“But what does that even MEAN?” For writers in the “query trenches” this is a common question upon receiving a query rejection that has feedback attached. While we literary agents try to keep our thoughts clear and concise, it may …
Authors
Should Writers Query Literary Agents During the Holidays?
One of the questions I see most in online spaces among writers is some iteration of, “Is it worth my time to query literary agents during the holidays—are they even reading queries?” I can’t speak for all literary agents, but …
Should Writers Query Literary Agents During the Holidays?Read More
Inbox Insights: What Makes an Effective Lead Magnet?
There are lots of questions I’m often asked as a literary agent- and some I’m not asked, but writers ask themselves (and their friends). One of those questions is “Do I really need a newsletter and an email list?” The …
Inbox Insights: What Makes an Effective Lead Magnet?Read More
Five Questions I Ask After Reading a Query
Recently I held a “Pitch Me Day” on Threads, a day I created to give writers a chance to pitch their project in a low pressure way. If I “like” the pitch, they get to skip the query and send …
A Writer’s Summer
As we roll into summer, I thought it might be nice to take a look at the many ways a writer can benefit from both the chaos and calm that the season has to offer. Being born and raised in …
Working Through Overwhelm
‘Tis the season of the writers conference, both in-person and virtual. Perhaps you’ve just attended one, and you feel as if a mountain of useful information has been placed in your lap. You’re thrilled to have it, it’s what you …
Inside the Mind of a New Agent
For many aspiring authors, the path to obtaining representation by a literary agent feels elusive and shrouded in mystery. What makes an agent ask for a proposal, and after that, a full manuscript? Why would an agent stop reading all …
Looking Back to Help Others Move Forward
I still remember the day a California Bay Area newspaper featured an article titled “Accidental Author Shares God’s Word.” I smile remembering that it was in the front section of the paper as if this was news. It was true, …
An Agent Spills the Tea: Ten Easy Ways to Fail
If you look up “dish the tea” or “spill the tea” in the Urban Dictionary you’ll find it means spilling a juicy bit of knowledge. In this case, tea (or T) stands for truth. I’d like to quickly spill the …
Does Your Writing Career Need a Diet?
Does your writing career need to go on a diet so that it can get stronger again?
It’s no secret that losing weight is one of the most common new year’s resolutions. The resolution is triggered by an ah-ha moment …