Kaitlyn Katsoupis
Literary Agent
Belcastro Agency
Agent @belcastr. insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147

Literary Agent
Sierra @sierrapung
@kaitylynne13 Thanks for answering! I love hearing behind the scenes stuff like this. Follow up Q. How often do you reject for query? For pages? For concept? For something else? Thanks again :)Don't really have numbers for that, but often it's if the query is just something I'm not interested in, or if the pages are just not strong enough writing. Sometimes it's synopsis, but that varies #askagent

Literary Agent
🌼Clementine🌼 @clemmiegirlnz
@kaitylynne13 Hi Kaitlyn! Thanks for this. So much to learn here. My question is - if I queried an MS with an agent at a no from one = no from all agency, and it was rejected, but I see another agent at the agency puts out an MSWL that fits my MS, is it ever okay to query the second agent?if they specifically request it in a contest/conference, or put out a MSWL that is really your story's exact focus, or if they join the agency AFTER you were passed on (because, hey, they weren't there for you to choose) you should be ok #askagent

Literary Agent
H.W. Johnston @hwjohnston7
@kaitylynne13 @KJHarrowick Are novellas something agents stay away from?Not all of them! Check their preferences. I don't take novellas, but another agent in the agency might, so deff do research #askagent

Literary Agent
Metra Kootsikas @Nice2Meecha
@kaitylynne13 Hello Kaitlyn! I see lots of agent tweets on major query mistakes...what % would you say are actually good, researched, strong queries? Even if the MS is not for you, is your inbox filled with competitive, well-written queries?I have a Maybe pile of around 60 queries right now. All decent or great. Sometimes I request, sometimes I don't. I have CLIENTS right now who didn't have the best queries. I don't have %, but it's more about the plot or writing that grabs me even if query is sub-par #askagent

Literary Agent
Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7
@kaitylynne13 Last question from me! If an editor likes your pitch (like from Pitmad), is that something that should be mentioned in an initial agent query?Keep a list of any editor that liked your pitch. You can mention in the query, or you can just save it for when you get an agent offer and let them know, so they can reach out to the editor #askagent

Literary Agent
Jon Wallace 🏳️🌈 @_Jon_Wallace_
@kaitylynne13 Thanks! Also, besides following an agent’s requirements for formatting, is there anything that makes a query really stand out for you?Really, just a unique hook. What makes yours different from others in the same plot/genre. #askagent

Literary Agent
Jennifer Kinzler @JenniferKinzler
@kaitylynne13 What do you think about the gray area between MG and YA? Is there a place for a 14yo MC starting high school?We want to see more in this age. It's a murky area and we don't have nearly enough. It would most likely by MG or YA dependent on voice/plot #askagent

Literary Agent
Biciido @DeeqaJibrell
@kaitylynne13 Do you have any suggestions on how to tackle a query hook when you have multiple main characters? Do you focus on the main plot or on one BIG main character? Thank you!if 1 character feels like the main one the plot revolves around, focus on them. It's hard to do more than 2 characters in a query. Things often get complicated after that #askagent

Literary Agent
Jamie 🏳️🌈 @jlzwrites
@kaitylynne13 If you query different projects and get an offer on one should you notify the other agents you’ve queried that don’t have the same project and give them the opportunity to look at it? I’ve always wondered if this happens and what the protocol would be.yes! definitely. Email the agents who have your other work(s) and let them know, and include the pitch for the other book at least so they can say yes or no to reading it #askagent

Literary Agent
Cierra McGee @CDGMcGee
@kaitylynne13 @iza_sultan Follow-up: I've read tips from agents (specifically thinking of Donald Maass) advising only to use shelf-specific genres in queries. For example, I'm writing a space western--but since that's not a "real" genre you'd find in bookstore, am I better-off calling it sci-fi?
Literary Agent
Stephanie Bolla @StephanieNBolla
@kaitylynne13 @emlocklin I read that having a large social media presence is a key factor when agents are choosing who to represent. Is this true? And how much does this effect your decision making process?Platform matters for nonfiction, because you should be involved/have experience in topic. For fiction, social media doesn't bother me. I will work with you on bulking that, but it's not necessary to have a big platform #askagent

Literary Agent
Randi Muilenburg @RandiLeaWriting
@kaitylynne13 If a querying author completely revamps a query letter and opening pages that you'd previously rejected, are you open to seeing them again? Would it be off-putting to see the same title back in your inbox, or should the author change it too?If it's a complete rewrite, I'd be okay with it. Others may not, so be sure to take a close look at their preferences #askagent

Literary Agent
Shay Emms @ShayEmms
@kaitylynne13 I have a longish list of publication credits but half of them are small press and the others are for VERY old graphic novels from bigger name companies. One friend told me agents won't be interested in small press books from publishers they've never heard of- is this true?
Literary Agent
Helena Hoayun {on semi hiatus} @helenahoayun
@kaitylynne13 Oh I thought of another question! Is it wise to mention that other agents have your full in future queries? Or should we leave that out? (Could it hurt because the agents wouldn’t want to compete???) #askagentI would only let agents know if you've had an offer of representation or if a press/publisher is currently considering the manuscript. We expect other agents to be reading it, so we don't need you to let us know #askagent

Literary Agent
Jon Wallace 🏳️🌈 @_Jon_Wallace_
@kaitylynne13 Hello! I am beginning the querying process. I have three POVs. One character is 50% of the chapters with the other two split equally. Would I just mention the multiple POV in the query, but only focus on the MC with the bulk of the book?focus on the main character for the pitch, but mention it is multi POV in the metadata paragraph (title, word count, genre, etc.) #askagent

Literary Agent
R.M. Seidler @RMSeidler
@kaitylynne13 Hi!Is it a mark against the author if they are self publishing a series while trying to find an agent to publish a second series?
Ty for your time!
Nope! If it's a completely separate work/series, the agent shouldn't be concerned with that. If they want to set up a call to discuss your work, let them know so they're aware of all the projects you're working on #askagent

Literary Agent
Lexie Sharabianlou @lexieshar
@kaitylynne13 Hi Kathryn! Q about page samples: i have a nice tidy arc of my first 10...but more and more agents want the first 5. Does it matter if the pages end mid scene? Or is it worth sending a 6th page to come to a natural end point?Totally fine ending mid-scene. I would suggest not going over the stated number of pages. And yes, whatever they request, it should be double spaced first. Double space the pages, then send the first 5 (if requested) or 10 if they asked for more #askagent

Literary Agent
Lane @lanewriteswords
@kaitylynne13 A lot of agents don’t rep sexual assault manuscripts, but does that include all related topics? My MC is the resulting child of a sexual assault and I’m not sure if I should avoid querying to those agents. Don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable/annoyedIt's not usually all related topics. Like, I don't like graphic rape, but I understand a character who has a past where they experienced it or as you said, are the product of. So, unless they state graphic or any relation to it, you might be ok #askagent

Literary Agent
Cortney Winn @CortneyWinn11
@kaitylynne13 Ooh, one more question. What is your dream as an agent? Like, if you achieved this, your career would be fulfilled.Oh, lord! Ummmm have all of my clients at Big 5 publishers? Maybe? Probably to make enough money that I can agent full time and not have a second job? lol I don't really know. I just love what I do #askagent

Literary Agent
John Ryland @JohnRyland10
@kaitylynne13 Do you feel that "new adult"is a viable sub genre?New adult is an agent category, not a sub genre, but we're still trying to get it the attention it needs. Right now, most publishers shy away, or label is YA with adult crossover or Adult with YA crossover. #askagent