Zabé Ellor

Nothing makes me say “I don’t want to work with you” faster than dissing other authors in your query letter, ESPECIALLY when it’s biphobic! #querytip

I've read SO many manuscripts opening with the main character waking up and they all feel the same. PLEASE, querying authors, don't begin on a wake-up scene! Find somewhere unique to start your novel! #querytip

Random #querytip—I’m seeing a LOT of King Arthur retellings in my subs lately. I know a LOT of agents love those, but I was always more a Greek mythology fan

#querytip For the love of god, don’t write your fiction query like a cover letter.

I see so many “let me introduce myself” queries with NO description about the book. The biggest thing an agent needs in a query is the description of the BOOK

Handy #querytip—I really prefer a word document submission instead of a PDF for requested material! PDFs are hard to read on my Kindle

#querytip No gimmick will EVER be as successful as just telling the agent about the freaking book

#amquerying #querytip As annoying as it is to get a form rejection, you want your future agent to use their time wisely, advancing your career—not wasting hours personalizing rejections.

#querytip The number one reason I pass on SFF queries is a lack of a unique hook. I’ve read SO much SFF—if your pitch doesn’t bring something new to the table, it won’t draw me in

#querytip I only represent SFF in the adult category right now. Please don’t send me adult books in other genres and call them YA; I know the difference

#querytip #writingtips For a work of speculative fiction to hook me, it has to feel genuinely new and high-concept, and the novelty must distill to a 1 or 2 sentence elevator pitch

#querytip Obscenely-long word count is an auto-reject for me

#querytip Be sure you’ve READ the books you’re using as comp titles

#querytip #amquerying When writing a query, there’s two types of feedback it’s helpful to get:
1) does this make sense?
2) is this appropriate for a query?

One common mistake I’m seeing in some of my adult SFF submissions is main characters lacking a concrete personal connection to the plot #writetip #querytip

If anyone was wondering how to write a query for a really complex fantasy novel, check this out—focus on the character and let everything unfold around them!
#querytip

#querytip Unless you’re Octavia Butler, don’t start your novel with your protagonist waking up

#querytip A query for a novel should have three strong paragraphs describing the plot of the story. Nothing matters as much when I’m reading as these three paragraphs

#querytip Please don’t tell me about your other projects in the query—that should be saved for the call.

#querytip Follow the directions. Follow the directions. If your story is most pitchable when you lead in with Chapter Three, Chapter Three should be Chapter One

#writetip #querytip When introducing your main character, showing them involved in action rather than standing by and observing the actions of others, can help show readers their personality and spark interest