Mastering Co-Authoring: 10 Essential Tips for a Successful Writing Partnership

For anyone who has followed me on social media, you'll know I've been heavily involved in co-authoring throughout the years. I've had 3 different co-authors, and I'm sure I'll have others in the future. In fact, my alter-ego (Lexi Lawton) is in the early stages of planning a co-authored series. People are constantly asking me how it works and what the process is like. So, I decided it was time to share the secrets of my success.

Like everything else with writing, your mileage may vary and no two authors will do things the same. These are just my personal tips and experiences, but I hope they'll help if you plan to embark on a co-author journey. 

So, how have I managed to co-write so many books with different authors? Without wanting to rip our hair out, scream at each other, scrap the project, and give up on writing for the rest of our lives? Here are my top 10 tips for co-writing a book successfully:

1. COMMUNICATE

Communication is crucial. If you and your co-author can't or won't talk to each other, the project is doomed from the start. Talk often and about everything, even things unrelated to the book. Building a strong friendship is key to a smooth collaboration. Even after the projects are done and we've parted ways, I'm still good friends with my co-authors. We check in routinely and support one another.

2. NEGOTIATE

Disagreements are inevitable. Be prepared to negotiate and find compromises. During the editorial process for DANGEROUS LOVE, there was a scene where Dr. Parker falls to his knees. Our editor and Jody felt it was too much and should be removed. I defended the scene initially but eventually compromised, making the scene stronger as a result.

3. ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS

Every author has their own processes and work speeds. Discuss and set reasonable expectations. If one author is more available, adjust the workload accordingly. For example, while writing INFERNO with David, he wrote most of the first draft due to my other commitments. To balance things out, I handled writing the query letter, synopsis, and a bulk of the edits.

4. CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR

There's no room for egos in a partnership. Believe in your writing, but be open to suggestions and changes from your co-author. Initially, it might sting, but it will result in a more cohesive and well-written story. And always remember that you're working with your co-author because you (hopefully) enjoy their writing, their personality, and you respect them as a fellow writer. You both have the same end-goals in mind. 

5. PLAN THOROUGHLY

Before you start writing, plan your book in detail. Outline the plot, develop your characters, and decide on the structure. This reduces misunderstandings and keeps both authors aligned. Personally, I am not a planner. I much prefer to just jump in and start writing. This is the reason I find it so easy to co-write with Rosie Somers. She loves to plot and plan, so we brainstorm together, but then she organizes all of it, and I can dive into the actual writing. 

6. DIVIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

Clearly define who is responsible for what. Whether it's writing specific chapters, handling research, or managing edits, having defined roles prevents overlap and ensures accountability. It also helps in leveraging each author's strengths. (See tip number 5 above!) Most importantly is to be realistic with this aspect. I cannot stress that enough. Don't commit to doing something you know you can't do. Whether that's writing about a topic you know nothing about or writing a set amount of words each day. Do what you know you can do, and when you can't meet your agreed upon responsibilities, communicate that with your co-author.  

7. USE COLLABORATIVE TOOLS

Leverage technology to your advantage. Tools like Google Docs, Trello, or Scrivener allow real-time editing and tracking progress. These tools help keep everything organized and accessible to both authors at all times. Personally, for every co-author project I've ever worked on, we've always used Google Docs. It's free and very easy to use, and I like that you can organize everything into neat little folders. 

9.  RESPECT EACH OTHER'S WRITING STYLES

Every author has a unique voice and style. Respect and embrace these differences. Instead of trying to blend them into one, use them to create a richer, more diverse narrative. For example, if you're writing a dual POV story, let each writer take on a single POV, which can serve to make each character voice different and unique. I co-write a book with Rosie Somers (currently unpublished) where each chapter is a letter of eulogy, and we took turns writing those so each letter / character had a distinct voice. 

9. BE OPEN TO FEEDBACK

Constructive criticism is vital for growth. Be open to feedback from your co-author and willing to provide it as well. But do so from a place of genuineness. Offer feedback because you think it will improve the story, not because you feel your way is better. Be willing to listen to your co-author's thoughts on whatever feedback you provide and then be willing to negotiate as needed. The most important part of his is to think about how you'd feel. If your co-author approached you a certain way, how would you feel and react? If the answer is not good, then think about that when providing feedback. Do so in a way that's constructive, helpful, and open for discussion.

