A query should read like the blurb on the back cover of a book (not the one-line teasers in between the blurb). It’s NOT an info dump about the cool world you’ve built. It’s not a description of all the characters on the protagonist’s team. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 3/5

Show me what makes your story unique. How will this manuscript stand out? I need to know enough about the story to see this, but don’t give away the ending. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 2/5

In a query, it’s nice to learn about cool characters, but what’s most important is for you to tell me what the STORY is about. What’s at stake? What's the protagonist’s story goal? What’s the conflict keeping him/her from that goal? #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 1/5

Yes, I've answered all queries from 2017! If you haven't received a response, please resubmit! Last year's queries are wrapped, but I still have manuscripts to read. #querystats

A quick #querystats summary for 2017:

I was open to queries for 300 days last year, and received a total of 3,587 queries.

I requested 54 manuscripts, offered representation to 5 writers, and signed 3 incredible clients!

And December #querystats are up on the blog! I was only open to queries for one week in December, which is why these numbers are so low. penandparsley.com/blog/2018/2/4/…

November #querystats up on the blog penandparsley.com/blog/2018/2/3/…

Some 2017 #querystats are up on the blog. Here's August penandparsley.com/blog/2018/2/1/…

THIS. 👇 #pubtip

Fantastic advice for those of you writing unlikeable characters or striving for anti-heroes! #amwriting #amediting #amquerying #querytip

#QueryTip If you receive a revise and resubmit request, do more than quick fixes. Take time to significantly rewrite, revise, and polish. Submit your very best work. #amwriting #amrevising #amquerying

Really informative thread re: how editors read/eval submissions. It's like I always tell authors--we *do* look to buy; there are multiple factors in play. #pubtip #process

Stop DMing me links to your self-published books to pitch me. I report you as spam and block you. Find a better way. #pubtip #querytip

#QueryTip When researching agents, some questions to consider. Are they editorial? How much will they expect you to revise? Do their expectations mesh with yours? What is their communication style? How much will they share with you? #amquerying

Alright! Officially closed to queries. The 102 people who queried at the tail end of January are the last ones I’ll read until after I’m back from maternity leave. And I am still reviewing requested material. #querytip #amagenting

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 #1st5pages #querytip

I see this crutch a lot in my inbox. The writer pitches the world, with barely a mention of the character I'm supposed to follow and befriend. We can discover the world together throughout the narrative later -- entice me with the character and plot. #1st5pages #querytip

Ok, this is brilliant, entertaining, and SUPER informative. Take note, #writers! #amwriting #amediting #querytip #amquerying

Another #querytip: though I love a query that indicates a clear knowledge of my interests and what I'm looking for, you shouldn't literally quote me. Use your limited word count more wisely.

Look, I don't have a lot of automatic pass rules for queries, but male characters bragging about their penis in the very first paragraph is definitely one of them. #querytip