Marlene Stringer

Just because an agent represents your genre, it doesn't mean your project is right for them for any number of reasons. 1/2 #pubtip

Writers - Please don't talk about yourself in 3rd person in Q letters. It's just weird. #pubtip

While we compete, we are still colleagues, and a lot of the times, friends. Please don't badmouth another agent in your Qs. #pubtip

Writers, pls do yourselves a favor & learn the expectations of your genre. Save yourself unnecessary rejection. #pubtip

Sometimes people w/the least amt of "free" time are able to write more than full-time writers. Why? Focus. #pubtip

Writers, keep in mind that publishing is a very small world. Just as in any other business, our friends (and sometimes family & significant others) are coworkers, colleagues, and sometimes competitors. #pubtip

Most writers are rejected (talent is a given) due to not knowing the tropes and word count for their genre. How do you learn that? You READ in the genre you want to write for publication. #pubtip

Please don't reference clients' books you obviously haven't read in Qs. Not necessary and looks bad. #pubtip #allwewantisagoodstory

I think you misunderstand. Sometimes we receive pages -- just pages. No other info. It's like - guess the genre, the conflict, etc. You need a solid Q to set up the pages for a read. #pubtip

Writers, please don't write Qs in character. #pubtip

One of the most important jobs a writer has is to make the reader care about their characters. If a reader isn't invested in what happens to the characters, they won't read. #pubtip

Do you need to tag every sentence? No. And don't tell readers what characters are doing or feeling w/tags. Ok to just use "said." Not pouted, chided, frowned, corrected, muttered, explained, yelled, spat, whispered, smiled, etc. Sentence should convey mood or attitude.#pubtip

Writers, there's a difference between a pitch & a synopsis, & a ms needs both before you Q. #pubtip

Remember, publishing is a very small world. #pubtip

In Q letters, please don't talk about yourself in third person. #pubtip

Writers - Don't get caught up in talking AROUND your story. When you Q, talk about the story! Everything else is secondary. #pubtip

If you don't know the difference between SF and F you are not ready to Q. #pubtip

There is no market for book IDEAS, so don't Q them! #pubtip

I had 200+ Qs last week. The vast majority of passes were due to inappropriate word count for genre or genres I don't rep. #pubtip #homework

Writers, if you're Q'ing don't forget to include what the agent asks for in pages, if any, or you may lose an opportunity. #pubtip