Laura Zats

@LZats

Literary Agent

Headwater Literary Management

Founder & Agent @HeadwaterLit. Host of the award-winning @printrunpodcast. Publishers Weekly industry MVP. She/her & Ms/Mx. Open to queries!

querytracker.net/agent.php?agent=5659

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/laura-zats

· 6 Sep 2017

Grawlix Guy @nounsequitur

What is one (or more) question authors don't ask enough that they should start asking? #askprintrun

Ask about long-term career vision (not just money, a deal). Think about personality-matching and the day-to-day work #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Zoë Fleischer @zoequeenperil

#askprintrun When an author has an online platform, what do you look for and what deters you from wanting to work with them?

I'm mostly looking for reach + engagement. The only thing that deters me is if they're spammy or a Trump supporter #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Zoë Fleischer @zoequeenperil

#askprintrun Does an author having shorter works published in magazines help their chances?

I would like to say yes, but honestly, I don't really look/care. I'm interested in the book. #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

DECEMBIRD @printrunpodcast

I personally am focused on the one being pitched. I want to work with an entire future career, but that requires a first book #askprintrun twitter.com/TiffanyLeaElme…

Ditto. It's not required that an author has like, 4 books written #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tim Weed @weedlit

@lzats sorry, #askprintrun twitter.com/weedlit/status…

You can do it, but not in the same thread (you might get pushed out of line with some systems) #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

#askprintrun Any super awkward/good laugh agenting moments come to mind that you can share?

All my stories need more than 140 characters, but one day on PR we'll talk about the Naked Query Club #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

#askprintrun What are your favorite conferences to attend?

I plead the fifth (conferences, invite me I promise I'm funny in person) #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

#askprintrun Any favorite writing craft books you can rec?

The one that helped me (the effusive explainer) the most with an oldie: Strunk & White #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

#askprintrun in R&R, do agents pinpoint the chapters or issues in which the revision is needed? thanks

Yes! An R+R is based off of specific feedback #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

#askprintrun Why agenting in the publishing industry? What called you to this over other in industry jobs?

I thought I was going to be an editor. Then I realized I loved dev work and long-term career planning! #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

J. R. Yates @jr_yates_

#askprintrun Is first person present tense a death knell for adult contemporary romance - ie Is it a difficult sell to publishers?

I don't think so. The key is to, as with everything, do it right. #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

S.H. Marr @SH_Marr_Writes

#AskPrintRun how long is appropriate to take on an R&R, and how do you send it when you're done?

Depends on the work needed. Talk to the R&R-ing agent about a timeline. #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

#askprintrun Do either of you do R&Rs? What makes you R&R over reject and what is the decision maker when getting it back?

I wish I could tell you some great Rule for this, but it's mostly gut. If I need to re-read after edits, and I need it, I offer #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

#askprintrun do twitter pitch contestants liked by agents have to write the query letter, or just a cover letter with sample chapters ?

Repeat after me, everyone: ALWAYS SEND A QUERY. ALWAYS. If only to help us refamiliarize ourselves with the story #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Krystal Norton 🎄 @writingwordsoup

#askprintrun @LZats @erikhane Recently I was told my query format was wrong. Should I restyle my query for that specific agent?

Query formatting is essentially industry-standard. Do some research and see if yours is off! #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Krystal Norton 🎄 @writingwordsoup

#askprintrun @LZats @erikhane What is a hard sell in the current market?

Nothing BIG (we figure out how to sell UF by a different name, for ex). Lots of little stuff. Mostly it's just tired tropes #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Rachel P. Hazel @rachelphazel

Can you talk ab online Twitter pitch/mentor contests? How worthwhile are they, or are they a huge distraction? #askprintrun

I find lots of clients that way--but it's not good for everyone. If you're good at log lines, go for it! If not, sit out. #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

@LZats is ready (so this time next year) I should pull book 1 from querying? 2/2 #askprintrun

If you think that #2 has better chances, you don't need to pull 1 but def stop actively querying it #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

ZR "Killer of Darlings" Ellor @ZREllor

#askprintrun For Laura: should I pitch LGBT erotic romance as OV, or it will it sound like I'm pitching an inappropriate memoir?

If you want to identify yourself in your query, I'd mention that you are a <insert identity here> author. That'll work better! #askprintrun

· 6 Sep 2017

Merricatmas! 🎄 @emkayanders

If an author receives an offer of rep, what notice should she give other agents who have the manuscript? A week feels short! #askprintrun

1-2 weeks in standard. We'll hustle if we're excited, but you may lose out on people who are busy #askprintrun