Alec Shane

#querytip when submitting to an agent, make sure your query answers the question "why did you decide to submit this MS to me specifically?"

#querytip if you do insist on submitting around this time of year, might I advise against sending four separate queries at once.

#querytip most agencies are in the process of shutting things down for the year; might be wise to hold off on submitting your MS until 2015

#querytip don't make your MS hard to access; put it in the email body. If I have to click a link or download an app, I'll probably move on

#querytip if you're going to just cut and paste your letter and email it off to as many agents as possible, at least address them by name.

#querytip some version of "this was my MFA thesis" as part of your query letter will make a fair number of agents a little suspicious.

#querytip don't make me hunt for the title of your MS in your query; it should be easy to spot - or better yet, in the subject of the email

#querytip don't "force" your novel's genre. If your protag is a lawyer but that has nothing to do with the story, it isn't a legal thriller

#querytip "Your profile indicates that you are interested in X" is a good way to let agents know that you did your homework before querying

#querytip while it isn't likely to get your work dismissed outright, save the crazy fonts for Evites and birthday cards. Keep it simple

#querytip unless you feel it is incredibly necessary to properly convey the tone of your book, avoid using profanity in your query letter

#querytip I'm told that @WallyLambAuthor wallpapered his entire classroom with rejection letters before he finally got an agent. DON'T QUIT

#querytip email yourself a copy of your query letter before you send it out. That way you can see exactly how it's going to look to an agent

#querytip most agents' submission guidelines are very clear & easy to find; don't send an email asking how to best submit. Do your research

#querytip no need to notify me if another agent has requested more of your MS; just give me a heads up when you have an offer on the table

#querytip The day-to-day emails we send may be informal/familiar, but email queries are professional business documents; treat them as such.

#querytip We remember serial submitters. Don't just fire another MS off the moment an agent rejects the first one.

#querytip if you're going to include a synopsis with your query, keep it to a page, max. I won't read it if it's any longer

You figure this #querytip would be obvious, but I get so many of these: if you don't speak English, don't write a book in English