Literary Agent
When the Book Just Isn't Right for Me--what do agents do if they love a book that isn't quite a fit for their list. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/07/whe…
Literary Agent
I understand picture book structure, so what’s stopping me from getting an agent? #amwriting #amquerying #askagent tracymarchini.com/2019/08/05/und…
Literary Agent
Angie Bailey 🏳️🌈 @AWritersLifeTBC
@laurenspieller If I apply some edits and fix some cultural issues in a manuscript after I've already submitted it to an agent requesting the full, should I resend? Or ask to resend first?Also, I've changed the opening a little. Should I contact those I've queried letting them know?
You can resend but make it clear why you’re doing so. #askagent
Literary Agent
Jessica Florence @Florence_Jess
@laurenspieller Do you think it gives a manuscript an edge when it is professionally edited VS not?It doesn’t matter to me. I’m here for the story and overall quality, however you achieve that. #askagent
Literary Agent
Jade M. Loren 🔮☄ @jadewritesbooks
@laurenspieller Would a chapter with the inciting indicent taking place a few years before the rest of the story count more as a prologue, or is it okay to name it chapter one?If it's a prologue, leave it out of the query sample?
That sounds like a prologue to me, but you could always make it chapter 1 and make chapter 2 start with X Years Later...
Literary Agent
Pat Scaramuzza @genocideman
@laurenspieller I have an awesome novel with a short (370 word) prologue that I feel is essential. Do you (or agents in general) read that far in, to get to the start of the story? Or will the existence of a prologue mean instant rejection?Many agents dislike them but if they’re essential then it’s fine. But to hedge your bets...call it ch 1 ;)
Literary Agent
Jo Ladziński Wrote a Book Once @JoEatsFood
@laurenspieller How do you feel about folks listing tropes in their queries?It’s fine to point them out but they don’t take the place of an actual pitch #askagent
Literary Agent
Elayne Becker @ElayneABecker
@laurenspieller Top 3 things in a query that compel you to keep reading?1. A great high concept hook
2. Clear voice
3. Intriguing and relevant comps #askagent
Literary Agent
Dan Fitzgerald @DanFitz73792558
@laurenspieller How important is specific query formatting to you? So many successful queries one finds online seem to diverge strongly from the usual formats one also finds.I’m not picky about the format, but I prefer not to see writers lead with length bios, especially at the expense of telling me about their book. My only hard rule: no weird fonts 😆 #askagent
Literary Agent
When Your Book Crosses Genres--can you pitch a book is all genres? #askagent #amquerying bookendsliterary.com/2019/07/30/whe…
Literary Agent
An #AskAgent tumblr question: "Is it true that a no from one editor is a no from all"? -- my answer (in which I explain a bit about Imprints):
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186587291…
Literary Agent
Léonicka @leonicka
I say no to a full manuscript when something is off with the execution and it would need significant revision to fix. #askagent twitter.com/adrii_deper/st…"Significant revision" means that there is a good chance that the writer may be unable or unwilling to make the changes I'm suggesting. So I send a revise and resubmit letter and pray for the best. #askagent
Literary Agent
Adrii @adrii_deper
@leonicka What makes you say no?I say no to a full manuscript when something is off with the execution and it would need significant revision to fix. #askagent
Literary Agent
How Long is Too Long -- Another discussion about query length #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/07/25/the…
Literary Agent
Preparing for Your Pitch Session #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/07/24/pre…
Literary Agent
OddlucK @jimmyITG
How would you suggest a short-story writer begin forward momentum in his career? Is it better to make things available online for free to get exposure or to send out samples/queries? Or is there a third, better option? #askagentSubmit to anthologies & literary journals. I suppose it depends, too, on your eventual goal - if it is to publish a collection, for example. I'm afraid I can't recommend specific places to submit, but that's where I'd start. #askagent
Literary Agent
Kristi Dosh @SportsBizMiss
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara That's another question I had...I know platform matters for nonfiction and wondered how much it helps for fiction. #askagentIt can definitely help for fiction if you want to engage with your audience and increase awareness about your book. But it's not required as fiction books don't need the same kind of subject expertise that nonfiction does.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Kristi Dosh @SportsBizMiss
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara Also, do you think an established nonfiction author needs to use a pseudonym when they start writing fiction? #askagentI'm not sure about the pros/cons of using pseudonyms, but if you're an established nonfiction author, that platform would not hurt at all in selling a fiction project. #askagent
Literary Agent
Kristi Dosh @SportsBizMiss
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara Do you have any hesitations about a published nonfiction author querying for fiction or are you only concerned with whether you like the fiction query? #askagentThat wouldn't give me any hesitation at all -- If anything, it could help, since you might already have a platform. I would be much more concerned with the fiction query! #askagent
Literary Agent
Sarah Hill Darrow @sarahhilldarrow
@erin_clyburn @Megan_Manzano @Literary_Tara#askagent what are the hallmarks of the shysters out there? What tips do you have for aspiring members of the #writingcommunity who may not know that authors don't pay agents, etc?
I always advocate for doing your research. There are tons of sites like Writer's Digest, Writer's Block Party, Querytracker, Susan Dennard's Newsletter, CraftQuest, and more places to get information.
#askagent