Caitlin McDonald

#querytip Google your book title before you get too attached! Try to avoid titles already in print: you want people to be able to find YOUR book when they search for it, not get confused & buy somebody else's by mistake. Ditto for the author name you want to use!

Hey y'all, #querytip: Don't call agents to cold pitch your query over the phone. Really, please don't. And especially don't call multiple times in a row if they don't pick up. This is the opposite of making a good impression.

#querytip thread: Genre and age range do not count as personalization! Personalization isn't just to prove that you've researched an agent; it's also to MAKE YOUR QUERY STAND OUT. Be as specific and targeted as possible.

#querytip: If an agent requests an R&R, don't rush it! We're not expecting it back within a short deadline, and tbh if you resubmit it in less than a month, that doesn't inspire confidence that you've completed the depth of revision we want to see.

Here it is, the biggest #querytip of the year: READ 👏 IN 👏 YOUR 👏 GENRE 👏

I honestly cannot stress this enough! It's good to read outside it as well, but it is crucial to READ the types of books you want to write!!

#querytip: A cool pitch only works if it's accurate! Be careful not to set false expectations of what your book is about. For ex: don't pitch your query as a battle of wits against a murderer if it's actually a romance with a man falsely accused--those are very different books!

#querytip time! It's great for aspiring authors to start building a mailing list early, if you can.

It's NOT great for querying authors to add potential agents to their mailing list without consent.

Also I've added a few new questions to my FAQ page, so be sure to read that if you're thinking of querying me or are waiting on a response. #querytip literallycait.tumblr.com/FAQ

#querytip: Industry standard is to give agents 2 weeks notice when you receive an offer of representation. I've been seeing/hearing of a lot of one-week notices lately & that's not enough time for most agents to read, given our other commitments to our clients!

Friendly reminder to please NOT pitch agents directly on Twitter, FB, DMs or any social media unless they specifically ask you to do so. Agents have FORMAL CHANNELS for submitting your work--please use those instead. Don't clog up our mentions with pitches. Thank you! #querytip

#SFFpit tip: have different pitches for the same book. Sometimes that first pitch might not have enough info to connect with an agent, but the second one does! Sometimes if I'm on the fence about a pitch, I check the author's feed to see if there's another one! #querytip

I reopen to queries on July 29th, but if you want to get a head start, don't miss #SFFpit on Wednesday, July 24th! I'll be requesting pitches and reviewing all submissions before I officially reopen. #querytip

Speaking only for myself and not all agents, but honestly if you know an agent wants something specific that shows up in later books, I think it's fine to mention that in the query letter! Certainly I would love to know. #querytip

I will be reopening to queries on Monday, July 29th. Polish those pitches! In the meantime, I'll be tweeting some updates on what I am (and am not) looking for. #askagent #querytip

But there's a difference between a query letter pitching a character who grows, and pitching a Hero who then, in the sample pages, unironically views women as prizes. Author Awareness makes a difference. #querytip

One more #querytip: "start with the action" is popular writing advice & as a result I receive many queries that start in the middle of a fight (or flight) scene.

I think Thursday will be the first #PitMad this year where I'll be participating--I'm excited to see all the new pitches! Don't forget to use genre subtags; they're helpful to us agents. #mswl #querytip

Reminder that Saturday is your last day to get query submissions to me before I close for a few months! #querytip

I just received four queries in a row that didn't include any greeting. Guys, I cannot emphasize what a HUGE difference it makes to address agents by name. It takes two seconds, shows courtesy and professionalism, and proves that you didn't just BCC 500 people. #querytip

Another #querytip: though I love a query that indicates a clear knowledge of my interests and what I'm looking for, you shouldn't literally quote me. Use your limited word count more wisely.