Hear what agent @carlywatters has to say about completing your manuscript before seeking representation. #querytip #pubtip

I have an upcoming blog post on why preorders are important. In the meantime, published authors, once your book is available for preorder it's no longer "coming soon" on your website. It's "preorder now" #pubtip

"Focus on networking rather than pitching. . . Making the most of those opportunities is making yourself memorable." #PubTip #Conferences youtube.com/watch?v=JJvoAH… via @YouTube

I've been thinking a lot about my submission process recently, questioning WHY I do things the way that I do, and that's probably worth a thread. #querytip #pubtip

I really, really, really don't want a publishing start up that disrupts query letters.

#amquerying #pubtip #writingcommunity #amwriting

katemckean.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-…

Today's #pubtip thread: A common question prospective clients ask me--and which I believe various agent-interview sites encourage one to ask--is how many clients I have. The wisdom seems to be that you want someone in the middle: s/o experienced but focused.

Take care with your work! Try to show me your best side! Treat me with basic professional courtesy! But don't worry too much if you make a small human error - I know it happens and have done it myself. #pubtip

Look, the kind of faux pas that will lead to an auto-reject on a query are like "this person seems like an absolute nightmare to work with" and "didn't even bother to run spellcheck," not "copy-paste error" or "introduced typo in last-minute tweak." #pubtip

The biggest challenge as an agent isn't placing an author with no sales record; it's one with a mixed to not-so-great sales record. Some of my most beloved authors fall in this category. #pubtip

A #pubtip for y'all searching for your own authority today: those people who seem so much more certain & on the ball? Most simply don't have the socialization, self-knowledge, or innate intelligence required to recognize complexity and consider conflicting concepts simultaneously

#pubtip Just a hint. If you decide to send something other than what an agent or editor wants in a submission, you should probably expect a rejection due to either your lack of literacy skills or your refusal to follow directions.

3) The real key is patience & persistence. This client & I have been at this for a year+. She's put together TOCs & couple of intros. We could have pulled the trigger earlier but none felt right until today.

2) We stumbled on the exact right comp book. The comp isn't on the same topic but we can make a strong case our book will attract the same readership. The other author has a similar (academic) profile & book sold well - both important for a good comp.

1) We both kept an open mind. We started with the premise she had valuable knowledge. The challenge was how to turn it into a commercial book. No one dictated or got defensive. It took both of us to solve this.

I started a call with a client today with "I don't think this idea is going to fly" & by the end of the call, I was like "OMG this is so good." I'm excited about the book concept & can't wait to pitch it to publishers. What happened? #pubtip #amwriting

Agent #pubtip soapbox time! Today's unsolicited lecture for authors is on COMPARING YOUR EXPERIENCE TO OTHER AUTHORS', something I need to gently discourage one or more of my clients from doing every day. I am subtweeting all of you. And myself. It's so tempting.

#Pubtip: Not every publisher gives authors the chance to review the second pass (or make many changes). Take time to go through the first pass line by line.

#pubtip -- I don't have a ton of time to evaluate and respond to submissions --you want me spending that time reading and responding, not trying to puzzle out what the heck I'm looking at.

Double check you understand the distinctions between genres & your query makes it clear!

Hey, peeps. Just a reminder to please read our guidelines before submitting to us. I've been getting quite a few queries without sample pages, when I'd really like to see the first five pages too (pasted, NOT attached). #amquerying #pubtip #writingcommunity

PSA for writers: Use an email address with your name for all business communications. Doesn't need to be for biz only, but it should NOT be an email you share with spouse or family w/ multiple names in the header. Be professional from the start. #pubtip