
Literary Agent

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
TL;DR? #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/NgdSQr7APfWhat's your character want? What's in the way of them getting it? What's at stake on an external AND internal level if they fail? #QueryTip

Literary Agent

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
Establish who your MC is & what she wants, then show us how the central [external] conflict stands in the way of her getting it. #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/6mqMgFDVb6And because we know what she wants/needs, we know what's at stake [internally] if she fails. #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
But I can practically hear you shouting "but how do I do that in 300 words?!" The answer? CAREFULLY. #QueryTipEstablish who your MC is & what she wants, then show us how the central [external] conflict stands in the way of her getting it. #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
"The World is Burning" will never be as compelling as "I am afraid of being a failure in my mother's eyes." #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/cYPcXe2qx7But I can practically hear you shouting "but how do I do that in 300 words?!" The answer? CAREFULLY. #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
That's why, when shit hits the fan, she doesn't simply give up & move--there's something PERSONAL at stake for her #QueryTip"The World is Burning" will never be as compelling as "I am afraid of being a failure in my mother's eyes." #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
Maybe she's always been called a coward, but she wants to prove herself to her mother.She wants to show her that she's brave, too. #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/Dx570RXuyAThat's why, when shit hits the fan, she doesn't simply give up & move--there's something PERSONAL at stake for her #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
Your MC goes on a dragon-slaying expedition. Why is she doing it, beyond saving her village? [external stakes] #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/J0QmE41BGlWhat motivates her to risk her life instead of simply moving to a new village? #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
Which is to say: you need external AND internal stakes. #QueryTipLet's look at an example, shall we? #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
But to fully appreciate what happens and why, we need to know who your main character IS, what she WANTS. #QueryTip pic.twitter.com/7Ylr915GFqNot only does that drive the action, but it's the only way to fully understand what is at stake if she fails. #QueryTip

Literary Agent
Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
A successful query tells an agent what your book is about. But it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that just means PLOT #QueryTipAnd yes, we need to know what the main conflict is. We need to know what *happens* in your book, especially if it's plot-driven. #QueryTip

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Publisher
Stay Focused on Your Writing #WritingTip #PubTip anaiahpress.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/f-f… #AmWriting

Publisher
What should go in a query letter? Executive Editor @KaraLeighMille1 tells you! anaiahpress.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/q-q… #PubTip #WritingTip #GetPublished


