Uwe Stender

· 22 Jan 2019

CT Danford @Ctanz731

@UweStenderPhD In your opinion, do comp titles make or break a query? How important are they? #askagent

For me, they do neither. I am more interested in the actual concept of your book first and foremost. That may be different for other agents.

· 22 Jan 2019

Kari Hagen @KariHagenWrites

@UweStenderPhD #askagent I can't remember - am I supposed to sent my MG SF to you first or someone else at Triada who might be a better fit? I feel like you've answered this for someone else during an #askagent before... pic.twitter.com/IY4YnPYO2f

Replying to @KariHagenWrites

Go for the best fit.

· 22 Jan 2019

Doug Erickson @Standuptheo

@UweStenderPhD i have a suspense novel with two possible openings: one begins with the prologue as dramatic closing scenes (workplace shooting) then chap 1 starts story 6 months previously- option 2 starts in order and moves shooting scene to chronological time. thoughts?

Replying to @Standuptheo

Since a lot of publishers seem to not like a prologue, I would go with option 2 (based on that assumption). However, if option 1 makes for a better book, then go for it.

· 22 Jan 2019

Marwa Sarraj @meowwa93

@UweStenderPhD I actually have a couple of Qs I've been thinking a lot about.1) I know that agents look for "polished" manuscripts, but what exactly does that term refer to?2) If my book is a series that ages the MC from 18-20, does that still make it YA if everything else complies to YA norms?

Replying to @meowwa93

1. It means getting the manuscript in the best shape possible.
2. 20 seems old for YA, but I cannot give an answer without having seen the manuscript. However, since I worry about the age, this would not be for me. Other agents may disagree.

· 22 Jan 2019

Tim Weed @weedlit

@UweStenderPhD Do you see good alternatives emerging to the so-called Big Five or Six publishing houses—from an agent's perspective—or is that pretty much the whole game?

Replying to @weedlit

Yes, at this time there are still plenty of additional great publishers alive and well in the marketplace.

· 22 Jan 2019

Lisa Roman @life_with_riley

@UweStenderPhD Should queries for memoirs be written in first person? I think they should, but I have been told different things by different agents, which surprises me because I assume there would be a standard rule for this.

Replying to @life_with_riley

Yes, in my opinion, they should.

· 22 Jan 2019

☕ 🎅 Kara Cargill🎄🎁 @Coffee_Is_love

@UweStenderPhD How soon is too soon to send out a new project If previously rejected? #askagent

Replying to @Coffee_Is_love

I don't know. If the new project is ready and perfect, then query it.

· 22 Jan 2019

Soul Tsukino @SoulTsukino

@UweStenderPhD I'll ask this of you since I have nothing to lose. I've sent you my fiction novel a few times now, who at Triada might be more interested in it?

Also, I'ver got a series of Shorter fiction stories (Not novel sized) And you mildly interested in those?

Replying to @SoulTsukino

I don't know, you have to research what our agents want, and if you think one of them is a match, then query that agent. No, I am not interested in shorter fiction.

· 22 Jan 2019

Deborah Hunt PhD,RN/Author @debdoll25

@UweStenderPhD When submitting a picture book biography do you follow the submission guidelines for a picture book or non-fiction? Thanks for doing this!

Replying to @debdoll25

I am not a PB expert, but I would follow the PB guidelines.

· 13 Dec 2018

myrikePoba @MFrBauer

@UweStenderPhD When should one give up hope after not receiving a reply to a query from you?

Replying to @MFrBauer

I currently have an out of office message stating I will only respond to queries I am interested in by a certain date. If I don't respond by that date, then I am not interested. But you can always query me with a different project.

· 13 Dec 2018

Karol Lagodzki @klagodzki

@UweStenderPhD Uwe, question 1: how do you manage to be so effortlessly awesome? 😀; question 2: do credentials other than novel publications—such as short stories, degrees, etc.—help attract attention in a query pitching a novel? Thanks!

Replying to @klagodzki

1. Thank you. 2. They probably do, but for me it is all about the pitch.

· 13 Dec 2018

Patricia Tavormina @pltavormina

@UweStenderPhD A question came to me. If I don't find an agent on book 1, I will self publish. I love my novel; got no problem with putting it out for a handful of folks.

Here's the Q. Do I lose 'appeal' with agents on book 2 (currently outlined) if I am no longer a 'debut author'? #askagent

Replying to @pltavormina

If it is part of a series, likely yes. If they are "unrelated," then No.

· 13 Dec 2018

Soul Tsukino @SoulTsukino

@UweStenderPhD When would be a good time to send you a Query, and try to make it a little more official than my last email?

Replying to @SoulTsukino

After January 15th.

· 13 Dec 2018

Brittney Coon @FatalKiss19EV

@UweStenderPhD In a query letter should I mention I self-published a NA trilogy if I never became a bestseller and I want an agent for a different book that's YA? #askagent

Replying to @FatalKiss19EV

You don't have to. But I don't think mentioning it would necessarily "hurt" you.

· 13 Dec 2018

J.L. Delozier @jldelozier

@UweStenderPhD So my wannabe-superhero novel has struck out in the query department. Is it generally best to stash a "dead" novel in a drawer in case of future representation on another book or to try one's luck and submit to small presses?

Replying to @jldelozier

I guess you could try smaller presses, but research them well, and make sure their contracts are legit. There is no shame keeping a manuscript in the drawer. 99.9% of successful authors have at least one of those, I am certain.

· 30 Nov 2018

E R Hoffer .. @erhoffer

@UweStenderPhD Thanks for helping to illuminate the difficult query journey for newbies like myself. Have you ever heard of an agent offering representation based on anything less than a full, i.e. a partial and synopsis? #askagent

Replying to @erhoffer

If you are Stephen King, John Green, David Baldacci, Malcolm Gladwell, Michelle Obama, Nora Roberts, or Rihanna, I would offer on a sentence. If you are not, then I need a full.

· 30 Nov 2018

Simone Kern @simone_kern_YA

@UweStenderPhD I’ve had two people tell me to say a MS is “a standalone narrative with series potential” rather than “a series opener.” Is that true for you? What if the book really demands a sequel (like a lot of great SFF books!)

Replying to @simone_kern_YA

Yes, it is.

· 30 Nov 2018

S.E. Scott @ still writing @shockvaluecola

@UweStenderPhD how many requests for materials would you say lead to an offer of rep? (ie 1%, 10%, etc)

Replying to @shockvaluecola

For me...1% or less...

· 30 Nov 2018

pingu fan forty @pingufan40

@UweStenderPhD What’s a reasonable amount of time to wait before nudging an agent who has ur full? And is it ok to nudge more than once depending on timeframe? #AskAgent

Replying to @pingufan40

I would say 10 weeks is worth a nudge. If they don't respond, I would follow up every two weeks. If they don't respond to three of those at all, move on.

· 30 Nov 2018

Trisha Kelly is on semi-hiatus @thetrishakelly

@UweStenderPhD Should you ever nudge on a query? (Say it's to someone who typically responds.)

Replying to @thetrishakelly

Yes.

@UweStenderPhD

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