Marlene Stringer

Writers, don't write back to an agent & complain abt their auto-rejects. Just move on. You've gotten a response. #pubtip

Writers, when you send submissions, don't lock in a format. Just a plain old Word or docx format is perfect. No pdfs or other locked formats. (And it doesn't hurt to look at agents' websites to see what they prefer.)#pubtip

Writers, please don't Q ideas. It's a waste of both your and my time. #pubtip

Writers, keep in mind that what's going on in your head might not be what makes it to the page, so having a beta reader or critique group really helps pick up any issues that you think you've covered, but haven't!
#pubtip

I will be closing to submissions the end of the work day on Fri., 8/27, to catch up on submissions. Anything received before then will be reviewed.#publishing #pubtip

Write a good Q letter & submit to agents who represent your genre. Do your research first. There really are no other hoops to jump through. It's all about the writing and the story. Half of my clients came to me this way. #pubtip

Writers, always include your contact info on your title page. #pubtip

Writers, if your word count is so outside the norm for your genre you set yourself up for rejection. #pubtip

Writers, if an agent or editor requests pages with your Q, don't make them wait "to see if they like the synopsis & pitch." We usually look at the writing to make up our minds if we want to read. #pubtip #wastedopportunity

And this is why it's so disappointing when a Q is fabulous & the story doesn't live up to that promise. We don't want to say "no." #pubtip 2/2

Every agent & editor is rooting for the writer to surprise & delight us when we're reading a submission #pubtip 1/2

Writers, please send your Qs to us on Query Manager. The link is on the stringerlit dot com website. Qs that come into reg email are deleted unread. #pubtip

The main reason I reject submissions is because the writer doesn't know(or doesn't meet) the expectations of the genre they're writing in, be it tropes, word count, etc. Avoid rejection. Do your homework before you submit. #pubtip

It's not helpful to compare your publishing journey to anyone else's. Each writer, and each experience, is different. #pubtip

Writers, if a Q explains your work, and it's something I'm not interested in, or don't represent, I don't have to read any more to decide. This is why it's good to do your research on agents before you Q. #pubtip

Writers, a lot of rejections may be avoided if you familiarize yourself with the expectations of your genre. #pubtip

Writers, never rely on third-party sites for CURRENT info on agents. Check their websites. #pubtip

Villains can be cliches, too. When a villain in a story is too familiar, the threat dissipates, i.e.,evil genius, bad drug corporation, developer, etc. That bad guy has to be shaken up to be newly intriguing. Think of how many Qs agents see. Surprise us. #pubtip

If your story uses a very familiar trope, don't open your Q with it in its usual take. It has to be introduced and used differently in order to stand out. #pubtip #newtakesonoldstories

Examples of reasons for rejection: voice, lack of craft, word count, derivative storyline, similarity to project already repping, unsaleable project in current market. 2/2 #pubtip