Literary Agent
Want some tips and tricks on how to write a synopsis? Check out the @belcastr blog's newest article!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity #amquerying #querytip
belcastroagency.com/synopsis-dos-a…
Literary Agent
Writers, keep in mind that what's going on in your head might not be what makes it to the page, so having a beta reader or critique group really helps pick up any issues that you think you've covered, but haven't!
#pubtip
Literary Agent
#querytip reminder when choosing your genre in the query manager drop-down:
if your book has magic, or paranormal creatures, or is dystopian...
it's not contemporary.
it can be in a contemp setting!! but it isn't *genre* contemporary. make sure to choose the correct genre!
Literary Agent
Curious what to ask when on THE CALL? Check out @belcastr's newest video! #amquerying #querytip #WritingCommunity
youtube.com/watch?v=X1CFc-…
Literary Agent
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!
Literary Agent
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.
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
#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
Editor
Agents and publishers have specific submission guidelines, and you must follow them, always. #querytip #amquerying
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
Laura Portwood-Stacer, Jeopardy Champ (she/her) @lportwoodstacer
A lot of ppl will *only* read the introduction in an academic book. If you want them to cite your contributions and/or tell other ppl abt them, you’ve got to clearly state the takeaway(s) right there in the intro#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.
Literary Agent
Carlos Lozada @CarlosLozadaWP
Yes it’s unfair but I’m often skeptical of books with subtitle that begin “A Meditation on...” or “Reflections on...” or “Notes on...”It feels like a warning sign that the book does not come together into a cohesive whole.
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
Literary Agent
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…
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
SamanthaDunn @SamanthaDunn
@MichelleRafter Exactly right. That's what a pro does. Missing an initial deadline isn't usually life-or-death in my magazine world, but communicating progress and setting expectations is vital.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
Literary Agent
Donyae Coles @okokno
You literally do not have to write slurs regardless of the time period of your novel or whatever. You are free from that false obligation. You can replace every slur with "them people, their kind, those others." There, done. You are free.Yes! This whole thread! ❤️
#amwriting #querytip
Literary Agent
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! ❤️