Amy Collins Profile Banner
Amy Collins Profile
Amy Collins

@askamycollins

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Not on here for the time being. Hanging out by a “thread” now. @askamycollins . Agent with Talcott Notch. (She/Them)

United States
Joined October 2008
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
I just learned that people can ACTUALLY HEAR SONGS IN THEIR HEAD. I burst into song randomly so that I can hear the song I am thinking of. You folks can actually HEAR music in your head? I thought that was just a figure of speech! What is worse… I am a musician and I had no idea
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Dear querying authors - The more people I show my client’s manuscripts to, the more offers I get. I just sold a project I have been pitching for 19 months. It’s a great book that needed a specific home. I had to keep looking for that home. Do. Not. Give. Up.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
4 months
For gods sake… we JUST got into bed and he is ALREADY ASLEEP AFTER 3 minutes? I will be scrolling, awake, for at least three more hours. HOW DO MEN DO THAT?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
8 months
I was telling a client today that she had two offers from two wonderful publishers. Her large beautiful dog kept pushing into the Zoom meeting and crawling into her lap. She explained that her girl dog always crawled into her lap when she had any sort of big feelings. Well, Now,
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
I know tunes and I can remember lyrics after just one hearing, but I can’t HEAR it unless I am singing the song or whistling the tune. It is just an abstract concept that I need to perform to experience. (Must drive TOAIMH nuts.)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Terribly upsetting day. My dog, Lucy, was attacked by three street dogs this morning. (She was on a leash. They were not.) She is going to be okay, but there was so much blood and so many stitches. Poor girl is in a lot of pain. Wish there was a way to comfort her.
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Amy Collins
7 months
I am practicing a new habit. When someone tells me something I already know - I simply say “thank you!” Why did I need to inform folks trying to help me that I already knew what they told me? Why am I responding to their kindness with “proof” that I am equally as smart or
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Quick suggestion: When querying, please use the agent’s first name. Using Ms. or Mr. is a risk you do NOT want to take. Why assume you know the gender identity of the recipient? You don’t. You can’t offend with a first name. You can offend with a gendered greeting.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Wow. I angered a lot of folks today on Twitter by suggesting that multiple drafts made you a better writer. 100% of the mean comments called me some version of “stupid.” I wonder what I can say tomorrow to make them like me? I’ll have to stay up late thinking about it.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
10 months
An editor at a big 5 house just sent me an email explaining that the manuscript I sent him was well written but he did not “connect” with the material enough to move forward. Funny twist: His kind rejection was a template (which I also use and do not hate) But he was responding
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Is 9 am too early for a birthday nap? 55 is the new 56.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
@cygnusnova Yep. Can’t picture anything in my head and I’ve never had a dream.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
@LCobbyWriter Yep. Me too diagnosed in 2020 and it changed my life for the better. Finding out that I was not “weird” not being able to picture my mom’s face. But I did not realize it was also auditory! Soooo weird because for YEARS I made my living as a musician!
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
8 months
My reason for considering the switch is a dear friend just told me her last MacBook lasted her eight years. My $1600 laptops from HP never lasts more than two.
@askamycollins
Amy Collins
8 months
Thinking of switching from PC to Mac. Has anyone done this recently and how hard was the transition? Now that programs are all subscriptions, I am not as worried about having to rebuy them.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
The doctor had the NERVE to tell me that I don’t have skin cancer. My skin is just getting old and scaly. Things just are going to “appear.” I’ve never been so angry at a clean bill of health before.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
LUCY UPDATE: thank you all for the incredibly kind words and thoughts over the last 24 hours! You must be very powerful folk. Lucy is back up on her feet and happily accepting the bits of ham we are feeding her. The stitches look good and I think she’s on the mend.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Terribly upsetting day. My dog, Lucy, was attacked by three street dogs this morning. (She was on a leash. They were not.) She is going to be okay, but there was so much blood and so many stitches. Poor girl is in a lot of pain. Wish there was a way to comfort her.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Me at least 5 times a day on social media: “Don’t engage in the comments. Don’t engage in the comments. Don’t engage in the comments…”
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
6 months
I decided to give in to the craving for a NY bagel. I walked into the shop 20 minutes before their 2 o’clock closing time and bought two bagels. Walked out with a bag of 12 because they were “just going to have to throw them out.” I feel like I’ve stumbled across some sort of
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
4 months
Confession: I have never spelled necessary the correct way the first time. Ever.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
5 Drafts MINIMUM! (Preferably 7) No one gets a readable novel in the first few drafts. It does not mean you are not a great writer. It means you are not done.
