Alec Shane

#querytip I love big dogs. I don't represent fantasy/romance. If your fantasy/romance novel features a big dog, it still isn't right for me

#querytip an angry inquiry asking why the hell I haven't gotten back to you a month after submitting your MS won't score you any points

#querytip general rule of thumb: sending your entire 400 page MS, unsolicited, via snail mail, on Dec 21st probably isn't the best idea

#querytip "I have chosen to submit to you because of your interest in fiction projects" isn't the best way to prove you did your research

#querytip a fair number of agents/agencies close to submissions around this time every year, so plan accordingly and do your homework.

#querytip I see no reason to start querying a MS before it's finished. What if I love the first pages and want to read the whole thing?

#querytip I'll say it again: if you're just going to cut and paste my name into a form query letter, at least make sure it's the same font.

#querytip novellas and short story collections are a very difficult sell, esp. for 1st time authors.

#querytip before you decide to query multiple agents at the same agency, remember that we all sit near each other and will know immediately.

#querytip learning to take the hint is important. Don't get a reputation as that author who simply refuses to go away.

#querytip unless told otherwise in guidelines, ALWAYS send pages with your query letter. It's all about the writing at the end of the day

#querytip a query that includes little more than an Amazon link to your self-published book isn't the best way to get an agent's attention.

#querytip there will always be books that are exceptions to the query rules. They're great inspiration-but keep the word "exception" in mind

#querytip a number of agents close to submissions for the summer around this time every year. Make sure you do your homework.

#querytip constantly checking in about the status of your submission is a great way to get an agent to skim it quickly before passing on it

#querytip if you were previously represented, I'd put that right at the top of your query letter. A split with your agent isn't a black mark

#querytip using a professional-looking font in a query letter goes way farther than it probably should. No need to get fancy.

#querytip "I have enclosed Chapter 3 with this query" is a roundabout way of telling me that Chapters 1 and 2 suck. ALWAYS send 1st pages

#querytip "I was previously agented" will get you a lot farther than "my previous agent submitted this MS everywhere, but couldn't sell it"

#querytip if an agent passes on your manuscript, don't immediately query with a new one. Give it some time. We remember serial queriers