Thread by @NaomisLitPix

I'm sitting down to read 50 queries + Tweet some of the positive thoughts I have while reading. #amquerying is TOUGH, and I want you to know what things hit in a good way whether it leads to a request or rep or not. #querytip
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Comp titles used well! "The *atmosphere descriptors* and *character stakes* of X Title meets the *writing quality* of Z Author."
Nicely done.

Really focuses on the plot beats, rather than the themes or the author's intentions! This tells me what actually happens in the story, which differentiates it from the swaths of queries with similar themes. Also done in a voicey way that makes me want to read more.

This one uses a lot of proper nouns and technical details about the world, which is usually a little rough for me, but the voice and character stakes are high enough in the query blurb they get away with it. Interested me enough to read the pages.

Very clearly declares it a standalone with series potential! I always like this.

Oh! Comped a book I sold. Seems fairly accurately, too. Always brings a smile to my face, whether I request or not.

I appreciate when folks don't skirt around vampires. If they are vampires, or vampire-adjacent, do say so! I've read enough vampire fiction to know it when I see it, so don't bother burying it with clever lingo lol

Who doesn't like pets in spec lit? Thank you for mentioning these. They do perk me up and show me layers of story. (Don't, though, if they aren't relevant to the query; save your word count for things that are impactful)

Beautiful use of descriptive language to lure me into the setting. Definitely drove me toward the sample pages with mood, tone, and comp titles.

Love how this one details their bio in relevant ways without being too clinical. I like to know what you've done in the industry, and I like it when you show me you enjoyed it, too.

People are knocking it out of the park with comp titles today. It's so helpful when you show me what you're comping about a comp title; the mood, the characters, the pacing, the themes, the voice. Rather than just "this is X meets Y"

Love it when you let me know we met at an event, whether digital or in person. It rings a bell of familiarity for me and makes me think about when we met and what may was memorable about the interaction.
Nothing lost if I don't remember, either!

All in all, I read 50 queries in just over an hour, and I requested 1.
I don't mean the stats to be a dampener on the positivity here. It's all just so subjective. Even if you do everything right in your query, there's no guarantee a specific agent will want to read...

...so query widely! There's no way to predict which agents will - and won't - respond to your submission with passion.
Good luck out there - I know it's tough!
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