I just read several queries in a row where the first sentence was about the mc waking up. Your opening is super important! If you have an original story but the first sentence isn’t, it’s harder to pull a reader in. #querytip

There's a query habit that I don't quite understand: listing the well-known people who said they'd accept a review copy if the book is ever published. This outcome is so far from the query that it's not really useful. I just care about the story at this point. #querytip

#querytip it's that time of year when a lot of agents/agencies start closing to new queries as they try to wrap things up before the break; make sure you check websites and guidelines accordingly.

The query inbox will be staying open over the upcoming holidays but I won't be checking it very frequently. So if you query me now, look for a response in January! (As always, I respond to every query I receive - no response means I haven't seen it yet!) #querytip

I think Thursday will be the first #PitMad this year where I'll be participating--I'm excited to see all the new pitches! Don't forget to use genre subtags; they're helpful to us agents. #mswl #querytip

This is true of the agents you will query too. With hundreds of queries to read through, and hundreds of samples to dive into, the opening line speaks volumes about you and what you’re capable of in the next 60 (give or take a few!) thousand words #querytip. So make those count!

Writers, be aware of your word count. I’m seeing a lot of 100-160k word manuscripts that really shouldn’t be that long. Research the appropriate word count for your genre and trim accordingly. I know it’s tough, but it often greatly helps your pacing! #querytip

Our best advice: DO NOT QUERY in December. Take the time to reread, revise and polish before sending your book to agents #querytip

🚨#querytip make sure to include your NAME and your TITLE! I find that roughly 1/30 queries is missing one or the other! I personally don't like to assume someone's name based only on their email handle and very much like to personalize my rejections. #amquerying #querytrenches

Want to grant me a holiday wish? Please use a reasonably-sized font for emailed query letters and sample pages! These poor eyes already deal with too much screen time; don't make me squint at 8pt font. #querytip

A #querytip: if you are earnestly a fan of an agent's author, that's a fantastic thing to include in a query. But it's pretty easy for us to tell when you're just picking random names off our client list to look like you've done your research.

Do not query before you have a) finished writing your book, b) revised your book, c) shown your query to someone unfamiliar with your work who can point out confusing bits. #querytip

New trend alert: Quotes before Ch. 1. (or before all queries)

I've seen this for four queries in a row now. Not sure how this become a common thing? #amquerying #amagenting #querytip

Writers, if you don't see your genre as an option to check when you're querying me, that means I don't rep that genre. Please don't check something "close" and think that will fool me into reading your ms. #querytip

Nope. It's perfectly normal for an agent considering your work to ask who the offering agent is. Publishing thrives off of competition. Though, sometimes writers streamline the process by naming the offering agents when they initially follow up with us. #QueryTip

The most common opening I’m seeing in my submissions is a character waking up. Following that is the weather.
#FYI #querytip #SlushInsight

Writers, this is your friendly reminder not to lie about offers of representation to agents. Publishing is a small business and agents talk. It’s the quickest way to get yourself no offers at all. #querytip

Hey, all! Just a reminder that @CorvisieroLit will be closing to queries from Dec 1 through Jan 3! If you'd like to query me, please do so by Nov 30 or you will need to wait until I reopen. #amagenting #querytip #amquerying

Now that this bit of housekeeping is done...

This holiday season, I’d like to say thank you to the queriers. Every time I get a query, it’s a reminder that you’re willing to entrust me with developing and guiding your careers. Thank you for the trust, writers. I don’t take the responsibility lightly. #querytip

As an agent, whenever I start a new story, or read a new query, I think to myself: what was the reason for this artist to write THIS particular story? And how will this perspective enlighten my own mind? #querytip