In reference to the "you're probably not on GK's blacklist" post:

Definitely the first thing you should ever acquire when querying is a stolid (and by stolid I mean Death Star impenetrable) sense that it's all business and nothing personal. That way you don't make up funny things like 'I must be on a blacklist!' or, 'They're reading Elvis' manuscript before mine! He must've gotten back from that alien ship!' 

The second things you should acquire, of course, are a really good muffin pan and a bag of homemade frosting.

Good advice, Michelle.

And may I recommend Bake it in a Cake?

Strawberry shortcake--baked, yes, into a cake.