Kaitlyn Johnson

Literary Agent

Belcastro Agency

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Just saying, I very rarely see the need for explanation points in novels unless used in dialogue. It comes across childish or jumpy. My PSA for the day. #amediting #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

PEOPLE! Some agents want endings revealed in the synopsis. Some don't.

THIS IS WHY YOU RESEARCH AND TAILOR SUBMISSIONS ACCORDINGLY!

Stop acting like publishing is one size fits all. #amwriting #amediting #amquerying #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

A couple things I'm noticing in the query box that I am NOT the right agent for:
1) graphic rape
2) agency dependent on pregnancy/marriage (includes loss of pregnancy)
3) drug/physical/sexual abuse main plots (light touches okay)
4) thriller or suspense
#querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Query Box update: I am officially caught up to June! If you didn't get a response, maybe check spam? I answer all queries, so no one should be left unanswered before June. #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Finished your novel? Join me next week to learn next steps and avoid common pitfalls! buff.ly/2FY9lBg #amwriting #amediting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

People, PLEASE, stop using the line "so-and-so is not like other girls" in your query. PLEASE! #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Learn different types of editing and how you can spot common pitfalls in your writing! See details on Getting the Most Out of Your Self-Editing: tinyurl.com/y7lbw6k2 #amwriting #amediting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Learn different types of editing and how to spot common pitfalls in your writing! See details on Getting the Most Out of Your Self-Editing: tinyurl.com/y7lbw6k2 #amwriting #amediting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Strike 1: Wrong name in greeting

Strike 2: Pasted query and pages in the query box

Strike 3: Wrote "see above" in synopsis and pages boxes

Come on, man. You're not even trying! #querytip #amagenting

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Note to writers: NEVER end a synopsis with "I could tell you, but I hope you'll want to figure out for yourself".

Literally want to throw my computer. #amagenting #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

It's always a red flag when there are multiple errors in your query. If necessary, have someone else read/edit it BEFORE sending to agents! #amquerying #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

So, if you think you can trick Query Manager, you're wrong. You sneaky, but I can see that you queried us already under a different name and email. Remember, some agencies don't mind, but Corvisiero asks you to only sub to one agent at a time. #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Want to see some tidbits I'm hunting for in Fantasy (and other awesome agents on the lookout for writer!)? Check out Jody Sperling's new article! thejohnfox.com/2018/03/19-new… #amwriting #amediting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Also, saying "My query letter and synopsis are together" will make me immediately dislike you. You clearly haven't researched me if you think I'm ok saying a query and synopsis are the same thing... #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Almost every query tonight has 1, maybe 2 lines about the book. Why? Here's my structure:

1st para: personalization to agent and metadata
2nd para: introduce character and situation/conflict
3rd para: introduce 2nd POV or love interest
4th para: Stakes
5th para: bio
#querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Query: "I've included the first five pages and ." <-- unfinished sentence

We all make mistakes, and you gave me a chuckle tonight. But don't forget to reread a couple times. #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Guys, please tell me about your book in the query. Not your aspirations or bio or life story without a scrap of story detail. And please don't then end the query saying you sent 10pgs when my guidelines asks for 5... #querytip