Jennifer March Soloway

#QueryTip Know how your book compares to titles in the market. To find word counts + more of comps for your WIP, go to arbookfinder.com/UserType.aspx, search for the book, and click on the title for reading level, word count, etc. #amquerying #amrevising

#QueryTip When I see a submitted manuscript has 140K+ words, I know the manuscript can be further streamlined and is not polished or ready for me yet. #amrevising #amquerying

#QueryTip It's always so hard for me not to respond to queries that aren't good fits for me but have great potential. If you're querying, don't give up. Keep writing, keep revising, keep querying. #amwriting #amquerying

#QueryTip If you receive a revise and resubmit request, do more than quick fixes. Take time to significantly rewrite, revise, and polish. Submit your very best work. #amwriting #amrevising #amquerying

#QueryTip When researching agents, some questions to consider. Are they editorial? How much will they expect you to revise? Do their expectations mesh with yours? What is their communication style? How much will they share with you? #amquerying

#QueryTip Think twice about your prologue before you query. Is it really the best place to launch the novel? I find most of the prologues I receive are simply confusing, and when I skip down to the first page, the story begins. #amwriting #amquering

Like @AnnieAHwang, an authentic voice is what draws me into a story. Just this morning, I received a query with a distinct, funny, confiding first-person #YA voice. Within minutes, I'd inhaled the first 10 pages and requested the full. #QueryTip #WritingTip

#QueryTip Seven is a good number for a submission round to test the draft + gather information. If it works, great! If not, there are many more fish in the agent sea. Revise your manuscript/pitch/strategy and try again. #amquerying

#QueryTip Send queries in rounds, a handful of agents at a time. If those agents pass or you don't hear back, give yourself time between each round to rethink your strategy/pitch, revise, etc. Then try again. Revision is magical! #DontGiveUp #amquerying

#QueryTip When looking for agents: Go to writing conferences where you can meet agents in person. Attend their sessions. Follow them on social media. Listen to podcasts. Read interviews. Who seems like a good fit for you? #amquerying

#QueryTip The two most common reasons I pass are (a) the draft feels too rough, or (b) it's not the right fit. But if you revise and resubmit in six months, it might be perfect for me. #DontGiveUp #amwriting #amrevising

#QueryTip Beginnings are hard. I know I miss wonderful projects in my inbox because the opening pages don't grab me. The first page needs conflict, stakes, and character. #amwriting #amrevising

#QueryTip Agents pass for many reasons: changing trends in the market; they already represent something similar; or even though something may be strong, well-written and publishable, they didn't fall in love. A pass doesn’t mean your project won’t sell. #DontGiveUp

#QueryTip Note which agents you queried when. Some agents allow you to resubmit revisions after a certain timeframe. #amquerying

#QueryTip If a submission moves me to cry, I will offer representation. And if I laugh too? Gold! goo.gl/b7TB6V

#QueryTip Make sure your opening pages deliver the beginning promised in the pitch.

#Querytip Please don't use italics in queries. Gmail does weird things to fancy fonts & italics, making it hard to read--and I want to read.

#Querytip Please add space between paragraphs in your query. Otherwise, it's difficult to read. And I want to read your letter.

#QueryTip Indent the first sentence of each paragraph in your submission. Otherwise the story is difficult to read.

#QueryTip Use the language of your pitch as an opportunity to showcase the writing of your novel, evoking tone, style and voice. #amwriting