Don't cont:
• Too many characters and stakes. Who is your MAIN character showing plot? That's who I need to know about.
• Abstract genre placement. ("This book doesn't fall into one clear genre..." or "This book is a genre of its own" - well, that makes it hard for me to sell.)

Don't:
• Many Proper Nouns, be they names, surnames, locations, titles. Keep to the min necessary to accomplish the above
• Long or abstract descriptions ("This book is about family, & journey to love oneself in spite of etc etc"). Tell me the PLOT. The rest shows on its own.

Do cont:
• Smart and sparse use of dialogue tags in writing sample (show, vs tells)
• Comp titles that tell me something concise and specific about the audience (movies are fine)
• Clear, professional bio paragraph with relevant history and current activity like social media

Some things that DO and DON'T grab my attn in queries, and recommendations on how to resolve the Don'ts:
DO:
• Clear blurb of the plot
• Concise description of character stakes
• Clear, unique setting
• Clear genre placement
• Sharp, quick-moving voice in sample
#querytip

If you've queried Amy Berkower, we are caught up on general queries through March 18, and partials through March 4. If you haven't received a reply (and queried before that date), please do follow up with me at ggagne at writershouse dot com.

#amquerying #querytip

Hey y'all, #querytip: Don't call agents to cold pitch your query over the phone. Really, please don't. And especially don't call multiple times in a row if they don't pick up. This is the opposite of making a good impression.

How to Know if an Agent is Reputable youtu.be/KkYASmJRT-s via @YouTube #QueryTip

Quarantine #querytip: I’m seeing a lot of “recently completed” manuscripts in my inbox, which sounds like “unrevised first draft” and therefore not ready for agents. Whether that’s the case or not, I don’t need to know when you finished it, I just need to know what it’s about!

🎉🎉GIVEAWAY🎉🎉
Submit and have the chance to have your pages (anonymously) reviewed by a Belcastro agent & featured in our critique party video!! We’ll post next week!
#writers #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying #querytip
‼️PLEASE READ‼️
👇RULES & LINKS BELOW👇

Sure! Make sure that you follow each agent's submission guidelines, try to make your work sound interesting and unique, and always include all of information the Agent will need to make a decision and love your work. #QueryLetterHelp #querytip @CorvisieroLit #WritingCommunity

Query box update: I am caught up to March 1 UNLESS you are in my maybe pile or have already been requested #amagenting #querytip

#querytip Quick reminder to only query COMPLETE, POLISHED manuscripts!

Don’t send agents drafts that are half finished and tell them it’ll be finished soon. Wait until it’s complete and edited!

(Also this is for FICTION manuscripts)

I just wrote this in a client memo and think it's universally applicable enough to warrant a general #pubtip: an asterisked line break between passages in a chapter is usually a sign that an author hasn't done enough rigorous thinking about transitions or argument yet.

Best. Video. Today!

Totally needed this today thank you, @ericsmithrocks! #amagenting #pubtip #pubtalk

One last thing: I've been finding this book tremendously helpful, and honestly, it's one I'm going to keep in my #pubtip pocket to recommend to all my clients in the long-term because it's also useful for the psychological ski slope of book writing:

amazon.com/Comfortable-Un…

Here's an idea... If you do have a completed story that starts this way, comment below, and I will pick one (or more) at random to review your synopsis and help you find a better (more compelling) starting off point.
#querytip #amquerying #slushinsight

Another day and another round of submissions that start with either a dream and then the character waking up, or just the character waking up.
Writers: You are amazing and so creative, and I promise you, you can do better.
#querytip #slushinsight #amquerying

Give yourself the best chance at catching an agent's interest, please research the difference between a "query letter" and "synopsis". Thank you! I hope you are having a good day! #amquerying #querytip

If you've queried me, I don't need to know if someone else has requested a full. I only need to know if they've requested to represent you. #querytip #amquerying #amwriting #WritingCommunity

This is one of those #pubtip threads that is really really impt to know and one of the top 2 things I wish authors *did* know before starting a nonfiction publishing career. (The other one is "treat it like a small business.") YES, I am RTing myself in a naked grab for more likes