Najla
@BookishNajla
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Following
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Literary Agent. I write a little each day. I read a lot each day. Real life is the best fiction. Grateful for publishing friends.
Michigan
Joined March 2012
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Need good examples of well-written first chapters that check a lot of the 'must-have' boxes, I am curating a list for the
#WritingCommunity
. As always, feel free to suggest some more for me to add and share.
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#amquerying
In the past 30 days, 71 submissions, 7 fulls requested, and though I passed on many, 0 form letter rejections used. (I have added a 'Do you want feedback' question on QueryManager). Opinions are my own.
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#amquerying
#writingcommunity
You can spell my name wrong, use incorrect pronouns, have mistakes in your query letter or submission, nudge me, email me clarifying questions, or revise/resubmit in the future. No one is perfect. We all deserve a second chance.
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In case anyone wondered, agents are friends with other agents, just like writers are friends with other writers. We don't view each other as competition. We root for each other. We send congrats notes when we see deals announced. We share tips and advice. We text, Zoom and call.
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#askanagent
#writingcommunity
Let’s talk comps. Why are they important and how can they help agents? Post your questions as well as your comps and I can give you my first impression of your comps and what they tell me about your novel.
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I was a bit down earlier this week about a potential client choosing another literary agent, though so happy for the debut writer. Then two people notified me today they will be signing with me. I am so excited to immerse into their worlds! 🥰
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#askanagent
#WritingCommunity
Let’s talk main characters. Review your first chapter for me. If I read it, do I know: the country/world we are in, the decade/time period, what your MC looks like, age, where the MC is at in this moment, MC voice and current MC challenge or issue?
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Signed a debut writer today! 👩🏻🔬🏨🩺💉💔🗝️🗽 - inserting plot by emojis
#WritingCommunity
- Keep writing and revising! Here’s my MS Wishlist, if anyone is interested.
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#askanagent
#WritingCommmunity
First chapters are everything. I’m seeing a lot of awesome query letters and pitches, but the first chapters aren’t there yet.
Are you
#amquerying
? Post your questions on first chapters. I’ll answer as many questions as I can.
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Speaking and taking pitches at 2 conferences, editing 4 manuscripts, and reading! August is going to be such a fun month!
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#amwriting
#writingcommunity
#askanagent
Find beta readers who can point out issues, errors, gaps, and plot holes. The goal is to fix those things before it gets to an agent so you have the best opportunity to present your final work. Give them ?s to answer. Source: Bookfox
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#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
I heard some myths yesterday at a conference. So, a friendly myth busters post here.
1. I self-published before. Agents won’t look at my next manuscript. Myth.
2. Agents don’t take on debut writers. Myth.
1/2
What other myths can I bust? Ask away.
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Such an exciting fall!🍁 And planning for the new year. QueryManager is open. I represent adult fiction, nonfiction, & some YA.
WANTED: Deep character immersion, new takes on tropes, genre blending, but most of all, beautiful writing, memorable scenes, & brave storytelling.
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@rbenison89
I read every single one and give personalized feedback. I have been closed for 3 months and just reopened. I know agents who only open for one week a month. And some that open in small chunks to manage the workload. Applying a strategy to managing the quantity is important.
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I actually like revise/resubmits. 1) If I sent you feedback, it means I see potential. 2) If you are a debut author, there is much to learn. If you are open to revising, we can likely make successful partners. 3) Yup, it's all subjective. Don't feel obligated to revise/resubmit.
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Grateful to the editors at the large publishing imprints. They’ve embraced a new agent like me with open arms. Whether it be the trust they have in Savvy, the quality we submit, the kindness in our appreciation and approach, the pre work we do to align subs to wishlists, or (1/2)
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@JenDelaney93
My children told me I had a goal to write a book. I wrote a book. No matter what happens next, I did it. (Their words, not mine).
#amwriting
#amquerying
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13 fulls I'm aiming to read in the month of June. WOW. I love them all in different ways - their uniqueness, their style, their voice, their immersion, their relatability (this one is a big one for me!), & how they keep me wanting to read more. Great job! You know who you are. 😏
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#MSWL
- Books I am seeking. If you MS is a potential comp to any of these,
#amquerying
writers, send my way. The next:
Anatomy of a Scandal, The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Stepping Off Place, We Were Liars, Parabellum, Everything Everything, When We Were Sisters, Tell me Lies 1/2
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#writingcommunity
Let’s bring some joy to
#amquerying
writers. I can review 5 query letters - no charge - through the weekend. Post your synopsis below and ♥️ the ones you like. Top 5 ♥️‘ed ones by 5 EST Thursday 5/18/23 plus I’ll pick a few more from those who supported others.
