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What's this "Tagging" at Amazon I mentioned?

When you add your checkmarks next to the tags of an author you like, it helps them appear higher up in searches and gains exposure for their books. You might need to be signed in to your Amazon account to tag.

Yay!

Sweet! I have two YAYs this week:
Clare London's book Freeman is out at MLR Press. It's available in paperback and ebook. Yay, Clare!!

Merrie's been listening to Packing Heat since episode one, and she just landed herself an agent. YOU GO GIRL!

Agent Awe

I think we hold agents and editors in awe because we perceive a power imbalance that exists in the relationship when you're a new and unproven author. Really, both the author and the agent or editor should ultimately be on equal footing. You're both professionals in a mutually beneficial relationship. If it helps you keep your head screwed on right, perhaps you could think of a potential agent or editor as a potential real estate agent or chiropractor. Sure, you'd want them to be good at their profession, but you wouldn't lie awake at night hoping you'd impressed them.

Query Letters

1. Target - Make sure you're a good fit with the agency or publisher you're querying. An email blast to 1000 markets is a waste of everyone's time.

2. Personalize - Do your best to address your query to a specific person. And, for heaven's sake, never address anything "Dear Sir." Evidently it sends certain agents to the moon. (Alternately: address everything "Dear Sir" and weed out the freaks you don't want to work with anyway.)

3. About You - Be careful not to ramble when you tell them about yourself.

4. (bonus tip) First and Best - Never, ever, ever, ever mention how many times your story has been rejected. Pretend you're submitting it for the first time, and that agent or editor was your top pick.