10. HAVE FUN!

Writing with another person requires patience and flexibility. If you can manage it, have fun! Brainstorm crazy ideas, laugh about them, joke about mistakes, and congratulate each other on breakthroughs. Because at the end of the day, if you're not having fun, then why are you doing it? Embrace and enjoy the process, and if you find it's not working, take a step back and reevaluate. 

Writing a book is often a solitary experience. Sharing the process with someone else can be nerve-wracking and terrifying, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Co-authoring has allowed me to make wonderful friends and create books I'm proud of. By following these tips, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable co-writing experience.

So, if you're considering co-authoring, go for it! Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and create something extraordinary together.

Have you ever co-authored a book? What did your process look like? 

Do you have any other tips to add? 

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Writing Gripping Teen Fiction: 5 Tips for Captivating Young Readers

 

Despite being an adult in my 40s, I absolutely LOVE young adult fiction. I think it's fresh and fun. Characters that age aren't jaded or set in their ways. They're exploring life, love, the world around them. They can make mistakes and get away with it, whereas in adult fiction, the characters are expected to "act their age." The uncertainty and curiosity that is inherent in YA is what makes it so appealing to me. This is also the reason I write YA fiction! 

But writing YA stories isn't as easy and fun as reading them. So, today, I'm sharing five tips for writing teen fiction that will keep your young readers flipping the pages. 

Teen readers are at a unique stage in their lives, grappling with issues of identity, independence, and social dynamics. They are more likely to engage with stories that reflect their own experiences and challenges. But how can you do that, especially when teens today are dealing with things that we never had to?

• Research Current Trends: Stay updated on what’s popular in teen literature, but don’t simply mimic existing works. Use trends as inspiration while bringing your unique voice and perspective to the story.
• Interact with Teens: Engage with teens in your community, online forums, or through social media to get a firsthand understanding of their interests, concerns, and language. If you can, find some teenage beta readers to help you ensure your story is authentic.
• Read Widely: Familiarize yourself with a variety of teen fiction books. Note what works and what doesn’t, and identify gaps or opportunities for new stories. 
  
  

Characters are the heart of any story, and this is especially true in teen fiction. Your characters should be multidimensional and relatable, reflecting the complexity of real teenagers.

• Develop Authentic Voices: Teens have a distinct way of speaking and thinking. Pay attention to their language, including slang and idioms, but use it sparingly to avoid sounding forced or outdated.
• Show Growth and Change: Teen years are a time of significant growth and change. Your characters should evolve throughout the story, learning from their experiences and developing new perspectives.
• Avoid Stereotypes: Steer clear of clichéd portrayals of teenagers. Instead, create nuanced characters with unique backgrounds, personalities, and motivations.
• Mirror the Real World: Teens live in a diverse world full of different races, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, lifestyles, etc., so make sure your books reflect that. Teens don't want to just see themselves on the page; they want to see their friends, too. 
  
  

Themes should resonate with your audience’s real-life experiences and concerns. Addressing those can make your story more engaging and meaningful.

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Themes of identity, self-discovery, and personal growth are central to many teen experiences. Explore how your characters navigate these issues. How to they react to certain situations? How do they change over time?
• Relationships and Social Dynamics: Friendships, family relationships, and romantic interests are critical in teen fiction. Delve into the complexities of these relationships and how they impact your characters. 
• Challenges and Conflicts: Address real-life issues such as mental health, bullying, peer pressure, and societal expectations. Be sensitive and respectful in your portrayal of these themes.
  

A gripping plot is essential to keep teens hooked from the first page to the last. Your story should have a clear structure, with a balance of tension, conflict, and resolution.

• Start Strong: Capture your readers’ attention with an engaging opening that introduces intriguing characters or a captivating situation. Make the reader need to know what's going to happen next.
• Maintain Pacing: Keep the story moving with a well-paced narrative. Avoid long, drawn-out scenes that might lose your readers’ interest. Shorter sentences and chapters give the illusion of faster pacing.
• Build Tension: Create suspense and tension through conflicts, obstacles, and unexpected twists. Ensure that the stakes are high, compelling readers to keep turning the pages. Do this by ending every chapter on a cliffhanger, make your reader have to turn the page.
• Provide Resolution: While not all endings need to be happy, they should be satisfying and provide closure. Ensure that your characters’ journeys come to a meaningful conclusion.

Dialogue is a powerful tool in teen fiction. It reveals character, advances the plot, and brings authenticity to your story.

