Not sure about other agents, but I LOVE when a query starts with a catchy first line that basically sums up the whole plot. Think of your "what if" question or the pitch you used during #pitmad. The line the NYT bestsellers list would use for your book. #querytip #amquerying

How to Get a #LiteraryAgent (and how we find clients!) #PubTip #QueryTip youtu.be/U80FmOSOlA8 via @YouTube

Today I rejected 4 manuscripts that came in labeled as Middle Grade, despite clearly being works for adults. 3 were in genres I don't rep at all. Read the form, folks. #querytip

A great query gets my attention, but a great first few pages is what gets me to start reading the manuscript when I go home that night. #querytip

Sci-Fi and Fantasy writers. Give your query letter to a friend or family member who knows nothing about your book. If they are confused by the query letter, we will be too.
#Querytip #SlushInsight #amquerying

#querytip
How not to query: email with 33 attachments and ask me to email a reply with my submission requirements.

#amquerying #amwriting

Do You Know The Difference Between Literary, Upmarket and Commercial Fiction?

Knowing how to categorize your work is one of the most important skills a writer needs to know–especially while querying. bit.ly/1WLrOpD #pubtip #querytip

#querytip: Industry standard is to give agents 2 weeks notice when you receive an offer of representation. I've been seeing/hearing of a lot of one-week notices lately & that's not enough time for most agents to read, given our other commitments to our clients!

Wowwwww, some of y'all are ridiculous. Don't be rude to people. #subtip #querytip If I pass & you come back with rudeness & condescension, I'm not going to respond to that, I'm going to delete it.

Those of you pitching "romance" remember - There are two basic elements that comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
#amwritingromance #querytip #SlushInsight

Even if your story is plot driven, let us know who your protagonist is, what it is they desire most and what is at stake if they fail. It’s your character the reader is going to emotionally invest in. #querytip #amquerying

I'm getting a lot of submissions for word counts that are outside standard word counts for the age group / genre they are in. Make sure you are doing your research and you're falling in line with those standards, especially if you're a new author.
#querytip #SlushInsight

I've been seeing a lot of queries that list multiple genres in the subj line or pitch--this is often a red flag for me that the project isn't ready. When pitching your book make sure you're being specific and accurate with your genre! #querytip

Please compare yourself to something more contemporary! Publishing is very different in 2019 than it was in 1999. #querytip #pubtip

Yep. You gotta tell me the important info please! #querytip #subtip

Here's a #querytip for my new followers: For your synopsis, keep it short and sweet. Don't waste time speculating how and in what ways a reader will be moved by your work.

Jessica and James are discussing a very important question for querying (and agented) authors: When to Write Your Next Book youtu.be/UnAPDj8tBZ4 via @YouTube #WritingCommunity #WriteTip #PubTip #QueryTip

#querytip: I don't rep fiction.

#querytip: You can't sell the bacon if they can't smell the sizzle. Spend time perfecting the hook so the agent knows what the stakes (HA! meat humor) are and how your characters are going to get out of this pickle.

Okay, I may be hungry.

#QueryTip File names with the project title and your name are helpful to agents when submitting full manuscripts to agents. It’s a good habit that will help when your book sells and you start sharing manuscript files with your editor (see below) #amwriting #amrevising