Literary Agent
Marsha S @MizzMarshaS
Any feedback / perspective in regards to crossover preferences or do you prefer clean boxes that fit in XYZ? #askPSLAHmm...I don't think I'm a fan of clean boxes. I want to make weird books! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen
@PSLiterary @agentvicente @ericsmithrocks Thanks for doing this!Re: Graphic Novels
What’s the reason some agents only accept queries from author illustrators? Is it personal preference or is there a legit publishing concern to repping GN writers only?
Some of the most common reasons: personal preference, the importance of sample art to win over certain publishers, balancing out a client list (already have a number of clients writing scripts). #askPSLA
Literary Agent
DLShelton 🌈📚🎼🔯 #BLM IG: dlsheltonwrites @debralynnlazar
@PSLiterary @agentvicente @ericsmithrocks Do you read requested manuscripts in chronological order, genre order, or just a "feeling" order or something else? Tx!For me, I generally read in chronological order, but that might change if I receive something high on my wish list, someone receives an offer of rep, etc. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Alisa Hewitt @SparkleFireD
Assuming submission guidelines are followed and the agent reps my genre, what's a common mistake you see in a query that triggers an instant "no?" #askPSLAThere's not much that results in an INSTANT no (aside from racist/sexist/etc. remarks), but I have some common mistakes listed on my website: mariavicente.com/blog/10-common… #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Liz Hanson is querying her MG novel in verse @LizHansonBooks
#AskPSLA I’m interested in querying both @agentvicente and @ericsmithrocks How do I decide which to query? Is it true that all agents at PS read all queries?Address your query letter to both of us and let us fight over it. @ericsmithrocks, it's time for battle. #askPSLA twitter.com/LizHansonBooks…
Literary Agent
Nicole Buran @BuranNicole
What do I put in my query bio if I'm not yet published? Do I mention contests, etc. for which I am awaiting a response? The next projects I am starting (I've heard this is a no-no)? Nothing at all feels like it's not the right answer... #askPSLASay that the project you're querying will be your debut book...that's a very cool thing! I also like to see some personality (where you're from, what you're passionate about, what you do to pay the bills) and a few words about your WIP is a great idea. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
maria vicente @msmariavicente
@AliceArley Very rarely do I think a picture book manuscript can exist without art notes (even if minimal). The text should always leave room for the art to tell part of the story, and if you don't explain what's missing in the manuscript, then the reader won't understand the book. #askPSLAI have a short post on my website about this. mariavicente.com/blog/visual-th… #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Alice Arley 🐇🌹🍵 @AliceArley
I know that art notes are only to be used when absolutely necessary to understand a story in PB, but I have also seen some say no art notes ever, no matter what. Leave it to the reader and illustrator to decide. Do your agents or agency have an opinion on this? #askPSLAVery rarely do I think a picture book manuscript can exist without art notes (even if minimal). The text should always leave room for the art to tell part of the story, and if you don't explain what's missing in the manuscript, then the reader won't understand the book. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Michael Lunsford @LunsfordMichael
Why do so many MG agents automatically reject any MG book with an animal protagonist? (Hoping the answer isn’t just personal preference.) #askPSLAPersonal preference. ;)
And also, they're a tough sell at publishing houses. Maybe the market's oversaturated right now? #askPSLA
Literary Agent
maria vicente @msmariavicente
@thatpurdywriter I wish the conflict wasn't always focused on what makes a "diverse" character "diverse." Ex: A YA book with a queer protagonist that doesn't focus on trauma associated with their sexual identity. Instead, the conflict is that they're being chased by a dinosaur. #askPSLAOr just more joyful stories in general! A book about hanging out in a cat cafe, rather than dealing with the world ending. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Sarah Purdy @thatpurdywriter
@msmariavicente Can you elaborate a little on joy in books? I want to read and write more joy! ^_^ But how can that co-exist with the relentless conflict required? #askPSLAI wish the conflict wasn't always focused on what makes a "diverse" character "diverse." Ex: A YA book with a queer protagonist that doesn't focus on trauma associated with their sexual identity. Instead, the conflict is that they're being chased by a dinosaur. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kaliyah Martin @kaliyah_nicole
Hi @msmariavicente and @maureen_morettiWhat is something in either a query letter or the first few pages of a manuscript that immediately captures your attention and usually leads you to request more? #askPSLA
I mentioned this in an earlier response, but I'm always looking for a great writing style at the beginning of a manuscript. In a query, if your concept is something I truly haven't read before (many queries sound repetitive of one another), then I'll want to know more. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Ginger Ninja @engriffs
#askPSLA at what age do you feel young adult cuts off/it's adult? I'm querying a manuscript with a 21 year old and a little unsure.The oldest I've read in YA (that I recall now, anyway) is a protagonist starting their first year of college, so 18/19 typically. 21 might be a bit too old. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
IR Garner @irgarner
@PSLiterary @maureen_moretti @msmariavicente My ms combines translations of great Russian 20th century writers and historical commentary about their roles at the Battle of Stalingrad. Do I pitch it as literature, non-fiction, or translation? Is it even trade publishable, or better in academia? #askPSLAIt sounds more academic to me, a mix of literary commentary and history. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
Can a MS be pitched as an age crossover? I see people pitching "Adult SF with potential for YA crossover" or "YA romance with potential for Adult crossover." I had assumed those would be New Adult, but some are saying that's "not pitchable."#askPSLA
They probably would be New Adult if that category had developed like many hoped it would. Alas, it's not really a recognized category in traditional publishing, so you're right to pitch as having crossover potential. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
In comp titles for a query, would you rather have titles that are similar genre but maybe not writing style, or titles that are similar writing style from a different genre (having trouble finding any that meet both criteria) #askPSLASimilar writing style. I don't need comp titles for genre—those are easy to find. I'm more interested in comp titles that have to do with style, tone, theme, etc. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Casey Mulligan Walsh @caseyhen1
What is your preferred range for memoir word count from a first time author? #askPSLAMemoir's tricky, they can be quite effective even when on the shorter side. I would say 60k-80k. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
Do you have any unusual pet peeves when it comes to queries? (beyond the traditional things that most agents hate) Or any that seem to be coming up a lot recently? #askPSLAI really dislike it when someone puts down other books/tropes/topics/etc. in their query letter. Just focus on your own book, not what other people are writing! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
What are you hoping to see more of in your inbox this year? #askPSLAMy wish list is on my website, and I'll update it throughout the year as I think of more projects I'd like to see. #askPSLA mariavicente.com/representation