Megan Manzano
Literary Agent
Steven Literary
Agent @StevenLiterary • #RevPit Editor • Mentor @BreakthroughWBC • (She/They) • Latinx 🇵🇷 Opinions are my own.
Literary Agent
Megan Manzano 🇵🇷 🌸 @Megan_Manzano
@MadelynKnecht There are two issues I typically see:1. One POV being stronger than others.
2. The alternative POVs not adding more to the story.
(1/2) #askagent
Multi-POVs work really well when each POV gives us insight to something we didn't get before. They can also enhance really important moments.
My main tip is ask yourself what is each POV doing/how can I enhance the story by switching POVs.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Madelyn is Drafting ✍️🍂🌑 @MadelynKnecht
@Megan_Manzano Hi! ☺️ what’s the biggest issue you see with multi-POV stories? Do you have any tips? #askagentThere are two issues I typically see:
1. One POV being stronger than others.
2. The alternative POVs not adding more to the story.
(1/2) #askagent
Literary Agent
sedmondsbrown @sedmondsbrown
@Megan_Manzano If the author is only 13, should this be included in the query letter or is it likely to put the agent off?Include the age since parents would have to be involved via legal documents like contracts.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Maleficent History @thewritelove29
@Megan_Manzano Hi Megan! Thanks for what you do! I was wondering how one goes about trying to query or get a children’s book agented/published in general/without illustrations? I’ve seen a lot on other genres, but not really this. Thank you so much!I have a page of resources with how to get querying/what to expect here:
meganmanzano129.wordpress.com/agent-tips/
#askagent
Literary Agent
DarbyCupidWrites @darbycupid
@Megan_Manzano If someone acts on helpful feedback given regarding their submission, is it okay to resubmit? I know some agents say it's a no unless it's a full rewrite/restructure...P.S. - thank you so much for taking the time to give feedback.
If it's revising say your opening pages (and an agent only saw your query), I'd probably not resubmit.
If you revised throughout your entire MS, I'd say that's okay.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
TheHollowOne @AlexisLeish
@Megan_Manzano What are things an agent does that aren't recognized enough?The fact that an agent often has other jobs/responsibilities on top of agenting to pay bills. So when we take time to get back to a query or sub, we really are trying.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Rebecca Briggs Baker @becbrigbaker
@Megan_Manzano @jenichappelle For a debut author, what's a good template for the author's bio? Especially if no previous pub credits?Where you went to school, a fun hobby you're into, a random fact.
It's totally fine to have no previous writing credits.
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Literary Agent
Evie Hughes @Miss_EvieHughes
@Megan_Manzano How hard is YA fantasy to sell right now? I heard the market is pretty saturated.It's definitely a harder sell right now but agents/publishers are still acquiring it.
It's mainly about finding new voices/twists on fantasy worlds we haven't seen/are underrepresented.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Evalyn_Broderick @EvalynBroderick
@Megan_Manzano Thanks for this!There's a lot of talk about YA sci-fi being dead and several agents are no longer representing it. Any thoughts on MG sci-fi? (especially if it is upper MG, light sci-fi?)
There has been a rise in interest for MG stories across the board. I think sci-fi is difficult regardless of age category right now but it's about finding the right editor to champion the work.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Emily is subbing and writing @writeonwagner
@Megan_Manzano My dream agent has my query and has had it for 119 days. I'm sweating bullets over here! Should I nudge?I'd check their submission guidelines to see when their follow up time is. If they don't list one, you can definitely follow up now.
2-3 months is usually the range to nudge.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Hannah Miller @HRuthMiller
@Megan_Manzano #askagent I am getting geared up to start querying again. As I've researched agents I am picking agents who represent authors who write what I write, closed door romances. Should I mention this is why I picked them? Or, would that sound too stalkerish?Doesn't sound stalkerish at all. It shows you did research and appreciate what they represent.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Katie Mullen @KATIEFMULLEN
@Megan_Manzano Do you recommend starting right away with a “hook”? Or rather introduce why you’re writing to that agent, genre, word count, etc in first paragraph?I don't have a preference. As long as the pieces of your query are there, you can start however you like.
#askagent
Literary Agent
J Hood @DiogenesofSC
@Megan_Manzano What do agents prefer for an first time writer?1. Stand alone novel
2. First in a series
Thank you.
#askagent
No real preference just the understanding that your novel should always be able to stand alone, even if you have a planned series in mind.
For the latter, you just query with the phrase "stand alone with series potential."
#askagent
Literary Agent
Alex Andersen @AEAndersen_
@Megan_Manzano How many books is a debut author usually contracted for?This varies a lot by what a publisher offers to a debut. It could be a single book, so a publisher can see how well it performs, or they could take several books at once.
There's no concrete answer.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Olesya Gilmore (on semi-hiatus) @OlesyaGilmore
@Megan_Manzano Thank you, Megan, for taking the time for this! My question is what is your advice re beginning to query? Do you recommend targeting a mix of agents (favorite and other) and a small group at a time? (I was thinking of doing 5-7 to start). Thank you!Everyone queries a little differently but I'd recommend querying agents you KNOW you want to work with. Smaller batches can also help if you get feedback and need to revise/pull your manuscript from consideration.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
FreddieWrites @WritesFreddie
@Megan_Manzano I have a manuscript, and I’m editing it for the third time after a second round of beta-readers. Do you reccomend paying a free-lance editor around $1200+ to edit BEFORE I then send to an agent, or would you reccomend sending straight to an agent?That decision is entirely up to you. You do not need to hire an editor before querying. An editor can be useful in working more closely on your MS/helping you identify large issues that you can take with you, but you can succeed with beta readers alone.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Megan Manzano 🇵🇷 🌸 @Megan_Manzano
@Nightmusics It's up to you. I think a short and sweet (2-3 sentences) is solid.You can say "For your MSWL for angsty ships I think you'd be a good fit for X" or "After watching you give a speech about X, I think you'd be a good fit for me and my work" (1/2)
#askagent
I get several queries that reference my twitter or MSWL or a talk I've done.
As long as you're not overstepping any personal boundaries it's okay to let an agent know why you're choosing to query them. (2/2)
#askagent