Villains can be cliches, too. When a villain in a story is too familiar, the threat dissipates, i.e.,evil genius, bad drug corporation, developer, etc. That bad guy has to be shaken up to be newly intriguing. Think of how many Qs agents see. Surprise us. #pubtip

If your story uses a very familiar trope, don't open your Q with it in its usual take. It has to be introduced and used differently in order to stand out. #pubtip #newtakesonoldstories

Many a worthy #pubtip here

Gentle reminder:

When using Query Manager, we’re able to see who else you’ve queried at our agency.

i.e. it’s very, very easy to tell when someone blatantly ignores our guidelines.

Don’t give yourself an automatic strike by not listening to what we’re asking for.

#querytip

Caught up on queries through the end of May. If you didn’t hear from me, try again! #amagenting #querytip

There's been a recent uptick in folks emailing me unsolicited submissions. Reminder: Always read an agency's guidelines before querying! Ours are at knightagency.net/submissions. #pubtip #Submissions

So #querytip, if you're sending to multiple agents in submissions (esp back to back) & you personalize by name but not the rest of your query, we notice. So if all three agents "have an interest in...." when we don't, you don't look great. Take that extra effort, it will show.

Work for hire vs. royalties: no longer mutually exclusive? via @ASJAhq www2.asja.org/theword/2019/0… #copyright #writing #authors #pubtip

A rejection doesn't mean you're a bad writer or we didn't like your project. Just means I didn't have that burning-absolute-yes-gut-feeling that will fuel our efforts as we drill through revisions and then champion your project to publishers. #askagent #querytip

Send agents 1 pitch at a time. Pick your strongest manuscript.
But also, list all your other books in the query too. Ex. "I also have a completed adult SF space opera & a horror available upon request."
I actually SIGNED A CLIENT on one of the OTHER books he listed.
#querytip

Writers, if your book doesn't perfectly fit a specific MSWL item, that's okay! It's better to query because you think the book is a good fit in general than to try to cherry pick elements of a specific mswl to make your book fit. (Example in next tweet) #querytip

Longevity in publishing does not only come from continuing to write... #PubTip

Check your email every day! You never know when you might get a request for further material, and it's easy for you to get lost in the mix if you're not quick to respond #querytip

Sending the same submission every day is not the way to get noticed by an agent. I look at every query in order and carefully consider each one. When I'm interested I will contact you. So repeat submissions, don't get a quicker read. Honestly, it's a bit of a no-no. #querytip

I get a lot of queries for books targeting "to both adults and young adults." It's not. You are targeting one age group or another. Young adults read up, adults read down, but no book is written for both markets. #pubtip

Query pet peeve: when someone I don't know asks for advice or suggestions or an opinion, like this isn't a job that I get paid for. Which is not to say I don't provide critique or advice unprompted, but the expectation that I should give it away to anyone who asks? No. #querytip

Loves of mine! If I ask you to please email me at my email instead of submissions & you need to follow up, please follow up at my email instead of submissions. There are many submissions, & I will not see it in a timely manner. #querytip #subtip

If your query letter is vague and we have no idea what it is about, we will not request more to find out. We will reject. #pubtip

#querytip Follow the directions. Follow the directions. If your story is most pitchable when you lead in with Chapter Three, Chapter Three should be Chapter One

Seeing A LOT of submissions in my box tonight where the writer doesn’t know how to craft a query.

I’m talking all bio or trying to be clever with no pitch or saying they “don’t know how to do this.”

Do you research! You’re giving yourself an auto no! #amagenting #querytip