Why Selling Your Book Can Take So Long youtu.be/Rxr7nEWE6ug via @YouTube #PubTip

Querying pro-tip: put your character’s identity in the front next to their name.

Don’t bury the lede: we as agents and editors want to know early if this character is one normally under-represented in books and you are providing that representation.

#querytip #amwriting

Telling me that you ‘forgive me’ for going to Duke in a query is not the way to my heart or head; just tell me about your book #pubtip

#Pubtip Sharing my B-LIST system for sorting people & orgs that can help w/ book sales & promo. Check all that apply for each name:
-BLURB the book
-BOOST the book
-BULK BUY the book

Authors: create this list 6+ mo before pub & share with publisher.

So many submissions are once again way outside word count standards.
Writers don’t shoot yourself in the foot—get as close to those standards as you can to help increase your odds.
#WritingCommunity #querytip #amwriting

Querying can be scary at times, but it’s best to just be yourself! Tell the agent a little about yourself in the bio and what drew you to writing your story. #QueryTip

Quick #querytip to #amquerying authors: if you are researching an agency and there is no indication of WHO you are querying, or who works there (names/headshots), or what their history in publishing is, that is a red flag.

If you want specific grammar rules applied to your ms that deviate from Chicago MOS (commonly used by book publishers) state it clearly before it goes to copy editing. #pubtip

A realistic peek into an agent's onslaught of emails #amquerying #querytip #WritingCommunity

Why Does Querying Take So Long? youtu.be/7JLVHhDUwow via @YouTube #QueryTip

I truly appreciate all those writers who have queried me and thanks for joining #TheWritersZen chat! My DMs are also always open for publishing related questions.

I am so fortunate to work with amazing authors who are also genuinely amazing people. #TheWritersZen

Trust is essential. Agents are working for their authors and should give authors and their projects the attention they deserve whether you are a bestseller or still drafting after several submission rounds. #TheWritersZen

I’m sure none of you will do this, but just have to put it out there-don’t claim you have an offer to try to get agents to read faster. Truth be told I have passed on great projects because I didn’t have bandwidth to read in 2 weeks. #TheWritersZen

If I am considering your manuscript and you receive another offer of representation, please let me and other agents considering your work know. At that time, allow for 2 weeks for a response. #TheWritersZen

For me you don’t have to let me know if it is a multiple submission. I expect that you should be submitting to other agents. #TheWritersZen

Queries should have genre, word count, comps if applicable, hook/pitch, plot summary and author bio. #TheWritersZen

But, remember, publishing is so subjective and another agent may feel differently. #TheWritersZen

Other times I have to reject because the project may not quite be ready #TheWritersZen

There are so many projects that I would love to represent, but sometimes I have to reject because it is too close to work that my current authors are writing. #TheWritersZen