Free Query Tips

Another week comes to a close, fellow writing friends, and I’ve been meditating on the thought of when the right time to query is. I’ve finished two manuscripts, and while they need some rough editing, if I put my nose to the grindstone I think I could do it. To sound like a motivational speaker, “there’s no better time than now!”

If my ultimate goal is to get published, which it is, then I should be able to conjure up the energy required to edit these novels and get them to potential agents. With that in mind I’m planning on dedicating thirty minutes a day to editing novel 1 until it is completely looked over. I don’t want to look back a year from now and wish I would have done this when it could have already been done.

Cheers to you and your writing goals. Share them below. I’d love to hear them.

@Janet_Reid ” I just received a query for a novel of 420,000 words. After I fainted, I could but type “no” in the reply. Zowie!!!”

@jawlitagent ”Careful with stereotypes! Not every male hairdresser is gay. And not every cheerleader is a superficial & backstabbing bitch.#writingtip”

@gordonwarnock ”Today’s odd query sighting: a semicolon after the greeting. It just seems awkward, like saying, “Yo, sir.”

@Ann_Collette ”#5: Nonfiction. Promising subject weighed down by research & 2 many facts 2 soon = a dry academic read. Is there gonna be a test? Pass.”

@bradfordlit ”The 2nd sub I opened today: the author did not use quotation marks for dialogue. Did not appear to be a fan of punctuation at all, really.”

@AriSusuMago  “If a significant period of time passes in your novel, address that in your query. Toddlers don’t get recruited by the US Army. #querytip”

@Caitlin_Renata ”#querytip: Please please PLEASE explain the PLOT of your novel. Don’t explain themes or lessons learned, etc etc. Tell me what happens!!”

@SaraDEmicAgent ”#Querytip Personally I hate it when queries quote my bio back to me. I know what I wrote and what I like.”

‏@carlywatters ”Querying without a full manuscript is like being promised dinner knowing the menu and guests might change. #querytip”

@AgentShea ”#QueryTip: To sound EXTREMELY morbid, I really like reading about serious themes: death, illness, suicide, addiction (all types), divorce.”