And that’s about it for now. Thanks for following along on this #querytip thread.

If you’re #querying me with a romance, neither the hero nor their love interest should die. That’s not a happily ever after. Unless you’re writing a paranormal ghost story which will be quite difficult to place. #justsayin #corpsebridenotwithstanding #querytip

My clients will attest to my returning work to them with questions like, “why are they feeling this way?” and “how does this make them feel?” I want to experience the sting of rejection with your character. Want to shed tears of joy with them at their success. #querytip

I want to feel completely immersed in your world. Want to connect with your character in a way that makes me root for their success. I want to know, in your synopsis, that the stakes are high. Take me on your adventure! #querytip

#subtip #querytip your book doesn't need 8 titles: THE BLUE SERIES, The Reckoning, Book 1, Time Travelers (I just made up this title). you & your agent will change the title, your publisher will change it again. Be thoughtful, but don't overdo it, buds. 🐸

If you don't mention genre or age group in your query (maybe because you're not sure?), it's obvious. Better to be decisive than to hope agents just won't notice. #querytip

I get 100-200 queries every week, so I can't craft a personal reply to each of them (I promise, you don't want an agent who has time to do that!). But I DO respond to every email I get. If you query and don't hear from me, either your email or mine went to spam! #querytip

FYI, writers of YA & MG! My new, correct query email address is rekstrom@foliolitmanagement.com. It's in the process of being updated on the @FolioJr & @ManuscriptWList sites. 📚😊Spread the word! #querytip

Even in submissions through Query Manager I expect your query to be a full letter. I've had a rash of nothing but 3-4 sentence blurbs. All got rejected. #querytip

Please for the love of Leo fitting on that damn headboard. Stop. Saying. Fiction Novel. In. Your. Query. #querytip

Here's some important must-know stuff if you are writing a middle grade novel... writersdigestshop.com/writing-and-se… @WritersDigest @CariLamba @JDLitAgency #kidlit #amwriting #amquerying #querytip #middlegrade #webinar #pubtip

#PB #QueryTip Please send one query with your most polished picture book project. If I like it, I will ask to see other work, so there's no need to send multiple queries for different projects. #amquerying

When evaluating submissions it's a big red flag if you have acknowledgments, dedication & a copyright from 2 years ago. #querytip

Queriers--Pretty, pretty please be sure to withdraw your submission if you accept an offer of rep (ideally, once you get the offer, but at the very least, after you accept) 😐 #querytip

Authors: When submitting your manuscript (or sample chapters) there is no need to include acknowledgements or dedication. #querytip

Rejections feel personal, but they aren't. Not in this industry. Maybe when dating...
Agents CAN'T rep EVERYTHING. Just like you can't buy every book at the store. We ALL have to be selective. Keep writing. Keep querying. Don't give up. #querytip #pubtip #amquerying #writerslife

THIS! #querytip #amquerying #writerslife

But also always remember: even if it’s not right for me, there are other agents that it might be perfect for! Never ever give up! The industry is based on personal taste—it’s completely subjective. #querytip

For non-fiction it’s much simpler: have you written a stellar book proposal? It’s a sales document where you conceptualize your audience, define your platform, and explain your marketing & promotion plans. If you don’t have a sales proposal, you are not ready to query. #querytip

#querytip If you're setting your YA/MG in the recent past, you need to have a really good plot reason & compelling worldbuilding. Kids/teens don't have any inherent nostalgia for the 1950s or even the 1990s -- they weren't even alive in the twentieth century (!).