@LostBoysPress
Lost Boys Press 📚
2 years
What’s one thing about writing you’d warn a new author about?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Happy Oct! I just updated my Querytracker page to accept fiction! I am looking for horror, paranormal, fantasy, historical, thriller, adventure, and a few other tidbits. Check out my page for genres and I look forward to reading your stuff! #MSWL
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
I am curious what editors and agents are seeing with character physical descriptions. I am seeing fewer physical descriptions out there. I don’t hate it. What do you all think of minimal or no physical attributes mentioned in fiction? #WritingCommunity #editors
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
7 months
Attention Writers Everywhere! Getting your writing published in any external venue is a win. You never know the piece that will catch the eye of the person that could change your career. There is no such thing as a small success. (There are, however, small attitudes.)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
@FromHerOwnAshes I. Have. No. Idea. (and now I’m worried the next time I pull out my guitar I won’t be able to sing lol)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
10 months
Just to clarify. I am a literary agent just trying to show authors that they are not alone in experiencing frustrating responses to queries. Agents are in the “query trenches” too. Every day. We sympathize with what you go through. We query editors.
@phdeephdee
Dee Burton
10 months
@ed_dejesus_ @askamycollins Yes, it surprised me too that you, Amy, were directly querying publishers at a big 5 house.
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Amy Collins
1 year
On 6/15, the tour bus I live and work in slipped off the road and down an embankment. (No one was hurt) It was a scary moment followed by a very hard week of uncertainty. BUT my clients, coworkers and the book community rallied around. I am back at work with gratitude for you all
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Over a dozen young talented smart people at this car wash. Not one can drive stick. They had to come get me. 🥸
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Asked to define Commercial, Literary, and Upmarket Fiction today. So I said: “Commercial is Taco Bell. Literary is a restaurant owned and run by a family from Oaxaca. Upmarket is Chipotle.” Now I really want Taco Bell…
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
I am now plotting how to move to Sammamish Washington. Why? Because I like how the name sounds like a four-year-old trying to say “sandwich.“
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Dear QueryManager Authors: I get that my being open to only non-fiction in Sept was discouraging to those with novels. But CHECKING THE NON-FICTION BOX AND THEN UPLOADING A NOVEL got you an instant rejection. I did NF first for a reason, not to be mean. (NOW I am open to fiction)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
What’s my favorite game you ask? I like to search and replace every exclamation point with a period in my client’s manuscripts and see how long it takes them to notice.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
Almost done making my way thru my QueryManager queries. I have found some extremely interesting projects! Damn, you folks are TALENTED. But here’s the thing— When I see a 210,000 word count? I don’t read much further. I’m happy to push boundaries, but not annihilate them.
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Amy Collins
1 year
Just wrote ANOTHER email to my clients apologizing for falling behind on deadlines I SET FOR MYSELF. I am going figure out how to stay more on schedule or die trying. I am SO tired of waking up thinking of all the things I failed to do already. How do you all get it all done?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Smart ass warning: This morning, while updating my query tracker, genre request list? Query tracker gave me the option of creating a new genre if I didn’t see it in their list. I was so tempted to create a genre called “Bestseller”
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
@10kStonesPoet Married in 2018 to my first true love whom I “lost” in 1992. 30 years later we met at a folk concert and have been together since. Not every moment is happy, but our marriage is.