• Keep It Natural: Listen to how teenagers talk. Use short sentences, contractions, and colloquial expressions to make dialogue sound natural, but be mindful of slang. Using too much can feel awkward and will date the book.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use dialogue to show character traits and relationships rather than simply conveying information. Let your characters’ words and actions speak for themselves. Utilize the five senses to engage your reader in the story.
• Balance Dialogue and Narrative: While dialogue is crucial, balance it with narrative descriptions to create a well-rounded story. Use internal monologue to provide deeper insight into your characters’ thoughts and feelings. As with anything else, find a good balance.

Writing gripping teen fiction is an art that requires a deep understanding of your audience, well-developed characters, relevant themes, a compelling plot, and authentic dialogue. By following these tips and continually honing your craft, you can create stories that captivate and inspire young readers. Remember, the key to successful teen fiction is not just telling a good story but telling a story that resonates with the unique experiences and perspectives of teenagers. 

~ Happy writing!

Writing when Life Throws you a Curveball

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 

I'm not sure who originally said this, but I think it holds true in all things, especially in writing. The start of a New Year often brings forth a plethora of good intentions. I know I have a lot of them, mostly to finish half-started manuscripts. But what happens when life gets in the way? What happens when life throws you a major curve ball that you weren't expecting? It can be difficult, no matter how good your intentions are, to keep moving forward with your goals.

Honestly, I'm no stranger to this. Two years ago, I had a pretty major life event that blindsided me. I'm not about to get into all the dirty details, but I will say it involved my ex-husband and the custody of our two daughters. Everything I wanted to do came to a screeching halt. I couldn't focus on anything.

Leading up to the Christmas holiday, I was blogging and creating newsletters and promoting and writing new words. I was in the zone. Then the holiday came and I was busy with shopping and cleaning and decorating and baking. The day after Christmas, I drove to NY to pick up my daughter. She spent a week here in Michigan with us then I drove her home.

And now that everything is done and life is returning to normal, I'm struggling to get back in the groove. All of my good intentions and goals are now looming over my head, and I'm sitting here feeling guilty because I'm not working on one of my many manuscripts. So, what am I doing about it?

1. Reading -- Every time I read a book that I like, I get this surge of excitement to want to create something that will inspire others the same way I'd just been inspired. That often gives me the kick in the pants I need to get back to my own writing.

2. Blogging -- Sometimes taking the pressure off myself and blogging helps tremendously. There's no pressure and no "rules" when it comes to blogging. I can say whatever I want, and it really helps get the creative juices flowing.

3. Going Old School -- When all else fails, I get out a pen and a notebook. I don't always write a story, but just outlining or creating character sketches helps.

4. Giving Myself Permission to Take a Break -- We're all only human, and sometimes we need a break. And you know what? It's okay to take one. If you need a day or a week off, take it! Recharge your batteries. Do something else you enjoy.

5. Exercising -- I know, I know. This a dirty, dirty word. lol. I'm not suggesting you run out and join a gym or start an intensive workout routine. But get out of the house and take a walk. Go for a jog. Take your kids to the park (if applicable). There's nothing like endorphins to get your creativity flowing!

So, whether you're dealing with work-related stress, family drama, or something completely different.... like overwhelming pregnancy hormones, try employing the above methods. Is there anything I've missed? Any other tips and tricks that you use when you're trying to stay on track with your writing? Share your thoughts in the comments!

{GUEST POST}: Ten Tips for Writing Middle Grade by Jackie Minniti

Today I'm pleased to welcome author Jackie Minniti. Her book, JACQUELINE, is a fantastic, historical middle grade, and so she's going to share her Ten Tips for Writing Middle Grade Fiction.

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In my former life as a middle school reading teacher, I got an “up close and personal” look at what middle graders like in a book. This came in handy when I decided to pursue a second career as a writer.

My dad, a WWII veteran, only shared one war story with our family – the tale of Jacqueline, a little girl who stole his heart while he was stationed in France. When I started writing, Dad asked me to write a book about her.  Jacqueline was about 11 years-old when she met my father, so I decided to write her story as a middle grade novel.  Since writing for this age group presents some unique challenges, I used what I knew about middle school students to craft a novel that would appeal to even the most reluctant readers. I’d like to share ten middle grade writing tips.

1. DO familiarize yourself with your audience
If it’s been a while since you been around 8 to 12 year old kids, find some and spend time with them. Talk to them about the books they like (and the ones they don’t.) Ask them what makes them choose one book over another, and what genres and topics they’re interested in.

