Lauren Spieller

I'm not sure when exactly, but I'll be closing to queries at some point this summer. Likely late June/early July. Just a heads up. #QueryTip

Nope, keep the focus on this book, and add "with series potential" at some point in the query #querytip

#querytip When it comes to your pitch, keep it to the point, but don't leave out crucial information. The way to tell if you've done this? Share the pitch with someone who HASN'T read the book, and have them tell you if it makes sense.

#querytip: comp titles MUST be recent and relevant. RECENT. AND. RELEVANT. I also STRONGLY urge you to include at least one *book* that is in your genre, published within 2-5 years ago.

#querytip: If you've written a big 'world might end' type book, then your stakes should have two levels: yes, the fact that the world might end, but ALSO (and arguably more importantly...) what is at stake FOR YOUR CHARACTER?

#Querytip: be clear about what you protagonist WANTS. It's not enough to know what happens to them. I need to know who they are and what they want so that I can appreciate what is DRIVING the story (hint: it should be your character!)

#QueryTip: use normal font sizes. I cannot read your tiny font!!

When querying a YA, don't lead with the moral/lesson of your novel. First, it's telling us instead of showing us, and second, a novel for teens shouldn't feel like a lesson--they'll see right through it, and stop reading--so your query shouldn't either. #querytip #writetip

#QueryTip: check your spam. I've noticed that my replies--requests and rejections--are occasionally not received, which creates confusion and angst! Make sure you're checking your spam at least once a week!

I see lots of MG novels that are seemingly about a series of developmental/familial conflicts instead of a central conflict. I understand that friendship break ups and periods and divorce are all important at that age, but I still need you to tell me what the HOOK is. #querytip

Query Don’ts:

—insult other books
—say your book defies genre
—use negative self talk
—ignore guidelines

Query Do’s:

—Give us the hook/high concept pitch
—Show your summary to someone who hasn’t read the book
—send it to agents individually
—write another book!

#querytip

Don't give away the ending of your book in a query. Especially not in the very first line of the email. 😭 #querytip #triadatip

Writers: if an agent is pressuring you to sign with them and pull your book from other agents, think long and hard about why they are doing that and whether it’s in your best interest to do so *before* you agree. #querytip

I’ve been receiving a lot of emails from writers (very politely!) requesting feedback, referrals, or explanations after I’ve passed on their query. I understand wanting these things but agents receive more than 30 queries a day—we unfortunately don’t have time. #querytip

Writers— “contemporary” and “realistic” are often used as synonyms when describing genre, but they’re not. Ex: a realistic/real world novel set in 2002? That’s historical. (Gah I know—we are old! 😆) #querytip

#QueryTip! Don’t query until you get feedback on your pitch from someone who is unfamiliar with your manuscript. They will be able to point out holes that are invisible to you/someone who has read the MS already. #Triadatip

When you transition from one line to the next in your query summary/pitch, the relationship between those two lines is dictated by how your story unfolds ("But" vs "Therefore"). If you're not sure what I mean, I suggest watching this: youtube.com/watch?v=vGUNqq… #querytip

Comp titles are there to help agents/editors see how a book will fit on shelves/into the CURRENT market, so it’s important that the ones you provide be both *relevant* and *recent* #querytip

There seems to be confusion about what an agent “closing to queries” actually means. It does *not* mean that we aren’t responding to the things that are *already* in our inbox! It just means that we are not accepting any new, unsolicited work! #querytip

Writers, if your book doesn't perfectly fit a specific MSWL item, that's okay! It's better to query because you think the book is a good fit in general than to try to cherry pick elements of a specific mswl to make your book fit. (Example in next tweet) #querytip