Penny Moore

I know I've said this before, but for the love of Baby Yoda, please don't greet me using Japanese in a query letter. I'm not Japanese. English is my primary language, and I know writers would never do this with a white agent. #querytip

Again, if you've been previously represented and/or published, it's wise to include this information in your query letter. Be upfront about it because it's really helpful for an agent to know if we can be of help to you when we have all of the info! #querytip #pubtip

If you're a querying writer who has been previously published, it'd be really helpful to also include the title/genre/and pub date of your previous works. Merely saying "I've been published before," doesn't give agents a clear enough picture. #pubtip #querytip

To those worried that an agent might not want to rep you if you've parted ways with an agent before, this isn't true. I've signed authors who previously had rep. One of my best examples is the fabulous @nickipaupreto, whose debut, CROWN OF FEATHERS, comes out tomorrow! #querytip

If you were agented before and you're querying new agents, please mention that you had representation in your query letter. Also, it'd be very helpful if you mention who your previous agent was. #querytip

Remember when you’re considering an agent, it’s not the quantity of sales that matter but the quality that does. #pubtip #querytip

Nope. It's perfectly normal for an agent considering your work to ask who the offering agent is. Publishing thrives off of competition. Though, sometimes writers streamline the process by naming the offering agents when they initially follow up with us. #QueryTip

Writers, this is your friendly reminder not to lie about offers of representation to agents. Publishing is a small business and agents talk. It’s the quickest way to get yourself no offers at all. #querytip

I’m biracial, so sending me a query with the word halfbreed in it is going to be a hard pass. I don’t care about the context. Any use of that word is not okay in my book. #querytip

When you speak to an agent's client before querying them, be sure to clarify if they're actually giving you a referral or if they're speaking positively about their experiences with the agent. I take client referrals seriously, so please note that I do verify with them. #querytip

If you story features a villain/antagonist that's a rapist, then it's probably not for me. #querytip

This is your weekly reminder that if you’re not Asian and you try to bond with me over Asian things in your query letters, it can come across as offensive. Especially if you don’t know what my background is. I’m American. I speak English. Simple as that. #querytip

In the grand scheme of things titles aren’t too important at the querying stage because they can/will change once a publisher acquires a MS. However, I will admit having a great/smart title can definitely get my attention when I’m perusing queries! #pubtip #querytip

When submitting a MS, please double space your work. It's easier on my eyes and helps me with adding comments/notes that I might what to discuss. Also, you don't have to do any fancy formatting with font and stylizing the pages. It's a MS not a published book. #querytip #pubtip

If your work is ready, you shouldn't hold back on sending out queries until a Twitter pitch contest happens. Most agents tend to find their clients from the slush in their inboxes 99% of the time. #querytip

If you want to write children's lit, then you need to read children's lit, and I mean CURRENT children's lit. You shouldn't be comping your work to C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, or Roald Dahl. #querytip

If you’ve trolled and harassed an agent’s client, it’s best that you not query that agent because they will know. #querytip

I think the thing I'd like to see less of in a query letter is the term "coming-of-age" to describe a YA manuscript. I've seen this term at least 30 times today. If it's YA, it's understood to be coming-of-age. #querytip

If you write fiction, the number of social media followers you have doesn’t matter when you’re querying agents. It’s the quality of the writing and whether it resonates with the agent. #querytip

When I offer rep on a MS, I love to ask potential clients about other projects they're working on/plan to write. An agent should not only focus on selling your first MS, but also on your industry longevity, helping you build a brand and achieve career goals as a whole. #querytip