#QueryTip for #picturebook writers: query one book at a time. Do not send an agent a separate query for every book you’ve written all at once.

I've been on the other end of drama for an agency suddenly being blasted on social media and I had no clue what was going on.

Try not to discount/villify and entire agency over something that may only involve a single agent
#amagenting #querytip #amquerying #WritingCommunity

What gets confusing is sometimes book proposals will have an overview and then include the intro as a sample chapter. This is fine if the content is expressed different enough but if it's close, then I'd choose another sample. #Pubtip

#Pubtip I just read the introduction to a forthcoming book & recognized a lot of the material from the overview of the original book proposal. If you get tripped up over the diff btwn a book intro & overview, you're not alone.

Unfortunately it seems like this needs to be repeated: but writers if your female character needs to suffer a trauma to forward the plot of your male character, then it likely isn’t the best match for me.
#querytip #amquerying #WritingCommunity

Your query should just highlight the best of your manuscript, it shouldn’t be a complete synopsis. #QueryTip #amwriting

#Pubtip DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT send a submission claiming it was "Requested Material" when it was not. Sorry, but we don't work with people who try to sneak in with this approach. We want honest authors.

When reading a query I want to know who your character is and what they want. Also what is standing in their way? What will they have to do in order to overcome this obstacle? Is there a flaw they need to overcome? And what will happen if they don't reach their goal?

#querytip

Since I've seen several instances of this the past few weeks:

There is no need to notify agents if you have received requests from other agents. You only need to notify when an agent makes an offer of representation.

#querytip #WritingCommunity

I've state this often: When writing your query, include two or three comparable book titles that are similar to the tone, theme, or subject matter of your manuscript so we can get a better idea of what we are about to read! #QueryTip

#pubtip Having no agent is significantly better for your career than having an agent who isn't the right fit. Don't anchor yourself to a relationship that isn't doing it for you anymore because you're worried you'll never find rep again.

#Querytip Your query is like a job application, so treat it with that same level of respect!

Talking about content warnings in query letters over here today: instagram.com/p/CZbu8v0rChb/… #querytip

Why you might want/need one and why adding one is NOT a spoiler.

Comp titles tell us where a book sits on a sales shelf. It doesn't have to be a similar storyline. So: "For readers who love the wild creativity in NOPHEK GLOSS and the intimate character arcs of PLANETFALL..."
#querytip #amquerying
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Tl;dr -
Intro your book. Hook me. Comp it. Get quickly, concisely, and powerfully into the story. Choose best words. Close it with genuine info about you so I'm excited to work with you. Boom!
/END #querytip thread

Teeny #querytip: don't apologize to agents for sending an unsolicited query! If they're open to queries, they want to hear from you, and you should share your work with pride and excitement. (If they're closed to queries and you send anyway, then you should be sorry. Don't.)

When I'm reading manuscripts I always want to see what does your character want vs what do they need in order to change.

These are usually different but try to make sure your MC (and even secondary ones) have both!

#amagenting #querytip

Hey #authors, if you want to narrate your audiobook, let your publisher know when you negotiate the contract. If they don't agree outright, ask that you be given the opportunity to do a test narration of a few pages. #pubtip

Authors, please try to not make your query letters too long (or short)!

The best ones I've received were usually under about 350 words and above 250.

I want to get to your sample as soon as possible, and I'm personally not a fast reader. 🙂📖 #querytip

Be as specific as possible in your pitch. Anything vague usually means it’s been done before. Stand out! #QueryTip