I think they are useful.

Yes, ice under snow. As long as you don't go on and on and on, it makes it interesting to me.

I drive in it a lot, but I overestimated my ability to drive over ice covered by snow..lesson learned. I really want YA graphic novels, and YA Contemporary friendship stories. And a celebrity memoir, preferably Rihanna's.

A lot of things, primarily more diverse books by diverse writers, plus foreign translations.

I don't know. I don't make it through the query of too many mashups.

If an agent rejects a novel for lack of platform, they should not be submitted to. In regards to nonfiction, I reject *primarily* due to lack of platform. I need huge platforms in nonfiction.

Oh my. I don't know, I guess it could be either. However, if I were to call someone a strong writer, it would not be a form rejection, so likely it wasn't for them either.

Useful thread on whether you should submit to more than one agent at an agency #AskAgent

A pitch paragraph should be under 500 words. A synopsis is 2 - 5 pages long, depending on book length.

The market is cyclical, so what's "out" now will be in demand again in 5 to 10 years, and there are always exceptions.
I'd also say, publishing is realizing just how skewed white it's been in the past & is attempting to rebalance. /cont'd

Step 2: always be professional

Depends on the publisher. It's USUALLY hard cover and ebook (and maybe audio) at the same time. Paperback and (if not earlier) audio a season or so later.

Number 1 Tip: Don't query agents who aren't looking for what you're pitching. I'd say about HALF of the queries I get are for stuff I don't rep. I always feel bad, like this rejection could have been avoided, dude, if you'd just gone to my profile on the agency website.

I'm fine with a dry run down as long as all the major plot points are hit. But a voicey synopsis is more fun to read.

Harsh truth, maybe the book you're querying isn't hitting the market at the right time, or your writing just isn't quite there yet.
Write the next thing. Keep striving. Keep working to improve.
Most successful writers aren't necessarily the most gifted, but the most determined.

It's helpful, if used properly. It's great for networking with other writers which helps when asking for blurbs. Can't say if it helps with sales, really. Sometimes?
I've also seen it backfire. You've got to be careful.
Tread carefully & treat your tweets like mini-press releases

Mention your self published work by title and how many copies it has sold. Especially if it's sold over 5k copies. (The 1st thing I'm gonna do is go check it out on Amazon).
If you don't mention sales I'm going to assume it was around 500 copies or so, which is the SP average.

Hmm...Adult humored as in sexy time humor? Then probably a pen name is a good idea.
Use your real name in the query, and put "writing as [pen name]" next to your signature.
You can have a convo w/ your agent about if it's necessary when submission time comes

I've not had first hand experience with this, so I don't know. I don't THINK so?
As long as the book is in English, and reads grammatically correct, then it should be fine.

Depends on the publisher. Fairly typical but not universal.
They usually want book 2 w/n 6 months, which is TIIIIIIIIIGHT. If you need more time, have your agent ask for it. I'd say 12 months is the most they're going to give you, though. Tops.