Pardon the bad analogy, but you get like 200 automatic points when you spell your name right on the SAT. When you spell my name wrong on a query letter, I am sad. When you get it right, it counts lol. Since when did a letter “n” look like a “u” haha. #spellingcounts #querytip

#QueryTip Submit only one #PB project when querying. Choose the one you think is the strongest. If I like it, I will ask for several more projects to see more of your work. #amquerying #amrevising #amwriting

Hey readers and writers, have a #querytip from agent @AnnieAHwang and partner Jeff Kleinman: don't forget to sign your name so our agents can personalize your responses!

There is no standard. To be honest, I skip everything and simply read the blurb. Since we use query manager, all that information is required in the form, making it easier. Just make sure it's included, where is up to you. #querytip #askagent

Make sure your whole draft is as polished as your 1st pages. Nothing is as disappointing for an agent as loving a sample/partial and finding out the rest doesn’t hold up to its standard! #querytip #amwriting #amquerying #amrevising

What is your favorite outlining tool? I often recommend the One Page Synopsis guide (on publishing crawl website) by Susan Dennard, and Story Genius by Lisa Cron. What other tools do you find instrumental when plotting a new novel? #amwriting #querytip #askagent

Mastering the Art of the Query Letter #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/04/17/the…

#QueryTip When I say a project is "not the right fit for my list," either I (a) already have something too similar, (b) have too many projects in the category, or (c) don't feel I am the best agent for the project. (You'd be better served by someone else.) #amquerying #agenting

Hi Hattie! Unfortunately I have very limited experience with 3rd omniscient, as it's not my reading preference. I hope there are other #askagent agents hanging around that can answer this! #querytip

To answer an #askagent question more broadly - Yes, you absolutely can comp characters/settings in addition to full titles: "If Harry Potter were thrust into the patriarchal world of The Handmaid's Tale..." when showing us your book's hook in a query. #querytip

#querytip: Please, please, please do not badger an agent to discuss a rejection, via e-mail or by phone. Most agents will offer feedback as they see fit/are able to. If you did not receive feedback, cross 'em off your list, and move on.

A practical nonfiction proposal is different then narrative nonfiction or fiction. Info can be found on our website. #askagent #querytip

The biggest mistake authors make in queries is not writing a strong blurb or pitch. The second biggest mistake is not writing a full query letter, but just tossing a two-line blurb our way. #querytip #askagent

Sometimes when reading queries the only thing I read is the blurb. That's the most important piece. #querytip #askagent

Impromptu #PitchParty: I am on the prowl for fantastic #PNR #Sci-Fi #romance, and maybe even phenomenal steampunk romance, or unique #dystopian romance. All for adults! Give me your best pitch, and... go! #querytip #writetip #amwriting

I truly despise it when there are like 500 proper nouns for me to keep straight in a query. Focus it down to the hook: What is the story about? Tell me that, using the characters who matter around that hook. #askagent #querytip

Brilliant advice on writing that portal fantasy. #amediting #amwriting #amquerying #querytip

#querytip If you're querying me with a narrative that has strong #ownvoices overtones, but tell me literally ZERO personal info about yourself, and I can't find you on Google? That's a red flag to me.

Using racist language is never going to make me want to read your work. Even if you're condemning racism. Nope. #querytip

It might not, but as the story takes shape you could write the query. Or, if you need to wait until the book is finished to write the query then seriously consider the query as part of the revision process instead of the final step. #querytip