may even represent it. Nix the negativity. #querytip

Don't start a story with the weather. It worked once. In the 1800s. Barely. #writingtips #querytip

Don't copy and paste your query and or sample five pages. Actually, just make sure it's not obvious, because THAT is tacky. #querytip

Emailing me ten pages of your manuscript does not a query make. #querytip #CareAboutYourDreams #ResearchYourDreams #YoureNotSpecial

Don’t query until ur ready to send the full ms or proposal. For all you know one second after you click send I’ll request either. #querytip

Follow. Submission. Guidelines. It's a test of sorts. Take the five minutes -- seconds? -- to look up an agent's guidelines. #querytip #DOit

Don't insult ANYONE or ANYTHING in a query. Keep it positive and professional. Maybe I like dressing up as a leprechaun too. #querytip

Lying in a query isn't a good idea. Even if you don't get caught, which you will, just don't do it. Okay? #querytip

Make sure your science “fiction” premise is not already science “fact”. Otherwise your whole plot will go haywire. #querytip #writetip

Show me how awesome your book is, but that does not mean use excerpts instead of a query. I want a query. 3 paragraphs. GMC. #querytip

Don't query me twice for the same project. I do actually keep track of who submitted what and when. #querytip

Do NOT forget word count in your query. A 10,000 (inappropriate #) word YA is a lot different than a 75,000 word YA (appropriate) #querytip

Listen (read) before you speak (type) lest you play the Fool. #querytip

A query should actually be a query. #querytip

No one should query for you. Query on behalf of your own material. If your wife wrote a book, don't YOU query! She needs to do it. #querytip

Goal, motivation, conflict = keys to a successful query. Simple as that. #querytip

I love the earth and her trees, so DO NOT query me via snail mail. Period. E-mail only. Snail mail will be recycled. #querytip #LoveGaia

Telling me you're going to change the very definition of a word is ... silly. Just don't do it. #querytip #lifetips

Accusing an agent of potentially stealing the ms you're querying them about is not a way to find representation. #querytip #IsThisRealLife

I am. A man. #querytip