Uwe Stender
Literary Agent
Triada US Literary Agency
Founder @triadaus , Literary/Film Agent. Herthaner. Berliner Schnauze. Westend. Qualität kommt von Qual. 1982,1991, 2013, 2017. Books, Films, Music. ❤ Berlin ❤
Literary Agent
Anaïs-Anaïs @RealAnaisAnais
@UweStenderPhD How long is your "way behind pile" in terms of reading time? #JustCurious 🌈😎It shifts, but right now about 6-12 weeks, sigh.
Literary Agent
Melissa Charles @2TheImp
@UweStenderPhD Which would you recommend, querying, or trying to participate in something like Pitch Wars? I'm wrapping up my MG, and debating with myself which route to try.Both. One does not exclude the other. Unless your query and book works via query, then you have an agent and don't need competitions.
Literary Agent
Audra McElyea @AudraMcElyea
@UweStenderPhD #askagent do most agents ask for r&rs these days before signing a client? Also, when it comes to r&rs—does this usually signify high interest, or not?I cannot speak for others, but I don't. Yes, if *I* ask for an R&R it means WAY more interest.
Literary Agent
Sahar @Dawnfulness
@UweStenderPhD Hi again! If a writer gets an offer, what's the appropriate time period to give other agents a chance to review previously sent queries and respond? Thanks!!Oh boy, you will get me in trouble. The current "standard" is 2 weeks, but I PERSONALLY will drop EVERYTHING to read if I am in competition. So, frankly, if someone cannot prioritize you within a week, I'd say bye bye, but I violate the pretend DOGMA. So whatevs.
Literary Agent
Allison Miller @AllisonDamMillr
@UweStenderPhD #askagent My current WIP is over 100k words and still not finished, but close. Is there a word limit preference for first time science fiction writers. Those books tend to have a higher word and page count, at least that I've noticed.I don't really know about adult scifi, but from what I think I know, you should be ok.
Literary Agent
Samantha Lienhard @SamLienhard
@UweStenderPhD #askagent If the conflict/stakes shift as the story goes on, should the query focus on the immediate conflict/stakes at the start of the book, or more important ones later on? (Or both?)I would say both, but ,as I always say, I cannot speak for others.
Literary Agent
Brian Hathaway @B_RockNYC
@UweStenderPhD How can you tell if you should keep querying or do (yet another) polish? Without much feedback, it’s hard to tell. Thanks Uwe! 🙏🏼✨If your first ten queries are rejections, you may want to tweak it.
Literary Agent
Rebecca Fryar @rebecca_fryar
@UweStenderPhD @Maria_Tureaud An agency I submitted to six months ago has a pass from one is a pass from all policy. Now a new agent is with the agency and I would like to query. But I have a pass from an agent there before this new agent joined. Query new agent or not?I don't know their policy specifically, but I am a VERY literal person, so I would not query them, but I don't know their structure.
Literary Agent
Audra McElyea @AudraMcElyea
@UweStenderPhD #askagent do agents alway go in order for queries in the slush pile or do they get excited about Twitter pitch events/ conference materials requested/r&rs etc. and read those right away? Do y’all read referrals from clients/other agents sooner as well?I go in order...clients' manuscripts first and in order of appearance. Sometimes deadlines are attached, then I prioritize by deadlines. As far as submissions go, it depends on the hype some projects have/get. If there is a lot of hype, I start there first.
Literary Agent
Nancy Parish @nancyparish
@UweStenderPhD #askagent When researching agents, what are some red flags to look out for. especially w/ new agents. thks.That's a tough one as we all start somewhere. I would say that if they seem sleazy, they probably are. Also, don't let them charge you. The only pay an agent gets is their commission AFTER they sell your book. Follow your instincts.
Literary Agent
Shereen Cook @ShereenCook
@UweStenderPhD Does it make sense to customize comps to things an agent likes or reps? Or does that come across as trying too hard or being disingenuine?I cannot speak for other agents, but I don't like it. Feels disingenuous.
Literary Agent
Megan Davidhizar @MDEnglishTeach
@UweStenderPhD Just curious: I see agents who are also authors getting their own agents. Why would agent-authors choose not to represent themselves?If a person is a therapist, but needs therapy themselves, they would likely go to another therapist and not work on themselves.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Laura @lhazan
@UweStenderPhD Someone suggested I query my book with a pseudonym because I am a woman and my MC is male. I’ve also been asked more than once if my POV is 3rd person (it is), again because I’m writing a male MC. Have I shot myself in the foot by writing a male MC? I had no idea this was a thingI don't know that is a thing. Maybe you shouldn't listen to that someone. I don't know.
Literary Agent
Alika Yarnell @AlikaYnot
@UweStenderPhD Thank you! Do agents enjoy seeing work posted on an author’s website? If so, would you rather see the first few pages or chapter of the novel being queried or would you prefer to see a completed short story or something published? Or all of the above?I would first have to love whatever you originally sent me. Once I do, then I would explore more about you. And that means I may look at your website.
Literary Agent
Sophia Payne @Everlastingbeta
@UweStenderPhD @Michelle4Laughs Do you get submissions from people that are clearly not meant to be writers? I mean, is a percentage of your inbox just trash? #doihaveafightingchanceYes, but I wouldn't phrase it that way. Everyone has a dream, and one should pursue it. I applaud the effort even if the result may not be ideal. I admire people who write a novel. That is a hard thing to do. One can always get better. Keep the dream alive.
Literary Agent
Tess James-Mackey @Tess_JMack
@UweStenderPhD Comps - should they be "current"? And if so, how recently should they have been published? One of mine is about 15years old...Somehow writers currently are overthinking the comps part. There must be Social media groups where this is overthought. Comps are great to place the product. If they are recent, they're on people's radar, but if they comp to instantly recognizable older stuff, it'll work, too.
Literary Agent
Alika Yarnell @AlikaYnot
@UweStenderPhD I’ve heard it’s not advisable to mention in a query that you are writing a series and to phrase it as “standalone with series potential.” True? Is there a term for a series of linked standalones where the world is the same but the MC & POVs change?Standalone with series potential is a good way to describe it. I could make up a long German compound noun to describe the second part, but to me that'd still be part of a series about that world and with more or less familiar protagonists. So standalone with series potential.
Literary Agent
Miri C Golden @MaryCWallis
@UweStenderPhD I read about a series being by killed by publishers before completion. Can contracts be negotiated to eliminate the potential for this outcome?Thanks for taking the time, Uwe.
No. If the first book or two of the series bomb commercially, there just isn't the demand. Think of TV series being pulled after the pilot or 3 episodes in.
Literary Agent
Shereen Cook @ShereenCook
@UweStenderPhD Have you seen this site and/or know if agents pay attention to it? Authors pitch their work and agents browse. Reverse MSWL. asawl.comI suspect agents pay attention. It sounds wonderful. I just don't have the time. I need to read clients's work, study royalty statements, work on contracts etc., I need people to make the effort to find me, I won't find them. But kudos to the concept.