#PubTip

#querytip #subtip - don't subscribe people to your newsletter or blog unless they ask you to - it's really presumptuous, and don't do this in submissions. It's not the same as a query.

#querytip #subtip - I've talked before about not gendering folks when you don't have to, but if you assume I'm married because I seem like a woman & you Mrs. me, you look Really Bad. Be remotely thoughtful, it's super easy, the bar is low & I believe in you.

TW:Suicide
Authors if you are going to write about suicide please educate yourself on the proper terms
#subtip #querytip
speakingofsuicide.com/2017/09/21/sui…

I would never pass on a query because it included a reference to something I said, but that's a moment that could be about your book or about your comps or experience. It's a moment that can be about you-- not me! Because I want to hear about your work. #querytip

That said, most of the time, this information doesn't need to (and arguably shouldn't be) referenced in a query. Especially when it's a bit of a deep dive. I appreciate that you want to connect in a personal way and we're giving you the ammunition to do so. #querytip

I just read several queries in a row where the first sentence was about the mc waking up. Your opening is super important! If you have an original story but the first sentence isn’t, it’s harder to pull a reader in. #querytip

There's a query habit that I don't quite understand: listing the well-known people who said they'd accept a review copy if the book is ever published. This outcome is so far from the query that it's not really useful. I just care about the story at this point. #querytip

#querytip it's that time of year when a lot of agents/agencies start closing to new queries as they try to wrap things up before the break; make sure you check websites and guidelines accordingly.

While we're at it, here's a thread on writing opening scenes in fiction, inspired by an agent panel I spoke on earlier this year.

Guess this is a #pubtip #metathread now!
twitter.com/DaraKaye/statu…

Just got another promising submission that needs a big restructure/rewrite, so it's time to re-up this #pubtip thread on #nonfiction book proposals.

#amediting

The query inbox will be staying open over the upcoming holidays but I won't be checking it very frequently. So if you query me now, look for a response in January! (As always, I respond to every query I receive - no response means I haven't seen it yet!) #querytip

Internationally bestselling author @jodipicoult shares the story of how she found her agent. "You have to plug ahead and believe in yourself" #pubtip #amquerying #litseeker
litseeker.com/2018/12/05/an-…

I think Thursday will be the first #PitMad this year where I'll be participating--I'm excited to see all the new pitches! Don't forget to use genre subtags; they're helpful to us agents. #mswl #querytip

This is true of the agents you will query too. With hundreds of queries to read through, and hundreds of samples to dive into, the opening line speaks volumes about you and what you’re capable of in the next 60 (give or take a few!) thousand words #querytip. So make those count!

#querystats update (Still closed to new queries until after the new year!) #amagenting instagram.com/p/Bq8UnNpnKT-/…

Writers, be aware of your word count. I’m seeing a lot of 100-160k word manuscripts that really shouldn’t be that long. Research the appropriate word count for your genre and trim accordingly. I know it’s tough, but it often greatly helps your pacing! #querytip

Don't know where to start your proposal? Here: janefriedman.com/start-here-how… #pubtip

A very short proposal can look like you're throwing spaghetti to see what sticks. Are you really that invested in the book? Publishing is a business and I need to see a business plan. #pubtip

Writing a book proposal is for YOU as much as it's for the agents and editors. You need to know exactly what your book is about. Each chapter. Who you're going to interview. Aware of the market. Have a platform/be an expert. Send samples. #pubtip