How about a few #querystats this morning? I was open to queries 7/1-8/31, & in those two months I received 908 queries. I currently have 61 unread, 12 in the maybe pile, & 3 fulls to read (2 unfortunately much older than July). I made 3 offers of rep & signed 3 new clients!

Another #querytip, specificity is key. Don't make vague statements to whet our appetite. Tell us what actually happens! Explain why things are the way they are. Give us examples that exist in your project. If I have lots of questions about the specifics, I'm likely to reject.

The five questions your query should answer: Who is your character? What do they want? What are the obstacles to them getting what they want? How will they try to overcome those obstacles? What will happen if they fail (a.k.a the stakes)? #querytip

After you sign with an agent, your needs and wants might change. If that happens, DO NOT PANIC. It just means you need to talk to the agent and find out if they're able to adapt to these changes. If so, GREAT. That is the dream. If not, then it's time to move on. #querytip

Writers--when looking for an agent, it's really important to assess *your needs and wants* in addition to what sort of book the agent is looking for. It's hard to know the answer up front, but talking to agented authors is a good place to start. #querytip

#Writingtip: You don’t always have to tell us where a character is looking for us to understand what they are seeing.

Control F: Look - in your MS and destroy as many as you can
#querytip #WritingCommunity #amwriting

Agents and publishers have specific submission guidelines, and you must follow them, always. #querytip #amquerying

The number of submission in my inbox that are already published keeps growing.
If your book is available for sale on Amazon, it's published.
Query the next project. (And I don't mean book 2 in the series.)
#QueryTip #amwriting #amquerying

I will be closing to submissions the end of the work day on Fri., 8/27, to catch up on submissions. Anything received before then will be reviewed.#publishing #pubtip

#Pubtip: Write your book intro last or plan to rewrite after you're done with the ms. The intro has to do A LOT: set up the argument, tease & intrigue, establish you as a credible messenger.

Book titles are tricky! Think what you want to signal (literary, prescriptive). Is it searchable? (1 word titles are hard to google.) Look to comp titles as a guide. #pubtip

Here's the full podcast where I talk with the fabulous @MGNinja about #writing, #agenting, passion of the arts and reality of the marketplace. If you are a writer or in the book business, take a peek. #MondayBlogs #amwriting #pubtip @JDLitAgency :) youtube.com/watch?v=AvgyTG…

My advice if you’re working on a nonfiction book proposal and struggling with the overview: write how you got interested in the topic. What pulled you in? What made you want to write a book about it? Tell your origin story. #pubtip

With books, confer with your agent in advance about missing a deadline. Usually ok as long you keep the editor informed. But since most contracts allow the publisher to cancel if you miss your due date, your agent can read the tea leaves and advise. #pubtip

Yes! This whole thread! ❤️
#amwriting #querytip

quick #querytip: you don't need to withdraw you query for typos

if you're revising your query or pages? sure!

but i pinky promise, a typo or two, or misspelling my name, even addressing to the wrong agent, is NOT going to make me reject your query. deep breaths! ❤️

Why Publishing Your Book Takes So Long youtu.be/Gl12v3jgJz4 via @YouTube #Pubtip

Important #querytip!

#querytip: When sending a requested full or partial, please name the file something easily identifiable such as TITLE/lastname/full/date, and resist sending it as mycopyFINALv3.
It's too easy to get lost in the shuffle with no title or name on my ereader.
Don't be shuffled.

#Authors: whenever you publish an article, please ask to include your book title with your byline, preferably with a link. Example below. #pubtip