Tara Gilbert

· 21 Jan 2021

Sarah Adler @sarahaadler

@Literary_Tara Ah 36 mins... hopefully you're still answering!

If querying an agent with a new ms when they rejected a previous full, should you mention that in the query letter and if so, what's the best way to phrase it?

Replying to @sarahaadler

You could. But I don't think you have to. I would just say "I previously queried MANUSCRIPT and loved your feedback and thought you would be interested in MANUSCRIPT 2."

· 21 Jan 2021

Tallie Rose *preorder Sea and Flame now* @_TallieRose

@Literary_Tara What makes you instantly roll your eyes in a query?

Replying to @_TallieRose

When people say "this is the only book of its kind" or "this is the best book you will ever read."

Anytime either of those things has been said, they were very untrue.

· 21 Jan 2021

Nicholas Perez @ZephonSacriel

@Literary_Tara Is it acceptable to use non-book titles (TV, movies, music videos, etc.) to use as comp titles?

Replying to @ZephonSacriel

Yep!

· 21 Jan 2021

Cheyenne Campbell 🧜🏼‍♀️ 🍄 🦄 @chylu

@Literary_Tara Is there truth to the idea that most agents won’t read a requested full until the author gets an offer from someone else?

Replying to @chylu

That's not true at all. At least not for me and the agents I'm associated with. Often times I don't even have time to read when I get a notice of offer, so I have to pass because I can't make the 2 wk deadline. I always try to be the first to offer.

· 21 Jan 2021

Kathleen S. Allen 🏳️‍🌈🏴‍☠️😷💙 @kathleea

@Literary_Tara Do you share queries/pages with colleagues if the story doesn't seem a good fit for you?

Replying to @kathleea

Yes! Especially with @ZREllor and @erin_clyburn because our tastes align depending on the book.

· 21 Jan 2021

Lauryn 🏳️‍🌈 @lauryngreen99

@Literary_Tara What are your top 3 MSWL picks right now? x

Replying to @lauryngreen99

Romance, all MG, and a Killing Eve comp. :)

· 21 Jan 2021

Alix not Alex @alix_jo22

@Literary_Tara I’ve got two but feel free to pick one😅
Book question: what’s one thing you want to see on an author’s website when they haven’t published yet?

Personal question: do you have a favorite place to find Tarot decks and if so where?

Replying to @alix_jo22

1) I don't often look at author websites unless they have been published. Mostly, because I judge a book by what's inside, not by a website.

2) Everyone! Kickstarter, Instagram, my Facebook tarot group, google, amazon. Lol

· 21 Jan 2021

Kyra M. Nelson @KyraMNelson

@Literary_Tara re: recent discussion of twitter pitch contests. Would you rather see fewer big contests that have a ton of pitches or more events that are narrowly tailored and would have fewer participants?

Replying to @KyraMNelson

I love #dvpit and the more narrowly tailored events. However, I also love #pitmad. Honestly, I just love pitch contests. I have no fight in the debate. Lol.

· 21 Jan 2021

Felicity Alma @FAAlmaWrites

@Literary_Tara What different countries do you have clients in?

Replying to @FAAlmaWrites

US, Canada, UK, and AUS. :)

· 21 Jan 2021

Mari J. Silva @MJ_Silva_Dia

@Literary_Tara For an author who is not based in the US/UK, are there any relevant differences between agents from UK vs the US? Will it affect one's career and publishing process?

Replying to @MJ_Silva_Dia

I'm from the US and my international clients will probably tell you that there is a difference between agents. I think our markets are very different, so what we pick up will be very different. I also start my submissions in the US unless my clients specifically ask me not to.

· 21 Jan 2021

K Callard @k_callard

@Literary_Tara How do you know when to dump a ms? If your CPs say your query & chapters are strong, but all you get is form rejections, is there any point in continuing to query?

Replying to @k_callard

That is entirely up to you. I've seen people get agents after years and 100's of queries after reworking their MSs several times. If you no longer feel love for the project, it might be time to try a new project.

· 21 Jan 2021

ava is elsewhere @mothmime

@Literary_Tara how long have you been agenting/ what drew you to publishing initially?

Replying to @mothmime

I've been an agent for almost 2 years (in April), but I've been in publishing since 2017 as an intern. I kind of fell into it through my writer group. Decided to try the internship and fell in love!

· 21 Jan 2021

N.A. Pearson (she/her) @NAPearsonWrites

@Literary_Tara What's an insta-reject from you?

Replying to @NAPearsonWrites

Anything that has to do with pregnancy usually. I'm not a mom and I have no plans on becoming one, so I don't relate to the stories enough to champion them the way they need to be.

Also not a fan of contemporary romances with men in uniform. Police, military, etc.

· 1 Apr 2020

Terry Brewer @Stories2121

@Literary_Tara Also, what is "High concept Romance like RED, WHITE, & ROYAL BLUE and THE BRIDE TEST."

Replying to @Stories2121

If you can pitch your book in one sentence, then that usually means it's a high concept. But since this pertains to my #MSWL, RWRB and TBT are big because they are more than romance, are smart and engaging, and pull in a demographic that doesn't normally read romance. #askagent

· 1 Apr 2020

Brandon Breen @BrandoBreen

@Literary_Tara How far do agents typically read through submitted pages? If, say, an agent requests ten pages in the query, and ends up rejecting it, how likely is it they got through all ten pages? I'm guessing if the pages don't resonate, then an agent will stop reading relatively soon?

Replying to @BrandoBreen

If I love the premise I'll read until I know I want a partial or until I realize the writing isn't there/pulling me in. Sometimes I read all of the pages, sometimes I read a few paragraphs. Sometimes I don't read the pages at all if the concept isn't there. #askagent