Advice for my #amquerying peers: “Query when you & your book are ready, & when the agents you want to query are open: to hell w/ the rest of it!” (From former agent & editor @keslupo.bsky.social who is a gem to the #writingcommunity !) Full article here: kesialupo.substack.com/p/how-import...

September 1st! Me waiting for the big exciting submissions to hit my inbox.

New substack! Ever wondered what a commissioning editor does day to day? kesialupo.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...

My latest newsletter is on whether agents actually read their queries - and includes the full breakdown how many of my clients came from the query pile, and how many from other sources, when I was agenting… open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

So stoked for this! 👇👇👇

So you've had the Call with an agent and they've offered you representation - or perhaps you have more than one offer. What are a few things you should consider before making your decision? 🧵

We are thrilled to be welcoming ‪@keslupo.bsky.social‬ and Miloni Vora for these upcoming workshops. This is an excellent opportunity to get tip-top feedback from an in-house editor on your opening pages! Non-member registration opens soon! app.inkedvoices.com/events?types...

My big news got announced in @thebookseller.com this morning! I’m so thrilled to be joining @macmillankidsuk.bsky.social on 7th July as Commissioning Editor. 🧵

Ah, comp titles. The bane of many authors' query letters - they're tricky to choose and what if there isn't anything out there like your book anyway? What if that's the whole point? Buckle up, more @keslupo.bsky.social advice incoming. 🧵

Receiving critiques of your writing (from critique partners, editors, or even reviewers) is an essential part of being a writer - but they can be tough pills to swallow. As someone who has both given and received a lot of tough feedback, @keslupo.bsky.social offers 4 tips. 🧵

More people are writing - and writing with serious dreams of publication - than EVER before. It's tough to stand out with these kinds of numbers in mind, and agents have to make fast decisions! Here are 4 tips from @keslupo.bsky.social on how to avoid a quick no. 🧵

IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!

Hi new followers! We're a writing conference organization run by long-time industry insiders & bringing together writers, agents and even editors in person and online. Plus, agent @keslupo.bsky.social runs our socials, so stay tuned for proper publishing insights.

Delighted to say that I’m at Folkestone Book Festival later this year. Friday 14/11, 10-1 for a workshop based on my bestselling book, The Alchemy @renardpress.bsky.social Limited places: programme & tickets go live next month. @keslupo.bsky.social www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-b...

Here are 3 things agents are looking for in your query package... (according to our personal agent guru, @keslupo.bsky.social) 🧵

This is without doubt the best article I've ever read about how to write the dreaded synopsis. It includes an example and details on why it works. Even with all the spoilers, I need to read this book! Thank you @keslupo.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

I LOVE reading about writers’ querying journeys - no two writers follow the same path. Even so, Jill (who is one of my clients) offers a lot of wisdom here around how to maximize your chances when you’re querying agents. (Spoiler: organization and perseverence are key!)

Yesterday was my 2-year agenting anniversary. It was also the day I received notification that my first commission payment is coming through. (This isn't because I didn't sell anything else before, but because for the first 14 months I was on a salary!) Special moment!

My latest Substack lifts the curtain on my current query inbox and answers the question: Why I haven't responded to your query yet? open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

Anyone here suffering from writers' block? We all get stuck sometimes, but if you're beginning to feel like you can't get unstuck, it's time to shake things up. Here are five tips from @keslupo.bsky.social to get things moving again.

Writers: are you plotters, pantsers, or plantsers? We need to know. (More info in thread!)

I'm so excited that this category is officially being recognized!

What the actual fuck.

First author of 2025 signed - and my 1st middle-grade project for DMLA! I'm so excited to share Mayra's exceptional magical-realist horror, set in c19th Puerto Rico & exploring the terror of puberty via a deliciously unreliable narrator. Pan's Labyrinth x creepy dolls, anyone?

