Erin Clyburn

Writers, if you see that there's a new agency open to queries & the agent(s) has no current clients, no past sales, & no real bio or experience listed, your red flag should go up. If something feels wrong or shady, it almost certainly is.

#amquerying #querytip

I hope this offers some context. I'm doing, quite literally, all I can.

It's a new month, & as always, I'm very excited to read every query that I'm sent! Please keep 'em comin'. 7/7

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

(& I still have to do things like eat & sleep & spend time with my family & not stare at the computer for so long I get ocular migraines. 6/)

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

& on top of that, a day job. Much of this is done outside of regular work hours.

I'd love to be able to give feedback on every query, but if I spent even five extra minutes on each query, that would be 44 extra hours per month. 5/

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

Not counting reading requested subs, which is many hours. & the hours spent on my clients' work, which always comes first: reading manuscripts, editing, writing sub letters, making sub lists, talking to editors, etc. This is many hours. 4/

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

Let's say I spent just five minutes with each query, that's 44 hours spent reading queries in April. 3/

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

I hope putting some numbers out here will show how much time agents are already putting into this process.

Queries received in April: 527
Rejected: 498
Undecided/unread: 27 
Requested fulls/partials: 2
Offers made: 1

#querytip #amquerying #WritingCommunity

2/

Second, my #MSWL says I'm looking for diverse Southern voices. I've gotten a few queries claiming to tell #ownvoices/diverse Southern stories... that are not. I thought this would go without saying, but don't coopt this if you are not a marginalized voice.

#querytip #amquerying

I want to mention two things that are bumming me out lately:

First, I've had a big uptick in queries lately, & the MAJORITY of them are like 1-2 lines long. Total. This makes me want to pull out my hair. If you send me a 1-line query, I will reject it.

#querytip #amquerying

This is SO IMPORTANT. A common mistake I see is that instead of outlining clear stakes, the author writes, "The protagonist must face a series of obstacles. Will they X or X?" Don't speak in generalities; give us the most specific logline you can. #querytip

After spending some time in my query box this morning, looks like it's time for a retweet. #amquerying #querytip

Last night, I read ~10 queries in a row with prologues, none of which needed a prologue. Not saying that prologues NEVER work, but if you have one in your MS, really look at the purpose it serves. A short thread:

#querytip #amquerying

Generally, a rejection is a rejection unless we've asked to see the project again after a revision. Unless it's undergone a major overhaul (which generally does not happen in a week), please do not resend. #querytip 2/2

I'm seeing a lot of quick repeat queries lately. As in, one of our agents rejects a project, & the author resubmits within a few days/weeks that they have done a fast edit based on the rejection feedback. Please pay attention to sub guidelines on agency sites. #querytip 1/2

It is never a good look to slide into an agent’s DMs to pitch your work, even if your DM admits “I know you said not to do this.” This has happened to me five times in the past three days. Don’t do it. Use the proper channels. #amquerying #querytip

When I gave a talk on queries last week, this was the main thing I stressed: Describe your story in a way that no other story could be described. Be specific. Pitch me on what makes it YOURS, not in general terms, or by saying what it isn't. #querytip