All this AI and Outlook still isn't smart enough to know that when I click reply on an email that got no response, I'm not trying to reply to myself. 😮‍💨

I say this to people all the time and they're always like, "I don't think that's true." It's not opinion, it's FACT.

My 17yo got into his first choice program at OCAD -- Illustration! So who knows...there may be a mini me joining the publishing industry soon(ish). So proud! He's been working so hard to develop his craft all through high school.

A weird thing happens when you submit an ms to an editor at a Big 5 but they move to a new imprint and keep the same email. They reply a year later and say, "I really love this story, but can't publish it here, sorry." Like, yeah, I knew you would love it and might acquire it WHEN YOU WERE THERE. 😭

🤩 AWWW. Someone bought me a coffee! And here I was getting frustrated fighting with technology today and thinking, "This isn't worth it." Thank you! 🥰

It always feels icky asking for money, but if you've ever enjoyed the coffee-fueled resources and advice through my website WritingCommunity.ca, consider buying me a coffee so I can keep supporting the #writingcommunity. :-) If you can't use the QR code, it links to: link.waveapps.com/fj3juq-auwq9a

Whoa. Why did 40 people follow me today? What list did I get put on? 😅

Thank you to everyone who attended the Query Unrequited webinar! All the technology challenges and scrambling that happened in the 24 hours leading up to the moment I turned my camera on all became worth it to hear you all say how valuable the experience was for you. Happy Valentine's! 🥰

I'm going to talk about something personal for a sec, which I don't do here very often because I try to keep things bookish, but it relates to my upcoming Valentine's Day webinar. It's a bit ironic, but when I started planning Query Unrequited, my life was in a very different place. Now... 1/4

Just 1 week until my Valentine's Day webinar QUERY UNREQUITED: Why I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Submission. I'll talk about these stats and more! Register here: next.waveapps.com/checkouts/42... #WritingCommunity #Writers #Illustrators

Just 10 days until Query Unrequited. If you're trying to land an agent, this workshop is for you! I'll be talking about what I look for in a query, and using real life examples (with permission). Register at WritingCommunity.ca! #writerlife✒️ #writerslifestyle #writingcommunity #amquerying #querytip

#querystatus: ~50 queries and submissions left to read. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get live, detailed feedback. Check out Query Unrequited on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

Is anyone who queried me willing to partner with me on an upcoming workshop where I would explain to writers in attendance for educational purposes why I passed on your query? It would be gentle, constructive criticism, and you could attend the workshop for free. Email me at [email protected]

#amquerying #writers: Did you ever wonder what results in an ❌auto-reject❌ on your query? SPOILER ALERT: It's not typos. Here are the most common reasons: writingcommunity.ca/queryhacker-...

I emailed everyone who's ever queried me (1000 emails!) about Query Unrequited and didn't get a single response. Can those of you who have queried me in the past do me a favour and check your spam? I'm just curious if all those emails went into spam or not.

‼️ATTENTION WRITERS USING QUERY TRACKER‼️ As I'm going through archived queries preparing for Query Unrequited, I'm finding several queries that creators withdrew asking to resubmit a revised version. I never saw these messages! There's a setting in QM (the agent side of QT) that automatically 1/3

#querystatus: I have about 130 queries left to read. Still reading August submissions. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get more detailed feedback as to why. Webinar details just posted on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

#querystatus I've signed another new client. Super excited to rep a fellow Canuck! 🇨🇦 Which means I reached my two goals this open season: signing a graphic novelist, and signing a Canadian. That also means my roster is just about buttoned up and I'll be even more selective with the queries left.

#querystatus: I'm reading queries sent in early August, so I'll be closing my query inbox tomorrow and spending December catching up. I signed one new client this week, which brings me to a grand total of 9 clients. Ideally, I'd have 10 clients (12 max), so I'm being extremely selective right now.

What does working with a literary agent look like? I just posted a few insights on my website: writingcommunity.ca/what-working... #writingcommunity #amquerying #writers

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! 😕