If you've received my "I only read your query, not your manuscript" form response, you might feel perplexed about where you went wrong. Here are two lists to give you a little insight into my thought process of what does and does not affect my evaluation of your query. #writingcommunityً #amquerying

Hi writers! I did a Spotlight Interview with @writeforkids.bsky.social as a bonus to GET TO YES: How to Land an Agent. Check it out! I'm open to queries right now, so maybe there's a little insight here that will help YOU get to yes! writeforkids.online/instructor-s... #writingcommunity #amquerying

It's thrilling when a client sends you their next manuscript and, halfway through the first chapter, you realize if this was a query, you'd be requesting the full instantly. But they're already your client, so you already have the full. And you're not competing with any other agents! 🤩😍🤯 #amagenting

I realized this issue of Kidlit Confusion was sitting as a draft of my website for weeks! 😅 Here you go, all. WARNING! This issue is more confusing than ever. #kidlit #amquerying #writers #querytip writingcommunity.ca/kidlit-confu...

Having fought through the worst infection of my life this week, I want to remind everyone to believe what your body is telling you. I went to emerge Monday and got the antibiotics I needed, but by Wednesday the infection wasn't improving. 1/3

literally happened to me yesterday!! a query was withdrawn with a very angry message attached to the notification. if waiting on agents to read your full and get back to you (while balancing clients, personal schedules, etc) is too difficult, the submission process is going to be excruciating.

Is it okay to nudge? Of course. But keep your emotions in check. If you're losing it after 3-6 months of not hearing from an agent, how are you going to handle 1+ years of no response from editors once you're on sub? I know it's hard, but be cool, calm, and collected. #querytip #writers #amquerying

Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop

Who doesn't love a good long hot bath? 🛀🍷📖

Me neither... 👀

"Florida woman shows why headline stereotype is 'Florida man'..."

TFW you find out a client fired you because they thought you failed to respond to an email that you never received...and they never followed up to ask if you received it. 🤔

😂 My clients tell me I give excellent notes.

How are ALL of my #BB27 Top 4 picks still in the game? That has NEVER happened before. Absolutely BONKERS they all keep saving themselves. Well, Vinny, Kelly, and Morgan keep saving themselves. Lauren just isn't a target. Yet.

Top 5 reasons I reject picture book texts: 1. Too long 2. Writer doesn't leave room for the illustrator 3. Rhyme/meter off, cliche, or uninteresting 4. Too didactic 5. Lacks style and grace Watch the video to learn more about each point! #picturebook #pb #kidlit #querying youtu.be/RQSmhr2tZ6A

Happy Labor Day 🙂

Multiple people have: 1. Queried me while a query is still open with one of my TRF colleagues 2. Sent 3-4-5 queries to me for 3-4-5 different manuscripts I'd rather not reject outright, so if this is you, now's a perfect time to withdraw one or more queries in QM to fix these issues. #querystatus

#writingcommunity: I'll be in Toronto in late October and am thinking about organizing a workshop of some kind (in-person & virtual access). What are your hot topics? 1. Comp Titles 2. Query Writing 3. How to Land an Agent 4. Mastering Story Arcs 5. Something else (suggest in comments)

Are people calling Netanyahu "Yahu" yet? If not, they should.

Help me decide on a new profile pic!

Got my to-do list down from 48 items to 21 today. 🥳

#querystatus: I made a couple of requests and rejected ~ a dozen queries today. I can't emphasize enough the importance of a clear, concise query. Your query letter is how I decide to read your sample. Make it clear what you're submitting and what/who it's about so I can make an informed decision.

Just finalized my registration to attend CANSCAIP's (@canscaip.bsky.social) Package Your Imagination Conference in Toronto on October 25th. Been looking forward to this all year! Who else is going?? 🍁📚✍️ #kidlit #amagenting

#querytip: The bulk of your query letter should be your pitch. Your metadata, your bio, and any other bonus info you provide COMBINED should be half or just barely more than half of your query letter. Bare minimum 40% of your query letter should be your pitch paragraph(s). Ideally closer to 50%.

