Literary Agent
J.L. Cole @jlcole1331
Thank-you for doing this! My first question is; would having minor grammar or punctuation mistakes in my MS be enough for an agent to turn it down? Wondering if I can get away with not hiring a professional editor as it's very pricey. #askPSLAMost writers don't need to hire a professional editor, as long as they're proficient at self-editing. A few grammar mistakes or typos aren't a big deal! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Alisha Gabriel @alishagabriel
#askPSLA Is there a demand for MG expository NF like Sarah Albee's Bugged: How Insects Changed History or Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines?I think so! I'd love to see more of these type of projects in MG. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Sassy Cat Chat @LisaLDriscoll
#askPSLA what are the top things toy want to see in a query letter. What makes you accept or reject something instantly?I expect a query letter to include three things: necessary details (title, word count, category/genre), a compelling pitch, and an author bio. I will "instantly" reject categories/genres I don't represent and previously self-published books. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Debra Daugherty @dmddeb
#askPSLA When agents list their wish list, is it what publishers are asking to see or something the agent wants to read and promote? What I'm asking is, Are agents calling the shots on what is being published? Some requests on # MSWL seem too specific or far-fetched.I think most agents' wish lists are specific to their taste—not about what publishers say they want. That said, agents aren't going to take on a project they don't think they can sell. That's how they make money! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Michael V. Colianna @guildlibrary
#askPSLA #querytip #pubtip #writetip Getting my Q to @kurestinarmada and @msmariavicente early since my drive is 4-5pm 🤞🏽Q: In response to a req, if you sent older material than you meant to because your life's a mess, is that a kiss of death?
Haha no, just re-send the right material. Also, sorry to hear your life's a mess! #askPSLA
Literary Agency
“I’d love to find a really great YA horror novel.” @ericsmithrocks is sharing his #MSWL during our Facebook LIVE chat! Tune in: bit.ly/2dPOXG7 #askPSLA #askagent
Literary Agency
“I really like SFF stories that are weird, quirky and odd, more about the characters than the world.” - @ericsmithrocks is LIVE on Facebook right now! Tune in: bit.ly/2dPOXG7 #askPSLA #askagent
Literary Agency
“Platform is about where else you’ve been publishing, what kind of speaking engagements you do… it’s about you and what you can bring to the book as an expert.” - @ericsmithrocks is LIVE on Facebook: bit.ly/2dPOXG7 #askPSLA #askagent
Literary Agent
I've read plenty of bad queries and still requested. I was a bad test taker in college. I get it.
First chapter... hard to define. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Rachel the Queer Reindeer (STILL STUDYING) @graceful_reads
#askagent Are books with little to no romance a hard sell?#askPSLA
Nope. I constantly see agents and editors requesting friendship stories. I want to see more of them myself! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Bailee @Baileesg
Are agents often looking for YA murder mysteries? Or thrillers #askPSLAAbsolutely. Who wouldn't want to discover the next @MikalebRoehrig? <3 #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Chris Monson @cm_monson
@ericsmithrocks What if there aren't any recent books like the one you have written?#askPSLA @ericsmithrocks @msmariavicenteYou can always, always comp your book to themes in other books. Or even to voice.
Remember, comps aren't just about the story. #AskPSLA
Literary Agent
Nope. Find an agent who wants to represent your career, and maybe is a fan of both.
Though just query one at a time. #AskPSLA
Literary Agent
Bailee @Baileesg
Are agents often looking for YA murder mysteries? Or thrillers #askPSLADefinitely! I’d personally like to see even more of them. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Molly Kasperek @mollytheghost
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @msmariavicente #askPSLA #askagent Are YA books about sports hard sells? What can make one stand out?Love YA sports books. Please see the queen of them, @MirandaKennealy. They exist, there's absolutely an audience. #AskPSLA
Literary Agent
Hadar Badt @HadarBadt
@ericsmithrocks Why do so many agents dislike prologues? #askPSLAI think they are fine, as long as they don't wipe away the stakes, which they often do.
IE: "Soon my world would" NO. No spoilers. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
JAnngle Bells yeah @AmusedNonQueen
@ericsmithrocks Non-fiction I mean ☺️Platform: Is the writer publishing essays or articles? Have a major blog? Regularly do speaking engagements? That's platform. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Chris Monson @cm_monson
What stories do you wish you were seeing in you inbox right now? #askpsla @ericsmithrocks @msmariavicenteDiverse YA about geeky, comics and video game loving kids. I want those stories so bad. #askPSLA