Writers, be conscious of font in your query. You want it to be easy for agents to read! You will NEVER ever ever go wrong with 12 pt Times New Roman. No need to try to stand out this way - let your writing shine on its own! #querytip #amwriting #amquerying

Ya'll, I do not want to be phone pitched. Please just query by email. Thanks! #querytip

Uuuuh #subtip #querytip I guess. I wouldn't think this needs to be said, but every few months I get one of these.

Today's #pubtip: book writing is a really, really terrible career to get into if you just want cool people to like you. Being an agent is a much better choice if that's your personality type. LOL.

#Querytip This should be obvious, but please follow submission guidelines. For example, I do not like pages pasted into the email body. It won't stop me from reviewing, but it's a pain. In my case, I prefer an attachment.

Some advice to creators: if you are not a client, please do not follow up every few days - every couple weeks is fine to too soon. #subtip #querytip

Clients comes first & many agents have second jobs. I know you're anxious, but be kind to us please. Most of us are always dying.

(I'm also seeing an grievous uptick in LinkedIn / DM pitches, and in outrageously offensive language/content in queries, but I'm sure no one following me on twitter dot com would ever do such sins!!!!)
#querytip

Struggles I'm seeing recently:

-Missing sample pages or a random number thereof despite clear guidelines on our website (you have no business querying an agent whose website you haven't visited)

-Word counts that are absolutely wild for your category

#querytip

Try to stay away from over exaggerations and use adverbs ending in -ly sparingly. It doesn't help to get your point across, and let's be honest, which is stronger:
"She's extremely angry and goes to hunt them down."
"She hunts them down, anger raging inside her."
#querytip

Make sure you include the basics at a minimum:
WHO is your character?
WHAT do they want (goal)?
WHEN does it all blow up in their faces (inciting incident)?
WHERE does this lead them?
HOW does this change their goal/character?
WHY is this new goal so important (stakes)?
#querytip

This is also why sending your query to multiple beta readers and CPs is so important. I consistently ask for multiple reads of pitches because I know I utilize these weaker words and that my friends can help me pick them out. Make friends. Help friends. Ask for help. #querytip

I struggle all the time qith using powerful words in queries and submissions. Some of my weakest are usually verbs like "thinks," "comes to find," "extremely," etc.. It's HARD, but these all make your character quite passive and aren't as strong as they could be! #querytip

Use your manuscript's strengths to your advantage. Have a nice genre-bending manuscript that's creepy/atmospheric, but also has family ties? Make one query accentuating the creepy atmosphere and another accentuating the family ties and be smart about who you send to. #querytip

Make sure you do your research, and if we don't specifically mention a genre or age range, it's probably because we don't represent it. I don't represent non-fiction but have received MANY queries in non-fiction that I've had to unfortunately turn down. Please research. #querytip

One of the most simple forms of success with querying is just following directions. Use the proper query layout; address the agent or editor personally; state your genre, age range, title, and word count first or last in your query; include the asked for content! #querytip

Hi loves, ELM does Not take submissions by mail. If you are an illustrator, please don't send me your postcards, etc, delightful as they are. Please send me your query telling me what you're looking for & what projects you want to pursue. Thank you! #subtip #querytip

Most of my requested partials and fulls go onto my e-reader for later. #querytip: label files with last name/title/partial (or full) so I can find your project in the mix. "3chap.docx" gets overlooked easily because I don't know who sent it and I'll move to the next.

Authors: If you sign with an agency and have your query out to other agents, remember to pull the submission from those agents who still have it. #querytip

Here is something you learn over and over when you're a literary agent who reps nonfiction by extremely smart and perceptive people, often about social justice and often by women: the first person to be right about something usually comes off as a little annoying. #pubtip

Just FYI, I'm closed to all queries except requests from conferences/contests. Trying to clean the box out! #amagenting #querytip #amquerying