Melissa Edwards

Hi all #querytip or #amquery peoples, I am SO open to queries.

I've been hired to review a lot of agency agreements lately, which I (with all bias included) think is a very good call. This is a business contract and it shouldn't be signed lightly. #querytip

Query pet peeve: when someone I don't know asks for advice or suggestions or an opinion, like this isn't a job that I get paid for. Which is not to say I don't provide critique or advice unprompted, but the expectation that I should give it away to anyone who asks? No. #querytip

Please, please do us a favor and put the manuscript name in the document title. I beg of you. #querytip

I would never pass on a query because it included a reference to something I said, but that's a moment that could be about your book or about your comps or experience. It's a moment that can be about you-- not me! Because I want to hear about your work. #querytip

That said, most of the time, this information doesn't need to (and arguably shouldn't be) referenced in a query. Especially when it's a bit of a deep dive. I appreciate that you want to connect in a personal way and we're giving you the ammunition to do so. #querytip

There's a query habit that I don't quite understand: listing the well-known people who said they'd accept a review copy if the book is ever published. This outcome is so far from the query that it's not really useful. I just care about the story at this point. #querytip

This holiday season, I’d like to say thank you to the queriers. Every time I get a query, it’s a reminder that you’re willing to entrust me with developing and guiding your careers. Thank you for the trust, writers. I don’t take the responsibility lightly. #querytip

A lot of first chapters begin with an explanation of how the character got to where they are. (Even if it's not in a "freeze frame!" obvious kind of way.) Cut the boring stuff. Let them be in the moment and the reader will catch up. #querytip

Evergreen #querytip: if you’re horribly rude or inappropriate to one of us, many of us will find out. Thankfully, the majority of queriers are professional and courteous, and we appreciate it immensely.

Highs and lows, guys. #querytip

#querytip that not every query tip is universal.

Thank you for having me, @JustinRColon!

Mid-morning #querytip, check out this interview with me!

If you don't mention genre or age group in your query (maybe because you're not sure?), it's obvious. Better to be decisive than to hope agents just won't notice. #querytip

Throwing it out in the ether once again: don't query fiction you haven't written yet. #querytip

Been seeing summary-heavy queries recently. Pitch, don't summarize. There are resources out there to help with the difference. #querytip

If you want to follow up on a query (after an appropriate amount of time), please thread your emails if possible. #querytip

The query isn't the right place to be self-deprecating. #querytip

I'm seeing a lot of expository info drops in first pages in my queries today. Let us work for some of it. #querytip #writetip

FYI: I am never going to be right for your WWII/ Holocaust historical fiction. All ages. Not for me. #querytip