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Congratulations to all the
#MoodPitch
writers today and
#WritingCommunity
! It takes courage and determination to write and your boards were AMAZING.
Please don’t forget to thank
@moodpitchers
organizers Kathleen and Lula, and all the behind the scenes volunteers.
HERE WE GO,
#WRITERS
! April 2023
#MoodPitch
is finally here! Please see official guidelines on our website, PLEASE use ALT text on all your moodboards, and please support authors by RT or commenting on pitches you love! Good luck and have fun! 🤞🏻😊
#WritingCommunity
#AmQuerying
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I’m super productive on a train. I think literary agents and editors need an annual train trip through Europe to work alongside one another. Just throwing it out there. And trademarking the idea 😂
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This story draws you like a moth to a flame. It’s that special kind of deep immersion where the reader feels the moments, travels with the main character, and is sitting aside her for the emotional journey. Can’t wait to go even deeper!
‼️AGENTED‼️ I am now working with
@Najlathewriter
Friends I am an agented author! The road is challenging—this feels wonderful! Najla’s vision for my story was so aligned with mine that signing with her felt right! Thank you Najla I cannot wait to work with you!
#amagented
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#amquerying
writers - Sometimes an agent gives feedback and requests a revise & resubmit. Sometimes the writer appreciates, considers and says they’ll resubmit. Sometimes they thank you and say they will revise but submit to their DREAM agent instead. Rejection goes both ways.
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Hosted another first pages review group. Brought strangers together who share the same goals and hopes and dreams. Built new friendships. Shared great advice and tips. Hope they continue uplifting each other! Anyone interested in another?
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I’m hoping to meet new writers, hear pitches, provide feedback, and find the next best seller. Join me and other fabulous agents and pitch to us.
#amquerying
#windycitywriters
#chicagowriters
#chicagowrites
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Hi
#WritingCommunity
I got a lot of interest in my first pages post so wanted to reach out to see if anyone would be interested in me hosting a small group first pages review. Post your interest below. See 🧵 for rules and guidelines.
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I took a hiatus from X, and came back pleasantly surprised to find it return to more positive vibes, like it used to be. Maybe it's the algorithms, but I'd like to think people are supporting and uplifting each other once again. 🥰
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#amquerying
writers, I'm ready for
#JoyPit
tomorrow, are you? Please use the hashtags - they help us find you. If you're not sure which ones to use, see . I am seeking creative nonfiction, nonfiction and fiction.
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#askanagent
#amquerying
#writingcommunity
- A mini flowchart on query to agent to publisher, showing some process steps along the way but also the back & forth. Source:
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Spending a beautiful day researching acquisition editors for my debut authors with the sun shining and blue skies.
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#WritingCommunity
Getting my hammock ready. 12 fulls to read in July. Can’t wait to dig in to your worlds and follow your characters’ journeys.
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#amquerying
#WritingCommunity
Tell me about the moment you decided to write a novel. What inspired you? What led you to try? Who encouraged you? You’ll need to remember that feeling during the hard moments of this long journey ahead.
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2/2
3. My previous agent & I parted ways. I shouldn't include that in my query letter. Myth.
4. I need an MFA to get an agent. Myth.
5. If an agent doesn’t respond right away to my query, it’s not going to happen. Myth.
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Editing this novel has been such a wonderful partnership and journey with
@lhenpen
. Not only did we achieve the goal of one manuscript, we also collaborated on an outline for a series with so much potential that will connect with so many people.
So I am mostly done with Xwitter BUT as of today my manuscript is officially out on submission to publishers, via my wonderful agent
@Najlathewriter
and I am proud and happy to have made it this point no matter what happens next. 🤞🤞🤞
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I’ll be participating as an agent seeking underrepresented main characters and/or rural or inner city areas, and/or immigrants or expats and/or complex families.
#MoodPitchers
—we are still adding
#agents
/
#editors
to our website, but remember, many participate without confirming. You never know who might be perusing your pitches! 👀
#WritingCommunity
#agents
#editors
#publishers
#writers
#authors
#amquerying
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“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.”
