Literary Agent
Avoid making crystal ball predictions in your query letter.
🚫“This book will be a NYT Bestseller.”
🚫“This book will win X award.”
I want to work with people who have their feet on the ground, and realistic expectations for what is a very competitive industry. #querytip
Literary Agent
#querytip if you're a previously agented author looking for new representation for a MS that was already out on submission, there likely isn't much a new agent will be able to do with it. We all submit to the same editors, and there are only so many places to send a project.
Literary Agent
Among the thing to look for in an agent/writer relationship is a commitment to your work for the long term. A good agent is someone who cares about your career, your vision and your goals, not just about making a deal. Fortunately, I have many wonderful colleagues.
#pubtip
Literary Agent
a basic #querytip: frame the length of your novel in number of words. number of pages isn't very helpful because there are a lot of factors that change the number of words on a page. is font size 10 or 14? single or double space? is it 8.5x11 or other?
Literary Agent
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