I got an email yesterday from someone who told me publishing wasn’t the correct career path for me. Simply because I had asked that my assignments be sent to me at a normal time, within business hours so that I could truly devote the proper time to it.1/10
I woke up this morning though, to an email from the agent I have been working for these last couple of months and it was the reminder that I am on exactly the right career path for myself. I’m just not right for the wrong company.10/10
I was shocked. I reread my email, sent it to a friend and tried to see where I had been disrespectful in my request. But couldn’t find it. My friend couldn’t find it. I was seething and angry and I quit on the spot because I know my worth as a person and an employee.9/10
POV I’m your agent, waiting for your project to land in my inbox before the fall…
If you see this there’s no rush I’m just so used to owing notes.😂
This is giving me time to go through queries though!
You see, in the fall, I was applying for every single internship in editorial I could. I know it’s tough to get them, but I wanted it. I wanted a career in publishing and I was going to take whatever I could to it. I landed one for the spring.2/10
Good morning
#amquerying
writers! The time has come that I am FINALLY open to queries! If you haven’t had a chance to check out my
#MSWL
this thread is here to give you a little insight as to what I’m looking for!
While I waited for this internship to start I was given the opportunity to read through an agents slush pile, and I jumped on it, thinking to myself, “This is it. This is my chance to break into the world of books I love so much.”3/10
I didn’t resign from the internship instead, sure that I could tackle both. My time management is decent, despite motherhood and all that comes with it. I thrive in chaos you could say. I waited for my first assignment to come, assuming it would come during business hours.4/10
It never came. Instead, two days later, past midnight, I was sent my first assignment which the publisher in question wanted a report on within 24 hours- there was a competing offer- I read all day with no breaks, and did my reader report, despite having less than their 48hrs.5/
I apologized for the confusion and reiterated that I had requested to have my assignments sent to me within normal business hours. That way I could ask questions and and get feedback and truly devote the proper time to their 48 hour turn around.7/10
The next week came and I waited for my next assignment while I read for the agent I work for. Nothing came, until I got an email asking for the status of a reader report for a manuscript I hadn’t received. One that I found in my junk box from Saturday at 2:45am.6/10
If at any point you have a Zoom call with me, could we just have this unspoken agreement that you aren’t going to be offended when I show up in a graphic tee? Like I’m still professional, I’m just also comfy.
If I like your
#QueerPit
post please send the first ten pages and query letter to sheyla.queries
@volumefivelit
.com with a link to said post. I can’t wait to start reading!
I’m participating in QueerPit, but as we can’t dm privately and I’m currently closed to unsolicited queries I wanted to make it known that you can find out where to reach me through my QM so if I like your tweet…slide in my DMs elsewhere.👀
Literally always forget to share announcements here, but I am THRILLED to announce that Kalie Cassidy’s debut romantasy duology is publishing next summer with
@littlebrown
I cannot wait for the bloody wings and broody kings to grace your bookshelves!
My clients are just out here writing these gorgeous books and I get to be some of the first eyes on them? What a privilege. What an honor! I love gushing about their stories to anyone who will listen.
Ghosts out of the cage! 150 characters aren’t nearly enough to talk about this announcement. Yeah I sold it but Carey wrote this book that so many people wanted and somehow she chose me to represent it?! The honor is all mine- sorry, ghouls. Can’t wait to scream at book fairs!
When I was 8, I decided I wanted to be a published author. When I was 16, I finished my first novel. Over a decade later...I get to announce that my queer, neurodiverse MG horror, GHOUL SCOUTS HONOR, is being published by
@Scholastic
for early 2025. I DID IT!!!!👻💜
Just a quick notice that I am closing to queries at the end of the month to dive into client work and the full requests that are currently in my inbox- wow you are a lot of talented writers.
If you have a story you’re dying to send me now is the time, or I’ll see it in 2024.
