Journal of a Debut Year: How to Prep for Your Debut Year NOW

Great post by @lauraeweymouth! #writetip #querytip #TriadaTip

lauraeweymouth.com/2018/01/journa…

MEGA #pubtip. I can't tell you how many manuscripts I've read with a sagging middle.

On a serious note, #querytip - I get even more excited to read your book when you mention which Hogwarts House you are in.

Super minor Agent PSA #querytip - in a query, there is no need to define "fiction" or "nonfiction." I am, in fact, familiar with these terms.

Other terms an agent generally knows: "book," "write," and even "condescension."

Super familiar with these terms.

uhhh... #querytip I guess. 🤷‍♂️

debut authors everywhere, take note of these excellent tips on how navigate social media during the run up to your book release #pubtip

Reminder: I'm still closed to queries. Should be reopening soon, but will announce both here and on my blog. #pubtip #amwriting

Reminder: A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with your MS. Sometimes I really like a MS, but if I don’t LOVE it, I can’t represent it. Another agent might go bananas over the same project. Very subjective. #BestFit #pubtip #amquerying

I know you're excited when #amquerying, but most agents won't open attachments, including query, sample pages, & the MS, unless we requested the material. I want to see the blurb (like the back cover of a book), a short bio, & 1st 5 pages in body of email. #querytip #pubtip

#querytip I LOVE when writers mention my Pinterest visual #MSWL in a query. It's so fun learning who identifies with what image.

If you want your book to even remotely interest me, do NOT insult my work as an agent thus far and insinuate none of it can possibly make a difference until I come upon YOUR book. #querytip

Offensive, rude, small-minded, (continues the list to infinity)...😡

#querytip Thrown ≠ Throne

#querytip Learn your hyphens:

1) a fifty-five-year-old
2) a fifty-five-year-old man
3) a group of ten- to twelve-year-olds

No hyphen:

4) ten years old
5) ten years of age

You wrote a series. That's awesome. BUT, only focus on Book #1 in the query.

You can mention it's intended to be the first of a series, but the agent/editor is only focusing on THAT story. If necessary, they'll ask you about the series details later. #querytip

Don't tell me the book themes - loss, love, healing; give me the character, the conflict, and the stakes. When in doubt RESEARCH #querytip

So, the first six queries tonight are all one big smashed paragraph that barely tells me anything about the book. People, if you do zero research you will have zero success. #querytip

#querytip Please be aware of word count ranges for your manuscript's genre. There are exceptions to every guideline, of course, but word counts too far in either direction mean it'll need a lot of time & effort to expand or cut.

#QueryTip = Publishers Marketplace is a great place to research agents before submitting to them (note: still check agent website for submission guidelines, though):

publishersmarketplace.com/members/SaraMe…

Submit questions to @DanaLDavis and win a first chapter critique from ME. Go watch the video to find out how to do that. #WeNeedDiverseBooks #amwriting #amquerying #querytip #askagent #amediting

It is not appropriate to privately message agents on Facebook, or to DM them for updates on the status of your submission. We know you're waiting. We know you're excited. But we also need to maintain professional boundaries. #querytip