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Michelé Strachota @MStracho
@msmariavicente We being the agency? Between how many agents? #askPSLAYes, the five agents at @PSLiterary share a query inbox. #askPSLA
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Vale @ValeAmando
@msmariavicente WOW OK!!! I didn’t even know that was a thing. THANK YOU!!! One more, lol. Would I want to mention that as part of my format in the query? Or just query as a regular manuscript? #askPSLA 😘I would state in your query letter that parts of the manuscript are told through comics! (Also, shameless plug here, please query me with this when it's ready...) #askPSLA
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Sarah A. Pine @sarahapine
Are there rules about how old a book has to be before it’s acceptable to do a modern re-telling, especially if you’re changing audience ie: retelling an adult story as YA? #askPSLAThe story should be in the public domain to avoid any legal complications. #askPSLA
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Michelé Strachota @MStracho
@BradyRHart In relation to this great question! Are there months where your inboxes are generally more flooded? And months that are light consistently? #askPSLAThere are generally more queries right at the beginning of January (we usually close to queries for a couple weeks at the end of December, so I don't think that helps). Otherwise, it's fairly consistent. #askPSLA
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Brady Hart @BradyRHart
Here's one I've always wondered about: Does your workload change depending on the time of year? Like, do you find yourself looking to acquire clients more during one season and working on deals with editors another? Or is it pretty mixed up all year long? #askPSLAYes, my workload changes quite a bit! It doesn't always line up to a specific time of year, but it fluctuates depending on the status of my current clients' projects. #askPSLA
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Dori... (😒Yes... Like the Fish) @Mystikdaze1
#askPSLAI wrote a children's book and a friend illustrated it for me... I've done research on querys, but most talk about novels and the like. I'm not sure how to query a children's book without just sending the whole thing. Any advice on that process? Thanks.
This should help: mariavicente.com/blog/how-to-qu… #askPSLA
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Jace🦄 @EFJace
#askPSLA this is a little weirdly specific. If you land an agent with a project & the time comes to talk about next works, is it impossible/unprofessional to repitch a project they passed on before? Like if it was a partial or full request in the past?I think it's important to discuss all your work with your current agent, whether they passed on a version of it before or not. #askPSLA
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Debra Daugherty @dmddeb
#askPSLA If accepted by an agent who only handles MG and YA, does one need a separate agent for any PBs he/she has written?This will depend on the agent. Some are willing to rep outside of their preferred categories/genres for current clients. Some might ask another agent at the agency to take on your PBs. Others might tell you it's ok to find a second agent. #askPSLA
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Michelé Strachota @MStracho
#askPSLA how many queries do you generally get a week?It looks like we received around ~300 queries this past week. #askPSLA
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Steve Asbell @rainforestgardn
I guess I’d like to rephrase that, if possible. Is it worth bringing up neurodiversity in a query letter if it’s integral to your voice as an author/illustrator? #askPSLA @msmariavicente @kurestinarmadaYes, I think it's worth bringing up in this context. #askPSLA
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Cathleen Collins @CCollinsBooks
#askPSLA Hey, @msmariavicente and @kurestinarmada! In an e-query in which the MS is pasted below the query, what formatting is expected and/or does it matter? I've spent far too long sending practice emails to myself figuring out if/how gmail messes up the formatting. 🤣🤓Thanks!Ugghhh this is the worst. Keep it as simple as possible. I think everyone expects manuscript formatting to be a bit strange when it's pasted into the body of an email... #askPSLA
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Vale @ValeAmando
@msmariavicente Thank you!! Follow up question: how would I include that in the submission then? Right now it’s just quick descriptions of the scene. #askPSLAI'd write those scenes as comics scripts (you should be able to find a guide online quite easily). #askPSLA
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stacey miller @stacey25miller
Hi Maria, I write a lot of text-only picture books that are twisted fairy tales and also original ones with feisty, independent Princesses and I looked at your wishlist and I was wondering whether this would be the kind of thing you would be interested in? #askPSLAYeah, sure! I'm mainly looking for author/illustrators right now when it comes to picture books, but I'm still open to text-only submissions if the topic is right. #askPSLA
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Brady Hart @BradyRHart
What cringeworthy trope infects your slush pile like an unkillable virus? #askPSLA pic.twitter.com/m7mkh1r39SPortal fantasy in Middle Grade is really overdone. Not that it can't work, but it needs a fun new twist to capture my attention at this point! #askPSLA
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Caroline Elle Murphy @clmurphy4
#askPSLA How do you feel about writer critique groups and what advice would you give on best practices for a group? Thank you for answering questions today!Critique groups are wonderful and make you a better writer. I think every writer should have critique partners. Best practices: be nice; remain humble. #askPSLA
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Steve Asbell @rainforestgardn
Are agents looking for neurodiversity right now? I’d assume the answer is yes, but I don’t see much about it. #askPSLAYes. I see requests for neurodiverse characters quite often, actually! #askPSLA
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Kate Meadows @thejeffreykate
#askPSLA When it comes to comps, what's the best practice? Finding something more thematically/stylistically relevant, or something more tied to recent books?Both? Haha. Umm the best fit stylistically would be my preference. Don't pick a current title just because it's recent, you know? #askPSLA
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Tim Stevens @Tim_Stevens
@PSLiterary @kurestinarmada @msmariavicente When citing comparable works in a query, must they be fairly mainstream, or is it okay if they're a bit obscure?For example, I typically reference an anime that was very influential to me and was relatively popular (Cowboy Bebop) but still isn't hugely widely known. #askPSLA
I think a bit obscure is ok. Just make sure your query doesn't rely on your comp titles. You want your pitch to be captivating on its own in case the agent isn't familiar with the comp title(s). #askPSLA
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Zoe @squaremouse7
Hi! Is it okay to set a story in a city that's been used before by a famous author?(Mine's a different time period.)Like author, I use ghosts too but mine are different.Should I change my setting so I won't be compared to author or not worry about potential comparisons? #askPSLAWell, I'm pretty sure half the books published are set in New York City... haha. As long as it's not a FICTIONAL city you're using, it should be ok. #askPSLA