Literary Agency
A helpful tip on #writing your protagonist from our #JewelsOfTheTrade.
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Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Ela Mishne @ElaMishne
@bookishchick Mu protagonist if 18. Should I mention her age in my query? Thanks!Depending on what category/genre you write in, mentioning the age can be helpful!
Literary Agent
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@brnartist Because Publishing upholds racist systems, and employs and publishes white people in vast majority. It is not right, but it is real. There are real access barriers to working in publishing and POC in the industry are often pushed out due to low salaries and high costs of living.We need to hire and RETAIN people of color in every level of the industry, and we need to prioritize the publication of marginalized creators.
Literary Agent
Adrienne La Faye @brnartist
@bookishchick Why is almost impossible for Black authors who write Black children books to get published?Because Publishing upholds racist systems, and employs and publishes white people in vast majority. It is not right, but it is real. There are real access barriers to working in publishing and POC in the industry are often pushed out due to low salaries and high costs of living.
Literary Agent
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@AsadAli1993 It is difficult, just in terms of numbers. I get hundreds of queries a month and only make a dozen requests. Of those request I maybe offer on one or two, if that. But that doesn’t make it impossible. It just means that you have to go out with your best work, and do your researchIf you get multiple offers, the best thing you can do is speak to each of them, ask a lot of questions, be honest with yourself about what your needs are, and go with your gut.
Literary Agent
Asad Al-Amir Ali @AsadAli1993
@bookishchick 1. Is it actually difficult to be accepted by an agent when you've submitted your query and sample?2. If you were an interest to multiple agents, what can I do to help choose the best agent?
It is difficult, just in terms of numbers. I get hundreds of queries a month and only make a dozen requests. Of those request I maybe offer on one or two, if that. But that doesn’t make it impossible. It just means that you have to go out with your best work, and do your research
Literary Agent
Christina Ferko @ChristinaFerko
@bookishchick I’ve been getting responses from queries and requests lately about retellings getting saturated now. Do you think there is still room for fairytale retellings right now?I think there is always room for retellings from diverse perspectives (nonwhite, queer, disabled, and more). Otherwise, yes, the market might be a little saturated. But what goes around comes around. The market is ever changing, so write the book you want to write.
Literary Agent
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@MKLandrigan A good fit is a person you trust and feel comfortable with. You must ALWAYS feel secure in being able to say no to your agent. No, I don’t agree with that edit. No, I don’t want to accept that deal. No, I don’t want to work with that person. An agent works for *you*If you don’t trust that person, if you don’t feel comfortable with the communication style, if you don’t feel like you are in control of your career, that person is not a good fit for you.
Literary Agent
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@MKLandrigan -What is your turn around time for edits?A good fit is a person you trust and feel comfortable with. You must ALWAYS feel secure in being able to say no to your agent. No, I don’t agree with that edit. No, I don’t want to accept that deal. No, I don’t want to work with that person. An agent works for *you*
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@MKLandrigan YES! (Also hi!) Good questions to ask are:-How frequently and through what channels do you prefer to communicate?
-What will happen if this book doesn’t sell?
-How involved will I be in the submission process?
-Are you an editorial agent/what is your editing style like?
-What do you consider to be your role in my career?
-What if I want to write in other genres or categories?
-What happens if we disagree on an editing issue? A contract issue?
Literary Agent
Marissa Landrigan @MKLandrigan
@bookishchick I'm sure you've talked about this before, but I think it's not something enough writers consider: what are some questions a writer should ask a potential agent before signing? Some things to consider that indicate the relationship is a good fit?YES! (Also hi!) Good questions to ask are:
-How frequently and through what channels do you prefer to communicate?
-What will happen if this book doesn’t sell?
-How involved will I be in the submission process?
-Are you an editorial agent/what is your editing style like?
Literary Agent
Alona Stark @TheAlonaStark
@bookishchick @printrunpodcast Do all agents that rep romance also rep category romance, or is that considered a different genre? Why is it so rare to find category romance listed as a repped genre on agents' lists?This is tough for me to answer, as I don’t personally rep category romance! I would assume that it would be ok to query a category romance to agents who list plain “romance” in their submission guidelines, but I am not ideally suited to give an answer to this question.
Literary Agent
Paul Ladipo @BabaLadipo
@bookishchick What's the cut-off age for my MC to be considered a YA novel? Some of us were discussing this. My MC is 24, yet is tackling some serious identity issues (he's embracing his superpowers for the first time). IRL, many 20 somethings are still figuring themsleves out. #askagentThere is talk of expanding the ceiling for the age of YA MCs but I do think 24 is pushing it...
I’d say 21 is probably the current max on average (I’m sure here are exceptions, and who knows how this will evolve) but most YA is still 14-18.
Literary Agent
Benjamin Thomas @jigsawkid7
@bookishchick @printrunpodcast What is the generally accepted world length for short story collections?I don’t rep short story collections as debuts (would certainly do so if my clients wished to write them) and so can’t answer this one, as it’s beyond my scope!
Literary Agent
Transgender Family Cardiff Blog @our_trans_life
@bookishchick We have an idea for a memoir, detailing the first 6-12 months of our life before & after my wife came out as transgender. Do you have any tips in terms of finding the right agent for this kind of story? Should I look for LGBT or memoir specific, or both?Memoir specific first (even an agent who wants LGBTQIA projects can’t help you if what they want is fiction and what you have is nonfiction). But yes, definitely research in combination!
Literary Agent
Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen
@bookishchick Can novel writers who secure an agent also work in other mediums or is it a conflict of interest? For instance, writing screenplays and seeking an agent who specializes in that and/or seeking publication for short stories?You can write whatever you want! Do speak w/ your agent regarding what projects they will represent & which projects you should seek other representation for. Some agents will handle everything. Some will specialize and advise you to seek additional representation. Talk about it!