2. DO plunge right into the action
Once they pick up your book, you’ve got one chance to hook them. Your first sentence may that chance. For my book, Jacqueline, I spent more time on the first sentence than on the entire first chapter. I finally came up with this: “Her mother’s scream was followed by the crash of shattering glass.”  My 10-year-old beta reader said it made her want to keep reading, so I knew I had a winner.

3. DO make your protagonist age-appropriate
Your main character will make or break your novel. Middle schoolers like to read about kids a little older than they are, so your protagonist should be between 10 and 13 years old.  Your main character should be someone your readers can identify with and care about; a kid with strong opinions and beliefs. Be sure your character has a few flaws though – middle graders have lived long enough to know there are no perfect children.

4. DO use authentic dialogue
Middle school students like to talk, and they like books with lots of dialogue. Listen to middle grade kids, get the sound of their dialogue into your head so your character will sound realistic. Make sure all your characters don’t sound the same. Steer clear of coarse or vulgar language – remember that your book will have to be pre-approved by parents and teachers (the actual buyers.)

5. DO focus on friends and school
Middle school students are straddling the worlds of childhood and adulthood trying to figure out where they fit in. Their focus is shifting from home and family to school and friends, and your story should reflect this. Keep parents, teachers and other adults in the background, with most of the action centered on the main character’s interaction with the outside world. Keep introspection to a minimum. Middle schoolers don’t do a lot of self-analysis.

6. DO center the story around a problem the main character can solve independently
There should be a single inciting element in the story – something that sets the main character’s life askew. In Jacqueline, it was her father’s plane being shot down by the Germans. The central problem should be one that the protagonist can eventually solve without adult intervention, so keep this in mind when you plot your story.

7. DO edit out anything that doesn’t propel the plot
Be relentless in your editing. Your final word count should fall between 30,000 and 60,000 words. Avoid excess adjectives and adverbs. Eliminate everything that doesn’t move the plot forward, no matter how much you may love the sound of it.  While you should definitely include descriptions and sensory details, make this about 10 percent of the total text.  My students steered clear of thick books, so keep that in mind when you have to cut a favorite paragraph.

8. DO challenge them
Just because your readers are young, there’s no reason to “write down” to them. They can deal with difficult subjects if presented appropriately.  Use language that makes them stretch a bit, but include context clues so they can figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. I used several French words in Jacqueline, and my beta reader was able to mentally translate them using clues I embedded into the text. (She was very proud of herself!)

9. DO keep the momentum going
Middle graders have no qualms about abandoning a book that gets “boring.” If you want them to make it to the end, you have to keep them flipping pages. Don’t use too many abstract concepts.  Stick to the “Show, don’t tell” rule so that there’s a steady flow of action. Try to end each chapter with a cliffhanger. Don’t let up on them until the last page.

10. DO end on a positive note
Be sure that your ending is positive and satisfying. Middle grade readers don’t react well to open endings. I’ve seen kids throw a book across the room because the ending left them hanging.  In Jacqueline, I decided to end with an epilogue that showed what happened to the characters as grown-ups.  My beta reader really liked that.

Most of all, DO enjoy the process. Middle grade readers can be profoundly influenced by the books they read, and that’s what makes writing for them so much fun,

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Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing these tips with us, Jackie! Now, tell us a bit about your book :-)

When ten-year-old Jacqueline Falna hears her mother's scream, she is unaware that the axis of her world is about to tilt. Her father's plane has been shot down by German fighters. In the midst of poverty, food shortages, air raids, and the grinding hardship of daily life under Nazi rule, she forms an unlikely alliance with David Bergier, a twelve-year-old Jewish neighbor who poses as her cousin after his family is "relocated" by the Nazis. When Rennes is liberated, Jacqueline meets an American soldier and becomes convinced that he has been sent to reunite her with her father.

Based on a true story, "Jacqueline" is a tale of family, faith, unusual friendships, and the resiliency of the human spirit set against the backdrop of occupied Rennes in 1944. With the drama of fiction and the authenticity of personal history, "Jacqueline" is both a story about family and a family's story.

