#QueryTip: I've been corresponding with authors just this week who have been asked for exclusivity by an agent on a query sub, and who have been asked to pay a signing fee to join an agency. These are NOT standard requirements! 🔺Red flag! 🔻

#QueryTip: If you want to pitch an agent, do so through their preferred channels - not off the cuff at a conference, or on social media, or during a lunch date! It's totally appropriate to let someone to know to EXPECT your query, but following protocol keeps us organized!

#querytip about me:

I believe in the power of #revision. Unless a project is outside my expertise and taste (or too close to something I already represent), if I pass, no means not yet, and I encourage #writers to take the time #revise and then return to me.

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I believe good stories sometimes hide behind slow starts. So ask your CPs when they finally “fall into the story,” where they can’t stop reading. Figure out how to start there. Agents don’t have⏰to find that spot when reading samples! Don’t miss opportunity #writetip #querytip

Oh... and follow submission guidelines please. Nothing makes me sadder than an unsolicited query in my inbox that I have to delete because they didn’t follow the rules like all the other authors
#QueryTip #WritingCommunity

Query Tip: Make sure you include a query letter with your submission.

#QueryTip #amquerying #WritingCommunity

The Rules for Resubmitting to Agents #QueryTip youtu.be/f7v1baEQkl0 via @YouTube

I guess this is a #QueryTip, but it applies mostly to me as an agent: Something that will always draw me in is really good food descriptions. It's such a powerful worldbuilding element for me! #WritingCommunity

#QueryTip to #SFFpit peeps: If I am wavering, I check your profile for a link to a site where I might find a sample of your #writing. Listing that link in your bio can be vital.

#querytip: Keep to one email thread! Whether it be correcting a mistake in your query, providing materials an agent replied to request, or updating with an offer, you can change the subject line if necessary, but keep the thread so we have everything in one place 😊

#QueryTip: Know the conventions of the genre that you're pitching in. Don't pitch a fantasy book that doesn't have magic, or a romance book that doesn't have a HEA! This can comes across as you not having done enough industry research. #WritingCommunity

#QueryTip: The slush pile is so competitive! Don't sell yourself short in your query letter! Lots of authors make jokes that portray themselves as unprofessional or inexperienced. I'd rather know what makes you a perfect fit for my list! #WritingCommunity

Friendly #querytip reminder when you are #amquerying that in order for me to consider your work, I *really* need your submission to have a query letter somewhere in it, preferably where my form asks for one! Don't skip this please!

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No need to include a personalization (for me at least) if you don’t have one. If I rep what you have that’s good enough and you don’t have to tell me that in the query—I already know.
Don’t make querying harder on yourself than it already is ❤️ #amquerying #querytip

Publishers rely on comps to gauge sales of potential projects. Hence one author’s success can lift all boats in the category. I’ve seen this many times. Likewise failures make some topics radiation. #pubtip

Do not @ people with your book promo. Do not @ authors with your negative reviews about their work. Do not neg on other authors in your queries or treat them as your adversaries. #PubTip #ProTip #publishing

Someone just submitted a political thriller to me as a middle grade. QueryManager won't let you submit political thrillers to me since I don't rep them. Just a #querytip, don't do this. Agents rep sections of the industry they know. I would be a terrible agent for this project.

This is a fantastic breakdown of the very difficult decision editors make when acquiring works and in some ways similar to the way agents approach queries as well. #pubtip

A good #querytip for the #amquerying crowd - it is NOT to your benefit to query only 1 agent at a time.

If your dream agent wants it - & is a good agent - they won't be threatened by other agents offering too.

Get an offer, notify us all, & then YOU choose to accept/reject US.

Don't Waste Your Query! youtu.be/K8M-iY4jJBQ via @YouTube #QueryTip