#QueryTip for you. If you reply to your own query to nudge a literary agent, you will move your query to the later date in the queue.

Y’ALL.

If you’re told your query needs to focus on your MC, on their wants and needs, on THEIR conflict and tension (esp if it’s SFF)...

LOOK👏AT👏THIS👏QUERY

#querytip

TL;DR: Don’t throw chances down the drain bc you didn’t do your research, or bc you think industry standards don’t apply to you.

You have to EARN the fans and the reputation that will allow you to break standards.

#querytip

All the established authors you see breaking norms and industry standards?

Most of the time, they’re only able to do that BECAUSE they followed industry standards when they started out. They established a fanbase, a reputation, sales, before they could break standards

#querytip

“But [insert established author here] has a book at [insert high/low word count here] so OBVIOUSLY I can too!!”

No. There’s a HUGE difference between a house taking that risk on an established author with a fan base, than taking on a debut author w/no sales or fanbase

#querytip

There is a REASON those standards exist (shockingly enough, they’re not just there to torture authors I PROMISE). It’s bc those ranges are gauged from what has sold best in the past.

#querytip

Today I’ve gotten two queries at 160,000+ words, one at 180,000+ words, and one at a whopping 385,000+ (!!!!) words.

DO YOUR RESEARCH. Learn what the industry standards for word count for your genre and age category are, or auto rejections WILL happen.

#querytip

If anyone was wondering how to write a query for a really complex fantasy novel, check this out—focus on the character and let everything unfold around them!
#querytip

Everyone has different rules - our guidelines say if we haven't gotten back to you in 6 weeks consider it a pass, but we're often behind & I'm looking at older queries. After the 6-8 week mark, it's perfectly acceptable to follow up. Feel free! #querytip #subtip

If a submissions acct unsubscribes from your newsletter, please don't resubscribe them. Most folks at that point will block your email or send to spam, & then no one will read your query. Serve your work, please. Respect people's time. #subtip #querytip

Don't subscribe a submissions account to your newsletter. 1) It's rude to subscribe people without asking in general. 2) Submissions is for submissions. If you clog the submissions inbox, I am less likely to read or be excited about your actual query. #subtip #querytip

When querying, sometimes the waiting becomes too much and the idea of sending nudges to literary agents is really tempting. Here are some rules to help you decide when you should and shouldn’t send a nudge: bit.ly/2XwVM8I via @msmariavicente #querytip #amquerying

Please do not change the name of the person you're querying. Ex. many people in publishing do not change their name when they get married, & it looks esp creeps if you email them as Mrs. [their spouse's name you have no reason to know]. Use their actual name. #subtip #querytip

If you're querying & it's a referral, 1) make sure it's someone the person you're querying actually knows (it's confusing if they don't know the person referring you...) and 2) sometimes it's helpful to put their name in the subject line as well as the query. #subtip #querytip

Short thread for today as I spend the morning in submissions: First, you don't have to email back to apologize for grammatical errors or character names swapped. We all make mistakes. Most agents don't hold grammar against you as long as we can read your work. #subtip #querytip

Cynical opinion: opening a query letter with how much you love to write or how you've always been a storyteller is not a compelling pitch. I assume the former to be true about all submissions, and the latter you can prove through a list of your publications. #querytip

This is a first. A 55 page query letter.
#SlushInsight #Agentlife #querytip

#querytip Unless you’re Octavia Butler, don’t start your novel with your protagonist waking up

Just a reminder that I can't accept queries through email or the contact form on my personal website - only through QueryManager. (I am currently closed except through client or industry referral though. Will update when that changes!) #querytip #amquerying

#querytip A query for a novel should have three strong paragraphs describing the plot of the story. Nothing matters as much when I’m reading as these three paragraphs