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.

Literary Agent
Julie Farrell 🌈 @WeeRedWriter
@alibelle What's your take on debut YA's in the UK market? Particularly ones set in the US? 🤔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.

Literary Agent
Kathleen Leary @KathLeary
@alibelle Are there any literary agents taking picture book texts?I’m sure there are! You just have to do the research.

Literary Agent
Janelle McCurdy @JanelleLMccurdy
@alibelle I see there's been a bigger influx of MG novels coming out lately, is there still a market for Upper MG fantasy/magical realism? :)MG is the sweet spot at the moment for sure, though it’s becoming quite saturated, but I think there’s a market for the upper end!

Literary Agent
Brandon Breen @BrandoBreen
@alibelle Hi Alice. In my debut MG novel (which I'm currently querying), I have written two fictional field guides to the animals of my world (drowsy muskrat, etc.). I envision these as illustrated inserts in the novel. Do you think these help my project or hinder it from added complexity?Well your vision may not end up being the final package but in terms of approaching agents, it shouldn’t hinder. We’re more concerned with the writing, story, characters and voice, generally.

Literary Agent
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?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.

Literary Agent
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?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!

Literary Agent
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!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.

Literary Agent
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?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!).

Literary Agent
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?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.

Literary Agent
Jeanna #HowDareYou Skinner @JeannaLStars
@alibelle Thanks Alice. Can I ask a couple of follow up questions, please?1. How would someone writing a witchy MG stand out?
2. What would you like to see more of?
Thanks again. I hope your train appears soon. #askagent
Erm, bluntly at this point I wouldn’t. I have a couple on my list already and most publishers already have them.
I would love to see more contemporary MG and high concept YA.

Literary Agent
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?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.

Literary Agent
Jeanna #HowDareYou Skinner @JeannaLStars
@alibelle What are you seeing a lot of in your submissions right now? #askagentWhimsical magical MG featuring witches. I feel like I’ve read so many of them.

Literary Agent
Ghosty Castles 👻👻👻 @GATaylor3
@alibelle If you receive a query for the first in a proposed trilogy would you expect the writer to have a detailed plan for the other two? (asking for a pantser friend)Not necessarily detailed but it would be good to have an idea of what the plan is.

Literary Agent
Hanna North📚✍🏼 @WriterHanna
@alibelle #askagent What kind of balance between business & personal do you think a writer should have on social media?I opened this account because it's generally expected of prospective authors to have some kind of social media presence, but I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Thanks!
It’s tricky when you don’t have something to promote, like an upcoming publication. But I think social media is really useful for getting a support group, so it’d be more for you at this stage than anything else.

Literary Agent
Beth-O-Lantern @_DrawMonkey_
@alibelle I’m sure you get pitches / artwork samples all the time; what personally helps you as you wade through the samples to find the next idea or artist ?It’s a taste thing! If I like the artwork or the idea and writing, I’ll contact the creator.

Literary Agent
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?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.

Literary Agent
†Emma†👻🦇🎃 @Luvzi12
@alibelle @MMLitAgency is a lit, TV & film agency. I'm a writer of books and scripts/screenplays. Which is best to submit first?We only rep dramatisation for our existing books so best to send your books through.

Literary Agent
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! #askagentIt’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!

Literary Agent
Jo Franklin @JoFranklin2
@alibelle Submission guidelines seem to be geared to discovering a debut author, are you interested in established authors and what would you like to see from them? #askagentThey’re not! They’re for all authors at any stage. I represent two established authors who came through submissions and queried in the same way debuts do.

Literary Agent
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 passiveDepends 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!