— Michele Ruiz
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I had the wonderful opportunity to moderate a panel at U.S. Book Show, with an all star team of editors, agents, and publishing professionals.
@yahdonisrael
Fernanda Martinez (Planeta US), Noah Perkins (YPA), Maya St. Clair (YPA), and Monica Woods (
@_triangle_house
).
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I'll be open for queries 1/2/24-3/4/24. Editor wishlists include comps to When We Were Birds, The Red Palace, The Last Thing He Told Me, Homegoing, I Have Some Questions For You, The Sundown Hotel, or Mexican Gothic (to name a few).
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Grateful for
@maryktaggart
and
@LindseyGoldste2
Not only are they amazing and wonderful clients, they are amazing and wonderful people too. ♥️♥️
@WF_Writers
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That TITLE!!!! From the moment I saw the title, Cradle, I could tell this was something special. Then, as I read the sample chapters, the word, Cradle, morphed into so many meanings. I am so eager to partner with
@CobieLaJeanne
to bring this novel to the world!
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Closing up for the day! I hope I have helped many of you today. Keep writing, keep revising, keep going. I’ll post another topic soon. I’m thinking we need a query letter contest or review. See my posts for a 🧵 on a first pages zoom exchange in May.
#askanagent
#writingcommunity
Let’s talk comps. Why are they important and how can they help agents? Post your questions as well as your comps and I can give you my first impression of your comps and what they tell me about your novel.
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Shining bright with agent friends, mingling with Publishing CEOs, standing amongst > 500+ agents and editors, discovering new coffee spots with editors, and visiting amazing NYC friends & landmarks. Grateful for all my publishing colleagues and friends. ❤️🗽
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Same from an Agent perspective. The submissions I received were well organized. And I’ve been in contact with a few writers and they are open to feedback.
This makes our hearts happy! This is precisely why we host the
#PreMoodPitch
activities for six days leading up to pitch day; building that sense of community, and helping
#writers
make new
#writerfriends
and hone their pitching and moodboard-building skills. 🥰
#MoodPitch
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New blog post. I curated a list of novels showcasing great first pages, as an accompanying piece to my post about great first chapters.
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But! On the other side, I have amazing clients, the best group of writers I could ask for, the nicest & funnest group of people. Our text messages, calls & emails make me laugh out loud, push creative boundaries, lead to bold ideas and scenes, & build amazing stories and layers!
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#amquerying
#writingcommunity
I am opening for queries now through end of May. Looking forward to sunshine, hammocks, and summer reads. Wishlist and link below. Feel free to ask questions or clarifications. Typos allowed on both sides :)
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Love my WFWA community! The bonds, trust and continued support. Join a critique group if you haven’t already. We genuinely care about one another.
#amwriting
#WritingCommunity
@WF_Writers
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I re-read this quote from
@DonMaass
years ago, and it still holds true. "Scenes are effective when they: counter expectations, throw curves, echo or amplify back story, have consequences (which lead the story forward), shake the protagonist’s thinking, and reveal something new."
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Is it possible to not fall in love with the characters you’re writing about - their flaws, their quirks, their imperfections?
#amwriting
#WritingCommmunity
#amquerying
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Almost ten months today,
@RickSelars
and I connected at a pitch event. The pitch was 🫣, the story was 🔥, the characters were 🤨🫢🤫. Our collaboration was 💯. And now the 📖 is on submission! Congratulations
@RickSelars
👏on this milestone!
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Great food and great conversation. Oh, and we got some work done, too.
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#writingcommunity
I was asked at a Writers' Conference recently, "What can make a query stand out?" My answer is simple even if the task is difficult: Start your query with a great logline.
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#writingcommunity
What happens when you bring new writers together for an evening of sharing, collaboration, feedback, and encouragement?🎁🏆📚It leads to even more inspiration and growth on the journey to publication.
@Najlathewriter
thank you for a great first pages feedback meeting. You are a gem to the writing community.
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That’s a wrap
@GaRomance
Writers. Thanks for the bougie biscuits, afternoon tea, and southern hospitality. See you next year. Congratulations to all the
@MaggieAwards
nominees.
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#amquerying
and
#WritingCommmunity
- I’m meeting next week with some acquisition editors in NYC. What questions do you have for them? Post your question and time permitting, I’ll try to ask the ?’s with the most likes.
