Something to think about if you're deciding where to start your MG story! 📝 #querytip #writetip

Putting critical praise before your query is probably not the best idea... especially when you didn't include the praised pages...#querytip

Varying sentence structure does wonders! ...just in case you weren't quite sure of the impact it could have on your opening... #querytip

In the few queries I've gone through, three of them had been self published before sending out queries. This makes me sad. #querytip

Writers, the struggle *is* the story. When querying, make clear what's at stake. #amwriting #querytip

"We're going to publish the next great book of this generation!" ...well, that would be cool and all, but your expectations... #querytip

STOP TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF! Please, for the love of all that is good, tell me about your book in the first line, not your life. #querytip

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don't put their word count, age range, and/or genre in their query. #querytip

Hi, my name is agent & I screen my calls. Please do not call me to "chat" or check up on a query. Follow query instructions. #querytip

Handy infographic on commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction distinctions: carlywatters.com/2015/11/16/inf… #pubtip

"Never assume a reader is going to finish your first page, first chapter, or whole book." carlywatters.com/2015/11/02/6-t… #pubtip

"If we’re not confident you can pitch us your book, we’re not confident you can write a novel." carlywatters.com/2015/01/12/8-q… #querytip

Molly Hooper makes #Sherlock human. When writing your queries, tell me what makes your protag hurt if things change. #amwriting #querytip

Yes! This is often missing in queries—the emotional motivation. The world is ending? COOL. What's happening at the personal level? #querytip

Very frustrated that the first 5 projects I have read today are for things I don't represent. Please read submission guidelines! #pubtip

The subject line is your 1st chance to excite me about your project. Instead of just "query," include info like genre and title. #querytip

When an agent requests pages, you can make our lives so much easier by naming the document the title of your manuscript! #querytip

Writers: don't go against your own self interest: always query multiple agents, don't give exclusives. #querytip #agentlife

The latest The Write Shadow Times! paper.li/TheWriteShadow… Thanks to @syntactics @poncedesouza @ecampbellbooks #pubtip #amwriting

Hardcore #querytip