Keep your protagonist active, not reactionary. We like MCs who make decisions, not dragged around by their teeth. #querytip #writingtips

Villains shouldn’t have names like "Killatrix McMurderSneer”. Give readers some credit. Ten year old me would put that book down. #querytip

It's true. A query is different from your MS, but your query is also our first impression of your attitude toward language. #querytip

An exclamation point in your subject line seems demanding IMHO #querytip

2/2 And for nonfiction, that lack of connections is your toughest hurdle, and thus not what you should lead with. #querytip

Another #querytip: never start your letter by lamenting your lack of connections. For a novel, I want to hear about the story. 1/2

#Querytip: change your email font back to the default before you send your query. Boring-looking but easy to read is the way to go here!

Writers, take note: "eyebrow" and "brow" are not the same thing. Your brow is your forehead. #pubtip #writing #editortip

that time I wanted to tweet something truly inappropriate and unprofessional? I didn't do it. TAKE NOTE! #pubtip

Your first sentence, paragraph, page can't be boring. Backstory is boring. Nonstop description is boring. Bring the ACTION! #querytip

The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Twilight listed together are BAD comp titles. #pubtip #agenting

LinkedIn invites sent to my query address only get deleted, never accepted. #querytip

Have a sense of word counts! What's typical for your type of project? What's way too long or way too short? #querytip

My acquisitions editor @StephPostAuthor and I have been going over some stellar #submissions. Keep them coming! #mswl #amwriting #pubtip

#pubtip Remember we use genres to know where to market your book and where the bookbuyers will place your book for readers.

#pubtip The genres that are out there are pretty clear. Making up your own genre now doesn't make your story special.

If you're using French in your Query, use the right accents. If you can't type them in your email program, cut & paste from Word #querytip

Also, please don't do yourself a disservice & rush getting your submission in that isn't there yet. I'll be open again in the Fall. #pubtip

As much as being related or married to @LoriPerkinsRAB would rock, my name is not Rachel Perkins. #sorrytodisappoint #querytip

Unless you have an offer on the table, don't specify to an agent when you'd like to hear from him/her. #wrongfoot #pubtip