Too often I see queries for picture books by people who are clearly not reading PBs. This goes for all writing, but if you're writing PBs it is crucial that you *study* picture books published in the last 1-3 years--for format, for voice, for content, for inspiration. #querytip

2/2 "I understand that not every individual is born to write or be published but I feel as though you are nothing but an eyesore on the world and would be much better off being gone." Guys, don't do this if you are looking for representation!! #querytip

I thought this went without saying, but obviously I was wrong--in your query, you should include a plot summary. #querytip

100% correct. #literaryagents too. #querytip

#querytip some of the best conference pitches I have ever gotten have taken place at the bar. It’s more relaxed and feels more like a friendly conversation than an interview. Look for an agent/editor at the bar and pitch away!

Happy Friday! Don't open your query with SUPER AGGRESSIVE negging; it's like I just went on a terrible date with a book pitch that frequented red pill sites. Oy. #querytip

Query Manager alerts me to if I have seen the manuscript before. So let me know why you are re-querying me and if you have revised. #querytip

We have gotten three separate questions about synopses today, so I wanted to share this blog post on what we look for when we read a synopsis: carinapress.com/blog/2016/01/f… #querytip #amwriting @CarinaPress

I *love* queries where it's clear the query-er has read books from Amy's list, and really thought about how their project is similar to other works Amy represents. If the comparison is a good, of-the-moment one, it's almost always a request for me. #querytip

Here's an example of how something that didn't work for one agent (me) fit perfectly for a colleague of mine (@MKDB). A great pitch can open doors. #pubtip

Why is it always the people with the WORST queries who reply back to a form rejection, annoyed? #querytip don't do this.

If another BookEnds agent has your manuscript, please do not query another one of us. #querytip

Please don't address queries 'Hi Beautiful.' #querytip #amquerying

#querytip

#querytip: NO. "Its genre is action-adventure, suspense/thriller, a platonic romance, and a little science fiction." I don't know any store that has that section.

Advise you to use your actual name and a professional email when querying. It’s literally the first impression. #querytip #highschoolemailmaygivethewrongimpression

One of the most important jobs a writer has is to make the reader care about their characters. If a reader isn't invested in what happens to the characters, they won't read. #pubtip

#QueryTip = don't do this:
"you're the 400th agent I've tried" as it means to me you've not done your research and are querying agents who don't represent your genre of book.

Again, Twitter is not the place to pitch a project to an agent unless it's a pitch contest they're participating in, and you shouldn't use your friends to tweet your project at us as well. So unprofessional. #querytip #pubtip

Editor @KaraLeighMille1 gives pointers on how to write a query letter. #WritingTip #WritersChat #PubTip #TuesdayTip ow.ly/OOLP30fdZjM