Uwe Stender

When your pitch is rejected, at a conference you have the opportunity to find out. Don't sulk over the NO, ask why. Keep learning. #querytip

At least you didn't club the agent with a baton. THAT also is not recommended. #querytip

If you pitch me in person, don't recite your pitch like a poem, or read it. If you just read it, you could have just emailed me. #querytip

Share your query with non-writers. If they're not impressed, it needs work. Remember: they are the largest segment of book buyers #querytip.

When you pitch agents at conferences, don't be nervous. We enjoy meeting every writer. We like and admire creative people. #querytip

I deeply dislike it when writers use the word "forward" when they mean "foreword." And YES, I will reject a query just for that. #querytip

If YOUR query is better than this, you at least have a chance of getting an agent. #querytip #agentlife

I am open to queries again. #pubtip #querytip.

If you write,or even agent,to a trend,you will find yourself so far behind,as the trend has already left the building. #agentlife #querytip

"Dear Ms. Stender, Correcting your probable fear my novel was..." Don't assume what I fear, but address me correctly. PASS. #querytip

The longer I am in this business, the more I believe a writer needs to spend almost as much time on the query as on the book. #querytip

Not a good start to the day when the first query states "Genre: Various" (huh?) & the query is signed with initials (name please).#querytip

To anyone who sends me the following: "Can I send you my query letter?" I have no answer. I can't respond. #querytip #agentlife #reallife

When you query me, don't start with questions, especially not with 'have you ever wondered?' No, I haven't. PASS. #querytip #agentlife

It's an automatic PASS when writers in their query tell me that "John Doe" recommended me, but I have no idea who that is. #querytip

When I say YES, I unequivocally love the project. When I say NO, I don't. It's not about you, it's about the project. #querytip #agentlife

When I say No, it is MY decision, and nothing will make me change my mind. Move on. There are plenty of other agents out there. #querytip

When I reject a project, please just let it be. No means No. You can happily query me again with a new project,but don't badger me.#querytip

THIS is what I have to put up with. #agentlife #querytip #dontdothis

It still keeps happening, so let me say it again:Don't send your query as an attachment. Never send an attachment unless requested.#querytip