Penny Moore

It’s okay to take an offer of rep from a less experienced agent as long as they have a reputable agency behind them for support. However, double check to see if it’s an actual agent making the offer. Interns are in no way qualified or should be making offers of rep. #querytip

Remember your agent is your #1 champion in the publishing world. Choose wisely. #pubtip #querytip

It’s probably not wise to call an agent multiple times on the phone to follow up on a query or submission unless it’s listed somewhere on their agency website that it’s okay to do so. #pubtip #querytip

Pitch contests are fantastic, but never underestimate the power of an old fashioned query sent to an agent’s inbox. I’ve signed the majority of my wonderful clients from queries, so it still happens! #pubtip #querytip

Although the title of a MS can change drastically from acquisition to publication, it’s always helpful to have a great title in the query stage to pique an agent’s interest. #querytip

Again, Twitter is not the place to pitch a project to an agent unless it's a pitch contest they're participating in, and you shouldn't use your friends to tweet your project at us as well. So unprofessional. #querytip #pubtip

It’s best not to start off a query with “I’ve just completed my manuscript.” Agents don’t want to look at first drafts. It’s best to polish your work as much as possible before querying, or at least don’t tell an agent in the opening line that you haven’t done the work #querytip

If you forced tailored your book’s pitch to exploit and fit the #MeToo movement, then I don’t want to see it in my inbox. #querytip

It’s always cool to make up special terms when you’re world building for SFF stories, but if you never bother to explain what those terms mean by context, or even just telling, then it’s just nonsense and a hard pass for me. #querytip #pubtip

I may speak English, Korean, and Japanese, but remember, English is my native language and when you query me, you should query me in English like you would any other literary agent. Let's hope I don't get any queries with language blunders this coming week for once. #querytip

When you're using Harry Potter, LOTR, and Twilight as comp titles when you have a 25-year-old MC, it tells agents that you don't really know what you're actually writing. #querytip

My native langue is English. Please don't write to me in Japanese in your query letter. #querytip

Reading queries and shaking my head at the writer who doesn’t know the difference between Japanese, Korean, and Chinese names. Again, do your research before writing outside of your own cultural identity and experiences. Asian cultures are not interchangeable. #querytip

When you send me a query saying that your MS appeals to all genres/age groups, it prob means you don't know what you're writing. #querytip

You only need one yes. So keep going no matter what. #querytip

When you refer to Asians as Orientals in your query letter, it's an automatic pass for me. #querytip

When you send me a query featuring a disabled character, please don't refer to them as handicapped. #querytip

Don't try to disguise an adult book by calling it YA w/ a "literary bent" or "literary voice." Read and know the books you write. #querytip

the ethnic background that character might identify with. It's lazy and insulting. 2/2 #querytip

Please don't make your MC biracial just bc you feel it's an easy way of including diversity without having to do research on 1/2 #querytip