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Amy Collins
10 months
The bots are out in full force. I love to follow back, but if you are not OBVIOUSLY HUMAN and mention something relatable in your bio? I am sorry, but nope. If so accidentally miss a real human I apologize. But MAN the bots are RELENTLESS lately.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Todays filler words are brought to you by the letters “Aarrrggghhh” 1) Actually 2) Just 3) Really
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
11 months
Happy “Unsubscribe” Day. A day where I carefully remove myself from any and all mailing lists that do not interest me. It’s the most wonderful day of the year…
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Lucy update. Her wounds are healing and she is back to her sassy self in the house. Outside is a different story. She is VERY timid and fearful of other dogs. This makes sense and we give her lots of time in her favorite space. (Tim’s pillow where she can look out the window)
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Amy Collins
6 months
Sitting in Union Square, staring at the “new” B&N offices where I just had a meeting. My first sales pitch to B&N buyers was in 1997. I am not emotionally strong enough to do the math, but I am tearfully grateful for this career I was blessed with.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
4 hours of writing pitches and proposals to send to editors. Authors, you are right - it is exhausting. But you are not alone. Agents get just as many rejections and “no response no’s” as you! We too are constantly working to improve our projects and proposals.
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Amy Collins
2 years
I live and travel in a 40’ diesel motor-coach with my hubs and two dogs. This little 14 lb guy just leaned on the air horn and scared the cheese outta me. Little jerk did it on purpose because dinner is late. I am convinced.
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Amy Collins
1 year
I do not know Katy but I approve her message. DO. NOT. GIVE. UP.
@MetzgerKaty
Katy Metzger
1 year
A year ago I was sitting on close to 70 rejections after 8 months of querying, most of them form. I did a TON of revising. And here I am a year later with a 5-book deal & my 2nd book about to publish on Sept. 1. Things can change in a blink. Don't give up!
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Amy Collins
9 months
@NoahTopper I have a version of “getting a song stuck in my head”. But it is external. I will sing the lines stuck in my head out loud repeatedly. It happens, but I can’t “hear it.” It is rare, but when a song becomes “stuck” for me, it comes out of my mouth and does not play in my head.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
It’s been a hard few weeks. I lost my mojo these last few days and was starting to spiral. What to do? Reached out to fellow book pals. Within 10 minutes I had support and can already feel myself pulling out of the dive. I love book people. Y’all are the best. Everyone has hard
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
I am sitting in an Inverness pub, working on a manuscript for a job I adore while listening to Annie Lennox and watching the sun stream in windows older than my country. #happy
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
I am open to absolutely everything right now until December 1.
@rgummere
Rebecca Gummere🟧 (she/her)
1 year
@askamycollins Hi, Amy - are you still only accepting queries for fiction, or was that limited to October? I note you are open to submission till December 1 but don't want to send something you aren't currently reading for. TIA!
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Amy Collins
11 months
Stormy night with hundreds of lightning strikes on the ocean. I stayed up late just watching the light show. And this morning? The solstice had a different kind of light show.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
A lesson I am just now learning (the hard way.) When someone asks me why I am doing something that does not affect them, my only answer should be “Because I want to.” I somehow thought I needed good reasons to do what I want. Nope. Because I want to is plenty.
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Amy Collins
7 months
Holy cats, some days I just love my job. No, I don’t have a big deal to announce and nothing huge happened today. I just love the process of finding new editors and publishers to pitch my clients books. It is so much fun.
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Amy Collins
8 months
Leaving for @LondonBookFair tomorrow and strangely nervous about traveling. I know it will be a blast and I cannot WAIT to see everyone, but travel does not have the carefree appeal it used to. Just me? Well. See y’all there!
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Amy Collins
9 months
Weird realization. When making sandwiches for others, I cut on the diagonal. When making a sandwich for myself? Horizontal. Diagonal is CLEARY superior… so what does that say about my “self care” practices?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
6 months
Last November Stacey McEwan signed a deal with Simon & Schuster that we could not talk about until today. I am very proud and excited to announce that A FORBIDDEN ALCHEMY will release summer 2025 with Saga Press.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Me at least 9 times a week: “I can help you or I can do what you want; I can’t do both.”
