#pubtip: When agents ask for a partial or full, please don't send a PDF. Even at this initial stage, some agents may want to add comments to the actual manuscript and track changes. That one of the reasons most agents prefer Word docs.

Guys? Please don’t send a query that says you have a 300k novel that can be easily divided into 3 parts. #querytip #pubtip

It’s always cool to make up special terms when you’re world building for SFF stories, but if you never bother to explain what those terms mean by context, or even just telling, then it’s just nonsense and a hard pass for me. #querytip #pubtip

The simple inclusion or omission of a comma (or two) can change the entire meaning of a sentence. Here is a quick lesson. #pubtip #writing #grammar

This is a really great thread. 👇#pubtip #querytip

Writers ask if it’s worth hiring a freelance editor to help. My philosophy is that it’s not a bad idea if you do your research. There are many random people who call themselves editors and writing coaches, but don’t actually have an editorial work history or track record. #pubtip

A query should tell me who the story is about. What does he/she NEED to achieve by the end of the story? What’s keeping him/her from attaining that goal? What’s at stake if he/she doesn’t succeed? #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 5/5

When querying, have a bio, but it’s essential to show what the story is about. You’re selling your story, not yourself. I won’t sign an author based on his/her bio. I need to love the story, the characters, the author’s voice, and the writing. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 4/5

A query should read like the blurb on the back cover of a book (not the one-line teasers in between the blurb). It’s NOT an info dump about the cool world you’ve built. It’s not a description of all the characters on the protagonist’s team. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 3/5

Show me what makes your story unique. How will this manuscript stand out? I need to know enough about the story to see this, but don’t give away the ending. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 2/5

In a query, it’s nice to learn about cool characters, but what’s most important is for you to tell me what the STORY is about. What’s at stake? What's the protagonist’s story goal? What’s the conflict keeping him/her from that goal? #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 1/5

THIS. 👇 #pubtip

Really informative thread re: how editors read/eval submissions. It's like I always tell authors--we *do* look to buy; there are multiple factors in play. #pubtip #process

Stop DMing me links to your self-published books to pitch me. I report you as spam and block you. Find a better way. #pubtip #querytip

Just a reminder: I’m closed to queries starting TOMORROW. Everything sent in January will get read. Starting tomorrow, nope. I’ll reopen sometime this summer TBD. #pubtip #amagenting #querytip #mswl

Replying to a rejection with a bitter comment doesn't put you in my good books. Just sayin'. It confirms I made the right decision. Come on, peeps. Keep it professional. Agents have to love the work they represent. It's as simple as that. #writetip #pubtip #amquerying

The scene goal is a goal for THAT scene, but it should be tied to the story goal in some way. Many different scenes goals (in many different scenes) are like baby steps bringing the character closer and closer to attaining his/her story goal. 8/8 #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

This also forces the character to be an ACTIVE participant instead of REACTING to things that happen. Torture your characters. Make them fight for what they want and sometimes fail in pursuit of it until they grow enough to attain their goal. 7/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

When a character causes his/her own conflict, it's much stronger because he/she has to own that. He/she has to learn from it and grow from his/her mistakes. 6/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

Basically, I want to see a character pursuing something. ALWAYS. Even if that something changes. I want to see things get in the way, but mostly because of a character flaw (internal or external issue). 5/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting