If your story uses a very familiar trope, don't open your Q with it in its usual take. It has to be introduced and used differently in order to stand out. #pubtip #newtakesonoldstories

Many a worthy #pubtip here

There's been a recent uptick in folks emailing me unsolicited submissions. Reminder: Always read an agency's guidelines before querying! Ours are at knightagency.net/submissions. #pubtip #Submissions

Work for hire vs. royalties: no longer mutually exclusive? via @ASJAhq www2.asja.org/theword/2019/0… #copyright #writing #authors #pubtip

Longevity in publishing does not only come from continuing to write... #PubTip

I get a lot of queries for books targeting "to both adults and young adults." It's not. You are targeting one age group or another. Young adults read up, adults read down, but no book is written for both markets. #pubtip

If your query letter is vague and we have no idea what it is about, we will not request more to find out. We will reject. #pubtip

This is why I like to tell writers to read their work aloud to themselves. Hear the rhythm of the narration, the speech, etc, and find the shape to the voice. #pubtip

Querying works! That’s my # 1 way to find clients. #amquerying #writingcommunity #pubtip

here’s to more thoughtful posts like these about how to find agents that are a true fit, how to navigate the author-agent relationship if priorities and goals change, and making sure you continue to be honest with yourself through the process. #pubtip

The Writer's Toolbox by @ptbradley1 on @NovelAcademy #writingtip #writing #pubtip learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog/2019/06/0…

There are a lot of great writers conferences coming up this summer, so a general tip: email your MS if you get a request. No USB drives, hard copies, or anything like that. Don’t give agents/editors more stuff to lug on the plane home. #pubtip

Point being — ALWAYS strike morality clauses. Or define them as best as possible. Though, in my experience, publishers are often okay with striking morality clauses because they’re infamously BS. #pubtip #contract

AFTER ALL morality is a social, cultural, personal thing. Besides, you know, illegal acts like stealing, murder, purposely running over a duck. #pubtip #contracts

The way many are written can be interpreted as John was involved in a twitter feud or received a speeding ticket — and the publisher can say “see you later!” #pubtip #contracts

Also, MORALTY CLAUSES! They may(?) *seem* like a reasonable thing. Like if Hachette buys your book and you murder your neighbor it makes sense they wouldn’t want to work with you. #pubtip #contracts #thread

Ghostwriting contracts are varied and weird. Usually they stipulate you receive no written or title credit. Some are for a flat fee, essentially a work-for-hire, and some granted a percentage of advances or royalties. #pubtip #contracts

Okay, so part of my job as an agent is to bring clients job opportunities. These can include ghostwriting projects, write-for-hires, mobile app stories, etc. All of these contracts are unique and provide different advantages. Obviously. #pubtip #contracts #thread

As for scripts (or prose) — saying something or showing us something ONCE is NOT enough. I don’t care what anyone says. Shakespeare said the audience needs to hear something three times before they “get” it. Lame shows/movies/books often forget that. #pubtip

Also, scratch all your pretty descriptions. Yes, show, don’t tell, but also don’t show us the way you would in a novel. Lane doesn’t “storm in, swinging his arms in a rage.” Lane “enters, upset.” Notice both these examples suck. #pubtip