Erin Clyburn
@erin_clyburn
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @HowlandLit // Copy Editor @foodandwine // Southerner // hiking & horror movies // she/her
168 MSWL
6 AskAgent
20 Tips

Vickilyn Crawford @seizethedaisiez

#askagent @erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano and @Literary_Tara Although my novel is not 'about' LGBTQ, one of the characters is bi-sexual. Does this cause interest with the agents looking for LGBTQ novels, even though it's doesn't play a major role?
Replying to @seizethedaisiez

#askagent I would say for your query, focus on the protagonist and main plot rather than side characters/plots, since it sounds like this is not the protag. & also that rep in itself will not be of interest to the agent as much as the plot/characters themselves.

Tara Gilbert
@Literary_Tara
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @ktliterary | 🌈she/them | ✨magical | opinions my own | Gemini ☼ Pisces ☽ Capricorn ↑
245 MSWL
46 AskAgent
25 Tips

Vickilyn Crawford @seizethedaisiez

#askagent @erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano and @Literary_Tara A superhero novel, heroes age in range from 17-27. I am thinking fantasy over Sci-Fi and NA over YA. Thoughts? (Technically appropriate for YA readers)
Replying to @seizethedaisiez

Depends on many factors. Is the voice more adult or YA? Who is your target audience? What other books are like it? By answering these questions you get a better idea of where your book lands. I hope that helps! #askagent

Megan Manzano
@Megan_Manzano
Literary Agent
Agent @StevenLiterary#RevPit Editor • Mentor @BreakthroughWBC • (She/They) • Latinx 🇵🇷 Opinions are my own.
124 MSWL
205 AskAgent
10 Queries
179 Tips

Kahlan Strop, Author @AuthorStrop

@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara Should one wait until line edits are completely complete before querying, or since response times are generally 4-6 weeks is it okay to query a little early?
Replying to @AuthorStrop

I would have your manuscript as polished as possible before querying. While those may be general wait times, some agents can request sooner and it'd be best to have the story ready to go.

I've read queries and requested the same day as an example.

#askagent

Tara Gilbert
@Literary_Tara
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @ktliterary | 🌈she/them | ✨magical | opinions my own | Gemini ☼ Pisces ☽ Capricorn ↑
245 MSWL
46 AskAgent
25 Tips
Erin Clyburn
@erin_clyburn
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @HowlandLit // Copy Editor @foodandwine // Southerner // hiking & horror movies // she/her
168 MSWL
6 AskAgent
20 Tips

Vickilyn Crawford @seizethedaisiez

#askagent @erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano and @Literary_Tara If a new writer doesn't have the best query letter, does it kill the deal? Will you go on to read the pages that were part of the query request?
Replying to @seizethedaisiez

Unless the query letter is totally egregious (didn't follow the rules in a big way, for example, or it's only 3 sentences long), I will always read some of the sample. As long as you follow guidelines as far as what to include, you're good! #askagent

Megan Manzano
@Megan_Manzano
Literary Agent
Agent @StevenLiterary#RevPit Editor • Mentor @BreakthroughWBC • (She/They) • Latinx 🇵🇷 Opinions are my own.
124 MSWL
205 AskAgent
10 Queries
179 Tips
Tara Gilbert
@Literary_Tara
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @ktliterary | 🌈she/them | ✨magical | opinions my own | Gemini ☼ Pisces ☽ Capricorn ↑
245 MSWL
46 AskAgent
25 Tips

Rebecca F. Kenney @RebeccaFKenney1

@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara I have a question! #askagent I self-published a contemporary fantasy trilogy back when I was too nervous to query. It's gotten great reviews and has done well. But does that kill my chances of getting an agent for my far-more-awesome new projects?
Replying to @RebeccaFKenney1

It shouldn't hurt at all. We have a couple authors who have self-pub before. If you were querying the MS you already self-pub than that would be a problem. Not all agents would be open to that. If you are querying new projects then it shouldn't hurt your chances at all. #askagent

Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips
Jennifer Laughran
@literaticat
Literary Agent
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️‍🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
31 MSWL
259 AskAgent
11 Queries
4 Tips

This got long (why do I talk so much omg I will shut up now) -- ANYway, #AskAgent -- how important is "personal chemistry" between an author and an agent?
My answer:

literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186471322…

Jennifer Laughran
@literaticat
Literary Agent
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️‍🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
31 MSWL
259 AskAgent
11 Queries
4 Tips

An #AskAgent question: Why *shouldn't* an author look for another agent while they are still agented? My answer:

literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186468425…

Tracy Marchini
@TracyMarchini
Literary Agent
Senior Literary Agent at @BookEndsLit Jr. | Author CHICKEN WANTS A NAP & PRINCESSES CAN FIX IT! | she/her 🖤🤍💜 demi | Join the Quacktory! bit.ly/1DfU0Wk
147 MSWL
144 AskAgent
13 Tips
Jennifer Laughran
@literaticat
Literary Agent
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️‍🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
31 MSWL
259 AskAgent
11 Queries
4 Tips

A tumblr #AskAgent question: It seems like more and more agents only want to rep people who write novels rather than just picture books - why is that? My answer: literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186450188…

Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips

Cortney Winn @CortneyWinn11

@CortneyRadocaj Would a query that was rewritten to better explain the unique premise of the manuscript, be acceptable to re-submit? Or, is it a one shot and thats all? I am brand new to all of this so please forgive my naive self.😂
Replying to @CortneyWinn11

No worries, don’t feel embarrassed!! That’s why we do these #askagent sessions 😊

And it really, really depends. I would err on the side of NOT submitting again—agents reject for a slew of reasons—but if the rejection was specifically “the query didn’t grab me”... then maybe?

Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips

Kristi McManus 🛫 @kristimcmanus

@CortneyRadocaj How long should a writer wait to nudge an agent on a full?
Replying to @kristimcmanus

Three months is a general rule of thumb. Fulls can take a while to get to—they’re a lot more energy and time-intensive than queries or partials. Like, for me, I can go through queries or read a partial on my lunch break—but fulls I have set aside several nights at LEAST to read

Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips
Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips

Jim Lamb @Jcl5150

@CortneyRadocaj How important are comps in a query letter?
Replying to @Jcl5150

For me they’re not necessary. I’m not going to ding you for NOT having comp titles listed in your query.

HOWEVER, if they’re bad or overdone (like using Twilight, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, LOTR, etc) it immediately makes me question if you know where your book would be shelved

Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips
Cortney Radocaj
@CortneyRadocaj
Literary Agent
literary agent @belcastr • she/they • queer • neurodivergent • query me at QueryManager.com/CortneyRadocaj
111 MSWL
43 AskAgent
74 Tips

Cody DeBos - Writing 🧙🏻‍♂️ @CodyDeBos

@CortneyRadocaj What YA tropes are you a sucker for and which are you over? pic.twitter.com/V9k71UjHIj
Replying to @CodyDeBos

OHHHHHH. Hmmm. I’m ALWAYS a sucker for enemies-to-lovers—I can never get enough angst. Hades & Persephone retellings always draw me in. Mixing tech and flesh, or anything magic and flesh. Gun-slinging girls in gritty underworld settings ALWAYS.