BUY NOW: Amazon / B&N  

About the Author:

Jackie Minniti was born and raised in the heart of New Jersey. She spent 25 years as a classroom teacher and was an education writer for the Courier Post. After retiring from teaching, she moved to a small beach town on the west coast of Florida and began writing full-time. She is currently a columnist for The Island Reporter in St. Petersburg. Her first novel, Project June Bug, the story of a young teacher's efforts to help a student with ADHD won several awards including Premier Book Awards "Book of the Year." A number of her stories have been included in Chicken Soup for the Soul collections.

Jackie lives on Treasure Island with her husband and two rather noisy macaws, but she frequently travels back to New Jersey to visit her three children and six grandkids.

You can learn more about Jackie and her books by visiting her on her website, blog, and Facebook.

The "Rules" of Co-Writing

For anyone who has followed me anywhere on social media, you'll know I've been doing a lot of co-authoring recently, and I'm constantly being asked how it works and what the process is. So, I figured it was time to share the secrets of my success.

The first time I ever wrote with other authors was back in 2013 when I collaborated with Aria Kane, Melinda Dozier, and Ana Blaze on LOVE AND OTHER GAMES. Each of us wrote our own 20k novella and tied them all together with a common setting and theme. While we were all responsible for our own stories and characters, we worked very closely together to brainstorm the idea, ensure they stories were all linked, and to make sure none of us wrote anything too similar. It was one of the best experiences I've had as an author and couldn't wait to do it again.

At the start of 2014, I hosted the Anaiah Press Co-Author Contest in which I picked one lucky author to co-write and publish an adult romance book with me. Then, later in 2014, I was approached by David Jemal and asked to work on a new series of books, this time a YA dystopian thriller. This was completely different than my previous experience because me and this "stranger" would be working on the same book...together. {GASP!} We would have to merge our voices and writing styles, come to agreements on everything related to the characters, plot, conflict, etc. And once we did all that, we then had to decide who was going to write what.

So, how do we do it without wanting to rip our hair out, scream at each other, scrap the project and give up on writing for the rest of our lives? Here are my top 5 "rules" for co-writing a book:

1. Communicate. I cannot stress this enough. If you and your co-author aren't able or willing to talk to each other, then the project is doomed from the start. Talk often. Talk about everything, even things unrelated to the book. Become friends.

2. Negotiate. There are going to be times when you and your co-author don't agree on something. It's inevitable. You have to be willing to negotiate. Find a compromise you can both be happy with, and then move on. Don't pout because you didn't get your way. Just let it go! For example, during the editorial process for DANGEROUS LOVE, there was a scene I had written where Dr. Parker falls to his knees. Our editor and Jody felt it was too much and should be removed. I'll admit, I tried to defend that scene. lol. But in the end, I realized I needed to compromise. So I did, and now that scene is much stronger as a result.

3. Establish Expectations. Every author has their own processes and methods and abilities to work at different speeds. Figure out what they are, and then set reasonable expectations. If this is the only project your co-author has at the time and you have several, then be honest about how much time you can devote to this project. If you can only write one chapter a week, then say so. If your co-author can and will write more, then so be it. On this point, I do recommend balancing the workload. If one author is writing more than the other, then the other should do something later to compensate. For example, while writing INFERNO with David, he wrote a majority of the first draft due to other commitments I had. So, to balance things out, I handled writing the query letter, synopsis, and a bulk of the edits.

4. Check your ego at the door. There's no room for it in a partnership like this. Yes you need to believe in what you're writing, but not so much so that you think every single word you put on the page is golden. You have to be willing to allow your co-author the freedom to make suggestions and even change your words at times. It will sting a little at first, but trust me, in the end, you will have a more cohesive, well written story.

5. Have fun! Not everyone can write a book with another person. It takes a lot of patience and a willingness to be flexible. So, if you can do it, have fun! Brainstorm crazy ideas and laugh about them. Joke about the mistakes you both make -- because you will make them  -- and congratulate each other when you write that perfect line or work through that major plot hole.

As any author knows, writing a book is a very personal, solitary experience. To open yourself up and share the entire process with someone else is nerve wracking and terrifying. But having done it a few times now, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I've made a couple of wonderful friends as a a result and have written new books I am so proud of.

Have you ever co-written a book? What worked or didn't work for you? 

Share your experiences in the comments!

I is for Inspiration

I know this post is a day late, and I apologize. I planned to write something helpful about finding inspiration for writing, but, ironically, I couldn't find the inspiration to write the post. lol. That and I got busy with life. So, to catch up and get back on track, here are places I most commonly find inspiration:

Music
Television - specifically talk shows. I have a mild obsession with Dr. Phil.
Social media
Writers groups
People watching while out and about with my kids
Dreams

So, where do you find inspiration?

