Renee Fountain
@reneefountain.bsky.social
President of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Lit Mgmt. Developmental Editor and Writing Coach.
Is too much backstory getting in the way of your actual story? open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Front-loading Backstory: Opening Pages Shouldn't Read Like a Wikipedia Entry
Start the Story in the Right Place
open.substack.com
Strong writing doesn't mean more words. Often, less is more. See how less can make a bigger impact. reneefountain.substack.com/p/tight-writ...
Tight Writing: The Art of Word Choice
Fewer words. Bigger Impact
reneefountain.substack.com
Sometimes the “scenic route” can delay the excitement of the journey. ✂️ Cut the clutter. Keep the magic. reneefountain.substack.com/p/less-is-mo...
Less Is More: An Agent's Case for Cutting the Clutter
Tighter prose, stronger voice, bigger impact
reneefountain.substack.com
July 2025 Agent Wishlist Update 👻 Horror: make it scary. Also trope defying 🔪 Serial killers 😂 Humor: Fiction/NF 👩❤️👩 Women’s Fiction: Rebecca Serle ♥️ Rom Com - heavy on the com 🔎 Romantic Mystery 📚 Non-Fiction: 🌟 Self-Improvement 🎬 Pop Culture 🤯 Narrative 💼 Business (esp. women led 👩💼)
For writers who wonder if pitch events are worth it. Jen is on her second book. Here's the link: www.writersdigest.com/my-home-run-...
My Home Run at the Writer's Digest Conference Pitch Slam
Author Jen Ruiz shares how taking a chance on the Writer's Digest Conference Pitch Slam event connected her with her agent and a book deal.
writersdigest.com
⏳ Ticking clocks aren’t just for hidden explosives—they’re how you make a story feel like time is of the essence. Whether it’s a breakup ultimatum, a big game, or the last summer before everything changes, urgency drives momentum in almost every genre. open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
The Ticking Clock: Going Beyond Thrillers
A Sense of Urgency for Any Genre
open.substack.com
Setting the scene doesn't mean naming every single thing in the room. It also doesn't require describing what every person in that room is wearing... unless they're furries. Then it's always helpful to get a visual. reneefountain.substack.com/p/scene-sett...
Scene-Setting or Inventory List? An Agent's Take on Excessive Description
A Quick Lesson on Chekhov's Gun
reneefountain.substack.com
I don’t care if your story has a love triangle, a time loop, or a magic sword. Don't just tack it on. Give it weight. Make it matter. reneefountain.substack.com/p/you-say-pl...
You Say Plot Device Like It's a Bad Thing: An Agent’s Take on What Works—And What Doesn’t
And How to Tell the Difference
reneefountain.substack.com
I literally went down a rabbit hole for the past 30 minutes looking at cute bunny pics... @dailybunnies.bsky.social
Does your entire plot depends on whether the character gets revenge? open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Revenge Isn’t a Stake—It’s a Symptom: Why Stakes Matter More than Motive
Ensuring Bigger Consequences for Your Characters
open.substack.com
You only get one shot at a first impression. Make yours count. The Query Confident Workshop is coming soon— This only happens 2x per year, so get on the waitlist for early access + limited VIP spots. reneefountain.com/2025Wait
😬 Agents don’t read bad queries. They delete them. Stand out—in the right way. The Query Confident Mini Course is here: 📬 Write a sharper query letter 🧩 Craft a real synopsis 📖 Solid opening pages 💻 Includes 3 bite-sized videos + Bonus workbook NO fluff. NO filler. 👉 reneefountain.com/mini
Do fiction authors need a platform? Yes and No -- but mostly YES. Read on to find out why. reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-platfo...
The Platform Paradox: What Authors Need to Know to Sell Books
Fiction authors don’t need a platform—until they do.
reneefountain.substack.com
Welcoming @kapinson.bsky.social to the GH&F Family
Kaitlin Pinson@kapinson.bsky.social · last yr.So excited to announce I just signed with lit agent @reneefountain.bsky.social ! Huge thanks to @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social for connecting us :) Hope this encourages others to keep writing & not give up! #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #writertok #publishing #writesky #amquerying
Do you like free books? Do you like to have your sins forgiven? Head over to my Instagram account for a giveaway of Hell’s Detective from @crookedlanebooks.bsky.social, which offers both! www.instagram.com/michaellogan...
Do you think agents who attend writing events are "shady", or that the event is predatory to writers? Read on. reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-real-t...
The REAL Truth About Agents at Writing Conferences
Setting the record straight on "shady" literary agent practices
reneefountain.substack.com
This was just one of the topics we covered in my April webinar on how to know if your book is ready for submission. 🎥 You can request access to the free 1-hour YouTube replay: "Is Your Manuscript Ready For Prime Time" reneefountain.com/April.
Are you dealing with a mid-book slump? It's important to know--and fix--BEFORE you query. reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-midboo...
The Midbook Slump: Why Great Writing Can’t Save Your Novel
(And How to Fix It)
reneefountain.substack.com
Your writing can be brilliant, but that's not all that's required to carry your story. A strong premise is about more than just a cool idea. open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Building A House of Cards: Story Without Structure
Why Every Story Needs A Plan (Even for Pantsers)
open.substack.com
Aspiring authors need to know that getting an agent and editor at a publisher isn’t the last hurdle. I had two books fall to the acquisitions board (World War Moo and Hell’s Detective), despite my editors loving them. I was lucky enough to find other homes, but this biz is tough. #authorsky
Just attended this, and it answered so many questions I have been wrestling with. Thanks again for taking your time to help up-and-coming writers @reneefountain.bsky.social!
Renee Fountain@reneefountain.bsky.social · last yr.How to know if your ms is query ready. Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST ✅ The Submission Ready Myth ✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising ✅ The Three Layers of Revision ✅ And MORE ✅ Plus your questions answered 👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de
If you are a writer looking for good advice on how to polish your work and get published, do follow my agent Renee, who landed me a deal with @crookedlanebooks.bsky.social and is a general Fountain of wisdom on writing.
Renee Fountain@reneefountain.bsky.social · last yr.Are you engaging the reader right away? Your first five pages must: ✅ Character – Do we connect with them fast? ✅ Ground – Do we have an idea what's happening? ✅ Pacing – Did you start in the right place? Skip the setup. Start where the story is. The Free Launch kit: reneefountain.com/launch
Amid the evolution in #AI image generation, it’s important to remember that the human element is what makes a work of art special. Standing before a painting by an old master and marveling at how a person was able to do that is not a feeling that AI will ever replicate.
Friday is coming soon - make sure to sign up.
Renee Fountain@reneefountain.bsky.social · last yr.How to know if your ms is query ready. Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST ✅ The Submission Ready Myth ✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising ✅ The Three Layers of Revision ✅ And MORE ✅ Plus your questions answered 👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de