Anne Tibbets

Literary Agent

Donald Maass Literary Agency

Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Michelle Henrie @MichelleHenrie

@AnneTibbets Great advice! Also, would you recommend slipping in information about a New York Times best-selling author who has offered to write a recommendation or wait until I have an offer?
Replying to @MichelleHenrie

You can slip that in, but honestly, as an agent, I wouldn't believe it until I saw the actual recommendation.
Sadly, the liars have jaded me.
But, it may hold more weight with a different agent.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Lee Greenaway @leegwrites

@AnneTibbets If a novel rides the YA/Adult line, should the writer use ‘YA with crossover potential’? Rewrite to suit one or the other, or dare I say it, NA?
Replying to @leegwrites

Sadly, NA has a bad rep so I wouldn't pitch it as that unless the agent is looking for NA.
Yes, "YA with crossover appeal" is my vote.
Harder to place YA in adult, than YA cross in YA, but there have been some exceptions lately, esp in Fantasy, so this might be evolving.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

H.W. Johnston @hwjohnston7

@AnneTibbets Are a majority of agents editorial agents?
If an agented author has a tough day job can extensions be made to a deadline?
#askagent
Replying to @hwjohnston7

I don't know if the majority of agents are editorial, but I'm going to say the majority of agents I know are, yes.
And yes, extensions can be made. Best to ask for more time upfront, honestly, so it doesn't mess up a publisher's production schedule.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Michelle Henrie @MichelleHenrie

@AnneTibbets If you're still looking for questions, I'd love to know an agent's thoughts on jumping genres.
I write fantasy, but since a contemporary romcom has percolated in my brain, that's what I'm doing right now.
Replying to @MichelleHenrie

As a writer I jumped genres (and even categories), and my agents pitched it all. So, just be sure when you query to look for an agent who reps widely, and if they offer, be sure to ask them how THEY feel about it. Better that than signing and springing it on them.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

DawsonEmerich @DawsonEmerich

@AnneTibbets How do agents balance work reading and pleasure reading?
Replying to @DawsonEmerich

In my case, very poorly. I used to read about a half dozen books a year, but now, I'm like MAYBE 3.
I love and admire all agents who manage to read more. They're a necessary part of the job, as palate cleansers and a temperature of the market.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

KimVampyVampDrinksBloodInTheCorner @Natkim17052342

@AnneTibbets Is it true that YA sci fi is a hard sell?
Replying to @Natkim17052342

I have opinions on this, but I always hesitate to say them for fear people will take it as prophecy or the ultimate truth...but, in my ever so humble opinion, dystopia and paranormal are due for a comeback. YA space opera isn't impossible, just in less demand at this time.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Lily Mehallick @LilyMehallick

@AnneTibbets Thanks for doing this! I’m getting the impression that not many agents will be taking a look at pitmad pitches tomorrow. Thoughts?
Replying to @LilyMehallick

I know several agents who will be there! I'm going to be checking them too. Pitmad is never a waste of time, but also, querying works just as well.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Maya Keita @MayaKeita4

@AnneTibbets What would you need to see in a query for a series (1-3 books). Would I just pitch the first book and pray that catches your attention or would you need more?
Replying to @MayaKeita4

Pitch the first book and mention in the query it's intended as a first in a series. Have book 2 and 3 pitches on standby. If the agent loves the first book, they're likely to ask what you have planned for the rest.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

CJ Dotson @cj_dots

@AnneTibbets Is there a general preference among agents to represent an author who writes in several genres, or an author who focuses on one genre, or not really a common preference either way?
Replying to @cj_dots

I think this depends on the agent. It's certainly EASIER to shop a writer w/n the same genre, but I think a writer has to be open to other genres if they can't land a deal in that one. I write in several genres and my agents have been flexible. I would hope most agents are too.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

E. J. Dawson @ejdawsonauthor

@AnneTibbets Query letter; pitch first or details?
Replying to @ejdawsonauthor

I'm on Query Manager, so it doesn't pertain to me, but I'd say details first, pitch second. I don't think it's a deal breaker either way though

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Yveline Garnier @YvelineGarnier

@AnneTibbets What do you look for in a query? (Aside from the usual)
Replying to @YvelineGarnier

I might be one of the few agents who doesn't put a whole lot of stock in queries. The sample pages are more important to me. Off the cuff I'd say professionalism, an ability to follow direction, and a brief explanation as to why they queried me specifically. Aside from the usual.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

AND MORE @BamaWriter

@AnneTibbets if i have an indie publisher offering a contract, what's the best way to approach an agent in that situation?
Replying to @BamaWriter

Query them and maybe put "Offer of Publication" someplace in the subject line? Send the query, sample pages, and let them know you've had an offer and are looking for an agent to either a) negotiate this one deal and that's it, or b) negotiate the deal and sign you.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Randi Muilenburg @RandiLeaWriting

@AnneTibbets Is it ever considered okay to nudge an agent who has a full copy without having an offer to update them with? Or is that basically an automatic rejection? If it is okay, how long should you wait before nudging?
Replying to @RandiLeaWriting

Yes, nudges to agents are acceptable, even without an offer. If an agent rejects you for nudging, you're better off without them. I would recommend you wait at least 3 months before you nudge an agent.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Sherry is writing @busybooklife

@AnneTibbets @AuthorBeccaDay May I piggyback on this question? I wrote a YA horror in 3rd omniscient to make it feel the way a horror film is in the sense that readers "see" what is happening but MC doesn't, to build dread and fear. Should I worry it will be rejected because of POV right now?
Replying to @busybooklife

Without having read it, I can't say definitively, obvs. But one of the biggest selling points of YA rn is voice, so if it's unique in the 3rd omni narrative it will likely stand out. Whether that helps or hinders, I can't really say.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

McKelle Anderson @MckelleA

@AnneTibbets I know you don't take pb, which is what I write, but in general, does querying an agent shoot your future chances with a specific agent. I hear submit, submit, but also make sure your writing awesome first. If we midjudge how rest our ms is how does that affect future querying?
Replying to @MckelleA

If an agent judges you solely based on the first query you send them, and then refuses to consider you again? They're kinda a jerk, so...it's in your favor if they reject you.
I'm in the submit, submit, submit.
I've signed clients off their 2nd query to me.