It is NOT a negative. It won't matter one way or another if you mention in the query, but we will ask when we offer rep what you do for a living (out of curiosity, getting to know you/your background, etc). Publishers also work with your schedule re: promotion. #querytip

To those worried that an agent might not want to rep you if you've parted ways with an agent before, this isn't true. I've signed authors who previously had rep. One of my best examples is the fabulous @nickipaupreto, whose debut, CROWN OF FEATHERS, comes out tomorrow! #querytip

#pubtip When you have grammar errors in your query letter, you are already setting yourself up for a rejection.

#pubtip Please keep track of your submissions. I just had to reject someone AGAIN (this was the third time).

WEAK pitch = "Protagonist was surprised when a meteor landed near their house."

STRONG pitch = "Protagonist was just outside the blast radius when a meteor landed near their house."

#agenting
#querytip

If you were agented before and you're querying new agents, please mention that you had representation in your query letter. Also, it'd be very helpful if you mention who your previous agent was. #querytip

When your pitch mentions the race or other characteristic of the marginalized of only one character, I know what the default of all the others is. #pubtip

In your query letter, Catharine "Kate" McKean doesn't care that your main character goes by a nickname for the entirety of your novel. #pubtip

Please pay attention to submission guidelines when #amquerying. I ask for everything I need to properly review your work. If the query is nondescript, there's no synopsis *and* no sample pages, I don't really have anything to evaluate and it'll be an automatic pass. #querytip

Let this be the annual day I remind everyone that a novel is by definition fictional and thus "fictional novel" is redundant. It also earns an automatic neg in a query letter. #pubtip

Today's #PubTIp: When working on a publishing contract that is over a dozen pages long, be sure to put your keyboard away when a toddler is... oh, I don't know, awake and grabbing everything nearby?

Don't think this publisher cares about a grant of rights for "aksdjhfajkldshf."

#querytip no short story collections or novella submissions for me, please. I love to read them, but they're almost impossible to sell, especially from debut authors.

Some pretty solid advice in this thread...
#amwriting #writetip #pubtip

Advice for querying writers: Write short, professional emails to agents you respect. Copy the language, style & format of backcover copy. Then: keep writing, reading, critiquing. #keepon #querytip

Writers, you really don't need biz cards. Contact info should be on manuscripts/queries/emails. Handing me one in a pitch, separate from your work, means nothing when I get home and it's one in a stack (that gets tossed). #pubtip

#1 tear-my-hair-out pet peeve is working to craft and personalize a rejection letter only to receive a query for a new project within minutes ... and no acknowledgement of the first letter #querytip

#pubtip Keep your synopsis simple. Focus only on the main storyline and don't obsess on the subplots unless TRULY necessary!

An ideal synopsis focuses on what happens in the book and is light on backstory. Too many synopses are mostly backstory.

#pubtip

“When pitching, don’t say there’s nothing out there like it. Embrace your comp titles. Know where you go on the shelf.” – Paula Munier #pubtip #publishing

Not often considered #querytip, when you send your sample or ms as a word doc attachment, check that the zoom is 100% or 125%. Sometimes I open an attachment and the words ARE VERY LARGE IN MY FACE or *super *tiny *can't *read *it.