And sorry to say...I am NOT re-opening to picture books. I'm sorry. #pubtip #querytip

If you have ever wondered if publishers check your social media, the answer is yes, we definitely do. Authors are public figures in today's world. The way you engage is important. #pubtip #querytip

#querytip The most common reasons I pass on novels are 1)Manuscript isn’t ready. 2)Too many filler words. 3)Inappropriate word count for genre or category. 4)Too much telling. I don’t take pleasure in passing and want authors to succeed. Editing is valuable.

I knocked out about 50 queries today.... I have gotten 25 queries since then. This is why sometimes it takes a while for us to answer! I love you all but I need some puppy cuddle time #amagenting #amquerying #querytip

#querytip: Volunteering in bios

Having a quick and concise query is key but we also like to see what else you're up to when you're not at the keyboard to make a personal connection. Where do you volunteer?

Lately I see submissions that ignore the subjunctive mood.
I wish it were not so.
Here’s a quick and dirty reminder of when/how to use subjunctive:
grammar-monster.com/glossary/subju…
#amwriting #querytip #amquerying #writerscommunity

New agent alert: @fiction_tech at @JDLitAgency is ready for you #querytip #writingcommmunity

Welcome back everyone! Happy 2021! 🌟 Quick note: Agents are just seeing their emails for the first time after several days off and will not have all the answers right away. Be kind, be patient. #querytip #pubtip

Yay! I’m so glad you loved that. I think changing perspectives is so important. I think writers need to adjust our own definitions of certain words, especially “productivity”. Sometimes being productive is knowing when to take a break #TheWritersZen

Great question! I think the most common thing would be to make sure your query sounds like a plot summary and not a synopsis. It should serve to let the agent know the stakes and to want to request additional material to read more #TheWritersZen

Great question! I think if it’s been over a year and the manuscript has significantly been revised, then it would be okay to query again. You may just want to mention that in the query letter. Hope that helps! #TheWritersZen

A friendly #querytip that when you receive an agent rejection, please remember that we often see titles on the shelves we once passed on, and kick ourselves a little bit for it. We are human. Our opinions are only ours.

Keep going. Keep revising & keep querying. Prove us wrong.

Links for 2021:

Agency: belcastroagency.com

MSWL: manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kait…

Query Manager: QueryManager.com/KaitlynJohnson

Website: kjohnsonfreelance.com

#amagenting #amquerying #querytip

Authors ask why agents reject projects. For me, most of my rejections are because the word count is way to low or high, or it's a genre I don't represent. Research both and you are ahead of the game.

#writingcommunity #amagenting #amwriting #querytip

Dear Querying Authors:
Please never send a batch of queries out to a distribution list or “newsletter-style” query to agents. I don’t think any one of us read those, and I hit the trash button without responding. #querytip

In the meantime, if you want some #pubtip or #querytip content you can listen to my two recent podcast interviews:

1) manifesther-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/autho…

2) buzzsprout.com/1309201/694724…

A #querytip heading into 2021: read submission guidelines! I’m seeing an uptick in queries with no material, and I can’t consider your book without a sense of your writing. I ask for first chapter attached, but any equivalent amount (5-15 pgs) works fine. #amquerying

Good morning!

My podcast ep with The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is live!

We talk multi-POV storytelling and then lots of business: PRHSS merger, working during Covid and more.

#pubtip #writetip

Listen here: buzzsprout.com/1309201/694724…

I highly rec sending your synopsis even it's optl on my sub form. I use it as a tool when considering subs & sometimes can be a deciding factor in me requesting a full. If I like the premise/writing but am struggling to see where the story goes, I look at your synopsis #querytip

@IRLeviJacobs said I could share comp line from query. This shows me EXACTLY what to expect&made request easy. Be creative in how you word comps.

"TITLE is Science Fiction plotted like V.E. Schwab, charactered like Susan Dennard, and magicked like Brandon Sanderson."
#querytip