Alice Sutherland-Hawes

Literary Agent

ASH Literary

Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Julie Farrell 🌈 @WeeRedWriter

@alibelle What's your take on debut YA's in the UK market? Particularly ones set in the US? 🤔
Replying to @WeeRedWriter

How do you mean? By UK writers or the US influx? I personally have US taste so lean towards it anyway, but I do think UK authors need to be given more space. Though it is tricky when the current big thing is US.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Sophia Payne @Everlastingbeta

@alibelle In an ideal world, do you prefer to communicate with your clients on the phone, face to face, via email, or on skype? Do you think technology has made communicating easier or harder?
Replying to @Everlastingbeta

My communication style depends on my clients. What works for them works for me, and F2F isn’t always possible particularly as I rep a lot of people overseas. Tech has made it all much easier, almost too easy though.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Shannon Balloon 🎈 is writing. @sballoon75

@alibelle If you have someone's full, and they get an R&R from another agent, do you want to know?
Replying to @sballoon75

Hmm. I think for me personally, I’d just rather be told another agent has asked for a bit of work on it and you’ll keep me updated. To be honest I’ve not been in that situation so I’m not entirely sure!

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Joshua Lee-Jones @jplj_

@alibelle Do @MMLitAgency run work experience/internship programs? I would love to become a literary agent and I’m trying to get as much of a foot in the door as possible. (P.S. what was your route to becoming an agent?) Thank you!
Replying to @jplj_

I worked as a bookseller, then assistant to an agent, then I got my current job! My route has been surprisingly smooth so I’m not the best example. I don’t think we do run anything at the moment but I’ll check.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Yvonne Battle-Felton @YBattleFelton

@alibelle Hello! I have a lovely agent for my writing for adults, she doesn’t represent children’s writing. Are there things I should consider when finding an agent to represent my children’s writing? Is it common for a writer to have more than one agent?
Replying to @YBattleFelton

I know people who have two agents but I can’t say for sure how common it is. Have you talked to your agent? She might decide to handle your children’s writing. If not, definitely make it clear in your query letter (and I’d love to have a look!).

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

katherine @Ringley_

@alibelle If a children’s book (700 words) has a twist, would you rather read about it in the cover letter or is that more like explaining a joke?
Replying to @Ringley_

This varies agent to agent. There’s only been one time I’ve been devastated I read the synopsis first (@kereengetten 👀) so usually I like to know what’s happening.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Kael Tudor @KaelTudor

@alibelle Assuming that a query letter is professionally written and polite, is there anything that would instantly put you off, were it to be included?
Replying to @KaelTudor

Not really. At that point it comes down to the writing. Though I do find “I read this to my class/mum/kid and they loved it” a bit off putting because of course they did.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Emily Ewers @EmilyEwers

@alibelle If my main characters sexuality isn't the main aspect of a book do I need to show/put this in the submission?
Replying to @EmilyEwers

That’s up to you! Personally if an agent requires that then I’d question it. Nobody usually states their characters are straight so why do you need to state if they’re not, is my view.

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Anne Boyère 🐄⚓🌊 @AmusedNonQueen

@alibelle I would love to get an idea of where different material you have to read (edits from client, new project from client, R&R, slushpile, etc.) goes in term of priority and time scale? If that makes sense... Must be a nightmare in logistics! #askagent
Replying to @AmusedNonQueen

It’s good fun! Client edits that are soon to go on sub are my first priority, then queries with offers and full requests. New projects usually have a long lead time so I aim to get back within four weeks. Queries fit around all that. It’s a balancing act and can go up in flames!

Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent
Alice Sutherland-Hawes
@alibelle
Literary Agent
Founder & Literary Agent at @ASHliterary . Dogs & books, mostly. Never knowingly out-lipsticked. Views my own. She/her. It's Alice, never Ali. No DM queries.
90 MSWL
21 AskAgent

Marina @marinanutshell

@alibelle Do you have any advice about what kind of attitude or approach to use when pitching in person? Like I can understand showing your passion but I wouldn’t want to be over the top or too passive
Replying to @marinanutshell

Depends agent to agent! Personally I like to see someone’s passion, but it’s also important they listen to constructive criticism and thoughts. Don’t get defensive, we are trying to help!