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J.J. Phillips

@jjphillipsyo.bsky.social

42 followers 92 following 22 posts

#AmQuerying Hunted for his meteorite wand, twelve-year-old Catch must master spell-hacked spycraft to stop the Acolytes from seizing the Minerals of Power.

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 11h

Using it as a way to slow down and query more intentionally. So far, it’s helped make querying less stressful and more enjoyable!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 15h

Love this! I’m reading a book repped by each of the agents I’m querying, ideally a book I can comp to.

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 16h

Thanks for the positivity! Querying feels like throwing darts in the dark, after being spun around ten times, are told the dartboard is somewhere south by southwest, the dartboard is a moving target, and you have to hit a bullseye to get an agent.

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 20h

I entered my MG Fantasy for #10Queries!

Logline:

Hunted for his meteorite wand, twelve-year-old Catch must master spell-hacked spycraft to stop the Acolytes from seizing the Minerals of Power.

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 1d

Sorry to hear that! Are you doing the #RevPit event tomorrow/today?

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 1d

I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages!

Revise & Resub @reviseresub.bsky.social · 1d

TOMORROW!!
Who's ready to enter to win? Take the opportunity to get feedback. Even if you don't win, you'll be able to see feedback and tips from our experienced editors on querying and starting off your story strong! #writingcommunity #10Queries #RevPit #amquerying #writersky

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 1d

So cool! Just learned it’s #10Querjes because 10 queries are selected. And signed up for the substack to get notifications. Thanks for this event!

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 3d

Let me know if you would be open to critiquing a blurb! I’m always looking to give the hook more bite.

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 4d

This pitch event starter pack has a plethora of pitch events to choose from:

bsky.app/starter-pack...

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 4d

Publishing drama?

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 4d

Headed to a West Coast SCBWI meet next weekend. Wishing all the East Coast writers and illustrators an inspiring weekend full of connection and creativity!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 6d

Beautiful, thanks for sharing!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 6d

Sure, DM it to me and I’ll take a look. Also, r/pubtips is great for query feedback.

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

I’ll read for ya!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

Pivot!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

#AmQuerying and #SeasonsofKidLit Fall writing challenge!

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

Love all the fall writing contests, and I had so much fun writing the Tale of Hollow Jack!!

Thanks to:
@kaitlynleann17.bsky.social
@lydialukidis.bsky.social
@ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social

For running the #FallWritingFrenzy

#AmWriting

The Tale of Hollow Jack

All around, the children danced as they called him names. Yes, they called him names. “Angry face.” “Rot-guts.” “Stinky Freak.” Poor Jack felt gutted and worthless.

They passed him by, rang the bell, and treated from the candy pail. For him it was always a trick when he thought they might be kind. Ghosts, ghouls, monsters, and mummies paraded past. Never did they spare a word of kindness.

Until she came—

A simple witch, with a twisted hat, young Suzy was but seven. She touched his face. “Sweet pumpkin,” she whispered. She left a candy bar beside him before skipping away, his light following her like a blessing.

The older boys came, cruel and reeking. They called him names. Yes, they called him names.

They grabbed him, hurled him into the street. He shattered. Seeds scattered. Flesh split wide. His light flickered and went dark.

But carved from ancient soil, fed on loneliness and rage, he was more than pumpkin—he rose. Terrible. Burning. Whole. House by house his vengeance was duly delivered.

By morning, the town was silent as a grave. No voices left to call him names. Except for one small house where Suzy slept, dreaming of jack-o’-lanterns.

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Reposted by J.J. Phillips

Vicky Weber - Agent, Author, Educator 📚 @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social · 7d

Querying is weird. You’re literally sending love letters about your book to strangers and hoping they’ll fall for it.

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

Hilarious! "If anyone knows of a reason why these two should not be bound in deathly matrimony … keep it to yourself."

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J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 7d

Also, @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social !!

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 11d

I am excited for a few agents to open their QT in a couple of days!

#AmQuerying debut MG fantasy novel CATCHER KLINE.

At Alpine Academy, a secret school of magic-tech and spycraft, twelve-year-old Catcher Kline must decode his family’s secrets to stop Acolytes from enslaving the Guardian Spirits and seizing the world’s most dangerous power source.

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · Aug 11

Fun prompt for Manuscript Academy Summer Academy Workshop!

Thanks, Ivan!

#MSWL #MSA #MSASAW

I was president of the United States at 3 years old. By four years old the country was in the diaper bin and it was all my fault. It wasn’t my choice to become president. But when my TikTok video went viral—thanks, Mom—people started writing in my name, Bazil Benjamin Bean. And wouldn’t you know it? I won the majority vote.

At first, things were going great. My executive orders were a big hit: longer nap times for senators, all bread must be sold crustless, strict temperature limits in bath water.

Talk shows loved me. Shaking hands and kissing babies even got me a few play dates.

So, how did things turn to sour milk so quickly? I’m glad you asked. This is the story of how I dumped the country in the toilet before helping the land of the free find its way back to being a land of well-fed, well-rested, and wholly loved people.

Strap into your Johnny Jumper. Things are about to get wild.

——

Fun prompt for Manuscript Academy Summer Academy Workshop!

Thanks, Ivan!

#MSWL #MSA #MSASAW

J.J. Phillips @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · Jun 17

Awesome offer! Any additional details?