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
I just heard from a student who took my HOW TO WRITE A PLOT SYNOPSIS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND. Her synopsis was praised by an agent and led to getting a full request. I am teaching it again on Dec 9th if you would like to join us.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
I’ve now been defeated 43 times in a row at a little game my husband and I like to call “who’s going to get sick of looking at the dishes in the sink first?”
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
While I have experience, opinions, and market feedback to offer; I do not insist an author change their vision or twist their art to fit my idea of marketplace desires. I share my experience and industry knowledge and they do what they wish. After that, my job is to represent
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
7 months
…. And maybe I DIDN’T know everything about what they are telling me. I need to stay open to the TEENY chance that I don’t know everything and that what they are about to share NEXT would have changed my life. But I just shut them down.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Morning. I’m working under a blanket all day and will not go outside even if the house catches fire.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
4 years
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Amy Collins
10 months
This Christmas, Tim and I agreed to exchange love letters. That was it. No gifts. So I fought the urge to get him anything. (It felt so wrong, but we had agreed) The JERK ALSO BOUGHT ME A NECKLACE. Christmas is ruined.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Dear Amy, Apparently, you are now too old to drive 12 hours down and back to a conference. You had a good run, but those days are over. Signed, New Amy.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
4 months
Dear #agents and #editors - is it just me or is EVERYONE suddenly setting their books in New Orleans? I have over 20 NOLA manuscripts in my inbox. What is happening?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
10 months
Marley was the only one who would pose for the Christmas Eve stocking photo. But I say he nailed it. (Hubby and other dog will be getting coal and switches)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
I saw an author post that after 2nd agent did not respond to query they were “taking control” and self publishing. That is a great option, BUT keep in mind that one does not jump into being a successful author any more than one “decides” to be a successful singer or pro golfer.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
11 months
REMINDER: I will be closing my QueryManager and to all queries on December 1. I will then spend December going thru all your wonderful projects. If you are a student or a conference pal, don’t worry; I am always open to queries I have requested. (Grammar kind of got away from me
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
11 months
It’s the week before Christmas and all through the Bus, we kept repeating: “Who’s luckier than us?” Just starting my work day with a great view and my loyal Marley. I am ridiculously blessed.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
5 months
I do not know this author. But you can BET I am going to buy every book they ever wrote based SOLELY the fact they took the time to share the best list I’ve seen in a long while.
@willrdean
Will Dean
5 months
10 years ago I was still stuck in the query trenches (lost & confused). Here’s a few things I’ve learned about writing/publishing in the past decade 🧵 1. Resilience. Rejection is part of the job. It gets easier. It’s not that your work isn’t good it’s that it isn’t a good fit.
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Amy Collins
1 year
Whoops! Hyperbole and enthusiasm does me in again. Yesterday I said I am open to “everything.” But I MEANT non-fic, fiction, and memoir in the adult categories I represent. So sorry. I am not open for children’s books. I apologize for the confusion.
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Amy Collins
10 months
I could not sleep last night. Was awake until 4:30 am. Now? I’m staring at hoof trimming videos and trying to remember my address. I used to be AN OUTLAW. This is so sad. #formerwildchild
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Amy Collins
2 years
I just got a text from my husband, informing me that our ice machine has suddenly started working again. (in case you’re wondering how exciting my life is…)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
The time in 1992 when I accidentally traumatized a group of kids waiting for the Easter Bunny by dragging his pelt through the bookstore with his decapitated head under my arm.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
9 months
@BotanicGoddess @cygnusnova Nope, I wake up every morning after a night of complete nothing. I’m told everyone dreams but if I have no visual or auditory internals, my dreams must be on “mute.”
