Lane Heymont

The best #querytip is to continue writing while/after querying. Keep writing. Plain and simple. Work on the next piece. Soldier on!

Assuming your first language is English, your query should not read like those spam emails from Nigeria, Bratislava, Russia, etc. #querytip

In order to write well (including how to write a proper query) you need to understand sentence structure and grammar. #querytip

There’s no need to introduce yourself in a query. That’s what the bio is for, not to mention it takes up important “pitch” space. #querytip

If your character's name is Liz Bathory I'm going to assume she's super duper evil. Choose your names with purpose. #querytip #writingtips

Again, show us what your book is about, don't tell us. I find this mostly happens with YA, MG, and children’s books. #querytip #interesting

I ADORE literary agent @louisefury She's smart & entertaining, and you can pitch her for the next 24 hours! #querytip tinyurl.com/kyn674l

The need for validation for your writing never goes away. The thing is to learn to use it to make each story better than the last. #querytip

When it comes to queries brevity is the name of the game! #querytip

The way you CP your manuscript, CP your query. Try to do so with represented authors. #querytip

Ugh, iPhone autocorrect. Don't query from your iPhone re: my last tweet. #querytip

Don't query more than 1 agent at the same agency simultaneous. They don’t want to compete with each other. #querytip

Introducing yourself in a query is unnecessary. That's what the bio is for. Just get to the pitch and hook us! #querytip

Your story should be important to you but no, it is not perfect and a piece of celestial art. Feelings of grandiosity aren't good. #querytip

Alternate histories can be interesting, but writing a story about how great it would have been if the Nazis won is a bad idea. #querytip

Whoever coined the term "fiction novel" needs to stop writing. A novel, by definition, is fiction. Know industry terms. #querytip

In fact, don’t tell us ANYTHING! SHOW us everything. Even your word count and genre. Show us. Don’t tell us. #querytip #onrepeat

If you’re querying a YA or MG or a Children’s novel, please don't tell us what lesson readers will learn from it. Just don’t. #querytip

Keep it positive in your query. We'll feel more positive about you. Trashing other books and/or yourself is counter-productive! #querytip

If you're querying for a young adult manuscript make sure to mention your protagonist's age! #querytip