Literary Agent
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?#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.
Literary Agent
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)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
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
Sarah Hill Darrow @sarahhilldarrow
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_TaraAnother #askagent from me. If I'm a yet-to-be-published n00b, do I need to state in my query letter that I'm querying multiple agents? Or do you guys kinda like, know that? pic.twitter.com/TLFHcp6Ycf
We definitely assume that! No need to state it. 😁 #askagent
Literary Agent
Rebecca F. Kenney @RebeccaFKenney1
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara One more #askagent from me--If an agent rejected one project, and you have another that might be a better fit, can you query again with the other one right away? Or is it better to wait a few months? I think I've been jumping in too fast and too eagerly.I think it might depend on the agent. Be sure to check their policies. If in doubt, ask the agent! #askagent
Literary Agent
Sarah Hill Darrow @sarahhilldarrow
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara What happens if you queried an agent years ago, heard nothing, and now you have something better that still fits. Okay to query again? #AskAgent @erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_TaraOf course! Especially if it has been a few years and it's a different MS. Good luck! #askagent.
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
Suzan Holder @HolderSuzan
@Megan_Manzano when an agent replies to your query with ‘I didn’t love your writing enough but don’t give this more than a moment’s thought I’m sure another agent will feel differently’ what should I think? #askagent #WritingCommunityThis will mean something a little different for each agent. However, the message is they didn't connect with your story as much as they would have liked, but that doesn't mean someone else won't.
#askagent
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
The Value of Sample Pages in a Query and how an agent reads them #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/07/23/sam…
Literary Agent
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…
Literary Agent
An #AskAgent question: Why *shouldn't* an author look for another agent while they are still agented? My answer:
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186468425…
Literary Agent
Why your agent (probably) won't shop everything you write - #askagent #amwriting #amquerying tracymarchini.com/2019/07/22/why…
Literary Agent
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…
Literary Agent
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.😂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?
Literary Agent
Kristi McManus 🛫 @kristimcmanus
@CortneyRadocaj How long should a writer wait to nudge an agent on a full?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
Literary Agent
Cortney Radocaj 🏳️🌈💖💜💙 @CortneyRadocaj
@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
So if you can come up with GOOD ones and show what aspect of the book you’re using (i.e. “the atmosphere of X with the slow burn romance of Y), definitely use them. If you can’t... no comp titles generally will serve you better than bad ones.
Literary Agent
Jim Lamb @Jcl5150
@CortneyRadocaj How important are comps in a query letter?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
Literary Agent
Cortney Radocaj 🏳️🌈💖💜💙 @CortneyRadocaj
@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.I am COMPLETELY not into vampires. Royalty stories are generally a no-go for me right now. Anything glorifying suicide or rape culture. Love triangles (unless they’re done RIGHT—the two love interests shouldn’t be interchangeable 🙃).
Literary Agent
Cody DeBos - Writing 🧙🏻♂️ @CodyDeBos
@CortneyRadocaj What YA tropes are you a sucker for and which are you over? pic.twitter.com/V9k71UjHIjOHHHHHH. 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.