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
Jessica Lauren @McgeheeJess
@UweStenderPhD With dvpit coming up. I’m wondering, what do agents look for in a pitch contest. It’s a very small number of characters. Anything agents will want to see woven in? Or anything in particular that makes a pitch stand out?A pitch contest is essentially an elevator pitch. If you have a great hook, people will gravitate toward it.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Chad Parsons @ChadRParsons
@UweStenderPhD Is it possible to take a smaller advance and negotiate higher royalties in the hopes of earning out and increasing chances for another deal? Is that a thing? #askagentEach deal depends on its unique circumstances. So theoretically yes.
Literary Agent
Jessica Lauren @McgeheeJess
@UweStenderPhD I love how consistently you do these! If I have a full of MS#1 out to an agent and then pitch MS#2 in DVPit and it gets request(s). Should I let the agent with MS#1 know anything? If so, when/what? Should I notify her I’m pitching a diff MS in DVPit? I’m baffled by all this. 🙈I suspect others may have different opinions. *I* think your only responsibility is to tell agents the moment you have an actual offer. Until then you can continue querying whomever you want, as many you want, whichever way you want.
Literary Agent
Kevin J. Wangler (Deadline: Dec. 31) @KevinJWangler
@UweStenderPhD How important are comps in a query letter? #askagentThey don't hurt, as they help with figuring out which Marketplace they cover.
Literary Agent
Laura deNoyelles @Lauradeno
@UweStenderPhD Query letter question: so much conflicting advice...should you say this is debut novel in bio? Can you say you have written more novels to show this isn't first and you are interested in this as a career? So write: debut but have written (not queried) 5 other novels? Thanks!As long as the other novels have not been (self) published, there is no reason to mention it. The fact you are querying an agent proves you are serious!
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Michelle E. Reed @Michelle_E_Reed
@UweStenderPhD Follow-up question to one previously asked: are you not a fan of multi-POV in general (so one should just query other agents with these), or just instances of too many points of view? Asking as I'm finishing up a 3 POV contemporary YA.I just think it is so tough to do different distinct POVs. Two is great, three is possible...beyond that: "eek, try another agent."
Literary Agent
Angela Sebastian @Kauto_on_belly
@UweStenderPhD Hello! What makes you want to work with an author, even if ms isn't right for you?If the manuscript is not right for me, then I would not want to work with you until you write a manuscript that is right for me. Two exceptions: Rihanna and Simone Missick.
Literary Agent
Carly Huss @CarlyHussWrites
@UweStenderPhD Glad to hear it’s been a good week. :) I’ve written a book with 6 equal POVs which makes for a challenging query letter. In this case, would you prefer a concise query with common goals of all characters or a slightly longer query with each POVs goals?Oh wow. I personally would prefer a concise query, but admittedly, I would likely not request it either way, because the odds of pulling off a 6 POV distinctly are lowish. But you might of course have done it perfectly, thus query other agents who don't have this reservation.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Sarah Barkoff Palma @SarahBPalma
@UweStenderPhD If a writer lands an agent with a YA book, can they write MG for their next book, or are they career YA at that point?Write whatever you want, though it may be smart to first build on your (YA) brand. But not necessarily. Also, make sure your agent or agency reps both, though likely they would.
Literary Agent
Crystal Bell @WritingLEOW
@UweStenderPhD If I queried a debut book at 172k words (because I'm stubborn and clueless) and received no's for it, do you think it would be okay to re-query those same agents a year later now that it is down to 113k with serious rewrites? Or do you think it may just be dependent on the agent?It depends on the agent. But even 113 K seem *relatively * a lot.
Literary Agent
Steve Grossman @SteveGrossman17
@UweStenderPhD How critical is it for a debut commercial fiction work to be under 100k words? Is 108k toxic? Asking for a friend #askagentNot toxic, but --depending on what it is-- maybe difficult.
Literary Agent
Hdkeller @Hdkellerhdkell1
@UweStenderPhD In the agenting world, are there any phrases or concepts in a query or MS that result in automatic rejection? For example, "the fate of the earth rests in his hands" = RejectionsLol. Not necessarily. But using a worn out, cliched phrase like that will definitely NOT help. 🙄
Literary Agent
kristinpaula @kristinpaula11
@UweStenderPhD While querying a stand along book with series potential is it best to start the second book while you’re querying or work on something entirely new?I think it may be best to write something new, as you don't know if book one sells. HOWEVER, there is no rule why you can't do either or both.
Literary Agent
Amber A. Logan @AmberAnnLogan
@UweStenderPhD Do published writers generally have the rights to produce merchandise using their book cover art, or can only the publisher do that? I know authors make their own promo materials a lot, but wasn’t sure about things like jewelry or T-shirt’s, etc. Thanks!I have no idea. I would guess it depends on who holds the merchandising rights. I suspect the author will ask for permission and not be denied, but --truthfully-- I don't know.
Literary Agent
Gregory Laski @ProfL12
@UweStenderPhD For nonfiction books when do you reccomend authors contact agents? I have a preface and chapter drafted for new book projectA complete proposal and about 50 sample pages.
Literary Agent
Nancy Parish @nancyparish
@UweStenderPhD Is it a red flag if an agent doesn't have any deals listed in Pub.Marketplace? #askagentNot necessarily. It is brutally tough to get started. It depends on the individual.
Literary Agent
Nancy Parish @nancyparish
@UweStenderPhD Perfect timing, as I find myself needing to turn off the tv--too much bad news including an active shooter in my town. Anyway, when do you know a manuscript is ready for submission?When you and your critique partners can no longer improve it.