#pubtip Make those opening chapters rock! Of course, this does not mean that you need to throw us into the middle of the story. Just get the story moving! Hook us!!!

#pubtip Remember you don't have to write an over-the-top strange plot just to make the story interesting. Tell a great story with great characters!

Focus on one at a time. The one you are finished with and ready to query first should go to editors right for that book. Let things play out naturally instead of trying to plan for every variable. #amquerying #querytip

Just like everything else, agents will rely on the queries to sort through all of the new material in their inboxes. #querytip #DVpit

Warning Signs She Might Not Be the Agent for You #querytip #amquerying bookendsliterary.com/2018/04/26/war…

So if an agent says the project “is not for me” that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t enjoy reading it or that you’re not a good writer. They have to be extremely picky because it’s a long haul. #pubtip #querytip

Give more details about the actual story/plot #querytip what actually happens?

Every once in awhile I receive queries the author mentions are exclusively with me. Writers: I don't require this. I assume submissions I get are also with other agents. That's totally fine! #querytip

Tweeting this out again as a reminder/plea/word of advice/instruction: please remember to follow the submission guidelines of the agency that you are querying. I promise they are there for specific reasons. #querytip #querying

Ours can be found here: dystel.com/submission-gui…

Edit before you send it. #Querytip #amquerying #amrevising #amwriting #amediting

In my 12 years experience, it's much much much more common for an author to badly want the publisher to offer on the option material than it is for author to want to sever with publisher. #pubtip

Note - a well-worded option clause means we show the next same-genre book to your publisher. It doesn't, by default, mean we have to sell that book to that publisher. #pubtip

Monthly #querytip reminder to do your research about word counts and what is appropriate for your genre!

Retweeted Cortney Radocaj (@CortneyRadocaj):

#querytip Give me details! Give me plot points, stakes, specifics!

Don't give me the overarching themes you WANT your story to emulate--those aren't set, no matter... facebook.com/literarygagent…

Please do not "dare me" to request pages in your query. I don't take kindly to threats. Even passive aggressive ones. #querytip

Who's your main character? What's his goal? What's keeping him from his goal? What's at stake if he doesn't get it? INCLUDE ALL THIS. PALEEEEZE. Even better if you can do so with the same tone as your MS and if you can show your voice. #pubtip 4/4 THANKS!!!!

I want to have an idea if it's in the average WC range or not. Then, I'll watch for where we could expand or tighten the story. If you don't include your WC, I wonder if you think you have to hide it. 🧐 It's also nice to know your title, even if it might change. #pubtip 3/?

I want to know the genre and category. If I don't represent it, there's no sense reading the query. Sorry, but no matter how amazing it is, if I don't rep it, I don't rep it. Period. What's your word count? If it's too high or too low, it's not an auto R. #pubtip 2/?

I get it. Writing queries is hard, but you still need to tell me about your story. And I don't mean saying it's different, special, or the next Harry Potter. Telling me NOTHING about your MS and just adding your pages to the email doesn't do anything for either of us. #pubtip 1/?

I love knowing that you have many novel ideas...but I always think wisest to query one only. And choose your strongest! #pubtip #amquerying