Free Query Help

Query Swap Twitter Event Coming June 1, 2017

We all know how difficult creating the perfect hook can be, and getting good feedback is never easy! That's why M.L. Keller of The Manuscript Shredder is organizing the #QuerySwap Twitter party, an all-day event to help writers find critique partners for their query letters or back cover blurbs. The query swap Twitter party is designed to help writers connect with other writers. And since this is an exchange, both parties will benefit.

Query Swap is happening from 8am-8pm EST on June 1, 2017.

Query Swap is not a contest. It’s an opportunity for writers to help other writers. There won’t be mentors or agents. This is for writers only. Each participant will have the opportunity to find a new critique partner and exchange feedback on queries. Everyone gets feedback. Everyone’s query improves. Everyone wins.
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​How to participate:

1. Tweet a brief pitch about your MS with the tag #QuerySwap include genre and age category hashtags. (They might look familiar; they are the same as #Pitmad.) No need to tweet multiple times since you can also search the feed and look for a match.
2. Watch the feed and find someone with a MS similar to yours in genre, category, and tone.
3. Ask the author to swap.
4. Exchange queries.
5. Give constructive feedback to your new Critique Partner.

Can I just recycle my #PitMad pitch?

Maybe, but it might need tweaking. In this swap, genre, category, and overall MS tone will be more important than plot in finding a good match. Someone with a snarky sensibility might be less suited to your Anne of Green Gables retelling, so make sure you look for a person who writes in a similar style.

Example pitches:

• #LGBT historic retelling of Frog Prince set in Polynesia also dragons #YA #F #R #QuerySwap
• Dark portal fantasy with family drama and talking cats #MG #F #DIS #QuerySwap

Obviously, these pitches won't work for #PitMad, but they convey the necessary information for this event.

Hashtags
(These are the same as #PitMad)

Age Categories:
#PB = Picture Book
#C = Children’s
#CB = Chapter Book
#CL = Children’s Lit
#MG = Middle Grade
#YA = Young Adult
#NA = New Adult
#A = Adult

Genres/Sub-genres:
#AA = African American
#AD = Adventure
#CF = Christian Fiction
#CON = Contemporary
#CR = Contemporary Romance
#DIS = Disabilities
#DV = Diversity
#E = Erotica
#ER = Erotic Romance
#ES = Erotica Suspense
#F = Fantasy
#H = Horror
#HA = Humor
#HF = Historical Fiction
#HR = Historical Romance
#INSP = Inspirational
#IRMC = Interracial/Multicultural
#MR = Magical Realism
#M = Mystery
#Mem = Memoir
#LGBT
#LF = Literary Fiction
#NF = Non-fiction
#R = Romance
#P = Paranormal
#PR = Paranormal Romance
#RS = Romantic Suspense
#S = Suspense
#SF = SciFi
#SPF = Speculative Fiction
#T = Thriller
#UF = Urban Fantasy
#W = Westerns
#WF = Woman’s Fiction

Some Tips:

1. Don't flood the feed with pitches for the same book. Pitching multiple books is okay.
2. Only pitch books you are querying.
3. Don't wait for someone to ask you first. Be proactive.
4. Use the hashtags to simplify your search.
5. Be polite.
6. Remember that this is a swap. Both parties must give feedback.

Want to help #QuerySwap succeed? Please share via social media or reblog this post.

Are you participating? Leave a comment and tell us about your project!

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Of course, you're always welcome to contact me for a professional query critique. $30 flat, including feedback on your revisions. Email me at victoria@victoriagriffin.net for more info.