An option INCLUDES a purchase price. This price is much larger than the option and, depending on your clout, usually runs between 1%-5% of the film’s budget. A purchase is when a producer, prod co, or studio decides to execute the option. An option lets the purchaser #pubtip

An option is NOT a purchase. Scripts are optioned all the time and go nowhere. Anyone can option anything. Some people option everything just to control those rights and assign them to someone else (producer, prod. co., studio). Options can pay a lot or $1. #pubtip #contracts

ALWAYS get EVERYTHING in writing whether it’s a book deal or option. Short forms *tend* to be fine for options, but they can be advantageous or disadvantageous. It really depends on the budget of the film should your option get purchased. #pubtip #contracts

Short form contracts are usually more for film / options. Producer/Company is optioning Book for however long, terms to be negotiated later in good faith. Often producers/film agents/companies don’t want to put anything in writing because “it’s not to their advantage.” #pubtip

Obvious statement: not all contracts are the same. Some are long form, some short form. Some are simply deal memos spelling out the major “beats” of a book contract: advance, royalties, term, rights granted, option, gratis copies, etc. (possible thread?) #pubtip #contracts

I’m not sure I’ll ever understand people’s loose relationships with font sizes. Just…keep it all the same? #querytip

"6 Tips To Hook A Reader on Page One", agent @carlywatters shares some tips on what hooks a reader (so they keep reading) like a secret, verses mistakes that encourage them to put the book down. bit.ly/2wjHrNH #writetip #pubtip

#querytip I am NOT the right person for books heavily focused on pregnancy. And definitely do not want an opening scene featuring an intense, painful birth.

A pregnancy in the book is okay! Just stories centered around it and the birth process—not for me.

#querytip Make sure I know why the stakes are important to the MC!!

It’s all well and good to have apocalyptic stakes—but if the MC doesn’t have a REASON to care about them, a reason to fight and risk their lives, it’s much harder to connect and make the tension feel palpable.

#querytip If you’re asked to include the first 5 pages as a sample, don’t pull a random chapter from further into the book instead.

If you sent a mid-book sample bc your MS doesn’t pick up traction until then? Probably a good sign you need to re-evaluate your first pages.

#QueryTip for all authors struggling to choose a genre when #amquerying! -- A Rant: Authors MUST Define Their Work! youtu.be/-CCw5fcBMPw via @YouTube

True #pubtip

Writers and illustrators: Always, always, always keep copies of your contracts & know where to find them. Physical, digital, doesn't matter. You never know when someone (like me!) might want to republish a book 15 years later & you'll need to check the rights . . . #pubtip

Here's the original query letter for AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS by New York Times bestselling author @MarRogerson =

writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/g…

#queries
#pubtip

#QueryTip – Research your agent in advance. Searching #MSWL posts and understanding what the agent wants will increase your chances of success. #amquerying

AMAZING thread.

You’re not weak if you can’t look at rejections right away, or if you need someone to be your buffer.

Take care of yourself. Set boundaries. Your mental health is more important than ANYTHING pub related. ❤️

#querytip #amquerying #amwriting

100% Like I said on @madflavor's podcast, you don't have to go to a certain college to become a published author. Some do have great writing programs, but I've worked with PhDs, and I've worked with dropouts. Keep showing up, keep putting the work in, and it could be you. #PubTip

In queries, if you have *very* disparate comps (made-up ex: Shakespeare's Macbeth and "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?"), try to explain your reasoning. Otherwise it's a red flag for me, in that the book doesn't seem to know what genre it's in. #querytip #amquerying

#QueryTip Use a distinctive subject line for your queries! It’s a small way to show you are savvy.

Subject lines like “Query” “Submission request” “PB submission” don’t catch my eye.

Use reading level + genre + title:

“Query for MG Fantasy - MISS MARGARET'S MAGICAL UNICORNS”

Join @bookendsjessica, @bookendskim & @jamerrson as they discuss the 6 Things That Break Your Query Blurb #AmQuerying #QueryTip youtu.be/mrLJgnXuMRg via @YouTube