Uwe Stender
Literary Agent
Triada US Literary Agency
Founder @triadaus , Literary/Film Agent. Herthaner. Berliner Schnauze. Westend. Qualität kommt von Qual. 1982,1991, 2013, 2017. Books, Films, Music. ❤ Berlin ❤
Literary Agent
kari martindale @kariloguekari
@UweStenderPhD I have someone in my chapter of Maryland Writers’ Assoc who has written nf. He’s been querying like it’s fiction. I’m wondering 1) if he’d be better off doing a tradition nf proposal, and 2) should he tell them it’s finished?Based on the information you gave me: nonfiction isn't fiction, so no. Yes, he should do a NF proposal even if it's memoir. And if it is finished, yes, he should tell them, (why would he not,) but still write a proposal, because it explains platform, market etc.
Literary Agent
Maria Stout @MariaStout
@UweStenderPhD Before offering rep do you want to know about other manuscripts or other ideas an author has?Other agents may feel differently, but PERSONALLY I would assume that if you can write something brilliant enough for me to offer rep, that you might be able to pull it off again.
Literary Agent
K8 hearts tacos and also justice @katealicesandry
@UweStenderPhD If someone queried you a long time ago (more than 5-6 years) with a manuscript that has now been fully rebooted (and you requested), would you want the fact that it was a long ago query mentioned in the new pitch? Or is that too long ago to matter?As long as it is significantly different, I would not care.
Literary Agent
GL Francis @merelecroix
@UweStenderPhD Is there some point where uniqueness in a manuscript is actually a liability insofar as it being too risky to consider?If it is soooo unique that nobody EVER did something like it, there may be a suspicion why that is the case.
Literary Agent
Susan Gray Foster @susangrayfoster
@UweStenderPhD I've seen a lot of discussion of the importance of "hooks" lately. In your opinion, is a hook like a high concept? Or is it a strong combination of character, conflict, stakes? Or is it something else? #askagentIt is something that instantly grabs my attention, thus theoretically any/or a mix of the above...THAT'S where the subjective opinion comes in...
Literary Agent
Cas Fick @CM_Fick
@UweStenderPhD If a writer has a crossover genre like science fantasy what is best practices for querying? Should they only query agents specifically asking for the crossover genres or is it okay to assume that someone who has SF on their list may consider this type of ms? #askagentIn general, crossover is tough, because it is hard to define (d'uh). Make sure what your genre is and query agents who rep it. *Assuming Science Fantasy means either SciFi OR Fantasy.*
Literary Agent
Kieran McMurchy @kieranmcmurchy
@UweStenderPhD After how many queries/rejections would you advise shelving an MS?When you are out of legitimate options.
Literary Agent
carrotfarmer @pinoakbungalow
@UweStenderPhD How does a person even obtain an agent? Is that something you have to pay for up front, or do they take off the back end?NEVER EVER EVER pay upfront. An agent only makes money if they sell your book.
Literary Agent
Aden Polydoros @AdenPolydoros
@UweStenderPhD At what point in a submission do you usually realize that you're going to be offering representation to the author?After the last sentence. I simply have to be certain.
Literary Agent
Stephanie L. Ward @StephaineWard
@UweStenderPhD Can you give a snapshot of what a day in the life of an agent looks like?They all differ. Let's just say, I work at least 60 hours a week, though I am actively trying to reduce that.
Literary Agent
Deidre Huesmann @DeidreHuesmann
@UweStenderPhD Which upcoming release are you most excited about right now, whether it's from one of your clients or someone else?I can't pick between clients, that would be like picking between one's kids. So...Thomas Lang "Freinacht."
Literary Agent
Megan Aronson @MeganAronson
@UweStenderPhD I love this post! Glad you got great insight today. Do you think there's a market for a memoir from a spouse's perspective on opioid addiction (w/a hard-won happy ending)? I want to show that addiction happens to everyone, even a kind & selfless dad injured helping his Grandma.There certainly could be. The writing will decide. Best of luck.
Literary Agent
JD Lane @JLane0130
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing this #askagentWhat’s your upper limit word count for requesting an upper MG fantasy?
I don't know. IF the project sounds appealing, one can always trim it down. Though, I'd hesitate if it is more than 80k, but that is totally random, and I may not hesitate then.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Metra Kootsikas @Nice2Meecha
@UweStenderPhD Hello! In your slush pile, what is the percentage of actual good queries? Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for, but great writing, appropriate WC, followed submission guidelines, etc. #askagentNo idea. A guesstimate would be 5-10%.
Literary Agent
Dan Fitzgerald @DanFitzWrites
@UweStenderPhD If the comps hook you and you read the initial pages and you like them but don’t see the comps, is that an auto-reject? Comps are nerve wracking for a lot of us.No, don't panic about comps. If I love the book, I come up with my own comps if need be. Of course having yours is helpful, and helps me ground the query. But comps shmomps, I care about the book. That's just me, though.
Literary Agent
Kirtida Gautam: Reading Harry Potter for 1st time @KirtidaGautam
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing this :)My question is: Can contemporary YA fiction span over a period of a year? Say, 1.5 yrs or 2 years. (Senior year+ Gap Year)
#AskAgent
I guess, personally I am more concerned about the quality of the novel than the timespan.
Literary Agent
Oh Danny 🇺🇸🗽 @DanChiu4
@UweStenderPhD @Maria_Tureaud What’s the typical agent commission fee?15% on everything, except foreign rights IF done with a subagent.
Literary Agent
Marion Lougheed @themerryonion
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing this! Is the publishing world much different in the UK or Canada than in the US? Do you need an agent everywhere? Are genre expectations different? Any insights into differences and similarities are very welcome! Thanks! #askagentThe publishing world is different everywhere, but thanks to @btaylorbooks we have a fantastic network of Foreign Rights agent who know their territory as well as we know ours.
Literary Agent
M.A.Habib @MA_Habib_writer
@UweStenderPhD @RSAStacey Thank you for taking the time out to do this 😊. Is there a particular time of year when agents get more queries than usual and thus are more likely to give less time to each query? I imagine the number of queries increase after nanowrimo etc?Always the same for me
😎