Sara Megibow

Great set of blog posts on successful queries: ktliterary.com/category/ask-d… #pubtip #queries @DaphneUn

#PubTip = Yes, I'm open to revised & resubmitted queries and manuscripts. Biggest mistake however is usually that the revision is too light.

Try Try Try to avoid doing this, "Can I resend my sample pages? I just thought of one more thing to change in the manuscript." #pubtip

#PubTip for young adult authors = write for teens, not for what you think teens need to learn. Too much agenda in recent YA submissions.

#pubtip = Two things that really impress me when executed flawlessly: humor and horror. #agenting

Images of bullying in MG novels have felt generic and over-used recently, making bullying feel like a caricature instead of serious. #pubtip

#PubTip = authentic middle grade voice is rare. In sample pages I see too much writing-down to the reader or voice that sounds like an adult

#PubTip = don't say "XYZ agent referred me" in your query unless XYZ agent has called me in advance to say, "I am referring this person."

Two most frequent mistakes in slush pile = not complete manuscript and manuscript in a genre I don't rep. These = auto rejection. #pubtip

#PubTip = Website suggestion: have an Excerpt page like this: tiffanyreisz.com/storytime/have… @tiffanyreisz

#PubTip = Website suggestion: include an Events page like this: jasonhough.com/events/index.h… @JasonMHough

#PubTip = Website suggestion: include a media page like this: michaeljmartinez.net/media/ @mikemartinez72

Stop! Before sending that query, vet the agent. Read Writers Beware and follow @victoriastrauss = sfwa.org/other-resource… #pubtip

#pubtip on backstory = we love backstory! yes yes! Just not dumped in the first 2 pages of a submission. #agenting

YES! "I wrote the book I wanted to read..." NO! "because there's nothing good on the shelves." #queries #pubtip

Also about reviews: a starred review does NOT mean the publishing house paid for that star. #pubtip

About reviews: publishing houses send to reviewers (PW, Locus, Kirkus, etc) & reviewer chooses which books to cover and how. #pubtip

Each agent has a specific set of submission guidelines. There's not an industry standard so read carefully before submitting! #pubtip

Need help crafting a pitch for your novel? Practice by talking about a book you love. How do you describe it? Succinctly? ;) #pubtip

"I was remembering..." = typically not a strong tool to use in the opening 3 pages of a genre novel. #pubtip