@mixbecca
It’s okay. I mean it’s not but I am okay. I stood up for myself and woke up to a validating email and really no one can knock my confidence in my ability to work in publishing and kick ass at it now.
So excited that this news is live! For those who have been waiting for news on the next book in the Spells for Life and Death duology, you’ll have to wait just a little longer, but I promise it is so worth it.
#ModernDivination
An update with a side of transparency:
TLDR, I will be remaining closed to queries for the next little bit. I constantly tell my authors and editors that their mental health is key, and I’m taking my own advice. More to come.
Across the board I want to see BIPOC literature, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, LGBTQ stories, Middle Grade, New Adult, and Adult. If one of my previous tweets feels like a fit please send your query to
I can’t wait to read your stories!
I’m participating in QueerPit, but as we can’t dm privately and I’m currently closed to unsolicited queries I wanted to make it known that you can find out where to reach me through my QM so if I like your tweet…slide in my DMs elsewhere.👀
✨MY CURSED, HALF-FAY JESTER HAS FOUND HER CHAMPION!! ✨
I am thrilled to announce that I am now represented by the incredible
@sheylaknigge
at High Line Literary Collective!
Our journey to bring magical, multiracial stories to the world is about to begin 💕
In Adult Fiction:
• More romantasy
• Romance in general but not a romcom. Gimme something twisty
•Horror/Thriller
• Witches- please tis the season{almost}
Now that the papers are signed & I’m actually starting to believe this is real, I can scream I HAVE AN AGENT!!! I’m so excited for what
@sheylaknigge
& I have planned for both my story & my career. My sensitive, powerful babies have found their champion!!!
#WritingCommunity
@sheylaknigge
I could make post after post about how incredible you are. I predict you will be taking the literary world by storm and I cannot wait to watch it all unfold. HEY PEOPLE QUERY SHEYLA you'd be so lucky to have her as your agent!
Good morning! This is my LAST update that I am closing to queries TOMORROW.
My plan is to address all the fulls that I currently have in my possession- there are so many great writers out here- before I reopen.
To those waiting on responses, thank you for sharing your stories.❤️
@_DomoWilson1
When are you going to come to Texas, because I have a son who would be a perfect playmate for Wick. They're literally days apart in age. 3/11/17
🗡️🩸I HAVE AN AGENT!🩸🗡️
i am beyond thrilled to announce that i am now represented by
@sheylaknigge
at
@highlinelit
! Sheyla’s vision for my trans monster hunter boarding school book set my brain on fire, and her undeniable passion for my career sealed the deal.
It’s been so lovely seeing you all’s queries come in!
A little reminder though- if your query is already out with an agent at High Line Literary, ie myself, Victoria, Margaret, Whitney, or Pam please query only one at a time to avoid overlap.🤗
Good morning
#amquerying
writers! The time has come that I am FINALLY open to queries! If you haven’t had a chance to check out my
#MSWL
this thread is here to give you a little insight as to what I’m looking for!
To the 860 of you who shared your stories with me the last few months- thank you. Even if I didn’t request a full, thank you for sharing your stories and giving me a peek into your brains.🧵
@laneshareagan
I’m grateful for the fact that this experience happened when it did so that I was able to properly address the issue and leave before the abuse of power got worse.
I’ve hit nearly 200 queries this week, which is 🤯 because I am seeing SO MANY amazing stories! In honor of this, I am doing a special discount code on my query critique and query critique plus opening pages!
Just enter code QUERIES at checkout 🤗
ECSTATIC to announce I am now repped by
@sheylaknigge
at
@IGLAbooks
. This journey has been long (11 years, 10 books, 6 tries). But the ending has been so sweet with Sheyla's editorial vision, passion, & love for my spooky MG horror tales. So excited to work with her and Victoria.
List, I’m closed to queries til the new year, but if one of you wrote a story where the main character reads like Charlie Hunnam in The Gentlemen? I would sell my left hand-i’m left handed so that’s important- anyway I can’t stop rewatching.
