Precy Larkins--YA Author: Bad Query Tips and Much More...

Bad Query Tips and Much More...

If you're a writer and you tweet, chances are, you've already seen the hilarious and informative hashtag #BadQueryingTips trending on Twitter. Basically, it's a what-not-to-do sort of guide for querying writers.

A few gems...

#BadQueryTips Always include attachments. The agents are sure to open them.
— Lynn(e) Schmidt (@LynneSchmidt) June 25, 2012

Once you've queried, call the agent every day to check up on your submission. Shows dedication. We LOVE that. #BadQueryingTips
— Julia A. Weber(@jawlitagent) June 25, 2012

Mention how much your mom loves your book and how she thinks you're better than that woman who wrote about vampires. #BadQueryingTips
— Rebekah Crane (@RebekahCrane) June 25, 2012

Fun, right? There's also #BadWritingTips :

Try to use a different synonym for "said" every time someone talks. It will show people that you know lots of words. #badwritingtips
— Leigh Ann Kopans (@LeighAnnKopans) June 23, 2012

Show AND tell. Your reader is simple minded. #BadWritingTips
— Julie Murphy (@andimjulie) June 23, 2012

Use the word "just" as much as possible. And "suddenly." #BadWritingTips
— Megan Whitmer (@MeganWhitmer) June 23, 2012

Anyway, what bad query or writing tips have you encountered before? Please share so we can all have a laugh (and secretly fix our mistakes when no one's looking. :D )

20 comments:

Stephsco said...: Haha - I'll check out those hashtags.; June 26, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Karen Jones Gowen said...: LOL. How about do the OPPOSITE of their submission guidelines?; June 26, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Simon Kewin said...: Amusing stuff - must keep an eye on that hashtag.; June 26, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Jessie Humphries said...: Suddenly...I'm laughing out loud! :); June 26, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Jennie Bennett said...: Wow, I'm behind the times! I din't see these, too funny. As for #badqueryingtips I would say to be sure to put in lots of rhetorical questions. They really get the mind going. :); June 26, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Golden Eagle said...: LOL. Those are just awesome. :); June 26, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Jemi Fraser said...: Love those - adding those hashtags to tweetdeck!; June 26, 2012 at 6:41 PM
M.J. Fifield said...: I have seen these. They've been keeping me laughing the past few days.; June 27, 2012 at 1:04 AM
Unknown said...: Well, shoot. I do a couple of those things. Now I feel almost as simple-minded as my readers...; June 27, 2012 at 2:43 AM
Rachna Chhabria said...: Lol. I just couldn't stop laughing. Calling up the agent everyday is a super idea ;); June 27, 2012 at 10:50 AM
A. Lynden Rolland said...: I needed a good laugh today! I especially like the one about using as many synonyms as possible for the word, "said."; June 27, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Kim said...: Okay, some of these hurt :)!
Too funny!; June 27, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Cheryl B. Dale said...: Hey, how about if your query gets rejected, just rename the characters and send it back to a different agent at the same agency!; June 27, 2012 at 4:40 PM
MTeacress said...: I haven't seen this on Twitter yet. Funny. :); June 28, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Lynn(e) Schmidt said...: You put up one of my tweets! I feel honored!!!! :):):):):):); June 29, 2012 at 2:27 PM
Bethany Crandell said...: pfft...these are awesome!!; July 2, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Unknown said...: I bet you're so glad your baby didn't put in an appearance yet. Yes, this one sounds like a keeper! lol
Wishing you all the best!; July 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM
A.M.Supinger said...: I laughed SO HARD at "Show AND tell. Your reader is simple minded." --@andimjulie hahahahahahaha!; July 8, 2012 at 10:41 AM
David P. King said...: Awesome story! It's been a while since I last visited, but I'm glad I rediscovered your blog. Keep up the awesomeness! :); July 23, 2012 at 3:09 AM
Anonymous said...: This is so funny. I missed this hashtag.; August 2, 2012 at 4:50 AM