I love getting “Dear Sir or Madam” queries at my one-woman literary agency. It’s superb research. #querytip

If you have self-published a book via Amazon or other platforms, please don't call it "unpublished" in your query letters. #querytip

Instead of "she felt faint" SHOW us HOW she felt faint (i.e "The world spun around her, earth became sky and sky earth") #querytip #writetip

I think authors try to withhold info to spark curiosity, but to be curious/interested, I need to know what kind of story it is #querytip 4/4

A query needs to tell me 1) quick set-up of who MC is, 2) inciting incident, 3) choice MC has to make, 4) stakes of the choice #querytip 3/?

...basically 300 words of set-up about the MC's backstory, then a line like "but then one day everything for MC changes," end #querytip 2/?

One prob I see w/ many queries is that they END just when the story gets interesting & then I have no idea what the plot is. #querytip 1/?

"Dear Agent"...wait, my name's not Agent. It's Lane, or Mr. Heymont. I'll even accept Ms. Heymont. At least it's my name lol. #querytip

Commenting on how "attractive" I am is not appropriate in a query. Just so you know, it's not appropriate to do with ANYONE. #querytip

No need to begin your query w/ "Hey, thanks for opening this query." Queries = how I find new talent. Thank YOU for thinking of me #querytip

"One of the most necessary parts of the business." #querytip twitter.com/djolder/status…

I'm not a fan of books geared toward age groups. The Millennial's / Baby Boomer's / GenX Guide to…. not for me. #querytip

Also, ragging on other authors or genres is a big DON'T DO IT. We're adults. You need to shine without dulling someone else. #querytip

"Problems arise that challenge the MC". Okay? That literally says nothing. Show Goal, Motivation, Conflict. That says something. #querytip

It never feels like much of a coincidence when you experienced the same thing as your character. #querytip

Pretty good rule of thumb on #query requests: if we don't state we want a MS inline (esp if over 50 pgs), we want an attachment. #querytip

@maseditor Yep! It can become apparent quickly. It's a pet peeve of mine. #querytip #writetip

I’d really caution against naming a character something distinct and iconic from a major Hollywood franchise. #querytip

Adding a single Token Female to your all-male cast is a problem, not something good to highlight in your query letter. #querytip

I'm not sure who said I represent thrillers, but I do not. Romantic suspense? Yes. Urban fantasy? Yes. Straight thrillers? No. #querytip