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Tons of great items being auctioned off to support The Authors for Voices of Color Auction
@diversebooks
Bidding is open until next Tuesday, including a Agent 25-Page Critique and Chat with me:
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#writingcommunity
#amquerying
I’m taking virtual pitches and critiques during Book Brush’s
#bookmarcon
August 11-13. The speaker line up is perfection & many amazing agents to pitch to. I signed someone at my last pitch event. Hope to do it again here!
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#writingcommunity
If ever asked 'where do you see your book on bookshelves,' know your genre and comps. And one step further, familiarize yourself with the different imprints and what they publish.
The Big Five US Trade Book Publishers via
@alialmossawi
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Line and copy editing help to polish and elevate your manuscript. Many free and paid tools are available. Please consider a line and copy edit before querying.
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#amquerying
fiction writers - If you are seeking an awesome small press, with talented, supportive, and passionate editors, look no further than
@WildRosePress
. They have published best selling authors like
@SarahGrimmAuthr
and
@laurakayeauthor
(just to name a few).
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the relationships cultivated over time, or all of these and more, I’m thankful for them. I recognize how overworked people are in publishing, and they always take the time to show kindness and support my projects. Thank you!!!
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Every person with a writing career you aspire for has faced countless rejections. Likely, the more successful writers are, the more rejections they’ve had—because they’ve put themselves out there, took risks, and kept moving forward.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
#amwriting
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I love Agent Q&A panels, with writers, because the questions always inspire me, and I appreciate the candor and opportunity to share tips. Check out my new post on one of the best questions I received and my answer.
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Editing a book is like ….. (finish the sentence).
I’ll go first. Editing a book is like arguing that pineapples do go on pizza. 🍍
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@Preyanka
Great question. I think it can be anywhere between chapters 1-4.
@StoryGrid
did a great benchmark on popular novels.
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Happy Sunday.
@MeeraSyal
I’m half way through. Heart wrenching, deeply immersive, strong characters and so well written.
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#amquerying
#writingcommunity
I will be taking pitches, giving feedback, and offering tips at the 2023 Writing Workshop of Chicago, a one-day in-person writers conference on June 24, 2023, in Chicago. Come join me, lots of agents and
@BrianKlems
:
@cy954
It’s where I met my agent two years ago! I’m a big fan of all of
@BrianKlems
conferences. 😊
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Did you know that agents read your comps, if they haven’t already? Hint: You read your comps too, if you haven’t yet!
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Everything here. Especially the ability to write scenes without using many dialogue tags. Game changer.
What does strong “line level” writing mean? It means that you understand the power of a good verb, a strong sentence, not using dialogue tags and elevating action beats. Metaphors, similes, un-word, unite!
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Could this BE any more of a dream team agent panel?
@writingdaywksp
@BrianKlems
@barbroose
@claire_m_harris
@jmdargz
@LindaGlaz
@WillsWork4Books
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#writingcommunity
- Want your first 3 pages reviewed by peers? May filled up fast. I can host another group August 3, 7-9 EST for 10 people. Send 3 pages in PDF to mahispublishing
@gmail
.com.
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I am teaching a virtual workshop on Great First Chapters :) and taking pitches (along with many amazing agents). If you have a manuscript ready, please consider attending. (I am making an offer Friday from a June in person pitch event.) The one to one time is so beneficial.
25-35 literary agents will be at the 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop, a two-day online writers conference, Aug. 4-5, 2023. The event has classes, critiques, and one-on-one virtual pitching to agents. Anyone can attend from anywhere!
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Chicago area
#writingcommunity
, I will be taking pitches on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Last Chicago WDW, I signed an author and sold the project. Hope to make it two years in a row! Esp seeking nonfiction, horror, protagonists we hate to love, immigrants & expats, cool settings.
Here is our current Master List of 2024 writers conferences. Come join us at an event, and meet agents in person (or online one-on-one). Or consider sharing -- thanks.
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This post is about knowing your worth and value, and overcoming the obstacles. Things querying writers criticized me for in 2023:
1. Liking too many pitches at pitch events
2. Passing on a R&R
3. Volunteering as an editor
4. Teaching at too many conferences (1/4)
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#amquerying
#writingcommunity
What’s one strength or weakness about your MC that you want to be sure comes across in your novel? Re-read your first three chapters. Will a reader or agent get a sense for that?
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Replied nervously to a full manuscript ask. And now it’s time to manifest good vibes.
