Lauren Spieller

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Oct 1

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Sep 17

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Sep 16

#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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Sep 2

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Aug 29

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Aug 14

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Jun 11

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

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · May 6

A few #querytip(s):

~ share your query w someone who hasn’t read your book to spot holes

~ don’t ask for permission to query. Just do it.

~don’t respond to form rejections (either to thank us or to ask for an explanation—we unfortunately don’t have time)

~ Don’t give up!!!

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Apr 3

Writers, if you are planning to query an agent, we don’t need to be told in advance. Just email when you’re ready to submit. #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Mar 23

I get a lot of ‘magic is dying’ or ‘magic is gone,’ queries. What about ‘magic is HERE and it is FLOURISHING and we do NOT know how to use it”?! #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · Mar 14

I totally forgot that I did this but hey it holds up #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 29 Nov 2018

Do not query before you have a) finished writing your book, b) revised your book, c) shown your query to someone unfamiliar with your work who can point out confusing bits. #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 19 Nov 2018

Don't forget--I'm closing to queries on December 1st, and won't be opening again until January 15th, 2019! Get those queries in! #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 15 Nov 2018

When you tell me your book is MG/YA, it sends the message that you haven't done enough research. Remember, your book can only sit on one shelf. So which one is it? #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 7 Nov 2018

If you have always wanted to try to write Middle Grade, now is the time. #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 7 Oct 2018

#querytip: if your book is a mystery, or has a mystery at the center, don't reveal the answer in your query. It not only undermines the hook in the query itself, but means I can't experience the book the way an editor/reader will. It also sucks the fun out of reading the story!

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 19 Jul 2018

Hot Tip: don’t lie about having an offer from another agent. We will find out, and you will end up with no agent and no credibility. #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 13 Jul 2018

Querying writers, don't forget--I'm closing to queries in just over 2 weeks, on August 1, 2018! #querytip #subtip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 10 Jul 2018

If an agent has passed on your work, don't keep emailing them about it. You need to respect their decision not to work on the project. #subtip #querytip

Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller · 7 Jul 2018

When you receive a rejection, don't insult the person who sent it. Just because *this* piece of work isn't right for them doesn't mean they won't want to work w/ you on the next. By insulting them, all you're doing is guaranteeing that you never get that chance. #querytip #subtip