3 overfamiliar beginnings you should probably avoid when writing your novel (according to @keslupo.bsky.social, who reads a lot of opening pages!). 🧵

Only ONE #Agent121 space left with @keslupo.bsky.social a on 25 March. Kesia loves #fantasy with rich world-building, psychological/paranormal #horror, twisty thrillers, #historicalfiction and #romance. Great chance for feedback. Book: www.iaminprint.co.uk 📚💫

Struggling with your crucial opening page? Here are my (@keslupo.bsky.social's) 3 top tips. More detail in thread! 🧵

Delighted to share that, on June 4th, I launch my new series of online discussion evenings, With Dr Bookworm. Each time a writer or health and well-being professional (they are often the same person!) in discussion with me on emotions. 4th June: Every Day a Negotiation with Grief. Entry by donation

I wanted to write something on the realities of agenting - but honestly it felt too big of a topic (there's a lot of structural industry stuff, plus I can't speak for all of us). So I wrote instead about a typical day for me, right now. I hope you enjoy it! open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

Belated update that I'm now closed again, having received over 1,000 queries in a single week! I'd better get reading, I guess?!

So, you've finished a manuscript and you're keen to make sure it's polished before you proceed to the next step on your writing journey. What to do next? Here are 6 suggested steps for self-editing your first draft (as usual, by @keslupo.bsky.social):

Forgot to post about it earlier but I am actually now open - eep! Here's the link: querytracker.net/query/3659

I spoke to @davidgwyn.bsky.social group today about synopsis writing. My agent-friend @keslupo.bsky.social wrote a great post about writing one! Check it out!! #amquerying #writingcommunity kesialupo.substack.com/p/how-to-wri...

me racing to read @andiesmithbooks.bsky.social's most recently finished editing project (jenna is spot on!)

New Substack on synopses just dropped... 👇 Nearly everyone hates writing them, but here are some top tips (with an example) to help you along the way. open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

First thing on Monday February 17th, I'm opening to queries in ALL genres I represent (manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ke...). I'll close on Sunday 23rd evening (please note I'm on Pacific Time, 8 hrs behind UK, 3 hrs behind ET). 🧵

So excited to share this wonderful proposal with the world - I think we all need it!

Last call for submissions to our three first pages competitions with judges @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social, Brandy Vallance, and @keslupo.bsky.social - we're closing at midnight Pacific time! More info and details on how to submit here: writingdayworkshops.com/blog/agent-c...

Has anyone here replaced their smartphone with a dumb phone? I’m on the cusp of doing this & wondering how it’s gone for others… and if you have any advice!

The rumors are true! We've extended the deadlines of our three first pages competitions until February 11. Find out more here (or via the link in our bio): writingdayworkshops.com/blog/agent-c...

A lot of writers are very busy people with day jobs, families and other commitments. Here are 4 top tips (from @keslupo.bsky.social who has written 3 published - and more unpublished - novels while working full-time) for how to write when you're short on time.🧵

👀👀👇👇👇 #writingcommunity #YMWJPodcast with @roseclifflit.bsky.social @amynielsen.bsky.social @keslupo.bsky.social @carolinejtrulit.bsky.social @demimschwartz @srhartleyauthor @drenderturmaud.bsky.social

I had so much fun answering these questions! Thank you @naomijones1.bsky.social!

The rumors are true - we're running not one, not two, but THREE competitions to get your first pages read by top agents @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social (YA), Brandy Vallance (Romance, Historical and Women's Fiction), and @keslupo.bsky.social (SFF). And it's FREE! Instructions below... 🧵

New year = new agenting goals. Let's hope I get a bit closer in 2025 than I did in 2024... 🫠 open.substack.com/pub/kesialup...

Happy Publication Day to me! And Happy New Year to everyone else! I decided to do a 'silent launch' for this book, but now it's launched, I hope people will begin to buy it and enjoy it! Think Frostblood or like a dark, older version of Frozen!

Here’s the breakdown of how my work (life?) balance looks to be shaking out in 2025… Bookselling - 2 days a week Agenting - 2 days a week Social media management and freelance editing - 1 day a week The other 2 days will likely involve reading submissions! Excited/tired already!!

So, while 2024 has mostly been marked by challenges (I also moved across the country and well, *gestures broadly at the state of existence*), I'm also incredibly grateful for the opportunities. And I know @keslupo.bsky.social and I are just getting started. Happy agentiversary!

Finally finished the endless edit on my newest novel! 🙌 Thanks to @keslupo.bsky.social for so many great insights and suggestions which have taken this long to implement but have made it so much stronger! One more read through and then out to ARC readers! 🎉

We are lucky enough to have some *exceptional* hand-sellers on staff and we can always tell when one of them has taken a shine to a particular book. For example, we’ve sold over 700 copies of this book thru pure bookseller power. www.thebookseller.biz/book/9781534... ❤️📚