Samantha Wekstein

Reposting for the folks in the back. #querytip

Some really smart advice for writers looking to break into traditional publishing by @LaniForbes mindymcginnis.com/blog/lani-forb… #writingadvice #querytip

#Querytip When doing personalization, make sure you are referencing things that we want you to find on our profiles or social media, and not things from our personal lives/past that have nothing to do with our jobs. Boundaries people!

Please stop calling your projects New Adult, I beg you! I wish New Adult took off, but it didn't. And so now, it's not a marketable genre to publishers. If you pitch to me as NA, I will be more likely to reject. Try to stick to Adult or YA with crossover potential. #querytip

There are obviously some exceptions to that last one. They should not be so long that we can't remember them! They should not have subtitles unless they are nonfiction. Look at current popular titles in your genre and try to emulate the style. #querytip

A brave and helpful thread on querying! #amquerying #querytip

#Querytip 1) What does your character want? 2) What is standing in their way of getting it? 3) What are they going to attempt to do to overcome that obstacle (or obstacles)? The answers to these three questions should be the meat of your summary.

Ya'll, I do not want to be phone pitched. Please just query by email. Thanks! #querytip

#Querytip This should be obvious, but please follow submission guidelines. For example, I do not like pages pasted into the email body. It won't stop me from reviewing, but it's a pain. In my case, I prefer an attachment.

Think of a query letter like a cover letter. It is your first professional introduction. #querytip

Reading through queries this morning and I have two very obvious #querytip. 1) I don't want to see debut projects greater than 150,000 words. 2) Your book should be 100% complete before you query me.

Hi All, just a reminder that if you are trying to follow up with me, make sure the word "Query" is NOT in your subject. If it is, your email will be automatically filtered into my queries folder, and I may not discover it for weeks or months. #querytip

Y'all, let's get some enthusiasm in these query letters! If you're excited to query me, let me know! If you love your book, tell me what's wonderful about it--why I should love it too! I want to feel energized by your story, your voice and your enthusiasm. #querytip

Yes, quirky characters, not quirky query letters. #querytip

Just a reminder that all Writers House Junior agents also read queries for senior agents--meaning we often know when you query more than one of us concurrently. Please follow submission guidelines! #querytip

Just a reminder that if you've queried me and have been offered representation, or accepted an offer elsewhere, please let me know. Don't waste my time. Thanks! #querytip

I do not personalize rejections on query letters, only on requested material. So asking me to change my form letter to "prove" I've read your query won't be happening. Please don't do this, it's strange. #querytip

Personalization is better when you point to the elements of your book you think I'll love based on your impression of my taste (from MSWL, PM, Twitter), instead of letting me know we share a favorite movie or TV show. Remember, you're pitching your book, not your taste! #querytip

As a general rule, please do not submit more than one project to me concurrently. #querytip

#Querytip: No rhetorical questions.