#querytip Don't lead with how many agents have rejected you. #justsayin

How (And Whether) to List Your Publishing Credits bit.ly/2uNHlgm via @nathanbransford #querytip #amyquerying

Backstory is acceptable in a query. It just shouldn't dominate. #querytip

"20 years later Megan still hasn't recovered, but now she has a new focus...." This should be the bulk of your blurb. What is her new focus, what is this book about? #querytip

It's okay to tell the backstory, "as a child Megan was traumatized when she watched her mother kill a neighbor" but make it brief. That should be enough. #querytip

Your query should read like back cover copy, I want to know what this book is going to be about. By giving me a long 1-2 paragraphs about the protagonist's childhood & then one paragraph about the character now you leave me confused about the story #querytip

Lately, I've seen a lot of queries that seem heavily focused on backstory. Don't do this. #querytip

White writers including something they cite as an "African proverb" in their book pitch better have a specific, damn good reason for doing that
#querytip

Hot Tip: don’t lie about having an offer from another agent. We will find out, and you will end up with no agent and no credibility. #querytip

#Amquerying #authors, if you're sending a query letter to several #literaryagents in the subject line, rather than properly emailing ea. #literaryagent, at least think to email to yourself & Bcc everyone else. Otherwise it just looks careless & impersonal. #querytip #AskAgent

#querytip A lot of people try to break the fourth wall in their manuscripts, but the problem with that is that you, as a writer, are physically making your reader step back and realize they're not in your story. Part of the magic of books that you love is because you feel like

Nonfiction writers, instead of asking other authors/experts to write a blurb for your book, ask them to promote your book to their followers in some way. Blurbs are a passive form of promotion that do very little to make readers aware of a new author. #pubtip

If you think your story needs another draft, write it before you query! We want to see the best possible version of your work because we WANT to represent you. #amquerying #amediting #querytip #writetip

Just saying, I very rarely see the need for explanation points in novels unless used in dialogue. It comes across childish or jumpy. My PSA for the day. #amediting #querytip

A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean the reviewing editor disliked the manuscript. A lot of factors come into deciding what to publish, including the publisher’s current list and market trends. #pubtip

Like most lit agents, I only use Twitter to network professionally. I don't respond to friend requests or messages on FB, Insta, or (existential shudder) LinkedIn unless I know you. Not personal! I just don't want to share Fam Anna with strangers. #pubtip

A thread on some overused opening page scenes that are usually considered a NO when going through our query boxes...

#querytip #amquerying #amagenting

Just a reminder that I'm open for queries for another 15 days before closing for 2 months. If you send me a query while I am closed, it will not be reviewed. Thanks! #querytip #amquerying

This thread! #querytip #subtip

Kate Brauning drops some really helpful truths here. #querytip #writetip