Alex Slater

· 6 Feb 2019

Advice for querying writers: Write short, professional emails to agents you respect. Copy the language, style & format of backcover copy. Then: keep writing, reading, critiquing. #keepon #querytip

· 8 Oct 2018

#QueryTip: Don't lead with "I have not been published." Don't get me wrong, debuts are very attractive! But if you're going to start with bio, make it relevant. However, I always like queries that jump right into the story.

· 25 Jun 2018

"Please consider my 200,000 word..." #querytip

· 3 May 2018

Me if you compare your #MG novel to Harry Potter in your query letter: #querytip

· 26 Mar 2018

Saba Sulaiman @agentsaba

i’m seeing a lot of previously unpublished authors comp their books to incredibly written books that were not debuts, which is perfectly fine but it also misses a key thing about debuts: they need to outshine their peers just to get a seat at the table.

👇Take Saba's advice and show agents how well you know TODAY'S publishing market. Excite them with your debut by comping to other exciting (recent) debuts. #querytip

· 6 Feb 2018

I would prefer not to read query letters written in the voice of your novel's main character. I would prefer not to. #querytip

· 31 Jan 2018

Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks

A quick querying tip, writer friends.

Make sure you have comp titles in your pitches.

Not just because it helps an agent or editor grasp the story. But because it shows them you're well read in your category or genre.

I don't want to read YA, by someone who doesn't read it.

💯 what @ericsmithrocks says. There is a conversation already going on - what you contribute to it relies upon your appreciation of it. #querytip

· 11 Dec 2017

J. R. N. Martin @africanraingod

#TMGTalks What needs to go in a good query letter?

Model your query letter off of the backcover copy of your favorite books. It should be succinct, alluring, and very easy to digest. Use attention-grabbing words. Read it aloud to find the flow. Tell us a story we'll beg to hear more of. #TMGTalks #querytip

· 15 Aug 2017

A #query letter that claims their book could be sold as either YA or NA, tells me this writer is not reading enough. #querytip

· 14 Apr 2017

Sometimes I get a voicemail like, "Hello Alex, my name is [ ], call me back." Please query me instead. I'm not going to call you. #querytip

· 28 Mar 2017

Chance The Rapper @chancetherapper

Pitch yourself

#querytip

· 4 Jan 2017

Stephanie Stein @stephlystein

And the agent, then the editor, then the marketing team, will all be forever grateful. Love it when I see a line I can't wait to use! twitter.com/kurestinarmada…

This is why it's important to be familiar with back-cover copy. Model your query after these economic, punchy lines! #querytip

· 19 Oct 2016

#querytip: Rather than repeat lines directly from my bio or #MSWL, use your query to show how your project will connect with my tastes.

· 13 Sep 2016

Published before? Nice! But if you're querying a new project, put the old titles at the end. Hook me with your new story first. #querytip

· 17 Jun 2016

Go to the bookstore. Vast majority of backcover copy, esp YA, is 5-7 sentences long, or shorter. Can your query work at that size? #querytip

· 12 Apr 2016

Lydia Davis, on love/publishing... #querytip https://t.co/ZUyDmA40Mc

· 4 Apr 2016

Evan Puschak @TheeNerdwriter

Zack Snyder knows how to direct moments, not scenes. You can't string moments together & make me care. Students usually learn that early on.

Also applies to novels...#querytip. twitter.com/TheeNerdwriter…

· 31 Mar 2016

Alex Slater @abuckslater

I read a lot of queries, and I think some new writers would be shocked if they knew about the communities social media can offer. #querytip

Replying to @abuckslater

New writers: do your research. Not just on agents, but on the conversations your work is seeking to contribute to. #querytip

· 31 Mar 2016

I read a lot of queries, and I think some new writers would be shocked if they knew about the communities social media can offer. #querytip

· 16 Mar 2016

For some reason I just love queries that start off in the 2nd person. I guess it makes it feel more immediate. #querytip

@abuckslater

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