#amquerying
#WritingCommunity
#amwriting
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Delighted to announce that
@khopkinswrites
joins the Savvy family. If you believe writing should take risks, like we do, then sit tight because something great is happening behind the scenes!
I slipped a little something into my profile this morning 😎
Delighted to be represented by
@Najlathewriter
of Savvy Literary! I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
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Only two days away from an amazing line up of speakers covering querying, editing, publishing, tons on marketing, growing readership, building a brand, social media presence, creating content, etc. Join me!
📚 Literary Agent Alert! 📚 Najla Mamou, Savvy Literary Services, awaits your pitch at BookMARCon!
1️⃣ Craft an engaging pitch.
2️⃣ Follow us
@BookMARCon
3️⃣ Click the link in our bio to sign up.
Elevate your writing journey!
#BookMARCon
#PitchingOpportunity
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July lived up to its summer reading potential. Hammock survived. So did my overextended coffee maker. 100s of queries. Working through ~ 20 remaining fulls. The quality in my inbox is 🔥. I wish I didn’t have to choose only a few 😌
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I’m sorry if I’m breaking the rules but I can’t help but share. This is writing we need more of. “Freedom … exists in degrees. A bird has more freedom than a horse. A dog has more freedom than a sheep…” 💔
@aharmon_author
#agirlcalledsamson
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#writingcommunity
I’m so Inspired by Savvy Literary and what the founder and CEO believes in. Read more here:
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Collaboration in writing is creating something greater than the sum of its parts. Very excited about what we will create. Thank you
@mariacpalmer
for trusting me with your future manuscripts!
It is with great excitement that I share that I'm once again a represented author. I look forward to working with the amazing literary agent
@Najla
Mamou. During our offer meeting, she was able to help me tease apart my projects and a timeline. I'm excited! 🥰💓😻
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Very excited to take one-on-one pitches at the 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop (online) on August 4-5. Anyone from anywhere can attend. I signed someone from my last Writing Day Workshop. Learn more about the virtual writers conference here:
25-35 literary agents will be at the 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop, a two-day online writers conference, Aug. 4-5, 2023. The event has classes, critiques, and one-on-one virtual pitching to agents. Anyone can attend from anywhere!
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More like this
#amquerying
writers - …. When a submission hits you hard and breaks your heart even though nothing that bad happened to the MC and the morning disappears because you were transported into another person’s life.
#WritingCommunity
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@WillowS_Phoenix
Think of comps like a restaurant. You tell someone you to go to dinner. Okay, what type? Steak? Burgers? Soup and sandwiches? Okay well then what? Are you talking Gordon Ramsey or a chain restaurant? Comps are no different. Where are we going to enjoy a nice meal?
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I’ll be watching
#apipit
today. A like means please submit query and sample chapters. See submission guidelines in my bio link.
We're less than 12 hours away from the third annual
#APIPit
! Get your pitching muscles ready, creators! And colleagues: please remember that "liking" should only be reserved for agents/editors. Thank you! Founders will be on standby all day for Qs; please feel free to DM!
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Loving the love for
@WildRosePress
! Thanks
@BrynDonovan
for recognizing small presses, and supporting them. ♥️ 🌹 📚
Here's my roundup of great romance publishers taking unagented submissions in 2024—check it out! No matter what your path is as an author, I wish you the best of luck in the coming year.✨
#amquerying
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The stars aligned! Loved my working session/brainstorming/editing/ marketing/next book planning/dinner with
@CobieLaJeanne
!
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“You only get one shot at sending your full manuscript to an agent.” … The brevity of the situation has just hit me. Thank you at
@EvePorinchak
for your guidance and support.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
@writingdaywksp
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My literary weekend wrapped up nicely. I requested 7 fulls from the pitch event. Already saw 3 in my inbox. Seeing & hearing the passion, the excitement for your stories, & what tugged at you to write the stories drew me in.
#pittww
@BrianKlems
@writingdaywksp
Very excited to take one-on-one pitches at the 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop (online) on August 4-5. Anyone from anywhere can attend. I signed someone from my last Writing Day Workshop. Learn more about the virtual writers conference here:
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@OnPunsnNeedles
I’m going to write a blog this week (time permitting) on great first chapters in different genres that show good examples to leverage. Are you fantasy? It sounds like it. The first chapters of Hunger Games are well done examples.
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