Patricia Nelson

I don't rep picture books, so if you see PBs as a big part of your career (even if you write MG/YA too), we won't be a perfect fit #querytip

Ditto. This should pretty much be on my business card, in fact. #querytip indeed! twitter.com/JJohnsonBlaloc…

You might be surprised how often queriers claim their book is for "MG, YA & adults." Ack! More categories isn't better--pick one. #querytip

Even if yr protagonists are age 19-25, you do NOT need to call the book NA. Just call it mystery, SF/F, literary fic. That's fine! #querytip

#querytip: In the current market it's never in your best interest to call a book New Adult unless it is sexy romance feat. college students.

The most "marketability" info you should inc in a query is 2-3 comp titles (from the last 5 yrs, successful but not HARRY POTTER). #querytip

Occasionally I get queries that specify exactly which publisher the author expects their book to sell to. Cart waaay before horse. #querytip

"This book will teach kids a valuable lesson"= not a strong YA/MG pitch. Kids resist didacticism! Pitch your story, not its moral. #querytip

"While I am not sure if you are still in the business of being any kind of literary agent..." Not the strongest query opener, yo. #querytip

Very helpful definition of magical realism -- great read for queriers trying to decide how to label an ms! #querytip twitter.com/PubCrawlBlog/s…

Referencing comparable titles is great, but v. expected or predictable comps can make your book fade into a sea of similar queries #querytip

I love GRACELING, Tamora Pierce, Laini Taylor, Sarah Maas, Leigh Bardugo but see LOTS of queries w/ these comps--maybe use others. #querytip

3) Does the query lay out the stakes of the story & do those stakes feel high enough? Looking for conflict I could care about. #querytip 4/4

2) Can I imagine where it would fit in the current market &generally how I'd pitch it? This is where comp titles can help you. #querytip 3/4

1) Am I excited abt the premise? Does it feel fresh/different & avoid tired cliches? If I'm not grabbed by the premise, no go. #querytip 2/4

Thinking about what makes me request on a query this morning. Three things are key... you ready? #querytip 1/4

Starting this Mon morning with a YA query that insults existing YA in the first paragraph. How very Monday-ish! (Don't do this.) #querytip

AMEN. We all understand that LinkedIn notifications of any kind are THE WORST, right? Avoid, avoid, avoid. #querytip twitter.com/ericsmithrocks…

Queriers, you really should NOT enable an auto-spam blocker requiring senders to go thru extra steps to get email delivered to you #querytip

"I noticed that you represent Young Adult fiction writers, so I am submitting my picture book for your consideration." ????? #nope #querytip