Querying doesn’t have to feel like a mystery 🖋️ @QueryTracker creator and THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS co-author Patrick McDonald joined Talking Book Publishing to share practical insight on how writers can query more strategically. tr.ee/jgv9gJ

One of the best pieces of writing advice is also the most overlooked: Read. Read books in your genre. Read books outside your genre. Read new releases and timeless classics. Read debut authors and seasoned bestsellers. Read books by local authors and international authors. And then, read some more. The more you read, the more craft and storytelling wisdom you'll naturally absorb. So if you have been neglecting your reading list lately, consider this your sign to pick a book up. 📖

Don't skip comps! Will not having them make agents auto-reject your query? No. But comps are so important in the industry, and saying your book "isn't like anything else out there" can actually hurt your pitch. Here are my quick tips for finding and choosing effective comps. 📚

A dream come true to see my book with @QueryTracker featured in @PublishersWkly! 🎉 "A practical and heartening guide for those navigating the book industry for the first time." That's exactly what we set out to write. If you're in the process of querying or planning to, we wrote this for you. 📘 Preorder it now: modernguidetoquerying.com/

Writing a book is a MASSIVE achievement. Even if it's not perfect. Even if no one has read it. Even if it never gets published. So no matter what happens next, take the time to appreciate everything you have done so far. The simple act of finishing an entire first draft is worth celebrating. You did that. 🎉

The CEO of Macmillan — one of the most powerful people in traditional publishing — recently sat down for a candid interview about the state of the industry in 2026. His insights confirmed a lot of what I saw firsthand when I worked in the industry, but genuinely surprised me in a few places. Here are the 7 key takeaways for aspiring authors. ⬇️ youtu.be/H7z9nGMplAQ

I posted this video less than four hours ago, and it already has 10,000 views. Might become my most-watched ever. Clearly we aren't done talking about the Shy Girl scandal! Here's my take on what happened and what it means for every author hoping to get published. youtube.com/watch?v=Ucw4JF5E…

150,000 YouTube subscribers. 🎉 If you told me back in 2020 (when I started my channel) that I'd be here now, I'd laugh in your face. To every writer who has ever watched, subscribed, or shared my content — truly, thank you. You're the reason I keep doing this! Here's to helping more writers tell their stories. 📚

If you're stuck in the query trenches, this book is for you. I wrote THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS with the creator of @QueryTracker using insights from 4 million real queries to show you what agents REALLY want. And it's 25% off this week! 🥳 Sale ends March 26 ⏰ Grab your copy here → barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mod…

This is extremely big and public and humiliating for this writer, but just know: I’m also privately cancelling each and every writer who pitches me with AI (and I’m sure many other editors are too)…

I've been working on this massive project quietly for almost two years, and I'm SO excited to finally share it. 🎉 I wrote a book with the creator of @QueryTracker, the #1 tool writers use to research and track agent submissions. If querying has ever felt confusing, overwhelming, or just completely opaque, we wrote this guide for YOU. We use real industry data (from agent surveys more than 4 million actual queries) to bring you never-before-seen insights into the querying process. If you're wondering: -What does that rejection REALLY mean? -How many queries are considered "normal"? -What are my real chances of getting representation? ...make sure to preorder it today! ☺️

RT @GraywolfPress: Beware of scams featuring emails impersonating Graywolf Press staffers—don’t trust communications that appear to be sent…

It only takes one yes.

Do you need a social media following to get published?

My QueryTracker success story is now live! Featuring my writing journey and the inspiration behind my dark fantasy novel Demon on Wheels🚂 Give it a read here: querytracker.net/offers/inte…

More than half of Americans think they have a good idea for a novel. But only 15% have started writing. And only 8% have finished. It's no wonder the success rate is so low; it's incredibly difficult. Whenever your motivation wanes, remember this: You can do hard stuff. You are creatively capable. Your story will make an impact. And if you're deep in a rut...watch my latest writing pep talk! youtube.com/watch?v=dDX_wUHJ…

✨ QueryTracker Success Story Interview ✨ My QT interview is up! Read all about my journey to signing with @ciarasmithagent and more. 💛 querytracker.net/offers/inte…

IT FINALLY HAPPENED !!! and i still can’t even wrap my head around it 😭 the final countdown out of the query trenches begins !! #querying #WritingCommunity

Most stories boil down to the same 7 plots (or a combination of them) that humans have been using for centuries. So which plot does your story follow... Comedy 🤣 Rebirth 🐣 Quest? 💼 To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best! youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA

Woke up to another encouraging note from my husband this morning. 🥰 This one is to remind me to keep working on my new project while I wait to hear back on queries. *focus, focus, focus*