Uwe Stender

· 11 Feb 2020

Susan Auten @SusanAuten

@UweStenderPhD As far as trends go: Is MG still gaining popularity? Or do you think it’s simmering down?

I don't pay attention to trends. In my 14 years as an agent, I never followed trends. So I cannot answer this question well. If I love an MG, I will fight to sign it, if I don't, I won't

· 11 Feb 2020

author whitney d. grandison @whitney_DG

@UweStenderPhD If your agent can’t sell a book due to gatekeepers could you then self publish it?

Replying to @whitney_DG

The answer is more complicated depending on the specific circumstances, but theoretically the answer is yes. But I can't emphasize enough that it is a case by case career decision.

· 11 Feb 2020

Shelly Jarvis @shellyjarvis

@UweStenderPhD When someone pitches you a book “with series potential,” are you interested in knowing up front if they’ve started writing more books in the series or is that something that doesn’t matter until you decide if you like their writing?

Replying to @shellyjarvis

It is not essential, but if you have more info at that stage, there is no reason not to mention it.

· 11 Feb 2020

J.L. Delozier @jldelozier

@UweStenderPhD Congrats on your recent successes! My question: I've had my right reverted to my small-press pubbed trilogy. Is it generally better to rush to self pubbing or just sit on them in case I sign with a future agent/publisher?

Replying to @jldelozier

I really don't know. I would never rush to decisions (I used to, but I learned it's better to think first and then act), so think it through strategically.

· 30 Jan 2020

Nikki Teeuw /N.E. Teeuw @NikkiTeeuw

@UweStenderPhD Submissions. They usually like Times New Roman from what I've heard but is the use of occasional cursives acceptable?

Replying to @NikkiTeeuw

I don't know. I like Times New Roman.

· 30 Jan 2020

Colleen Brynn 🚀 @ColleenBrynn

@UweStenderPhD Does requesting a partial instead of a full MS in any way indicate your level of excitement for a project, or is this more indicative of standard procedures within an agency? I would guess this varies person to person but curious what your insights are :) Thanks!

Replying to @ColleenBrynn

It varies. I always ask for a full (why not, IT'S JUST EMAIL), but others may have specific rules. I cannot speak for them.

· 30 Jan 2020

Katie LaRae 🏳️‍🌈 @The_Katie_LaRae

@UweStenderPhD How long should we wait before querying a new project if you passed on another?

(Thanks for doing this!)

Replying to @The_Katie_LaRae

Depends on the agent's preference, I guess. *I* always get annoyed if I get a new query instantly, because I am like *what the heck?* (in German: "Spinnt die/der?"). So for me, give me 3 weeks or a month.

· 30 Jan 2020

Sasa Hawk @SasaHawk

@UweStenderPhD Assuming you like a query and request pages, what's the number one thing your looking for to hook you in the opening chapter?

Replying to @SasaHawk

Ha, great question. Honestly, I don't know. It will either hook me or it won't. It's not scientific.

· 30 Jan 2020

David Neuner @david_neuner

@UweStenderPhD Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wisdom!

If an author receives a offer of representation, is it customary to include the name of the offering agent when letting other agents you’ve subbed to know you have an offer? (Asking for future me)

Replying to @david_neuner

No.

· 30 Jan 2020

Susie Lindau @SusieLindau

@UweStenderPhD Does it ever take more than three months to consider offering literary representation?

Replying to @SusieLindau

Sometimes, yes.

· 30 Jan 2020

JRPyle-Carter @JrpyleC

@UweStenderPhD @Maria_Tureaud What is the biggest reason you pass on a manuscript if you've requested a partial/full?

Replying to @JrpyleC

I only request fulls. This will sound rude or patronizing or whatevs ...but I truly don't mean it that way: I honestly mean it, if I love it, I will offer rep, if I don't, I won't.

· 30 Jan 2020

Lydia Lukidis @LydiaLukidis

@UweStenderPhD @ayawrites If I'm querying an agent, is it relevant for me to mention I've been represented before? Or, should this come up in subsequent conversations, if there are any. #askagent

Replying to @LydiaLukidis

You ought to mention it.

· 30 Jan 2020

Michael Scott Phillips @GreyOwlStudio

@UweStenderPhD How much does the number of clients you have signed in a given time period affect your ability/desire to sign more? If you've already recently signed someone, are you less likely to sign someone else even if you really like their work?

Replying to @GreyOwlStudio

It plays a role, but if the book is great, I will still go for it (plus people fire me, so spots become available 😂.)

· 30 Jan 2020

Cara Reinard @carareinard

@UweStenderPhD Okay - thanks! I meant - are you tied to your genre once you sell in that genre or can you branch out a bit once you have a few books published?

Replying to @carareinard

Not tied, no.

· 30 Jan 2020

Kira Aitch @AitchKira

@UweStenderPhD If you have queried an agent in the past, and you query them again, but with a completely different project, should you mention the previous project? Like as a history mention.

Replying to @AitchKira

I wouldn't.

· 30 Jan 2020

Stephanie L. WARD 🎊🥳🎉🦄 @StephaineWard

@UweStenderPhD Do you have any tips for searching for a perfect fit while #amquerying?

Replying to @StephaineWard

Not really. Look at the various websites, check agencies and agents, read interviews, and see what they DO rather than what they SAY they do, and go from there.