#querytip seeing a LOT of MS’s pitched as the first in a series today.

Planning series is fine, but as a debut author try to make your MS stand alone as well—publishers less likely to take the risk of a series not selling well w/a debut author than one w/an established fan base!

My agency is even named after me, so you’d think I’d not get approaches from writers who don’t know or can’t guess my name or gender but seemingly not. I can promise it is not a good look for the writer. #querytip

Wondering how to format your manuscript? Here are some easy guidelines to follow.

#AmWriting #AmQuerying #QueryTip

hollowayliteraryagency.com/2018/07/20/for…

When pitching your manuscript, avoid stating how the audience will react or what they will learn.

Art will be interpreted by the individual. Yes it’s your art and your intention, but you can’t make the reader feel by telling them how to.

#querytip #writetip #askagent

Hi #WritingCommunity! Just a friendly #querytip - there is a difference between a query letter and a synopsis. I've been seeing a lot of queries where the author is mixing up the two. 1/3 of #amquerying thread

Loves, I love you, but please don't call an agency to pitch your work. Even if your conversation is GREAT, we still have to read your work, which means you'll end up emailing anyway. Agencies have sub guidelines available online, please use them. Thank you! #subtip #querytip

IMO-
Coincidence in a plot kills suspension of disbelief.
And weakens your character/tension by relieving conflict.
Make sure your query doesn't make it seem like a coincidence is there if it's not. And if it is, change your plot.
#pubtip #WritingCommnunity #amwriting #amquerying

#querytip #subtip - Please don't say that someone at the agency has requested your work if they have not. It's not an in, it's you starting a business relationship that can get very personal on a lie. Be honest - it's a stronger starting point & I have faith in you.

It's incredibly important to research the agents you're querying. Here's why.

#AmQuerying #QueryTip

hollowayliteraryagency.com/2018/07/20/the…

#QueryTip I am now using Query Manager to manage my query box.

If you would like to query me, please use this form and follow the steps:

QueryMe.Online/JenniferMarchS…

I love a good story and hope to have the chance to read yours. Thank you!

#pubtip Always look for ways to get your name out there to the readers. Make sure it is positive. Remember, readers buy the authors they remember

Doing queries today, and noticed many synopses are a character sketch -- a history from birth to novel's end. While it's good to know the protags, even in novels that ARE character studies, that's just one piece. Try to give us a wider sense of your book. #querytip #amquerying

Great conversation yesterday about pen names...

#penname #pubtip

- yes, pen name/ pseudonyms are fine!
- yes, over the course of an author's career, multiple pen names are fine!
- no, you don't have to have chosen your pen name at the point you query

Submission tip. When submitting a manuscript or proposal, make sure to save the file with your name and book title in the title of the submission. When an editor/agent reads 37 files labeled "synopsis", it's hard to tell them all apart.

#PubTip

This is probably the best #pubtip I’ve seen.

While we compete, we are still colleagues, and a lot of the times, friends. Please don't badmouth another agent in your Qs. #pubtip

Just as you've been told to show and not tell in your manuscript, you need to show and not tell in your query. Show me how this is a thriller and the plot. #querytip

Don't think of writing the query as the next step. Work on it before you work on the manuscript and during. Does the manuscript still match the vision you had with your query? Does the query need to change with the ms? #querytip

The art of writing a query is as much a part of your career in writing as writing the manuscript. Work on your query as you would your manuscript. Take time each week to hone & craft your blurb. #querytip

An agent's earnings are commission-based. Offering to pay more in commissions or an upfront fee for editing is not needed & any agent accepting a deal is unethical. If you have the means to offer this to an agent there are many editors worthy of hire. #querytip