#querystatus: 18 queries on the first day. Not bad! None are labeled as graphic novels, so I guess that means my inbox is full of Canadians!! 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

#querystatus: I just reopened to queries! I'm looking for a graphic novelist as well as Canadian creators. Visit my Query Manager page here: querytracker.net/query/jestru...

I'm an out of the box thinker, so I'm experimenting with a different submission process to potentially improve the process for both editors AND my clients. It's too early to say whether it will work, but I'm grateful to have a client willing to experiment with me! 🔮🕯️🎱🤞

FYI Bookshop.org has anti-prime free shipping rn!

I have an important announcement to make: Just now, I spelt the word staccato right...on the first try. I humbly await my congratulations and accolades. Sorry, the movie rights to this epic journey are not available.

People keep asking when I'll be open to queries. I keep saying that I hope soon, but if I'm being honest with myself, I still have too many people waiting to hear back from me about fulls and conference requests. That's on top of client work. So, I still hope "soon" but don't quote me on that! 😕

This is so satisfying to watch.

Another book by a different client coming this summer. Congrats, Howard!! Get your pre-orders in! 📚

So happy for my client, @nancygoulet.bsky.social. Please pre-order this book! #kidlit #bb #boardbook #babybook #amagenting

When I reject a manuscript, but ask you to stay in touch, this is why. Red Girl Jumping was an incredible manuscript that I couldn't rep for a number of reasons. Now it's going to be published and ‼️ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT‼️ Congrats Kim! www.experimentalfiction.com/blogs/news/2...

I've been quiet on social media this year. It's been a tough one, including an almost-divorce and a cancer scare. But I'm lucky to have come through it with only good news on the other end (so far). Hopefully I can slowly start to emerge from my anxiety cocoon and re-engage here. Miss you all! 🥰

Today my book has made best sellers lists in the USA and NZ, and, I was rejected by 98 literary agents before I signed with The Rights Factory and published with Chronicle Books. Whatever your thing is: don't give up! cuddleunit5.com

#Survivor fans, hear me out: SURVIVOR DRAGONS. A season where they bring back some of the final slain dragons of each season.

During the recent flooding in Timmins, this was circulating on Facebook. It never made it to the wider internet cause we're just a small town, but you can't say we don't have a good sense of humour. 😆

You'll never convince me this isn't just a cup of cheese.

Vancouver friends! ✨️ I'm launching Myth next week at Iron Dog Books with Natalie Lim and Lois Chan! Would love to see you there! 🌸💐❤️ Also I have stickers! 👀

Has anyone just asked for a million followers? Like nicely? Maybe that will work.

I'm been busy to the EXTREME the last few weeks, but tomorrow is the culmination of all that hard work and afterward, I can BREATHE. And on top of that, it's my birthday Friday. YAY!! Hang tight! Updates coming soon.

😠 Grumpy ballerinas. 🩰 Hi, #kidlitartpostcard ! I love illustrating kiddos and their full range of emotions - even (especially?) grumpy kids in adorable outfits. Available for board books through MG. 🎨: RachelRCreates.com 📧: Jes Trudel @jestrudel.bsky.social at @therightsfactory.bsky.social

I voted! 🇨🇦 #canadaelection

Maybe unpopular opinion coming... We don't need more agents; we need more editors. The equilibrium is way off.

Well, that was close. 😅 Wordle 1,406 6/6* ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ 🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Just spent 20-30 minutes recording my screen as part of a course I want to post on my website, only to discover after I was done that it wasn't recording at all. 🤦‍♀️

Okay Canada 🇨🇦, I need your opinion. Is it better to: 1. Vote for the candidate you like federally and get stuck with one you don't like locally? 2. Vote for the candidate you like locally and get stuck with one you don't like federally? #canadaelection #canadavote #election2025

In case you need to unbutton your legs individually. 😂

Hoppy #KidLitArtPostcard Day every bunny! Here’s something egg-stra special I created to celebrate the coming holiday. I’m egg-cited to work on picture + board book projects (& more!) Rep by @jestrudel.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration #picturebooks