Kaitlyn Johnson

For fiction, it's not a HUGE necessity. But, I always tell writers to try to at least have a website, even if it's just a bio page. That way, at least people can find you and the agent, when you get one, can build off that with you #askagent

They may still be working through their box, so you may not have a response just yet. It may still take them a while. Also, with the R&R, you don't really need to alert other publishers. It's not a firm offer and really tied to just that one pub #askagent

Haha i don't know! I'm open to being surprised! #askagent

Then yes, I'd start querying and mention you are also an illustrator and have designs planned for the series #askagent

That we're people and we're looking for a great work just as much as you're looking for a great agent lol we don't like saying no #askagent

You can notify them that you revised and, if they haven't started reading, you'd be happy to send them the new version. That's perfectly fine! #askagent

You can definitely query before having them illustrated. Many agents/editors don't take on illustrators, so be sure to research. A lot of pub houses hire in their own illustrators and just purchase the PB text/story #askagent

Definitely avoid subplots or trying to over-explain a character's emotions or motivations (the WHY they do something). Give the facts and briefly show how beginning, middle, and end are tied together. That should help eliminate too many unnecessary scene explanations #askagent

mystery/thriller often are maybe around 80k? I don't rep those, so I may not be the best to ask. YA contemporary can be from 60-80k. I've seen a range #askagent

Yes, the pitch is technically those middle paragraphs giving us character, conflict, and consequences (stakes). Be sure to know the difference between this and logline/elevator pitch #askagent

I will say, third person present tense is very odd and second person is hard to pull off. Otherwise, first person/present and third person/past seem the most popular/common #askagent

You are free to edit! But if you intend to then swap out the versions an agent has, try not to do this multiple times #askagent

It may have been the agent just ensuring that IP agreement wouldn't be breached and to be sure your employer wouldn't intend to stand in the way/make things difficult for publication. Sounds like they're just covering bases #askagent

Of course, add one paragraph if you have dual POV. So, change to: Para 1 - metadata (intro, genre, age, word count, etc.); Para 2 - intro to MC and opening situation; Para 3 - intro to 2 MC & conflict w/ both; Para 4 - how 2 connect & stakes; Para 5 - bio #askagent

I often suggest this layout: Para 1 - metadata (intro, genre, age, word count, etc.); Para 2 - intro to MC and opening situation; Para 3 - intro to conflict; Para 4 - intro to stakes; Para 5 - bio #askagent

Not necessarily. It's nice to know if you have a connection/grew up in the book setting, but it doesn't really give a "special" or "more attractive" quality to the writer #askagent

No, we're getting so much deeper with MG. Just mentioning it isn't over the line (not when you consider some MG horror! lol) #askagent I have a client w/ a MG involving an "intended human sacrifice" that is thwarted 😉

Yes, that can be realistic and, depending on how it's handled/portrayed, can be powerful. Even in some families, regardless of race/culture, where a parent disapproves, the estrangement is confusing for children #askagent

I'm noticing rom-coms being called for! Also enemies to lovers and coworker romances, but nothing super specific yet #askagent

Ya, that's a bit high. I'd try to shave it down to no more than 70k. #askagent