Kaitlyn Johnson

@RedPenKaitlyn

Literary Agent

Belcastro Agency

Agent @belcastr. insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147

querymanager.com/query/KaitlynJohnson

querytracker.net/agent.php?agent=8222

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kaitlyn-johnson

· 11 Dec 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

In the past few months, I've sent out quite a few R&Rs, hoping it would at least help the author move forward, if not allow them to send it back beautiful. And sometimes it does! All three of my current clients came from R&R requests #amediting #amquerying #querytip #writers

Replying to @kaitylynne13

Just last week, I read about 5 manuscripts—all resubmissions after I gave them an R&R. And every single one was better than the previous version. Every single writer had clearly done hard work #amediting #amquerying #querytip #writers

· 11 Dec 2017

SO, the inner editor in me has been thinking a lot lately about the often confusing Revise and Resubmit request and what happens when you edit and still can't grab that agent... #amediting #amquerying #querytip #writers [THREAD]

· 1 Dec 2017

Corvisiero Agency is officially closed to queries starting today until Jan 2! Use this time to get those queries and pages super squeaky clean and ready for the new year! #amwriting #amediting #amquerying #querytip

· 30 Nov 2017

Isabel Yap @visyap

Thread: a list of things I wish I knew when I started writing for publication, in no particular order.

Fantastic thread ❤️ #amreading #amwriting #amquerying #querytip #writers #pubtip

· 3 Nov 2017

If you query & then get pub/rep offer, please tell us. Otherwise we may read it and possibly fall in love and then die of sadness #querytip

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

Be polite, professional, and keep your complaints to venting sessions w/ writing groups/critique partners. #querytip (11/12)

Replying to @kaitylynne13

You're literally harming your pub chances by emailing to "get something off your chest" or bitch at us. JUST DON'T DO IT #querytip (12/12)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

You reject yourself when you email back negative responses. When you hunt down personal emails to complain. We remember. #querytip (9/?)

Replying to @kaitylynne13

and don't forget, agents/editors TALK. If someone is considering a writer known to be offensive and mean, it may come up. #querytip (10/?)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

#querytip and if we say novel is great EXCEPT the word count, we have industry experience to know WHY this could work if lowered (7/?)

Replying to @kaitylynne13

that's fantastic feedback. Either accept it and edit, or keep your mouth shut and continue querying elsewhere #querytip (8/?)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

Readers have changed within last 5 years, let alone 10/20. If you're querying, usually not established. Your HUGE book... (5/?) #querytip

Replying to @kaitylynne13

Won't attract as well as you think. SO, take your attitude elsewhere. We give advice to raise your chances of publishing (6/?) #querytip

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

Just because someone else is an industry outlier, doesn't mean we can consider EVERY QUERY that has a 250k word count title #querytip (3/?)

Replying to @kaitylynne13

Using huge names to "shame us" when we say you're novel is too long? Maybe think WHY we gave this advice #querytip (4/?)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

#querytip Maybe that novel was 500 pages and popular. Guess what? Probably not the author's debut. That wasn't their first query (2/?)

Replying to @kaitylynne13

Just because someone else is an industry outlier, doesn't mean we can consider EVERY QUERY that has a 250k word count title #querytip (3/?)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

On this note of angry responses, here are some tips on an argument I see frequently: well [name of novel] is this long! (1/?)

#querytip

Replying to @kaitylynne13

#querytip Maybe that novel was 500 pages and popular. Guess what? Probably not the author's debut. That wasn't their first query (2/?)

· 3 Nov 2017

Kelly @YAFantasyFan

If I reject your work saying I'd look at it again after edits, there's no need to hunt down my personal email and send me a spiteful letter.

THIS. Need to "get it off your chest"? Sounds like your problem, not ours. Deal with it without attacking the agent. #querytip #amquerying

· 1 Nov 2017

#CLAqueries Don't thank us for kind denial then say - I request you read my last chapter

1st didn't get us; last won't either #querytip

· 1 Nov 2017

Just had 4 queries in a row that gave neither age category nor word count. C'mon, people! #amagenting #querytip #amquerying

· 28 Oct 2017

Don't miss @SoCalledYALife's webinar on Avoiding Social Media Snafus on November 1! #amwriting #amquerying #querytip pitchwars.org/webinar/avoidi…

· 26 Oct 2017

TODAY's the day! Join us to learn about Fantasy Query & Synopsis #Amwriting #amquerying #querytip pitchwars.org/pitch-wars-web…

· 22 Oct 2017

#CLAqueries If the agent doesn't ask for thrillers/mysteries/suspense, PLEASE don't send it. We are not a good fit. #querytip

· 22 Oct 2017

#CLAqueries Don't use 2 titles by the same author as comps. Especially when the books are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT #querytip

· 20 Oct 2017

So, I noticed recently I've been waiting a week for 2 writers to send me their pages/full. Why do you torment me so? #querytip #agentlife