Marietta B Zacker
Literary Agent
Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit; author (she/her)
Literary Agent
Susan Johnston Taylor @UrbanMuseWriter
Do you prefer paginated or non-paginated PB MS from author-onlies? I’ve heard that some agents like to see how the author envisions the story unfolding/they’ve thought about pacing, while others find page #s distracting. #askgzlaLooks like we missed this one ... if you KNOW the page turns and they affect the story, AOK, but typically, non-paginated is fine. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Alice Arley 🍗🍁🥧 @AliceArley
What makes a MG manuscript "too dark"? I see some work getting this label (or at least very dark). Are there certain topics that lead to this label? Anything you strongly advise to avoid? Or is it just more the suspense/creep factor worked in regardless of topic?#askGZLALooks like we missed this one. Hmmmm. I wouldn't avoid anything, just know what you're writing and stick with it. If it's dark (creepy and gory), you'll know it, I think! #askGZLA
Literary Agent
kirsten pendreigh @kpiependreigh
#askgzla Hi Marietta and Erin, 1. what would you love to see in PBs right now? 2. Any topics/treatments you're tired of in this genre? 3. Do you consult with each other about PB subs? Thanks! :)(1) 5-year-old perspective - always (2) "I wrote this book to teach young children..." (3) Heck yeah, look where she sits.(she's going to be mad at me!)
Literary Agent
Carla Young @CarlaYoung
#askGZLA question: where is the best place to research what agents are interested in? Agency web site? Agent social media profile? MSWL? Query tracker?Great question - depends on the agent, I'm afraid, but all those sound OK. Although anything coming straight from the agent is going to be most accurate. So I would always suggest caution with things being reported by others. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen
How do we research agents? I’m aware of Manuscript Wish List but what other factors should we keep in mind besides what their wish list is? Recent Sales? # of clients?#askGZLALots of info online (interviews, blog posts, folks talking about agents they met at a conference, twitter) ... & yes, sales, but pls keep in mind that Pub Marketplace doesn't have ALL sales. Also look at PW's Children's Bookshelf. And talk to current clients if possible. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Katie LaRae 🏳️🌈 @The_Katie_LaRae
Any favorite trends you're seeing in books at the moment?Is there anything you WISH would make a comeback? #Askgzla
Love as seen, experienced, and felt by a non-white cishet lens #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet
#askgzla Are there any specific subgenres in MG that are more in demand compared to others - your forecast for next year? Thanks.I will be honest and tell you that it's not a 'game' I like to play. The stories that most grab me are the ones that surprise me. So impossible to forecast ;) #askGZLA
Literary Agent
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
How would one query with Multi-POV (more than 2-3) when each MC has equal time and importance to the plot? Or would it still just be to focus one of them and mention it is Multi-POV in the comp section?#askGZLA
The story is key. Focus on the story they're telling together. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Erik Thurman #ChileDespertó #AsambleaConstiyente @ErikThurman
#askGZLA #askagent For the graphic novel agents, as someone who has been pitching non-fiction graphic novels for the past decade, who do so many professionals in our field still fail at understanding that graphic novels aren’t always fiction?In the children's/YA book world, I wouldn't say that editors feel that way. But it sounds like you've experienced something different. Hmmm. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Linda Camacho @LindaRandom
@auilix 1) Getting my name wrong; 2) Talking about their life story and not at all about the story they're trying to pitch; 3) Trashing the genre/category in which they write #askGZLAAgree!!!!! Nice top 3 @LindaRandom. And for me, also add, too long of a query : / #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Marietta B Zacker @AgentZacker
@LCMilburn For me, this would lead to a ton of conversations with my client ... there's a reason why we're not on the same page. And we need to uncover why before either of us move forward with Book B. It might not be a horrible reason at all, but we need to figure it out. #askGZLAIt's the process we employ during the partnership that's important. If you take care of that, the rest will take care of itself. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
LC Milburn @LCMilburn
Hope this Q makes sense! If you sign an author for a project (book A) and they have another MS you’re not as interested in (book B) would you still help them shepherd book B (presumably after book A) to publication because they’re your client and you love them?? 😂 #askGZLAFor me, this would lead to a ton of conversations with my client ... there's a reason why we're not on the same page. And we need to uncover why before either of us move forward with Book B. It might not be a horrible reason at all, but we need to figure it out. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Shelly Jarvis @shellyjarvis
Should I mention self-publishing 3 novels when I query? I worry that it looks like I couldn’t get interest with traditional publishing, when actually I didn’t try until this 4th book. #askGZLAI would list them and say exactly what you said above ... first time you're trying traditional ;) NO shame in either! #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Anushi Mehta @Anushi_mehta
Do agents reply to requests from Dvpit (even if it's a no) #askGZLAWe do! #askGZLA Can't speak for other agencies.
Literary Agent
Eric Wong @sequentialsmart
@GalltZackerLit @erin_michelle_C @LindaRandom @AgentZacker @beth_phelan Are remote positions working for an agent, e.g. a reader, a thing and how would one go about pursuing that?#askgzla
Yes - if any agency has those opportunities, they're typically listed on their website. But I've also seen posts on Twitter and on Pub Marketplace (for example - there are other places as well) #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Taylor Kemper @Taylortac
#askGZLA I was asked by an agent once to send along my Pinterest mood/inspiration board with my query. Should I consider doing this for every query as a visual representation of my story, or no? #amqueryingOnly if it's something that truly inspires you. Otherwise, it will feel tacked on and not intrinsic to your work. You don't have to have a mood board in order to write (although I recognize that for some people, it's essential). We're all inspired differently! #askGZLA
Literary Agent
JJ Clapton @JJClaptonWrites
If an agent doesn't have a response time or a 'no response means no' policy on their submission guidelines do you think its okay to nudge them & how long would you wait? #askGZLAEvery agent/agency is different, but I think it is OK to nudge. 6-8 weeks perhaps?!? #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Katie LaRae 🏳️🌈 @The_Katie_LaRae
What factors do you consider when requesting an R&R versus offering on a project? #AskgzlaWhen I can visualize right away the changes I think would make the ms stronger, but also feel like those changes are imperative in order for me to feel right about representing it. To be fair, I don't do a ton of R&Rs, but if I can't let go of something, I might. #askGZLA
Literary Agent
Michelle Lindo Rice @mlindorice
What are some reasons that an agent might reject a full manuscript request #askgzlaFor me ... not feeling like I would be the right champion. I truly want to FEEL IT in the hopes of passing that feeling on to editors. I don't have to identify w/ everything & everyone, but I do want to feel some emotion. When I don't, I think it's only fair that I pass #askGZLA