...that explains one or more of these elements, the reader notices you, the author, trying to get them to understand something. They don't want to notice you. They want to forget you exist (sorry) and just relax and EXPERIENCE. They will absorb&care about world more this way. 4/

- Beliefs
- Setting
- History
- Relationship expectations
- Economy/Politics
- Traditions/Celebrations
- Language/symbolism
- Tech

All VERY necessary for your reader to understand in order to sink into your fantasy world and enjoy the story. But if you paste a big paragraph...3/

The goal is for your reader to NOT notice you explaining the world to them. So accomplish this by structuring your first chapters to begin advancing the plot in ways that allows your reader to see your character interact w/ the unique worldbuilding elements. This can include: 2/

A quick #writetip #querytip as I go through queries this morning: in adult SFF, there is often a true need for heavy, up-front worldbuilding, in order to understand the world they are exploring thru your character. How SMOOTHLY you do this determines if your reader notices. 1/

#querytip I'm open to fantasy...but if your fantasy has dragons, mages, kingdoms, realms, or anything along those lines, it's probably not for me.

First pages are crucial. Your story must have a reason for starting where/when/with whom it does. In a query, the content of your first pages should clearly be in line with your pitch - don’t mislead your audience! #querytip

Queries update: I’m going to be closing to picture book queries. I’ll still be repping them and signing them—but by referral or my own scouting. I am staying open to graphic novels from author/illustrators! #amagenting #querytip

#QueryTip: I *personally* don't like prologues. When I read for pleasure, I skip them. I post this as a query tip not because you should NEVER write a prologue, but because you should be aware that readers have mixed feelings about them. It's good to go in informed when querying!

Listen to my query pet peeves on the @RoseQuinny podcast: instagram.com/p/CFzdwK1Dh9X/… #askagent #writetip #querytip

#QueryTip: I'm not a stickler for this in queries, but in a perfect world, your writing sample should be formatted as closely to Chicago Style as possible. If you're unsure what that means, check out this guide from the Purdue OWL! #WritingCommunity

ow.ly/PQUC50BALRf

Query Tip: Be wary of starting a query with a question. What if the answer is no? You're better off starting with a hook.

Examples
Did you ever wonder...? No
Do you like...? No
Have you ever...? No

Like improv, questions only work if the answer is yes.
#querytip #amquerying

So, in case my tweets tonight didn't clue you in, if you're pro-Trump or writing racist/sexist things?

Don't query me.

💯 Not here for any of that.
#querytip

#QueryTip: Nearly every query that I, a trans enby agent, have read recently by a cis LGB/Q+ author has had a trans character. I have deeply mixed feelings about this. Before you write a character outside of your own identity, please consider your motivations carefully.

#QueryTip: I have said it before and will say it again: I love new adult. Traditional publishing does not. When you query an agent, be sure to specify whether you are writing for an adult audience, or for YA, because that's the world we currently live in, like it or not. 🙃

Querying writers, be sure to check out @ericsmithrocks' How to Achieve Perfect Pitch blog post series where he breaks down client query letters & what made them successful! ericsmithrocks.com/blog #querytip #amquerying

#QueryTip: when querying an agent who is closed to submissions (which you should NEVER do without an invitation) AND you don’t follow sub guidelines, AND said agent takes the time to send a personal & kind rejection, DON’T email them back & call them patronizing. 🤬🤬 #amquerying

Nothing makes me say “I don’t want to work with you” faster than dissing other authors in your query letter, ESPECIALLY when it’s biphobic! #querytip

#querytip #amquerying I can’t say it enough, know your genre. Especially your word count. I continue to see quite a few submission way under and way over the guidelines.

A question I often get: Do you consider previously self-published novels? We do, so long as they fit what we're looking for. #querytip

Query Tip: Never send one query email to multiple agents (more than one agent in the to/cc/bcc is a no-no). This states you didn't research any of the agents or put forth the necessary work to understand the query process. (1/2) #querytip #amquerying #WednesdayWisdom