Kaitlyn Johnson

Literary Agent

Belcastro Agency

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

. @kaitylynne13 Also when submitting an r&R where a significant portion is rewritten (Full transparency, this is me today) do you need to re-submit a synopsis? #askagent
Replying to @KellyLKC

I would personally like a new synopsis for something like that just to see how the writer changed areas and to remind the agent of the storyline in general. They've probably read a ton since last seeing it and a refresher is helpful #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

.@kaitylynne13 #askagent - Here's a thornier one. Depictions of multi-racial families where the opposition to the marriage doesn't come from the white parent? (Specifically, this is MG fantasy w a biracial MC. And it's the same biracial mix as my kids).
Replying to @KellyLKC

That's a tough one w/o reading it to see how it's handled. This opposition does happen on both sides, but it depends how the families/characters are portrayed and stereotypes avoided. If it's MG, is this like, a parent-in-law again the MC's parent? #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Katharine Herndon @kaherndon

@kaitylynne13 An agent requested a fairly extensive R&R, which I did. She’s excited to read it but said she doesn’t need an exclusive. I think it made the book much better. Several other agents have had the original full for 5-8 months. Should I ask them if they’d like to see the rewrite?
Replying to @kaherndon

If the agent didn't ask for an exclusive, and you believe this is a better version of your work, you are free to send the new version to other agents. It IS wonderful to let that R&R agent read it first (we do love that since we gave the notes) but it's not mandatory #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Clo Carey @clocareywriter

@kaitylynne13 Do you prefer the author bio to be in first or third person for a submission package, or does it matter? Thanks!
Replying to @clocareywriter

Personally, I like it at the end of the query. For Nonfiction, you may want to put it first. It really shouldn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things, though. It won't be an auto no #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

DMShepard, North of Normal Alaskan Tales @dmshepard13

@kaitylynne13 @trishwithapen Along those lines, I have read some queries where they want a synopsis with spoilers/indepth details. How much is too much.
Replying to @dmshepard13

I say 1pg single spaced or 2pgs double spaced. Give beginning, middle, end but we don't need subplots or character motivation/emotion explained. It can be dry and to the point, as long as we know the major plot steps #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Zan Lowell is querying @zanlowell

@kaitylynne13 Sorry, quick followup. Does the query letter get formulated any differently?
Replying to @zanlowell

Nope. You can mention you did a deep revision, but the query should remain the same, minus what you change for the new book version details #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Laurie Smith Murphy @LSmithMurphy

@kaitylynne13 Beginnings are the hardest part for me. What suggestions can you give?
Replying to @LSmithMurphy

Give us something that introduces the character, lets us get to know their personality a bit, but also has the conflict/challenge that propels us into the main plot. Fantasy ex: chased by guards who burn house down = revenge storyline. #askagent (1/2)

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Angie McCullagh @AngieHiSeattle

@kaitylynne13 I was told by an agent not to set a novel (women's upmarket) in any time between WWII and now unless the story HAS to be set in that particular decade. My current WIP takes place in grunge-era Seattle ('92) because I like the setting and lack of tech. What do you think? #askagent
Replying to @AngieHiSeattle

I don't think that applies to all novels. Some plots can be wonderful in diff time periods, even if they're not IMPERATIVE to that setting. Not every book has to be set in a certain time because of the event happening then. Personally, I love to see historical #askagent (1/2)

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Donna is looking forward to 2020 @PIXY727

@kaitylynne13 What’s the best time of year to query an agent? Is there one? Is there a bad time?
Replying to @PIXY727

The only time I'd be careful is toward end of year when most agents close their boxes to catch up. Be sure to research the agent to be certain they're currently open to queries #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

sarah 👑 @sarahemasek

@kaitylynne13 Can you resubmit a manuscript to an agent who rejected you if you've made revisions? I've heard some say that that's taboo, but others say it's okay, as long as you emphasize the revisions. #askagent
Replying to @sarahemasek

If you've made significant revisions (like a very deep rewrite) you sometimes can, or if the agent offered to take another look after revising. Some agents prefer you to not, though, so be sure to research. #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

@kaitylynne13 Should we specify upper MG in a query? What IS too long for that genre (fantasy) anyway?
Replying to @KellyLKC

You don't have to, though I like to see it mentioned when it's got a more mature tone/intended for older MG audience. Fantasy depends on age. For MG, I wouldn't go over 70k; for YA it's looking more around 100-110k, and Adult is around 110k/120k #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Brett Linley @BLinleyAuthor

@kaitylynne13 What makes you automatically stop reading through the material someone submits with their query (if anything)?
Replying to @BLinleyAuthor

If it's something I don't rep or have said I don't read (rape, abuse, etc. on my profile). Also, if it's obvs problematic (racist, sexist, etc.). Those are big immediate no's. But others include no firm hook or overplayed storyline, too #askagent