Submission instructions stink. Rejection stinks worse. #amwriting #amquerying #pubtip #JustDoIt

Often when authors pitch books they tiptoe around the plot. They’ll lead with themes and why this book is important but don’t actually discuss the protagonist or their journey. Getting me invested in a particular character is almost always my best entry point. #querytip

Love how many queries I'm seeing that start with "I chose you because of how much you love championing LGBTQ+ representation."

All the yes. Let's get more out there! #amagenting #querytip #amquerying

#pubtip Trying to blend a lot of different genres in your book does not get you more readers. In most cases, you turned off those who liked one of the genres and are not fans of those others. Keep it simple. Cross genre is fine, but the kitchen sink approach hurts.

Although aggregated lists on blogs and such can be great for researching literary agents, always check the agency's own website for the most current submission guidelines. Outdated posts can give you inaccurate info, which may lead to your query being missed or deleted. #querytip

I don't mind long adult SFF word counts,up to 160k. I've even requested longer when premise was particularly tight&engaging. May request trimming if I'm offering.

I can, however, tell w/in 1st page whether all those words were used wisely or not.

#amwriting #querytip #askagent

#pubtip Make sure your writing has a purpose beyond simply entertainment! #Whatsyourtakeaway

To be clear, it's a vanishingly small minority of queries. It just always strikes me as super weird when it happens, because it's weird to have someone make a Thing of your gender in a BUSINESS EMAIL. #querytip

I don't have a public track record because I am new. That's fine! That's how careers work! But it also means I can tell immediately you're just saying words in your query letter. It looks better when you've done your research. #querytip #subtip

If I request your manuscript, please send it in the same thread as your query. You don't need to change the subject line either. I promise I'll see it. #querytip

#querytip Reconsider including comp titles if the only two you have are over 10 years old.

If all you’re including are older titles, it makes me question whether or not you’re in touch with the current market and popular tropes and such in your genre.

Y’all.

If you’re querying an agent, I don’t recommend a) disparaging the entire job of an agent, or b) ranting about how stupid you think writing queries is.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO GET AN AGENT’S (positive) ATTENTION

#querytip

Great #pubtip here! 👇

Kim and James continued on to talk about the top 10 reasons your submission was rejected! #QueryTip youtu.be/ZtnV52WITbw?a

I received a request on a submission that I read the entire manuscript rather than just the first pages, as the book has a “slow start.” Remember, dear author, I’m only the first in a long line of readers that you need to hook with those first pages. #writetip #querytip

Agents find clients all kinds of ways! If you're a journalist like Keah, make sure your contact info is easy to find within your online presence...you never know if an agent is reading your material and thinking: there's a book here. #pubtip

An author asked me if there were any mistakes in a query that were unforgivable? My response: #querytip marycmoore.com/index.php/2019…

When you come across a witchcraft query and the first lines give you chills... #amagenting #querytip #amquerying 😍

It takes striking the right balance between dialogue and narrative in order to create a fully integrated experience in which a reader can immerse themselves.

That's all I've got for this thread....for now. 🙃 I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

There are, of course, exceptions, such as epistolary novels through a series of letters or (as seen more recently) exchanges in text messages. Any rule can be broken, so long as it's broken well and the craft renders highly effective results. #subtips