Susan Graham

Literary Agent

Einstein Literary

would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Britt Writerly @BrittWriterly

@Grahamophones 💯. Any tips on how to pitch that without overcrowding the tweet?
I'm really wondering if I need to name each character and their individual motivation or if I can identify the group and present their collective stakes #askDVpit (sorry left the hashtag out
Replying to @BrittWriterly

Group & stakes are fine!
Maybe it's warring factions, or a starfleet team, or a cheerleading squad. Whatever it is. #askdvpit

Or if you have ONE character to focus on, that's fine, too. You could do 1st character & then say "2 povs" or whatever it is, so we know this isn't IT.

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

C. L. Doupagne🌈 (they/them) @DoupagneC

Are the first one or two pages enough to tell if a manuscript matches your tastes or do you read all 10 - 20 sample pages?

#askDVpit

This depends on the query, but I usually read the whole thing regardless. Lots of times the first two pages aren't really where the crux is, so reading to the end gives me an idea if I want to read more & get further in, esp if it just needs an edit. #askdvpit

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Kim Vazquez @KimVwriter

Do you think the pandemic will affect how many new unpublished authors sign with publishers and agents for the next few years? #askdvpit

I don't think this is something we can know until they happen (pandemic + election +++), but I DO know that I and lots of other agents I know ARE selling books right now. Keep in mind, publishing acquires for 2-3 years out sometimes. #askdvpit - If no books are acquired, then-

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips
Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Britt Writerly @BrittWriterly

Are agents hesitant to pick up multiple main characters stories? I saw some good advice about a pitch not being too dense. Is it better to only mention one main character even if there is a group and none are more prominent?
#askDVpit

I like to know what the whole book is about! Tell me everything! #askdvpit I also just sold a YA fantasy w like 6 POVs & some editors were like "oh no not for me" & some loved so everybody's miles vary. I LOVE multiple mains & multiple POVs personally.

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips
Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Grace Ellis Barber wrote a book @ ❤️ 🦆 🎸 @novelorbust

#askDVpit Straight up - Do you consider it a negative when a #DVpit author's story doesn't feature a marginalized main character?

- signed, "I accidentally wrote about a straight white guy"
Replying to @novelorbust

No? If it sounds good, it sounds good. When you talk to your prospective agent, they may ask why you did or how it happened lol, but they'll also ask about other projects in your back pocket bc they'll know you have other stories in you :) #askdvpit

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips
Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

S.I. Ryder @SIRyder2

#askDVpit is there good time to query agents? I assume November and December are the worst time to do so.

I don't think so in particular. There are times that are supposedly busier, but we get queries year round. A query will get read when it gets read, regardless of when you send. #askdvpit

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips
Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Kim Vazquez @KimVwriter

This might be a silly ? BUT do authors sign contracts with their agents as well as with their publishers? #askDVpit

#askdvpit - Most agencies have agency agreements, which outline commission rates & other basic terms, but I know some do not. Some agencies have per book agreements, & some sign for career, etc. Just depends on the situation.

Susan Graham
@Grahamophones
Literary Agent
would love to be stabbed by Jim, professional hype man (agent at @Einstein_Lit opinions my own) #friendship #teamwork art by @anuanew , pn they/them (agender)
119 MSWL
14 AskAgent
128 Tips

Rayah Jaymes @RayahJaymes

@Grahamophones Got it! There's just so much stuff that goes with the submission for a graphic novel so I didn't know if a website would be an ideal place to upload it all.
Replying to @RayahJaymes

Some people do like, dropbox links or downloadable pitch packets from a website, if you mean that, but in that case I'd advise reading an agency's submission guidelines #askdvpit - for ex we just ask for a pdf of the pitch, & you can link to your portfolio.