Robbie Guillory

I always like it if it is clear that the author has done a bit of research into the agency (followed submissions guidelines, etc), rather than it just looking like a generic submission. #AskAgent

We'd need to have an idea of what you were writng next, ideally, even if just a few chapters. #AskAgent

Possibly, though it depends on the genre really. This can work for science fiction and fantasy, but not so much for, say crime. #AskAgent

It can be encouraged, so that fans of you (for example) romance writing don't have a shock by accidentally picking up some of your science fiction. #AskAgent

Clear labelling is always brilliant, as is a neat subject heading (makes searching so much easier). As long as the submissions guidlelines have been read and followed, we're happy! #AskAgent

Read/watchalikes can be really useful! I like to be able to see what the main conflict of the book is in an elevator pitch. #AskAgent

Probably not, though some agents do specialise in nonfiction. It is always a good idea to be upfront with any propective agents as to what you want to do with your writing career. #AskAgent

Congratulations! I'd say three months is the time to wait before politely nudging.

#AskAgent

The members directory of the Association of Authors' Agents is a brilliant place to start researching different agents and finding the one that would be best for you.

agentsassoc.co.uk/members-direct…

#AskAgent

Always worth a nudge! #AskAgent

You shouldn't really submit the same book to the same agency more than once. We receive so many submissions that we would be overwhelmed otherwise. #AskAgent

Hi Katie, we'd always be up for a chat. Your publishing history is enough to show us that you can write, and we can talk about how best we can support that in the future. #AskAgent

We don't represent any flash writing, fiction or non- I'm afraid. I'd say that a memoir needs to be at least 70k words, though it really does depend on the story being told. #AskAgent

For me, as long as the writing is really good and I can see a market for it, that can be enough. We can work with you to get the plot/ms in shape for submission. #AskAgent

Absolutely not! Being able to have some editorial input before you start submitting is a lovely thing to have, and we wouldn't penalise you for it. #AskAgent

We do take on some YA, but not a huge amount. #AskAgent

Absolutely not - we have taken authors on from all walks of life and for a number of reasons people don't have the money to be able to spend on an editor. But it is a good idea to get teh manuscript in as good a shape as you can before submitting. #AskAgent

We're usually open for submissions all year round. I don't think that there is a good time, but I'd avoid the weeks around London Book Fair, Frankfurt Book Fair and Christmas, as we're pretty busy then! #AskAgent

I'm keen to read the writign first, and then go back to the synopsis and covering letter. The voice of the writing is most important to me. #AskAgent

I'd totally agree with Kate here - don't be worried about mixing genres, but do be clear what you are mixing and what the main thrust of the story is. #AskAgent