Dion Beary

✨News✨ I’m excited to share that I’ve signed a representation agreement with @HKLiterary. After spending the last decade in editorials and content creation, I’ve retuned to my first love: fiction. I’m humbled for the opportunity to work with HKL to bring this to life.

@DNicholsAuthor Ideas aren’t worth anything, really. Execution is all that matters. I personally stopped doing pitch events because they felt more like social media hype parties, prospective authors just trading likes back and forth.

I've made the decision to not partake in any pitch events anymore. With all the scams out there and now AI, I don't trust my storyline wouldn't be stolen. I now only pitch direct to agents to bypass any chance of that. Anyone else feel this way? #WritingCommunity

@SusanSavageLee1 Decoding form rejections.

What should writers spend less time worrying about? #writingq #WritingCommunity

Absolutely tearing through this one. Fun, juicy mystery with a lot of wit.

Doesn’t the whole support swap thing for pitch events kind of defeat the purpose?

@SDDonovan Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow

Have you ever DNF a book that everyone else loved?

@ALAuchter Great title.

I got a full request yesterday for my dark academia novel, Such a Bright Girl within 24 hours of querying! It’s about how the mysterious 1956 disappearance of a Vermont college student exposes the quiet violence beneath privilege, desire, and the illusion of belonging. Stoked!

The only people scared of an AI witch hunt are the writers using AI.

@JoeBrunoWSOC9 Thank goodness Ballantyne is finally getting a grocery store.

BREAKING: Charlotte's first Wegmans will open October 14 at 9 a.m. The 110,000 square-foot supermarket will be located in Ballantyne at 11550 North Community House Road. It will employ 450 people. Hiring is underway.

@DanaGricken Cool title.

Despite weeks of anxiety… I finished the second draft of my thriller novel today! 🎉 Can’t wait to see where this book ends up!

@AllurinPrincess I would push back on the perception that beta readers are a necessary part of the process. If you happen to be friends with a successful published author whose work you admire, or a successful literary agent working in your genre, I'd seek beta reads from them. Otherwise, pass.

Apparently finding a beta reader is not an easy task.

@BWheelerBooks Maybe there’s an issue with your query letter. Have you workshopped it?

How’s authoring going? 😭 The last 2 books I queried each got 0 requests 😭 The venue for my events next week asked if I want to cancel as they’ve had 0 bookings 😭 my debut has been out 6 months and yet has only 7 am*zon reviews Shall I give up now?

@AlyseSteves Anyone using AI to edit isn’t worth wasting time on.

I’ve been considering offering editing services, but with the rise of AI, I’m not sure if anyone wants a human editor anymore. So … anonymous poll time. 😂 Comments are very welcome.

That show Couples Therapy is like a horror movie to me. The depth of contempt two people can carry for each other while still desperately holding each other hostage in a marriage is legitimately chilling.

@RuthSummie Never.

Be honest. Do you judge people by what they read?

@TommyDeanWriter What does it actually mean, in practice, when they say they "prioritize Black voices?"

If you could ask a literary agent 3 questions, what would they be? What do you want clarity on? What continues to be confusing?

What’s a book you wish you could read again for the first time?

@atlasjlively I personally started with drafting the new material as if it already fit with the planned edits. Then I dropped it all in a document and worked it from top to bottom a few times.

I’m not going to lie, I haven’t written in a while. I’m so daunted by editing my second book in my series. There’s a lot to do and I’ve never done such substantial edits before. Any advice? 📖

It’s Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Had to brave 90 degree heat to go cast my vote, but it was worth it. #VotePA

What are you currently reading?

@oliviamemerick I spend a good amount of time workshopping query letters. Specificity is one of the biggest things missing from them.

Thought I'd share some info on how specifics in your query letter can really make your query stand out!