Kelly Peterson

Literary Agent

Rees Literary Agency

Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

R.H. Berry 🏳️‍🌈 @AuthorRHBerry

@LitAgentKelly @Michelle4Laughs When (if ever) is it okay to resend a query to an agent who has previously rejected it?
Replying to @AuthorRHBerry

Usually if the manuscript has undergone large revisions, it can be requeried after a longer period of time with the statement that it has gone through major revisions. :)

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Saimira Tola-Khouw @tolasaimira

@LitAgentKelly Any tips / advice for a new writer from outside the US?
Replying to @tolasaimira

Join online writing groups and find friends, and build a community physically near you, too! You’ll need the friends in this industry!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Sahar Rahimi @Dawnfulness

@LitAgentKelly Hi!! Thanks for this! Would you recommend writing and trying to get your "best book" represented first? Or to focus on other books to build skill and a platform before you work on the book you think will be most successful? #askagent
Replying to @Dawnfulness

Work on the books you want to work on. There is something to be said about practicing and getting skill behind you first, but many people can’t force themselves to write something they’re not feeling then and there. Plus, you could always go back and revise!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Nancy Lumgair @NancyLumgair

@LitAgentKelly Should someone working towards their debut novel work on a standalone novel vs a series that they're unsure they could make the 1st work as a standalone?
Replying to @NancyLumgair

Work on what you want to work on, and the rest will fall into place. :) Both cycle in and out of popularity, so there’s a time for both and people differ on these decisions, too!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

✨ Elayna Mae Darcy 🍂 @elaynamae

@LitAgentKelly I see a lot of agents say they specifically don't rep poetry, but my YA SFF novel has poetry as an element (one at the start of each chapter) Should I let that deter me from querying those agents, or give it a try anyway since poetry is not the bulk of the book? #AskAgent
Replying to @elaynamae

If it’s just a short poem at the beginning of each chapter, I don’t think it will necessarily deter an agent from repping you if they like your story otherwise. When they say they don’t rep poetry (most don’t) we’re saying full books of poems/poetry.

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Emily Beecher @The_EmilyB

@LitAgentKelly @CooksUpAStory What's the best way to not awkwardly nudge an agent to get back to you (when their submissions say you'll hear back within xx)?
Replying to @The_EmilyB

You can just respond to the email and say that their submissions say to check back within this time and you were wondering if they had gotten to it yet. But you understand they’re busy and if they haven’t gotten to it yet, no biggie. Just checking in. It’s pretty normal!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips
Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Kate_Robertson 🇨🇦 @K8rs_gonna_Kate

@LitAgentKelly Do agents keep their clients when they switch agencies? What happens if they take a maternity/paternity or any other type of leave?
Replying to @K8rs_gonna_Kate

Sometimes! It depends on the agency contracts and who/what they sign with. There’s many stipulations for this matter in the contract itself, so read them carefully. And usually they’ll either still work, or they’ll have a trusted colleague or assistant help while they’re in leave

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

GL Francis @merelecroix

@LitAgentKelly Separate question: how much does a publication resume weigh in on an agent's decision whether to ask for more on a query?
Replying to @merelecroix

In my experience, we look for authors who have experience in the industry and who can market themselves, so seeing this background is always nice. However, if the story or voice doesn’t fit us, there’s not much a huge bio will do to fix that.

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Jacob Ryckman @JTRyckman

@LitAgentKelly @CortneyRadocaj Is there any chance of getting published without going to conferences? As a full-time teacher, my time during the school year is suuuuuper limited.
Replying to @JTRyckman

Of course! I have actually not signed any authors from conferences yet, and all of my current clients have been from Twitter pitch events, writing events (like @PitchWars), and the slush pile!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Corey McCafferty @coreywrites

@LitAgentKelly Is it annoying, bad form to send revisions of a MS after receiving agent feedback to agents who still have your full out? #askagent
Replying to @coreywrites

You can send an email explaining the situation to the agents who have your manuscript if you’d like. I don’t really see it as annoying, as I feel like it happens quite often.

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips
Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips
Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips
Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Karri Roberts @KarriRoberts16

@LitAgentKelly Is new adult something publishers will buy? It seems like a dead space.
Replying to @KarriRoberts16

It’s tricky because publishers need to see sales numbers for NA before they probably start buying them again and carving out a space for them in the shelves.

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Cherie Richardson Writes @CherieR_

@LitAgentKelly If you are querying, only getting rejections stating "this wasn't a good fit for me" at what point do you decide to revise? Thank you!
Replying to @CherieR_

That’s not for anyone to decide but yourself. You know your manuscript and story best, and if you don’t know WHAT about your story to revise, it may be best to send to some beta readers and CPs first when considering revising to get their feedback.

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Mandy- summers are for gardens and words @DMandzz

@LitAgentKelly Thinking about the gap between MG and YA. How do you feel about younger MCs in #YA?
Replying to @DMandzz

It’s tough because YA seems to be aging up quite a bit, so 15 can even be a hard sell sometimes. YA is trending more 16-18 at the moment, and upper MG is going to 13. 14 is somewhat no man’s land at the moment!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips
Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips

Jbtci @Jbtci1

@LitAgentKelly Where should one best look for publishing opportunities for a small, fable type story vs a full length novel?
Replying to @Jbtci1

You’d probably be better of looking at anthologies, presses who put out calls for short stories, and journals who publish the sorts of short stories you write. I can’t be too much of a help because usually agents don’t deal with short stories. Sorry!

Kelly Peterson
@LitAgentKelly
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at @reesagency . Twitter Valkyrie. Philadelphian. Pisces. She/her. Multitasks #LikeABoss . Gandalf of #TheFellowship . Tweets are my own.✌🏻
263 MSWL
217 AskAgent
40 Queries
115 Tips