Balancing Your Writing with Promotion and Social Media #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/06/04/bal…

Keeping Up with a Rapidly Changing Publishing Market #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/05/30/a-r…

I think so. There’s a way to slide it into the description of your character like:
“Twelve year old, pansexual Michael...” as the opening to your conflict sentence where you detail the plot and what that character faces.

Reader question: I used CreateSpace for a fundraiser and have completely revamped the book. Is this still previously published? #AskAgent #Amquerying tracymarchini.com/2019/05/29/is-…

And the 🏆 for the Best #QueryOfTheDay goes to...

"(Also, your dog has the best name ever, and my first cat's name was Lyra. Neither of which have anything to do with this pitch.)"

Ok, I agree. It's irrelevant. But it's also really cool. 😎 #WritingCommunity #askagent

Defining what makes good social media. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/05/28/def…

Client projects come first.

There is no magic number of edits. If the book is great, it is great. Proof of edits?!? I don't even know what that means or is about.

Yes! Don’t send it out until you’ve polished it with critique partners and it’s the best it can be

I think you should certainly include them on the cover page of your full MS, or at the start of your sample pages, if they contain triggering material

Look for writing groups in your community and online; seek out people at the same stage in your career you and engage with humility and willingness to learn. Every writing network is different, and it takes a while to find your stride—best of luck!

That’s a tough one! I like contemporary stories but with a fresh twist. I’d like to see more multi-generational MG stories, dealing with multi-generational struggles/ issues. More MG that explores the special grandparent-kid relationship.

In my experience, yes, a R &R means an agent has read the entire MS and is asking you to revise it for a second chance to consider it again. It’s a good thing but make sure to take the agent’s notes to heart. S/he wants to see how well you revise.

It really depends. A good comp can still be concise and not over the top. Are you part of a writer’s group? Try out both versions with your peers and take the temperature.

I personally love them. It helps me conceptualize the book and set the tone before I even start reading. One successful query, from an author who became my client, called her novel “When Harry met Sally meets Portlandia.”

For fiction, voice, sense of place, characters that make me wonder and that challenge me. I have to identify with one or more of the characters and want to spend time with him/ her. I like to be surprised, to find stories with something to say. Hope that wasn’t too nebulous.

Good question. I typically like to see the word count at the end of the query (some agents like it at the beginning) and genre info toward the beginning or where you mention comps, if any. It’s more a stylistic choice and there isn’t really a wrong way to do it.

Hi Jeff! I would mention at the end of yr query letter that your first novel was published in 2017 by x press. I wouldn’t mention reversion if it’s still a contingent situation-not really relevant to your current project and it may not happen. Does that make sense?

Good question! Are there appropriate genre books w/ a literary bent that are also upmarket which you can use as a comp? I.e. “this book is for fans of x book by author y.” It gives me a sense of both the audience and the style of writing in a more concise way.

What does it mean when an editor or agent says your manuscript is “quiet?” #AskAgent #QueryTip #Amwriting tracymarchini.com/2019/05/23/mea…