Uwe Stender

· 3 Oct 2020

Lynn Hooghiemstra @Nicky_Adams_Pen

@UweStenderPhD Doing a lot of research for a fiction book, but find I want to write a non-fic too, am blogging some of my findings and gaining small audience, but is it enough to pitch a non-fic at some point? Will a publisher/agent take me seriously on this? elynnhwriting.com/elynnh-1

Replying to @Nicky_Adams_Pen

Over the years, admittedly, I've become jaded about nonfiction, as it seems that platform is most important. Due to that weariness, I'm not the best advisor, as for me it's platform, platform, platform. But, CERTAINLY, other agents disagree, b/c nonfiction I turned down, sold.

· 3 Oct 2020

Linnea García 🎃👻🧜‍♀️ @Linnea_Garcia

@UweStenderPhD Do you have top 3 genres you're looking for now? Or do you prefer being more open ended and surprised by a submission?

Replying to @Linnea_Garcia

I always like surprises. But right now: YA and MG graphic novels, Rom-coms and smart thrillers for all ages.

· 3 Oct 2020

Augusta Stories 🤍 @augustastories

@UweStenderPhD How many pages in should the inciting incident appear?

Replying to @augustastories

I don't have a definite advice, but I'd say somewhere between pages 8-15.

· 3 Oct 2020

Liz Kessick @lizkessick

@UweStenderPhD Thinking about my next writing project - what do we do about 2020? Write the pandemic story, or pretend it didn't happen? What do you think the market will be looking for?

Replying to @lizkessick

I genuinely don't know what the market will be looking for. I personally would be open to Covid existing as a backdrop, ie a murder mystery, or a rom-com etc. But not with it as the primary focus.

· 3 Oct 2020

Famke Kim-Thy Halma (semi-hiatus) @FKHalma

@UweStenderPhD What are your thoughts on YA (gothic) horror but told from diverse perspectives and sustainability on the market? Do you think YA horror is going to leave again soon?

Replying to @FKHalma

I don't think it's going anywhere. But even if it did, write what you feel passionate about. If you're a great writer with great passion for your book, you'll write a great book. If you write a great book, it will all work out.

· 12 Sep 2020

D.A. Prischmann @DA_Prischmann

@UweStenderPhD Approximately how many minutes do you spend evaluating the average slush submission? Thanks

Replying to @DA_Prischmann

Less than one, it either intrigues me or not.

· 12 Sep 2020

Sarah Floyd @kidlitSarah

@UweStenderPhD Good evening!
When representing a new client, do you also consider their previously published work for unexploited TV, movie, and foreign rights?
Thank you : )

Replying to @kidlitSarah

Only if the rights belong to the author.

· 12 Sep 2020

GL Francis @merelecroix

@UweStenderPhD Thank you for taking time for these #askagent sessions!

If a novel is the 2nd (or 3rd) written about a particular MC or milieu, would you classify it as a series or does it depend on whether each novel can stand alone?
Would that affect whether you'd consider or pass on it?

Replying to @merelecroix

Probably a series. No, not necessarily.

· 12 Sep 2020

Nina (is rewriting her opening) @NFortmeyer

@UweStenderPhD How important is media presence? Do agents care if you have an up-to-date blog or a website?

Replying to @NFortmeyer

In nonfiction, it is ESSENTIAL. In fiction, I don't care.

· 12 Sep 2020

M. Charles is drafting @2TheImp

@UweStenderPhD What’s the most difficult/challenging aspect to being an agent? Has it changed with the pandemic?

Replying to @2TheImp

Rejections. No, not really.

· 12 Sep 2020

Ara Lynch @Ara_B_Lynch

@UweStenderPhD How much does personalisation in a query letter really matter? As someone who is rather socially awkward, I worry I'll get it wrong and just sound strange by trying to personalize it too much.

Replying to @Ara_B_Lynch

To me, not at all. I want a client, not a stalker.

· 12 Sep 2020

Shanice | Wakanda Forever @twixsftbl

@UweStenderPhD If you sign a client and their book doesn’t sell, would you continue to be their agent while they work on another book? How does agenting work with movie/tv rights? Is a bidding war typical for both publishing and rights?

Replying to @twixsftbl

I only work as a career agent. If I don't sell it, then you are still my client, unless YOU fire me.
We handle it all.
Typical, no, but it happens.

· 12 Sep 2020

Isabel Duarte @IsabelEmilyD

@UweStenderPhD If an author has a full on submission with you, do you prefer the author hold off on querying/submitting to other agencies until you've had a chance to review and decide? I remember reading some agencies prefer this.

Replying to @IsabelEmilyD

I BET they prefer that, but IF they do: RUN! Send your book to as many people as you can and want. Do MULTIPLE submissions, and don't let an agency restrict that.

· 12 Sep 2020

Mike Spinney @spinzo

@UweStenderPhD sorry for a second ask, but do you take into account potential beyond the book? film/television rights? product marketing? or is your first priority a good read?

Replying to @spinzo

A good read, but of course that includes all of the above. But if I am not in love with your novel, I don't care about any of it. I don't torture myself with stuff I don't like, regardless of saleability.

· 12 Sep 2020

Rebecca E. Treasure *Black Lives Matter* @R_E_Treasure

@UweStenderPhD Another, if that’s okay. I’ve seen/heard conflicting takes on hiring a developmental editor before you query. I see the question a lot in the writing groups but when I say “I’ve heard you shouldn’t”, I get pushback.

What’s your take? #askagent

Replying to @R_E_Treasure

I may be an outlier, but if you can't write your novel without a developmental editor, I am not interested in you. I am also not interested in Milli Vanilli if they can't sing their own songs.

· 12 Sep 2020

Michelle Hauck @Michelle4Laughs

@UweStenderPhD Do you think the role of an agency in helping clients with promotion/marketing is increasing? Should agents play a role in helping clients market their books?

Replying to @Michelle4Laughs

To a degree, of course. But agents are agents, and PR experts are PR experts. Opthamologists are fantastic doctors, but you don't want them to perform an appendectomy. And you don't want your heart surgeon fix your retinal detachment.

· 12 Sep 2020

Rebecca E. Treasure *Black Lives Matter* @R_E_Treasure

@UweStenderPhD Oh yay I’m online for one 🙂 #askagent

For you personally- If you requested a full, but passed, does it matter if that’s mentioned in a future query?

Generally, do you think word counts are getting shorter across the board? 100k down to 80k, even for adult?

Thanks!

Replying to @R_E_Treasure

Ha, happy you made it.
It does not matter either way.
I don't know. All I care about is that it works within the book I am reading.

· 12 Sep 2020

Michelle Hauck @Michelle4Laughs

@UweStenderPhD Do you see the push back of release dates continuing with the current problem with printing capacity? #askagent

Replying to @Michelle4Laughs

Yes, unfortunately.

· 12 Sep 2020

Paige Wyatt @Paigeotto

@UweStenderPhD What are you really wishing you could see more of in your inbox lately?

Replying to @Paigeotto

Smart rom coms. Unique thrillers.

· 12 Sep 2020

James Haes @JamesHaes

@UweStenderPhD What are the three most important things you look for in a query letter?

Replying to @JamesHaes

In non fiction: concept, platform, and platform again. In fiction: hook, no spelling errors, and lack of grandiosity.

@UweStenderPhD

Literary Agent

Triada US Literary Agency

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

Literary Agent

MSWL