Mary C. Moore

An author asked me if there were any mistakes in a query that were unforgivable? My response: #querytip marycmoore.com/index.php/2019…

Monthly reminder. Unsolicited quieres sent to my email will be deleted unread. It’s in your best interest to follow my submission guidelines. My form is set up to organize my response time, so you get an answer in a timely manner. #querytip

Wondering why agents hold onto manuscripts for months only to reject them? Sometimes, not offering representation can be as hard a decision as offering. #querytip

Reading submissions, I’m struck by the potential I see every day. Despite what your authorial insecurities might tell you, agents are not gleefully tossing projects in the bin. Most of my rejections are because the author and/or project isn’t ready. #querytip

Please don’t use my email to blind query me. I have a submission system set up to ensure you get a timely response. Using my email will get you no response. #querytip

Authors, be careful about claiming your ms would make a great movie or mention you’ve already written the screenplay in your query. Totally legit to have visions of Hollywood, but keep it to yourself as it should not be the primary reason you want to publish. #querytip #pubtip

Authors, it’s a good idea to avoid writing body parts moving on their own (e.g. "her fist shot out"). This can disembody the character from the action which jars the reader out of the narration. #writetip #querytip

Someone slipped me a paper submission at a conference last September. I just now remembered it and have no idea where it went. Unfortunately this happens often to non-requested materials, e.g. business cards, printed pages etc. Email is more reliable! #pubtip #querytip

My latest --> The Evolving Client List: Notes From A Literary Agent
How an agent's tastes change and why you may suddenly get an offer on a project after months and months. marycmoore.com/index.php/2018… #pubtip #querytip #submissions

If I pass but state I’d love to see future work, I mean it. I even file that email in a folder marked “potential”. Sometimes the current project isn’t ready or is a hard sell, but the writing is awesome. Don’t rush the next tho! I’ll remember you. #querytip

So if an agent says the project “is not for me” that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t enjoy reading it or that you’re not a good writer. They have to be extremely picky because it’s a long haul. #pubtip #querytip

As agents we may hang onto a full manuscript for 6mo or more. The reasons are varied. But this does not mean you should wait around! Keep querying and write something new. Update us with any offers or awards. Move forward. We'll catch up. If we don't, our loss. #querytip #pubtip

That would be rounded to 100k (which is within the standard). Novel word counts are stated in the thousands versus short stories which are more exact. #pubtip #querytip

The point of comp titles is to showcase the marketability of your project. Great comps really make your query stand out. If no comp titles the pitch has to do more to make the salability of your ms, e.g. the high concept, really clear. #pubtip #querytip

#querytip Your comp titles tell who your book's audience is. A quick reason why you chose them is helpful, e.g. "Fans of Satanic balls and political irony, as found in Bulgakov's THE MASTER AND MARGARITA will enjoy my super awesome book."

Advise you to use your actual name and a professional email when querying. It’s literally the first impression. #querytip #highschoolemailmaygivethewrongimpression

I did a Q&A with @sangeeta_editor on @JaneFriedman blog. @DongWon also joined in answering some provocative Qs! Ethics & the Literary Agent: What Rights Do Authors Have? janefriedman.com/ethics-and-lit… #askagent #querytip

I seriously would have no idea what to do with a screenplay. Why do authors keep querying me with them? Do I just sparkle with so much Hollywood glam? #querytip #askagent It's because I'm in Cali, isn't it? We's so all the same.

If your author bio is on the lighter side, filling it in with your love of the genre you are writing in can't hurt. #querytip #submissions

#querytip, ms word count is an estimate, not exact count. Ok to round up/down, i.e. 84,632-->85,000/85k (different for short stories obvs).