3) Does the query lay out the stakes of the story & do those stakes feel high enough? Looking for conflict I could care about. #querytip 4/4

2) Can I imagine where it would fit in the current market &generally how I'd pitch it? This is where comp titles can help you. #querytip 3/4

1) Am I excited abt the premise? Does it feel fresh/different & avoid tired cliches? If I'm not grabbed by the premise, no go. #querytip 2/4

Thinking about what makes me request on a query this morning. Three things are key... you ready? #querytip 1/4

New on the blog: The Most Important Part of Any Query Letter mariavicente.com/post/137221440… #querytip #querying #writerwednesday

Excellent post on formatting your MS for submissions. #pubtip #querytip twitter.com/Mary_C_Moore/s…

Not gonna lie. I have frequent, intense spells of deja vu when reading queries. So that’s what you’re up against. #querytip

Please stop calling them fictional novels. Please. #querytip

Seeing lots of queriers trying to label their dystopian novels as speculative fiction. It’s not working. #querytip

Guys, as much as I'd love to, I simply cannot provide feedback on why I passed on your query. #querytip #pubtip #BusyAgentDays

Your query needs to be 1 page. One. Uno page. Page of one. There can only be one. #querytip #HighlandersQueryToo

Don't name-drop. Don't name-drop don't name-drop don't name-drop don't name-dro #querytip

When you are pitching an agent, please have your proposal ready. We might not be as enthusiastic when you get back to us. #querytip

Have someone who has not read your manuscript read the query and make sure it makes sense. Most common reason I rejected tonight. #querytip

If you spell my name wrong, I won't automatically reject you, but you're starting w/ irritating me. Don't do that #querytip

Sending an agent a rude or off-the-cuff email is not the way to query and/or attain representation. Keep it professional. #querytip

#1 reason I've rejected work today: unclear—or not high enough—stakes. #querytip #writetip

Starting this Mon morning with a YA query that insults existing YA in the first paragraph. How very Monday-ish! (Don't do this.) #querytip

My latest #querytip blog post. How to Format Your Fiction Submission: marycmoore.com/index.php/2016… #askagent https://t.co/ogRA0xEKqr

ICYMI: @MsMariaVicente chats with @damyantig about querying & what she looks for in submissions: bit.ly/1ZbaxnF #querytip