Last year, my daughter aspired to be illiterate- not really, but like saw no reason she should read- now she’s ASKING for books? And she’s got my old kindle and it’s a BIG deal, but please understand if I offer on your MG, she’s my test audience. SHE has to LOVE it.
A healthy reminder that editor care is just as important as author care. We’re all just people trying to crank out books we love, but we aren’t machines. Be gentle with yourself and the other publishing creatures around you.
I have fifteen emails scheduled to go out tomorrow, and one meeting, after which I will cease to exist as I disappear into the hollar for the weekend.✌🏾
@mixbecca
All hanging clothes can go in a trash bag. Just poke the hangers through the bottom of the bag like it’s a garment bag. Makes packing the closet quicker.
Good morning! I’m coming on today to announce that I’m offering query critiques! This is something I’ve been working towards for a while now, and I’ve finally launched my site! So, if you or a fellow writer are needing help please feel free to reach out!
The most unrealistic part of tv for me is when characters are consistently wearing shoes in their house. Not slippers, like full on tennis shoes, heels. For what? Why?
It baffles me how companies are making their employees give up remote work after seeing it work for a year. Like, why wouldn’t a company want to give up the cost of office spaces, and all that comes with it? Help me understand.
Okay but hear me out- a romcom that is Fifty First Dated meets Sleeping Beauty in which a woman keeps making plans to meet a man for a date but falls asleep before each one, missing the date. Call it Sleeping Cutie.
QM is back up which means I’m sending all my fulls that weren’t already on my kindle directly to it and Speechify. My productivity is about to be unmatched.
Saw a pitch that made me think- what if we had a story where the Greek/Roman gods were kids and we got to see them overthrow their father and the other titans? Sort of like Muppet Babies? Anyway, that’s my random thought for the day.
Anyone on
#MSWL
want a manuscript on what happened to Camelot AFTER Arthur fell, because I was told it isn’t fantasy and I don’t know where to go from here 😭
Can we talk about how everyone is writing stories set in Appalachia, yet no one is sending me stories about the cannibals rumored to live in the Smoky Mountains National Park?
I am once again here to say if anyone is writing about the alleged cannibals in the Smoky Mountains National Park- I would like to see it, and so would an editor I spoke to…just in case you were wondering about my
#MSWL
when I reopen.👀
INSTEAD…of giving us four episodes, Netflix SHOULD have given us eight. And an ADDITIONAL eight in June. We have waited YEARS, and I do not feel like I’ve been properly fed.
#BRIDGERTON
Reasons you should read The Ones We Burn by
@mixbecca
1.FANTASTIC world building
2.PERCY
3.The dialogue
4.they/them rep
5.Magic
6.Easter eggs
7.Enemies to lovers
I could go on. I want more, and am saddened by the fact that it is over.
In YA:
• I am once again begging for stabby murderous teens
• Romance- with a twist. Gimme something like School Spirits and I’ll cry.
• Fantasy- but I will tell you now if it focuses on a princess, I’ve already got it and I want something DIFFERENT
• Dark Academia
Happy
@latinxpitch
to those participating! I’ll be popping in all day today, but if I like your tweet please send your query and the first ten pages to sheyla.queries
@volumefivelit
.com with a link to your post!💜
I’ve been informed by quite a few people that for some reason my original link isn’t working, so if you are interested in a query critique from me you can visit
and use code TWITTER for 10% for the inconvenience.
I really appreciate that
@careyfblankensh
wants to sell more books so I can get more tattoos. Like I truly love that she gets what my motivator is in life.
Gimme all your witches! It is fall, it is spooky, but your book doesn’t have to be. Send me the witches who are agents of chaos and THRIVING as such. Send me the witches that want to burn the world down. If you’ve got witches, I wanna see them!
I close to queries Friday but with that being said…if ANY OF YOU have a Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse story a la Sleepy Hollow? I am humbly begging you to send it to my inbox. Thank you.
#MSWL