#AboutEditor: Present tense just isn't my jam. If you submit a ms written in present tense to me, your chances of an offer are about 5%. Some of my other editors love it, though, so don't despair! #MysticOwlBooks #querytip

I'm not here to bash those wanting to be agents. But I am here to say this is why we MUST have internships, apprenticeships, true mentorships, etc. We should also have BEEN an agent elsewhere before opening our own solo practice
(4/4)
#amquerying #querytip #writingcommunity

W/o this level of mentorship, the initial clients will no doubt suffer through bad contract negotiations and more due to the agent needing to "learn as they go" rather than having that background BEFORE accepting their own clients
(3/?)
#amquerying #querytip #writingcommunity

This means working with their clients, reading manuscripts for more than reviews (I.e. how to edit them, how to sell them, marketability, etc.), going through contracts with said mentor, learning about subrights and royalty statements
(2/?)
#amquerying #querytip #writingcommunity

Who's doing Nano? Remember, don't send your manuscript out immediately afterwards! Be sure to let it sit for a bit and revise before you #query. #querytip #querytrenches #amquerying #asktheeditor

Time to share this thread again. #QueryTip: demanding more information about response times than an agent is able to offer will not speed up the process. If you have a deadline on your end, let the agent considering know, and we do our best to accommodate!

#QueryTip: if you have a website, make sure it works. If you have social media accounts, make sure they are active.

There’s no point mentioning them in your query if they are not working/active/updated.

If you want to query us *please* read the guidelines on thehelenhelleragency.com!
We need to see the first 3 chapters. A synopsis alone won’t help at all. #querytip

To those who queried me yesterday and today...

Yes I am going through the box tonight because I'm now at 180 and anxiety is real. This is just me wanting to maintain the box and get answers out sooner rather than later so you aren't waiting for months
#querytip #amquerying

Ok, final stat:

opened to queries at 10:10AM

It is now 10:10PM

I received 113 queries today.
#amquerying #amagenting #querytip #writingcommunity

Query box trend: Using more than 1 genre to identify your work--While yes, a book can have more than one it can't sit on all the shelves simultaneously so you need to decide where it would fit best. And vague "teens and adults will love this" isn't a genre either. 😉
#QueryTip

Yes to everything Bibi says in this thread! But in particular, look at submission guidelines ON THE AGENCY WEBSITE, because someone's blog post or listicle on an agent's wishlist/guidelines may be out of date (or just wrong) #querytip

Just gave a workshop on many similar situations...

You professionals who understand that publishing is a business---we appreciate you!

And some of the answers to this thread trying to justify this behavior...another red flag.

#amquerying #querytip #pubtip #writingcommunity

Accolades and accomplishments relevant to publishing DO strengthen a query. If you have some, include them! If you don't, consider working on short stories and articles before and while you're querying, so that you have some bylines to share and show off! #QueryTip

#QueryTip: something I often see in our slush pile is, "I have been told that my MS is too long for a debut novel, BUT..." - followed by a MS that is categorically too long. What this translates into for me? "I cannot work with constructive editorial feedback." 🚩🚩🚩

#QueryTip:
Do not say: "I am known for...", "People tell me...", etc.
DO say: "(Reputable source) had this to say about my book: (quote)," "You can read a review of my work here (include source)."
#WritingCommunity

#QueryTip If you're tempted to ignore submission guidelines, you're probably not a good fit for an agent's list.

Because fitting into an agent's list includes being professional.

#querytip There is absolutely zero reason to write "Dear Agent" when sending a query. It's lazy and unprofessional.

Not only are agents' names and interests widely available online, but agents' email addresses are often literally their name @ their agency dot com.

ooh, this is a great question! you can use number of Amazon or Goodreads reviews and ratings to compare your comps
#querytip

I LOVE when author/illustrators list a few of their influences in their query. It contextualizes your work! If you mention Eric Carle + Oge Mora, I imagine vibrant collage. If you say Sir Quentin Blake + Peter Reynolds, I imagine loose, playful sketches and watercolor.

#QueryTip