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
faith a. villanueva @faithavills
@UweStenderPhD what genre do you get most excited about as a reader, and is it different from what you like to see as an agent?Ha, yes. I love reading German originals, especially adult suspense, in my spare time, but I don't usually rep those.
Literary Agent
Karen ❄ @karenjoe93
@UweStenderPhD Hi, Uwe. Thank you for doing this. I hope I'm not late. Is it okay to ask how caught up are you with submissions?Have a wonderful night:)
I am woefully behind with fulls...but if I am more than 3 months behind, please nudge me. And apologies either way. If it is NOT a full, just a query, then I AM caught up, but there were several times when I had a specific OOO message, so no response in that timeframe is a NO.
Literary Agent
L. Dean @designerldean
@UweStenderPhD How long should we wait on a full after a nudge? Should we wait another month or two before one more nudge?First nudge: about 3 months, second nudge 6 weeks later...but I can only speak for myself.
Literary Agent
Sharon Black @TheSharonBlack
@UweStenderPhD Is there a hard limit on word count for YA? I’ve read 80 to 90,000. Would 100,000 simply be considered too much? And thank you these. They are very helpful!Thank you! 🙂 It depends on the genre, but PERSONALLY, I think it's ok, but it somewhat depends on the project and writing, too.
Literary Agent
Angelia N. Bailey 🏳️🌈 @AWritersLifeTBC
@UweStenderPhD One more question. I know some agents don't like to work with authors who self published other books even if the queried MS is unpublished. Would you consider a query if the author lists the accomplishments of a separate self published novel?Certainly.
Literary Agent
Jenna (J.M.) Jinks @AuthorJMJinks
@UweStenderPhD Hi! Thank you. Do you recommend pen names to your clients if they write multiple genres or age groups?It depends on the specific case, but I don't necessarily discourage it.
Literary Agent
Brittney is querying 🧜🏼♀️🖤✍ @BrittneyCWrites
@UweStenderPhD What's your opinion on modern-day mermaid/siren YA books right now?I don't know. I've seen a lot of them which didn't sell, but it depends on the writing and story.
Literary Agent
Mark McQuillen @mmcquillen44
@UweStenderPhD Why do agents reject self-published works? I have a series that 8 books are already self-published that are in the middle of the series with another 12 in the first draft phase.I reject them because I would prefer to start with a clean slate, but I cannot speak for other agents.
Literary Agent
Brock Shelley @B_as_in_Brock
@UweStenderPhD For a story targeted at pre-teens (age range 11-14) what would be deciding factors for you as to whether it should be pitched as an upper MG or lower end of YA?Age..for me 11-14 would be MG, but other agents may disagree. I used to teach in a middle school defined as grades 6-8.
Literary Agent
Amber A. Logan @AmberAnnLogan
@UweStenderPhD What criteria do you use for deciding which small publishers are worth submitting to? Thanks for doing this.If they are legitimate in terms of contracts.
Literary Agent
Ari Augustine @SouffleLumiere
@UweStenderPhD How would you (based on your experience) define “quiet” stories, and do you enjoy them?I guess it means not a lot of action...and yes. I love narrative voice over drama.
Literary Agent
A.A.ALEJO @aaalejo1
@UweStenderPhD Would you rep a latinx writer?Of course, why wouldn't I?
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Chelsea Covington Maass @chelseasfiction
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing these #askagent sessions! They are helpful.In your experience, is a more literary voice harder to sell in YA?
Not necessarily. There are imprints who cater to more commercial content, and others who do to more literary content.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Danica Redfern (They/She) @Philosapphica
@UweStenderPhD Do you prefer a query to cover only first act, or the entire scope? And if you prefer the former, any tips for getting it across that there is much more to come after the initial conflict of a first act?Entire scope, please. But more in short form.
Literary Agent
Tesse Struve @StruveTesse
@UweStenderPhD Happy birthday to your nephew! If an agent wants to make an offer of rep on a full, do they need to run it by the head of the agency or are they able to offer rep on their own? Thank you! 😄I will tell him. I can only speak for Triada US. They can offer to anyone.
Literary Agent
Nenia | Author & Speaker @NeniaCorcoran
@UweStenderPhD Happy birthday to your nephew! 🥳Will you still look at first chapters if the query is just okay? Or does the query completely determine whether you’re going to read further?
Thank you, I will tell him. I am only judging by the query. BUT all the other 5 agents at Triada US will judge after 10 pages, so ignore me.
Literary Agent
Dr. Sara Kapadia @sarakapadia
@UweStenderPhD If an agent already has a client from the same culture as the querying author does that affect the agent's decision? #askagentI can't speak for others, but for me it makes zero difference. I have to deal with so many Americans, and I still sign them.
Literary Agent
Crystal J. Bell @WritingLEOW
@UweStenderPhD For querying writers/debut submissions do you believe that MS's with a slower build/beginning pace is acceptable (dependent on the story) or is quick-paced and grabby a requirement now?I like slower build, but sadly much of the deciding industry does not. HOWEVER, the slower build has to have EXCEPTIONAL voice, even for me.