I’m sure none of you will do this, but just have to put it out there-don’t claim you have an offer to try to get agents to read faster. Truth be told I have passed on great projects because I didn’t have bandwidth to read in 2 weeks. #TheWritersZen

If I am considering your manuscript and you receive another offer of representation, please let me and other agents considering your work know. At that time, allow for 2 weeks for a response. #TheWritersZen

For me you don’t have to let me know if it is a multiple submission. I expect that you should be submitting to other agents. #TheWritersZen

Queries should have genre, word count, comps if applicable, hook/pitch, plot summary and author bio. #TheWritersZen

But, remember, publishing is so subjective and another agent may feel differently. #TheWritersZen

Other times I have to reject because the project may not quite be ready #TheWritersZen

There are so many projects that I would love to represent, but sometimes I have to reject because it is too close to work that my current authors are writing. #TheWritersZen

When I go through queries, I’m looking for projects that I’m passionate about and would make a good addition to my current list of authors. #TheWritersZen

During the workweek my time is devoted to my current list of authors, but I do set aside certain times for query reading #TheWritersZen

I do read my initial queries in order and hope to respond to all 500 within 12 weeks, but please feel free to check in with me if you haven’t heard from me in that 12 week time. #TheWritersZen

I had mentioned that I currently have over 500 initial queries in my inbox and I know that can definitely seem daunting to #amquerying writers. I promise you that I read through them all and give them all careful consideration. #TheWritersZen

Hi everyone! #TheWritersZen is now on Instagram as well. I’ll be doing #TheWritersZen Recap after our chats on here. Feel free to join in the discussion there too! instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0…

Get to know @JNRlitauthor 🐼

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Yay! I’m so glad you loved that. I think changing perspectives is so important. I think writers need to adjust our own definitions of certain words, especially “productivity”. Sometimes being productive is knowing when to take a break #TheWritersZen

Great question! I think the most common thing would be to make sure your query sounds like a plot summary and not a synopsis. It should serve to let the agent know the stakes and to want to request additional material to read more #TheWritersZen

Great question! I think if it’s been over a year and the manuscript has significantly been revised, then it would be okay to query again. You may just want to mention that in the query letter. Hope that helps! #TheWritersZen

Welcome to the chat and I hope all is well! Great question! So many things have happened over the past few months but a trend I’m seeing in my inbox is more realistic fiction filled with hope and HEAs. #TheWritersZen

And remember that everyone works at a different pace, has different things going on in their lives. But, no matter what, if you write, then you’re a writer. #TheWritersZen

There will be some days you won’t feel like writing or you aren’t inspired and that’s okay. That’s another reason why community is so important. They will be there to give you the encouragement you need. #TheWritersZen

Good critique partners can help you hone your skills and make you a better writer. (Thank you to my critique partners!) #TheWritersZen