Fact is: readers always want something NEW. So even if you feel you’ve accomplished something familiar in a unique way, HOW familiar it is to an established readership is a very fine line to walk. Too familiar = boring. Not familiar enough = unclear readership.

Perhaps the motivation was just the same setup I see over and over: character feels life is mundane and just wants something NEW to happen. Perhaps the backstory of the character or world felt generic. Perhaps the character feels directionless.

Perhaps the worldbuilding was so similar to other stories that it just seemed like different characters in the same place. Common examples: a generic regency structure, a swords&sorcery structure w/no original twist, an assassin story that follows redundant assassin tropes.

Perhaps the emotional arc was predictable, or perhaps the stakes felt predictable. Example: Princess must decide whether to save her people or forfeit her crown. Warrior must decide between his loyalty and his one true love. These tropes are familiar.

This can be due to a number of things: perhaps the voice felt like every other story in my query box. Perhaps it felt like a copy of multiple published authors. Perhaps the structure adhered so closely to a formula that I wasn’t surprised by anything.

When I turn down a project for feeling “too familiar,” what I mean is that something about it felt unoriginal or not groundbreaking enough for me to confidently tell editors YOU NEED THIS BOOK IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.

Highs and lows, guys. #querytip

I feel like practically every agent has said this but apparently it needs repeating: please don't query us via Facebook! I literally have a different name on FB, it's for personal use only, your query will be immediately deleted and ignored forever #querytip

To stay up-to-date on everything going on over at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency in New York, you can follow us on Twitter @JDLitAgency and like our Facebook page here: facebook.com/Jennifer-De-Ch… #amquerying #amwriting #pubtip #literaryagent #writingtips

There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve your work...but once a query is out, it's out. If you want to send the improved version to an agent, wait until s/he passes, let some time go by, then ask to re-submit the improved pages. #querytip

You say: "I have made significant revisions since I queried you. Please swap out my original query with this one."

I read: "I didn't send you my best work. I queried when I shouldn't have. Now sift through your emails, delete my crappy old MS, and read this one."
#querytip

#WritingTip The first page is your big chance to hook your reader:

Start with a great first line,
raise a compelling question (or 2-3);
introduce the protagonist (make the reader care); and
launch into a scene with conflict.

#amrevising #querytip

Please remember: your project may seem to closely fit a #MSWL, but a wishlist is still subjective & can be interpreted in many ways. The execution of the project is ultimately what triggers an offer of representation!
#querytip #amwriting #amediting #amquerying

Hey, it’s July 2018 and I’m STILL not the agent to query with anything remotely tied to 50 SHADES OF GREY. #querytip

As always, I suggest help comes from a group of writers who haven't read the book & can help you create a pitch that makes them want to read it. #querytip

When writing your query, think the way that agents think and get help. Creative collaboration is often the key to success. #querytip

How many agents does it take to write a pitch? Sometimes all 10. #querytip

If you're talking fiction I think the intro is "Dear Agent: After seeing your MSWl I felt I should query you with my 80,000 word mystery entitled Title....

Blurb

Bio

Close #askagent #querytip

#querytip Please please please look at what the agent you're querying is actually interested in. I have received a million sci-fi submissions and I hate sci-fi.

☕Coffee Time with Kara ☕ "I'm going to let you in on a little secret... If you follow submission guidelines, you're already ahead of the majority. " @KaraLeighMille1 anaiahpress.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/cof… #pubtip #writetip #querytips #getpublished #writingadvice #askaneditor #amwriting