Kimberly Brower
Literary Agent
Brower Literary & Management
Literary Agent. Founder @BrowerLiterary . Book Hoarder. Pop Culture Lover. All opinions are my own.
Literary Agent
Kimberly Shyu 🎨 @Kimposs1b1e
@KimberlyBrower Do you prefer to find an author with the perfect manuscript or an author who has lots of ideas and is open to being groomed?Maybe something a bit in the middle. At the end of the day they author needs to be a good writer - that is not something an agent can fix.
Literary Agent
Coley @ColeySummerlin
@KimberlyBrower Would you say some genres are more marketable/popular than others? If so, which ones? #askagentCommercial/Upmarket, book club fiction is doing well, historicals set in the 20th century, a good domestic suspense with a good hook
Literary Agent
Jenny Mansour Writer @JennyMansour6
@KimberlyBrower I have a memoir I have been querying. I see a lot of agencies lump memoir into nonfiction. In terms of querying, it typically doesn’t seem right to send the items requested for nonfiction, but I also don’t want to not follow the rules of what is asked. Recommendations?For narrative memoirs, the full manuscript is best, along with comp titles
Literary Agent
Tyler Richardson @JugglingBullies
@KimberlyBrower Hello đź‘‹. Have you ever picked up an already self-published book to later traditionally publish it? I have heard rumors of that happening to some authors #AskAgentBack in 2014 or 2015 yes. It's very rare that this happens anymore but never say never. I personally am not looking for self-published work looking to be traditionally published but am open to previous self pub authors with a new project
Literary Agent
Dr. Sara Kapadia @sarakapadia
@KimberlyBrower How long should a writer wait to nudge an agent with a full? #askagentI'd check their website, but the general consensus is about 6-8 weeks. However some agents take longer (I know I have).
Literary Agent
Taryn Rose Frazier @TarynRoseWriter
@KimberlyBrower Genre question: what qualities distinguish a rom-com from a plain old romance?LOL I laugh because I feel like rom-com is used to describe every contemporary romance now-a-days. Besides other genre romances (westerns, small-town). But my definition (which may be very different than others) is that a rom-com has a great hook
Literary Agent
Tobie Carter @TobieCarter6190
@KimberlyBrower Do you find yourself more likely to take a chance on a writer who has a good plot/hook but needs a little help with the writing or one that writes well but needs help with plotting/hook?SUCH a great question. Hands down I'd pick the one who writes well and needs help with the plot.
Literary Agent
Caitlin Howell @CRAHowell
@KimberlyBrower Thank you for doing this!Do you think there are trends in the Mystery genre? For example is the market more towards cozy or procedural or with a women’s fiction slant etc?
Believe it or not I feel like "mystery" has become just as broad as a term as "women's fiction" or "rom com." Cozy will always have a specific demand, but I have noticed mysteries a la Agatha Christie is definitely making a comeback (and I'm here for it)
Literary Agent
Stephanie (Lupo) Henson @stepha_henson
@KimberlyBrower Hi. Thank you for doing this! Are agents influenced by factors outside of the writing/manuscript? Examples - age of the author/if they are a "mom"? If the writer has been rejected by other agencies? Does that impact your willingness to consider them?I can't speak for other agents, but I only consider the manuscript, the author's goals, whether I think we'd work well together. All the other examples you mentioned does not impact my decision at all.
Literary Agent
Rachael Amarante @RachaelAmarante
@KimberlyBrower 1 tip for a new writer querying non-fiction. Thank you!Without knowing what type of non-fiction you're querying, I'd say highlight what makes your non-fiction special/stand out. Why your story should be published.
Literary Agent
Kathleen Foxx @kfoxx_writes
@KimberlyBrower Authors (I think!) get nervous about “the call” but I’m wondering if there are things agents get nervous about on the call to offer rep? #askagentNervous, no I don't get nervous. BUT there is always the chance that the writer will not pick you as the agent. If we're having "the call" and interested in the manuscript then we want the writer to sign with us!
Literary Agent
Tobie Carter @TobieCarter6190
@KimberlyBrower What are the top qualities in a writer or in the writers manuscript you look for before offering representation or rejecting? #askagentFirst thought: the writer is normal. J/K but on a serious note someone that is open to constructive feedback, someone that is looking for a long-term career. In a manuscript, a great narrative voice.
Literary Agent
Kathleen Foxx @kfoxx_writes
@KimberlyBrower What is the hardest aspect of being an agent and the most enjoyable aspect for you? #askagentHardest: Loving a book and having a hard time selling it
Most enjoyable: Selling a book, especially for my debuts. The debut sell is very satisfying and such a sweet moment that I really look forward to.
Literary Agent
Jessica Payne @authorjesspayne
@KimberlyBrower What’s the latest published book you absolutely adored? #askagentI'm 3/4s done with MALIBU RISING by @tjenkinsreid which I love every bit of. But the last one I finished that I still think about is 28 SUMMERS by @elinhilderbrand.