Sara Megibow

A note on queries for urban fantasy novels whether for middle grade, young adult or adult readers...

Urban fantasy is "our world + magic." Be clear in your query - do the humans (muggles/ normals/ whatever) KNOW that there is magic? Or, is magic a secret.

#agenting
#querytip

WEAK character development in a pitch = "Two girls who are kids just like any other kid."

STRONG character development in a pitch = "Two girls with powers in a land that has lost its magic."

#querytip
#agenting

ex. from THE DOOR TO THE LOST by @JaleighJohnson

WEAK pitch = "Protagonist was surprised when a meteor landed near their house."

STRONG pitch = "Protagonist was just outside the blast radius when a meteor landed near their house."

#agenting
#querytip

#QueryTip = if you say, "I'm previously published" in your query, please include titles, publisher and dates.

#pubtip
#queries
#agenting

#QueryTip = yes, it's 100% ok to say, "I don't have any books published yet" in your query letter to me!

Don't be shy about being new - the vast majority of my clients are debut writers.
#debut
#agenting

#QueryTip - if you are (or have been the past) a Golden Heart nominee, please include that info in your query letter. If you've not ever been a GH nominee, don't worry! I'm excited to read your query too! #romance #FTW #queries

#QueryTip = don't do this:
"you're the 400th agent I've tried" as it means to me you've not done your research and are querying agents who don't represent your genre of book.

It's not a deal breaker but I'm not a fan of this language in query letters, "please get back to me at your earliest possible convenience." #agenting #querytip

#QueryTip = let's say your heroine is a young queen whose mother had been deposed in a coup led by her brother's army.

In a query simply call her "the queen" or "the young queen." Cut out as much backstory as possible!

#QueryTip = Publishers Marketplace is a great place to research agents before submitting to them (note: still check agent website for submission guidelines, though):

publishersmarketplace.com/members/SaraMe…

#QueryTip = for romance submissions, the #1 mistake I see in queries is what I call the "Nicholas Sparks comparison." His books are romance movies but NOT romance novels. THESE are romance novels: pinterest.com/saramegibow/sa…

Avoid, “Protagonist was shocked when it happened” (generic example) in your query letter. #QueryTip #pubtip

#QueryTip = When reading queries I don't worry about what you've titled your book. Titles change 90% of the time once we get a book deal.

Q: "In query, do I mention my novel has gone through beta reads?"
A: Yes if you want, but it's not a deal-maker or deal-breaker. #QueryTip

#PubTip #QueryTip Here's the original query letter (with my notes!) by @MarRogerson at @WritersDigest = writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/g…

#QueryTip = Loved a book? Keep a doc with title, author, publisher, agent and even editor. Great data for when it's time to query!

It's not a deal-breaker but... #QueryTip = no need to (in all caps) include "AGENT NEEDED" in subject line of query. Really no need.

#QueryTip = actually, that goes for any genre. If you say "previously published" in the genre of your query, include titles & publishers.

#QueryTip = if you submit a query for a middle grade novel and say, "I'm previously published in MG" - please include titles and publishers.

This too! #querytip