How to Write a Bad Query: Part One

As an editor, I read a lot of queries. Some of them are knock your socks off fantastic and others leave me wondering, what were they thinking? So, I've decided to share my knowledge with you in a new blog post series entitled: How to write a bad query.

Yes, you read that correctly ;-)

Despite the hundreds and thousands of websites that "teach" you how to write a stellar query, there's no magic formula for writing a query letter, and the argument can be made that there really is no wrong way to write one....but let's face it, there is. You can go anywhere and learn how to do it right. Well, no worries! I'm going to teach you how to do it the wrong way. Why?  Because I hope that you won't make any of these mistakes.

(**Please note that although the situations are real, the examples are completely fictional and are a figment of my own imagination**)


The Fantastic Pitch & Nothing Else Query

Anyone who has ever researched or actually written a query letter knows that the book pitch is hands-down the most important part of the entire letter. If you can't pique an agent or editors interest then you have no hopes of getting them to read your book. However, giving said agent or editor some identifying information is equally important. Why? Because we like to know what genre the book is, how long it is, who you are, what credentials you have, how to contact you, etc.

Dear Editor,

     Tallulah would do anything to land her dream internship -- including playing babysitter to the boss's obnoxious tween son, Furbrow. But when Furbrow sneaks out of the house to go visit a girl who convinces him to sneak into a movie, Tallulah must figure out a way to get Furbrow home and tucked safely into bed before his parents return. That's a lot easier said than done though -- especially when Tallulah is faced with an impossible decision: tell the truth about Furbrow and possibly lose her internship or keep it a secret even though she knows that's not the right thing to do. Is she willing to risk her personal morals for a shot at a life-changing opportunity?
      Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Author

As you can see, there is no information in this type of query. We have no idea what genre this book falls into -- YA? NA? MG? -- it's anyone's guess. Is it 50,000 words or 150,000 words? Has Amy Author ever been published before? If so, where? What type of book?

Please, please, I beg you, take the extra paragraph and give us some information! It really will help you in the end, I promise.


The TMI Query

On the flip side, I have read queries that told me the author's entire life story and absolutely nothing about the book. Granted, I like to get to know the authors I will be working with. It's good business to build rapport and develop a relationship. Your query letter is not the place to do that!

Dear Editor,
     When I lost my husband to cancer last year, I knew I had to find something to help me cope. I turned to the written word and have healed through my writing. If it weren't for the journey I took with the characters in this book, I would've been reunited with my husband in Heaven much sooner than I should've been.
     Upon deciding to write this book, I quit my job as a teacher and focused on this new, exciting career path. Prior to teaching, I was a marketing executive and before that a sales clerk at a major department store. As you can see, I bring a variety of life experience to the table and will use my knowledge to help sell my book.
     My children are grown and out of the house. Having not blessed me with grandchildren, I am fully devoted to working on this book and the sixteen other books I have planned and outlined. I at your complete disposal.
     Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Author

Wow. Okay, well, I'm sorry for your loss and for your lack of grandchildren, but could you maybe tell me something about your book? The title, maybe? Please, give me something, anything!


The "I Can't Follow Rules" Query

Every single agent and publisher will outline their submission guidelines on their website or blog. Most of them are easy to find and even easier to follow. Before you send a query letter to anyone, be sure to find these guidelines and follow them!

Dear Editor,
     Brazen Blueblood is the last of her kind, and she's fighting to stay alive. The world wants her dead because she saw something she wasn't supposed to see. With the help of a kind, homeless stranger, a stray dog, and her trusty blue metal sword, Brazen will face her demons and hopefully she'll come out alive.
     BRAZEN BLEEDS is a young adult fantasy complete at 90,000 words.
     I currently haven't had anything published, but I'm a contributor to a successful young adult blog. I'm active on social media and have built a strong following on Twitter.
     Your guidelines ask for the first three chapters pasted into the email. I've taken the liberty of attaching my full manuscript because there is no way you can get a feel for my characters in three short chapters.
     Thank you for you consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Author

Uh....can you say reject? Seriously folks, those guidelines are there for a reason. If you don't follow them, you're asking begging for a rejection. This type of query tells me two very important things: (1) you can't follow simple rules, and (2) you're going to do whatever you want and will probably be very difficult to work with. No thank you. Next!