Naomi Davis

Literary Agent

BookEnds Literary Agency

Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Do cont:
• Smart and sparse use of dialogue tags in writing sample (show, vs tells)
• Comp titles that tell me something concise and specific about the audience (movies are fine)
• Clear, professional bio paragraph with relevant history and current activity like social media

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Some things that DO and DON'T grab my attn in queries, and recommendations on how to resolve the Don'ts:
DO:
• Clear blurb of the plot
• Concise description of character stakes
• Clear, unique setting
• Clear genre placement
• Sharp, quick-moving voice in sample
#querytip

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip Sometimes, there is nothing wrong w/your query or book.
Sometimes, it's just not a book I want to read. Look at a bookstore's genre-specific shelf: you might only decide on one out of 200 books to read. Others might be in your interest range, but just don't grab you.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

This is only my preference, but please: open your book w/a character. An omniscient/generic scene display, telling me what items are where rather than showing me thru eyes, opinion,& experience of a character sets a stage. But it doesn't invite me to come on a journey. #querytip

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip I don't like to see a ton of Fantasy Proper Nouns in a query, like full names, cities, organizations, countries, weapons. Give me the details in English. Your worldbuilding is clever, I'm sure, but let me develop a relationship with that when I read the actual book.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Naomi Davis, literary agent @NaomisLitPix

#querytip #writingcommunity
Please make sure your query matches the genre selected. If it says adult fantasy but is YA fantasy, that will get a rejection. Agents DO notice.

OH adding to this #querytip - if it is a fantasy, it is not "Contemporary YA." Ghosts, elves, aliens, etc... all fantasy. If you don't see YA Fantasy as an available genre, please don't just select any YA genre.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip #WritingCommunity Don't be afraid to let your excitement show in your query. It is our first introduction to you and your book, and telling us what's great about it (or why you felt strongly that you were the right author for it) sets the mood a little.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip #writingcommunity
Your query is a sample of how it will be for agents to work with you. Remember to be professional, polished, enthusiastic, and provide all requested information. Skipping required parts of a query form doesn't inspire confidence.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip #writingcommunity
Please make sure your query matches the genre selected. If it says adult fantasy but is YA fantasy, that will get a rejection. Agents DO notice.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Naomi Davis, literary agent @NaomisLitPix

I do wish I could be open to all the genres I enjoy all the time, but there are times when either my list is full in a genre at the moment, or I'm just not feeling excited about reading those stories at the moment. Either way, if you query me while open to it, I can get excited.

But when I am open to YA Sci Fi and I see a YA Sci Fi, and then I see in the query history you tried to query me under 3 other genres while I wasn't open to YA sci fi, it's not the best start to our relationship. A good 1st impression goes a long way in this industry! #querytip

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips
Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

I want to expand a touch on what I said in my previous Tweet about "predictability" in SFF. There are certain elements that have been done in a similar pattern so many times in SFF that it's pretty easy for me to guess what will happen next. #amquerying #amwriting #querytip But..

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Remember, when you receive form rejections, that they may have to do with the agent, not the book. I often see concepts, especially in PBs, that are WONDERFUL, but simply too similar to something already on my list. #querytip

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Another #querytip - almost every book has elements of other genres laced throughout. Please specify the genre in terms of the core readership of your book. Ex: Science fiction novel, not erotic science fiction paranormal romantic suspense novel.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Here is a weird #querytip for #amquerying authors.

Most of you will be aghast, I'm sure.

But for the rest of you: DO NOT try to be flirtatious with me in your query. Do not make it about my looks. I can look like a Tolkien Uruk-hai and STILL sell your books.

Be professional.

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips
Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

I don't mind long adult SFF word counts,up to 160k. I've even requested longer when premise was particularly tight&engaging. May request trimming if I'm offering.

I can, however, tell w/in 1st page whether all those words were used wisely or not.

#amwriting #querytip #askagent

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Ooh I see on QT some people are worried abt me responding to queries that came in after yours.
To clear it up: I respond to EVERY query that comes in thru QueryManager.
I sometimes look at JUST YA or SF or whatever in a day, so not always perfectly in receipt order. #querytip

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

#querytip #amwriting #writetip in both your query and your book, it's best to be specific and original about societal structures & evils. "The Organization" "The Kingdom" "The Darkness" "The Guardian" "The Entity" - as proper nouns, these feel not thoroughly developed enough. 1/

Naomi Davis
@NaomisLitPix
Literary Agent
Eternally optimistic Literary Agent at @Bookendslit Genderqueer 🏳️‍🌈 ND; I laugh & love relentlessly. Repped by the phenomenal @4triciaskinner
208 MSWL
214 AskAgent
183 Tips

Friendly #amquerying #querytip PSA: Please use fonts that are super simple to read, rather than artistic, regardless of what you hope will appear in the final book. I read electronically all day. Your fancy curly font makes my eyeballs turn to tapioca pudding. Thank you!