As promised, here’s an update on my querying progress: A lot of agents are closed to queries. Queries—if you don’t know—take a long time. Even if you have everything prepared. When I send a query letter, I usually have to go through about four to five different agent profiles because many are closed. Then I … Continue reading A querying update—
Category: Query Letter Advice
Top 5 red flags for literary agencies
There are many literary agencies out there for writers, but there are also many harmful literary agencies out there for writers. I've noticed a few recently, so I thought to go over the top five red flags for an agency. They charge fees Submitting to a literary agency should cost you nothing. Even after you … Continue reading Top 5 red flags for literary agencies
How to write great pitches for pitch contests
Writers use Twitter contests to pitch to agents, publishing houses, and editors. While some of the bigger ones like PitMad is gone, smaller ones still happen all the time. Now, pitch contests are like getting a lottery ticket. Getting attention—when surrounded by hundreds of other pitches—is difficult to say the least. But there are proven … Continue reading How to write great pitches for pitch contests
2 methods to send out query letters to agents
After getting your query package (query letter, synopsis, beginning pages, etc.) together, it can be impossible to know how well it will do on the agent market. It's so subjective out there. And after getting a rejection, you usually cannot query that project again to that same agent unless it goes under intense revision. That … Continue reading 2 methods to send out query letters to agents
Query advice from literary agents
I attended a Zoom meeting with literary agents awhile back. They mentioned many good tips, and I'd like to share some of them. Here's a run down of what they said: What they wish writers knew Takes time to hear back. They can have up to 2,000 queries at one time, so it may take … Continue reading Query advice from literary agents
Tips from a literary agent
I attended a Reedsy livestream that featured a literary agent. I got to see the agent go through query letters before my eyes! I decided to take what I learned and share it with y'all. Hope you enjoy! How to start your query If you are a debut author, he suggested going straight into talking … Continue reading Tips from a literary agent
What credentials should you put in your query letter?
At the end of a query letter, it's important to write something about yourself. But...what do you write? Some people write about where they got their college degrees from. Or perhaps how long they've been working on this manuscript. But is that necessary? Let's find out! Degrees (BA OR MFA) Degrees are usually only necessary … Continue reading What credentials should you put in your query letter?
What writers submit queries and when?
Some writers have to their work completed and edited before submitting a query to an agent. But not all writers. Sound weird? There are two main genres that define how a writer publishes their work in the traditional route: non-fiction and fiction. Fiction queries are the kind of queries that everyone hears about. You finish … Continue reading What writers submit queries and when?
How to use social media when querying
At the base line, social media is a good way to connect with agents. Agents talk about their manuscript wish list (#MSWL) from time to time. They list what they're looking for in the next book they represent. Look out for them. You might see one that matches your book. However, warning: do not directly … Continue reading How to use social media when querying
For your new literary agent
When searching for a literary agent, some people think about only their query letter. But usually agents ask for more. Synopsis These are not always the most fun, but they do point out your plot right off the back. Does it all flow together? Does it make sense? Is there a spot where it may … Continue reading For your new literary agent
Robin LeeAnn 