“The more I can promote those bands, the more I can guarantee that our genre is going to continue…it’s all about paying it fucking forward because somebody helped me. If I don’t help somebody else, how is this going to continue?” - Corey Taylor #PubTip #WednesdayWisdom

100%. If you have a ton of followers, and nobody cares enough about what you're saying to comment/like/share, it's not a good indication that they'll care enough when you say, "Buy my book." #PubTip

One of the fundamental challenges of writing a book is getting everything you know about your subject/characters/plot/etc from your head to the actual page. You know what you know, but the reader doesn't know what you know until you tell them. #pubtip

The reason why I say this is because realistically an editor won’t or can’t buy multiple projects from the same agent at the same time, so essentially the agent is pitting their clients against each other for the same editor’s attention. #pubtip

What's the difference between market and platform?

katemckean.substack.com

#amwriting #writingcommunity #pubtip #amquerying

Also, it’s to a writer’s HUGE benefit to weigh ALL of their options before rushing to accept an offer, especially if you’re being pressured by the initial offering agent. #pubtip

If an agent took the time to thoroughly read your query and request the full MS, the very least a writer can do is keep them apprised of any movement. It’s a professional courtesy that I hope querying writers will keep in mind. Thank you! #pubtip

Hello. It is not necessary to notify me if another agent has requested your full manuscript. Congrats! But I don't need to know. Tell me if you get an offer of rep, but otherwise, we're good. #pubtip

If you’re querying an agent with a MS for the first time, or if you’re a writer going on submission for the first time, congratulate yourself. Putting such a huge piece of yourself out there for others to judge is a BRAVE thing to do, so take pride in that achievement! #pubtip

Whoooooooo wheeeeeeee, I got a little salty in this week's paid Agents and Books:

Stop Using Statistics to Prove Your Market

katemckean.substack.com/p/stop-using-s…

#pubtip #amquerying #amwriting

It's royalty statement season again. It's common for money in publishing to go up and down like a pinball (advances, royalties, returns, subrights deals, etc).

#pubtip

Retweeting because it keeps happening, ie people using my nonfiction query form to submit novels...thanks all! #pubtip

Word count matters. Sure, a fantasy novel or a historical sagas get dispensation from the 100,000 average. But your YA thriller’s just got to be under 100,000 words. 200,000 does not a YA thriller make. #pubtip

Examples of reasons for rejection: voice, lack of craft, word count, derivative storyline, similarity to project already repping, unsaleable project in current market. 2/2 #pubtip

Just because an agent represents your genre, it doesn't mean your project is right for them for any number of reasons. 1/2 #pubtip

#PubTip:
If you are cold calling an agent to ask for their submission requirements, have a pen & paper. Don't be driving a car. Don't call & demand that the agent email you, because you can't be bothered. This does not inspire confidence in a potential future relationship. 🧐

I have seen this so many times, I need to offer an impt #pubtip. If querying an agent who uses query manager.com, don't ignore their open categories.

People keep querying me for fiction, selecting unrelated nonfiction topics. Do NOT do this. Here's why THREAD

#pubtip

A royalty statement reports units paid for by retailer* to publisher (not from consumer to author)

*retailer defined as bookstore, library, Amazon.com, Target/Walmart/Costco, grocery stores, airports, book clubs, etc.

Writers - Please don't talk about yourself in 3rd person in Q letters. It's just weird. #pubtip

Quick #pubtip: It’s a GOOD thing if your agent is signing new people now and then. Why?
1. It means they’re actively involved in the industry.
2. It helps keep their inspiration/creativity alive.
3. More MS’s=more deals=better reputation for all.
4. Can help expand your network.