While I have no problem with resources that provide brief info on editors and agents, writers HAVE TO take the time to do their own research. Read submission guidelines. Go to the source. Make sure your story fits #pubtip

A reminder to all women's fiction writers. #WF runs between 80,000-100,000 words. I'm getting a lot of queries in the 50k-60k range and that's too short. #querytip

#pubtip Take the weekend. Relax and just think about your next book, the synopsis you are writing or the query you are drafting. Is this really the best? Does this say what you want it to say? Would you buy this book or sign you as a client?

sometimes when I'm editing, I just want to shout from the rafters, "Show, don't tell!!!". #literaryagent #amediting #querytip #pubtip

I *am* still closed to queries, but I've updated what I'm looking for on @StonesongNYC's website and you should check it out for when I reopen! Here's a hint: 👀🕵️‍♀️🔎 #querytip

(I'll be updating my mswl page soon, too, so stay tuned!)

#pubtip and another note for #MSWL If you see a post, do not just submit via that social media with a "I have a book for you." Go to their site, research and do it properly!

If you think your MS fits one of my #MSWL tweets, please do put that in the subject. But don’t say it was requested by me. That means I met you and asked you to send it. #querytip

Good to be mindful of the difference between books and authors that inspire you and books to which your novel can clearly & logically be comped. #querytip

The journey. Think of it as writing the cover copy for your book. Practice by writing the cover copy or pitches/queries for some of your favorite books or emulate the copy of some competitive titles. #querytip

In the grand scheme of things titles aren’t too important at the querying stage because they can/will change once a publisher acquires a MS. However, I will admit having a great/smart title can definitely get my attention when I’m perusing queries! #pubtip #querytip

One of the biggest query fails I see is when the author pitches the story up until what actually happens. I don't want the lead-up, I want the pitch to focus on what happens in the book. #querytip

So send them to me. Especially if they’re dark 🧚‍♂️! #amquerying #querytip

#querystats I have 3 queries and 2 full manuscripts.

#amquerying #querytip Saying this again, do not send me stories about Fae or Fairies. It's just not me.

#querytip Don't give me a list of five genres. Your book is one or the other. It may have light elements of two or three, but you should be able to identify the main genre of your story.

Been getting a lot of queries lately for books that sound like fascinating character studies, but don't have a clear story. #querytip #amquerying

Here's a shocker... If you submit something to me other than romance or women's fiction, you will be rejected. #pubtip read the guidelines...

#pubtip Just because an agent puts something up with #MSWL does not mean you just start submitting. REVIEW what they want! This is not a free-for-all!

Authors, be careful about claiming your ms would make a great movie or mention you’ve already written the screenplay in your query. Totally legit to have visions of Hollywood, but keep it to yourself as it should not be the primary reason you want to publish. #querytip #pubtip

#QueryTip + request as I read submissions late at night:

Please put page numbers on your manuscript or #PB dummy, if you're an author/illustrator. It's helpful for me to review your work, so I can tell you what I like, as well as suggestions, etc.

#amquerying #amwriting