Penny Moore

No two pub experiences are the same. It’s important to have author friends who give valuable insight, but there will be things specific to their own exp that won’t apply to yours. That’s OK. Unsure & nervous about something? Talk to your agent. It’s what we’re here for. #pubtip

Also, reputable packagers won’t mind if you bring in an agent or lawyer to advocate for you. #pubtip

Dear Writers,

Congrats to those who hit the NaNo finish line! Now that it’s over, please put that MS away. Forget about it for at least a month. Then take it back out and revise. Find critique partners and revise. Polish it again and again. THEN start querying agents. #pubtip

Everything is hard to sell. The market is saturated due to various issues, so just write the project you feel the most passionately about, making it the best it can be before you reach out to agents. #pubtip

The reason why I say this is because realistically an editor won’t or can’t buy multiple projects from the same agent at the same time, so essentially the agent is pitting their clients against each other for the same editor’s attention. #pubtip

Also, it’s to a writer’s HUGE benefit to weigh ALL of their options before rushing to accept an offer, especially if you’re being pressured by the initial offering agent. #pubtip

If an agent took the time to thoroughly read your query and request the full MS, the very least a writer can do is keep them apprised of any movement. It’s a professional courtesy that I hope querying writers will keep in mind. Thank you! #pubtip

If you’re querying an agent with a MS for the first time, or if you’re a writer going on submission for the first time, congratulate yourself. Putting such a huge piece of yourself out there for others to judge is a BRAVE thing to do, so take pride in that achievement! #pubtip

The best thing for your mental health in publishing is to not compare yourself to others. Everyone has a different situation, and in the end, you’re just going to make yourself miserable dwelling on those who have bigger book deals or more fans. Focus on your own path. #pubtip

I can't believe I have to say this. Querying an agent and then harassing them through FB messages and Twitter DMs, especially after they've passed on your MS, is totally unprofessional and not the way to get an agent's attention. #pubtip

There’s a lot of misinformation going around about how/why authors make the NYT list. I’d like to say take it with a grain of salt. If a book doesn’t hit the list, it doesn’t mean the publisher decided from day one that the book was going to fail and not support it. #pubtip

Writers can get caught up w/ the # of sales an agent has when deciding on rep. Remember it’s the quality of the sales that should count, not quantity. Anyone can sell books to bad and shady publishers, but a good agent knows how to be selective and get you the right deal #pubtip

When an agent considers a manuscript, not only are they looking for a great story, but they’re also looking for great POTENTIAL in the writer. If an agent can’t get beyond line edits and see the bigger picture, then they probably aren’t the right fit for you. #pubtip

There’s a misconception going around that having CPs who are agented and/or pubbed is better than CPs who aren’t, and I just want to say that it’s total bullshit. Having an agent or being pubbed doesn’t make any one writer better than another. A good CP is a good CP. #pubtip

A big pet peeve of mine is when people use words like: chortled, guffawed, and snorted to describe someone laughing in their stories. Just say LAUGHED. People don't actually guffaw or chortle. #pubtip

We are not meant to be shields for misinformed writers and if you want a PoC agent to double their services in providing a manuscript critique and a sensitivity read, then they should be compensated accordingly. #pubtip

If you’re considering becoming an agent, be a reader first. Instinct that tells you what makes an amazing story comes from years of reading books, and it’s impossible to be a good agent who reps fiction without that instinct. #publishingjobs #pubtip

I know it's often said, but Twitter is not a place to pitch agents unless it's part of a contest that they're participating in. I never thought I'd have to add this extra layer, but it's also not wise to have multiple friends spam my feed about how I should represent you.#pubtip

One thing I can say about publishing is that you should always remember it’s a small industry, and kindness and respect can go a long way. #pubtip

One thing you should truly take into consideration when choosing an agent is their hunger, drive, & enthusiasm for your work. Passion for a project is so incredibly important, and sometimes it can even surpass experience. So it's good to take a chance on younger agents! #pubtip