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
The @WritersDigest Conference is winding down and I am filled with hope and energy from all the wonderful authors here. I am also exhausted and just accidentally handed a lovely 92 year-old man my hotel room key instead of my business card. The look on his face was priceless
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
When the woman you called and begged to be your client three years ago has a book on a billboard in Times Square. Way to go @NicoleEvelina
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Amy Collins
11 months
I hosted my annual Zoom Holiday party for my clients today. I have been teary with joy ever since. They are all so talented, weird, funny, & supportive with each other. They are the most wonderful group of folks. I am so lucky. So darn lucky. Happy New Year #teamtalcott
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
5 months
Started yesterday with 331 emails to answer. Spent all day digging through. This morning? 401 emails to answer. Sisyphus and I are trading life hacks.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
7 months
@KimJSpinks I checked with the judges, and they will allow it…
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
Just a reminder (for the 6 of you who might care) I open for queries at for NON FICTION on Sept 1. (Fiction opens in October. Memoir in November). If I have your query/project in consideration right now, you WILL receive a response before Sept 30.
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Amy Collins
7 months
Do you people have ANY idea how much housework I get done when I do not want to unpack my suitcase after a trip?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
Bread and Jam for Frances. Who remembers that book?
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Amy Collins
2 years
I looked up from my laptop to see that my husband was cutting up steak and had Marley’s complete attention.
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Amy Collins
5 months
Some days you start out covered in Diet Coke but end up with a fantastic announcement. So proud of you @Devriebrynn !
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
8 months
There is nothing that gives me more of a dopamine hit than BRITISH BAKE OFF. And thanks to my horrible memory, I can watch previous seasons and still end up surprised.
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Amy Collins
3 years
Spending the holidays 1800 miles from home, isolating in a hotel room, quite sick with COVID. (Yup, I am vaxxed and boosted) Not leaving the room until I am clear (10 days.) Not ideal, but at least my hubby is healthy and that is all I need. So? Best. Christmas. Ever. #GetVaxxed
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Amy Collins
3 months
Folks, if someone with Allison’s talent got passes? That means everyone needs to keep at it. It really is a matter of just finding the best match.
@GuerillaMemoir
Allison K Williams
3 months
My agent rejected two previous books. Keep sending.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
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Amy Collins
2 years
Aaaarrrrrghhhhh! I achieved “inbox zero” at 5:47 pm. Went to dinner and came back 90 minutes later. 42 emails. Sisyphus had it easy. ILoveMyJobILoveMyJobILove...
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
My husband is prepping for a procedure that means he cannot eat for 24 hours beforehand. #ifyouknowyouknow In an attempt to be supportive, I offered to not eat either. Now I’m Googling recipes for homemade Molly so I can knock him out long enough to scarf down some pizza.
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Amy Collins
8 months
Landed in London. Cold, jet lagged, and my hotel room won’t be ready for 4 hours. Hopped the C1 city bus and am seeing the city in a nice, clean, heated bus. I wonder how long I can ride this bus before they suggest I get off?
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
10 months
@foxpoems Oh I laughed. Life is too long to take work seriously
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Amy Collins
1 year
A perfect Saturday: Catching up on emails and nothing but British accents on my TV.
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Amy Collins
11 months
Who hit INBOX ZERO? THIS GIRL! (Yes, I know there are 96 items on my “to do list.” Shut up.)
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
I am going to open up for queries for the month of Sept! Sept 1-30 my QueryMe will be open for PopCulture, Cookbooks, Romantasy, Lifestyle, How-To, and Parenting. On Sept 1, Query me at
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
2 years
250 pages to read, edit, and shape in the next 24 hours. Okay @WritersDigest , let’s do this thing.
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Amy Collins
1 year
Am I concerned that I just spent the last 15 minutes driving around town having an argument with someone who is not in the car? No. What DOES concern me is that at some point in the last 2 miles I lost the argument.
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@askamycollins
Amy Collins
1 year
I do. I have spent the last 30 years working with women who are in need of help to survive. I volunteer with numerous political organizations. I don’t post about it because that is my choice on how to use social media. Twitter is for my job. My time & money is used for the world.
@MobSecrets
Secrets of the Mob
1 year
@askamycollins Do have any idea what is going in the world or only yours?
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