Why it's important to follow submission guidelines and research agents before querying.

I love to receive queries, and hear from authors! I'm excited to read your work and see if we would be a good fit. However, as part of the querying process it's important to make sure the agent you are querying is looking for the type of story/genre that you are submitting for his/her consideration.

I've received a number a queries that just don't fit into the genres (please see my call for submission and our web site to see what I'm considering.) I am looking for at this time. If I notice that your query does not fit into the genres I'm representing, I will most likely move on to the next query. And while I would love to respond to each query, alas, time just doesn't allow me to provide feedback to every submission.

Along with researching agents, it's important to follow submission guidelines. At our agency we ask for certain materials, such as query, synopsis and sample pages, to help us determine if we'd be interested in seeing more of your work. If your submission is missing some materials, I am unable to decide if I would like to see more and, unfortunately, it would be a decline. We also ask that you do not include attachments. Submission guidelines differ from agent to agent/agency to agency, so it's extremely important to know who you're querying and his/her guidelines.

I have also received a number of queries that just have a link. Your query is sort of like an interview, and just sending us a link would be like submitting a job application with just your name filled out. I'd also like to mention that you should NEVER query more than one agent in an email.

I'm sure many of you are already familiar with querying, but I hope you guys find this entry helpful. Please just drop me a comment (with email if you'd like a response) if you have any questions.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR 2013!

Wow! It's Christmas already?

It's December 19, 2012, less than a week until Christmas. It just seems like we were getting ready to hand out candy and cook Thanksgiving dinner. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. What an amazing ride. There is so much I am thankful for this year. My friends and family. My dog Bernie!

I am also very thankful to Marisa Corvisiero. She took me under her wing, guiding me and allowing me to learn and grow as an agent. I wish the whole Corvisiero team much success.

Brittany Booker, most excellent friend and my partner at The Booker Albert Literary Agency; I'm so thankful that we have the opportunity to work together. It's been an amazing journey so far...looking forward to great things in the future. Love ya, girl!

Also, shout out to my clients (love you guys!), and the great friends I've met through Twitter/fb, new and old.

I wish you all a wonderful Holiday, and best wishes for 2013!!!

Now, just waiting for Doctor Who Christmas Special...CAN'T WAIT.

News!

I am so pleased to announce Brittany Booker and I have teamed up to form a new agency. The Booker Albert Literary Agency will be open to queries beginning December 1, 2012. Brittany and I are so excited to begin a new chapter in our careers. Many thanks to Marisa Corvisiero who mentored us and provided us with such great guidance.

Please visit our website for more information. We look forward to reading your submissions!!!

You can also find us on Facebook @ The Booker Albert Literary Agency.

Motivation & Continuity

The other day on Twitter at #CorvisieroQueries I posted about motivation and continuity. I believe that both are equally important, tools that will help hook your audience, so that they want to keep reading. Too often I'll come across a query with some really nice description, but unfortunately tells us little about the character or motivation. In my humble opinion, motivation is second only to plot. Motivation helps drive the story forward. Why is your character behaving a certain way? What does your character want? How are they going to get it?

Along with motivation, continuity helps ground the reader in the world you're creating. If you jump around too much, it's so easy to get lost. Make sure your reader is right with the characters in the story. I'd also like to mention be consistent with voice. I've come across a number of submissions that begin in 1st person and then will switch to 3rd, or will begin in past tense and go to present. Always be consistent!!

Happy writing!!

Agent "wish list"!

I decided to create a new blog! If you're visiting, thanks and welcome! So, I figure I'll dedicate this first post to my "wish list," or what I would LOVE to see, as well as what I'm really not interested in seeing.

I would LOVE to see: 

• Romance (any heat level). I am particularly interested in historical, especially Regency. I'd also like to see paranormal and contemporary (or women's fiction). 
• Sci-fi/fantasy/urban fantasy that focuses more on the characters (development/motivation).  
• Young Adult or Middle Grade. Contemporary and I'd really be interested in seeing a YA historical or dystopian. I would love for there to be some element of romance in the YA. 
• I love characters that are intelligent and quirky. I'm also drawn to a deadpan sense of humor. 
• Stories that have strong, unique plots and subplots. Speaking of plots, I would love to see plots featuring time travel, mythology, or competitions. 

What I really DON'T want to see:

• Stories featuring post-marriage/divorce/children. 
• Inspirational.
• No epic type sci-fi/fantasy.

Below are examples of authors I love: 

J. K. Rowling

Karen Marie Moning

Kresley Cole

Gena Showalter

Teresa Medeiros 

Sabrina Jeffries

J. R. Ward

Suzanne Collins

Cassandra Clare

Larissa Ione