Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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... #askPSLA

Say 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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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? #askPSLA
Replying to @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. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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? #askPSLA
Replying to @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. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Kaliyah Martin @kaliyah_nicole

Hi @msmariavicente and @maureen_moretti
What 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
Replying to @kaliyah_nicole

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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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.
Replying to @engriffs

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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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
Replying to @ABeardedScribe

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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

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? #askPSLA
Replying to @ajwyckoff

I 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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff

What are you hoping to see more of in your inbox this year? #askPSLA

My 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