How many agents does it take to write a pitch? Sometimes all 10. #querytip

If you're talking fiction I think the intro is "Dear Agent: After seeing your MSWl I felt I should query you with my 80,000 word mystery entitled Title....

Blurb

Bio

Close #askagent #querytip

#querytip Please please please look at what the agent you're querying is actually interested in. I have received a million sci-fi submissions and I hate sci-fi.

6. Be prepared to ask questions. What is the market looking for? What is your passion project or MSWL right now? What have you been reading for pleasure? Are there any other pros you think I should be talking to? #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

5. If a request is made write down exactly what the agent wants. The back of a business card is good, but a notebook might be a better way for you to keep track of all requests and your own notes on the agents #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

4. When finished with the blurb take another deep breath. Some agents might want to ask questions or chat further. Others will simply request or pass. (I'm a question asker). #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

A blurb should be 1-2 (preferably about 2) paragraphs describing the action, the hook and the excitement in your book. If you are still unsure what that means imagine you are telling a friend about your favorite book or movie. Or just read some back cover copy. #querytip

3. Then launch! I've written... a WORLD COUNT, GENRE, titled TITLE, about.... here's your blurb. #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

2. Introduce yourself. Ask how the agent is doing, give some little tidbit about yourself (where you're from, what genre you write, if you've been published before, or just mention the weather). #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

1. Sit down and collect yourself. Set down your bag, get out your papers and take a breath. There's no real rush. #pitchfest #pitchtip #querytip

First there's this video for those who haven't yet seen it on pitching at conferences youtube.com/watch?v=h_R5Qq… #Pitch #querytip

If an agent has passed on your work, don't keep emailing them about it. You need to respect their decision not to work on the project. #subtip #querytip

I recently tweeted about wanting to be dragged relentlessly into characters. This happens when writing is deeply immersed. But what is a “close” 1st person or 3rd person story? What is voice immersion? A #thread! #amwriting #amediting #querytip #writetip #askagent #writingcraft

The Promises Made in Queries #amquerying #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/07/10/the…

Authors, it’s a good idea to avoid writing body parts moving on their own (e.g. "her fist shot out"). This can disembody the character from the action which jars the reader out of the narration. #writetip #querytip

Red Flag #5: Mislabeling your book just to get in the door. If the agent doesn't rep your genre, calling your SF a paranormal romance will not help. #querytip

Red Flag #4: Belittling the writing of others. No agent wants a client who feels they should write a book because there are no good books being published these days. Remember, the agent you queried makes a career on those books. #querytip

Red Flag #3: No title. Titles don't always come easy & often they will be changed, that being said, a strong title can sell a book. #querytip

Red Flag #2: No formal letter. An author who simply dumps a blurb in your lap without a formal introduction, bio or effort to write the blurb appears unprepared for a professional writing career #querytip

Red Flag #1: Word count. From the early stages of your manuscript know acceptable word count ranges. #querytip for most adult books 50k is too short & 150k is too long.