As an assigning editor, as a writer who has pitched hundreds of articles, and as a writing conference attendee and panelist, I’ve been on both ends of the publishing marketplace…and made these mistakes mistakes myself:<\/h3>\n

\n
1. Misspell the agent\/editor\u2019s name.<\/strong>
   \nIF YOU CAN\u2019T GET THAT RIGHT, WHAT ELSE IS WRONG?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
   \n
   1. \n

      Assume that Spell-Checker has caught all the typos\/inconsistencies\/grammar problems in your query letter\/manuscript.<\/h4>\n

      HAVE SOMEONE VERY SMART READ IT.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \n
      1. \n

         Ignore the guidelines clearly posted on the agent\u2019s\/publisher\u2019s website.<\/h4>\n

         THIS GIVES THE PERSON REASON TO REJECT YOU IMMEDIATELY.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         \n
         1. \n

            In your query letter, point out that your book is so much better than the junk that gets published these days.<\/h4>\n

            THAT AGENT OR EDITOR MAY REPRESENT THAT BOOK!<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            \n
            1. \n

               Compare your work to blockbusters, such as The DaVinci Code<\/em> meets Twilight<\/em> meets Dr Phil\u2019s Ultimate Weight Solution<\/em>.<\/h4>\n

               THIS CAN HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT IF YOUR BOOK DOESN\u2019T LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               \n
               1. \n

                  Print your query letter and\/or manuscript on hot pink paper and include muffins or a note from your mother, who really wants you to be a famous author.<\/h4>\n

                  NO GIMMICKS.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  \n
                  1. \n

                     Send the agent\/editor daily emails checking on their progress with your manuscript.<\/h4>\n

                     THE AGENCY WEBSITE WILL USUALLY GIVE A RESPONSE TIME. RESPECT IT.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                     \n
                     1. \n

                        Approach an agent at conferences while he\/she is in the bathroom.<\/h4>\n

                        DON\u2019T TRY TO SELL YOUR BOOK OVER THE STALL OR AT THE URINAL. BE POLITE. CHAT LIKE A REGULAR PERSON.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        \n
                        1. \n

                           Insist that not one of your precious words should be changed from manuscript to printed page.<\/h4>\n

                           TAKE FEEDBACK. THOUGH YOU CAN BE SELECTIVE ON WHAT ADVICE YOU TAKE, OTHERS’ OPINIONS CAN MAKE YOUR WORK BETTER.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                           \n
                           1. \n

                              Spend so much time thinking about your book\/poem\/essay\/article that you never write it.<\/h4>\n

                              JUMP IN! EVEN FIVE MINUTES A DAY WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO YOUR FINAL SENTENCE.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              As an assigning editor, as a writer who has pitched hundreds of articles, and as a writing conference attendee and panelist, I’ve been on both ends of the publishing marketplace…and made these mistakes mistakes myself: Misspell the agent\/editor\u2019s name. IF YOU CAN\u2019T GET THAT RIGHT, WHAT ELSE IS WRONG? Assume that Spell-Checker has caught all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":46,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n