To the wide querying world: I’m not officially closing for queries over the holidays (reopening and closing makes my head spin) BUT…I’m also not going to be looking at them after this week until January. So query if you want, but maybe don't? #querytip #amagenting

How I Pitched Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox #querytip #agentpitch bookendsliterary.com/2018/12/18/how…

It can be very disorienting to read a #query that makes no mention of its genre. Not only does genre help me think critically about how this project will fit in the market, it tells me that you are also aware of where this project sits on the shelf. #amquerying #querytip

Speaking of submissions etiquette: if an agent or editor says, "unfortunately we don't publish this type of work" (example, if they don't rep romance or if they don't do picture books), please don't come back to them asking to refer you to someone who does. #subtip #querytip

i’ll be catching up over break and look forward to diving back in after the start of 2019! #amquerying #querytip

Please don't send me query letters that include lines like, "This promises to get the government's attention!" #querytip

Hey, writers! Just a note that I will not be sending any passes on queries until after the holidays. Hope you all have wonderful Decembers ahead of you! #amagenting #querytip

I’m working through #queries today and have noticed a number of people comping to Harry Potter, Twilight, etc. Gentle reminder that it is almost never a good idea to comp to a franchise of this size. Too often, this feels like an uninformed choice. #querytip #querytrenches

Adding to my Pinterest MSWL because THAT KIND OF NIGHT (pinterest.com/kaitlynjohnson…) #amagenting #querytip

Note: I am caught up on all queries to Nov 1. If you haven't received a response, check Spam or assume it's a pass. I've started tackling my submissions and maybe pile now! 😍 #amagenting #querytip

For me, I need a reason a “contemporary” book is set in the 80s or 90s. The 90s were almost 20 years ago. That means for a YA book teens today weren’t even alive then. (Or for 19-year-olds they were only 1) #SlushInsight #querytip

Catching up on queries for year-end, and seeing lots of pitches use suicide as a plot point/motivating factor for the protagonist. This gives me pause. If you're weaving suicide into your narrative, it's something I want to see dealt with carefully, in depth. #querytip

#QueryTip Unfortunately, I cannot accept queries or pitches via Twitter dm, but I welcome everyone to query me via email:

soloway@andreabrownlit.com

I hope to have the opportunity to consider your work!

#amquerying #querytip I really can’t sell a debut novel longer than 120k, even in adult SFF

I will be off on Christmas/New Year vacation Dec 14 5pm EST through Jan 6. Queries received in that time will receive a response by Jan 11 only if I want to read more. Details in my OOO message. #amquerying #querytip

Have a wonderful holiday season!

#querytip #subtip - don't subscribe people to your newsletter or blog unless they ask you to - it's really presumptuous, and don't do this in submissions. It's not the same as a query.

#querytip #subtip - I've talked before about not gendering folks when you don't have to, but if you assume I'm married because I seem like a woman & you Mrs. me, you look Really Bad. Be remotely thoughtful, it's super easy, the bar is low & I believe in you.

TW:Suicide
Authors if you are going to write about suicide please educate yourself on the proper terms
#subtip #querytip
speakingofsuicide.com/2017/09/21/sui…

I would never pass on a query because it included a reference to something I said, but that's a moment that could be about your book or about your comps or experience. It's a moment that can be about you-- not me! Because I want to hear about your work. #querytip

That said, most of the time, this information doesn't need to (and arguably shouldn't be) referenced in a query. Especially when it's a bit of a deep dive. I appreciate that you want to connect in a personal way and we're giving you the ammunition to do so. #querytip