Ann Rose
Literary Agent
Tobias Literary Agency
agent: @TheTobiasAgency & #rosebudauthor wrangler | author: ROAD TO EUGENICA & BREAKOUT | opinions are my own | she/her rep:@evascalzo layout:@ana_scribe
Literary Agent
BRCloth @brclothwrites
@annmrose What types of marketing do agents have over small pubs or self published authors? I see so many saying even if they get an agent they would still have to do most the marketing themselves. Is this true?An agent’s job is to sell the book to a publisher. An agent’s job is not to market the book. Marketing is done through the publisher.
Literary Agent
K. Latham 26K/80K @Niyrak
@annmrose Does the presence of aliens in a MS make it SciFi ???Without any other context here the quick answer is yes
Literary Agent
River Knight (Queen of all Thedas) @byRiverKnight
@annmrose Which is more attractive to an agent - a writer who has never published anything? A writer who has published a few things in VERY different contexts (academic and fiction)? A writer who has published a LOT but always the same types of places? Hope this makes sense hahaWhat’s most attractive is a really good story. ❤️
Literary Agent
Alec @alecwriter120
@annmrose Like if you like the characters and plot enough, how do I get to the point I can get notes?Critque groups and partners are a great way to seek out early feedback on things. Likely it means swapping, so you provide them feedback and they provide you feedback.
Literary Agent
Alec @alecwriter120
@annmrose How good does the first draft need to be? I think my first draft is a mess...It needs to be as good as it needs to be for you to be able to work on it ❤️
There’s no right or wrong process in writing a book. Just my tip is —don’t query a first draft 😉 but you likely know that ❤️
Literary Agent
Laura Anne Harris @lauraanneharri1
@annmrose I'm working on several picture books that complement my husband's work as a speech therapist. Is that worth including in my cover letter to an agent? Or simply talk about the overall audience of my books? Thank you!PBs aren’t my expertise but I would think it would be worth mentioning it could be helpful to these readers would be good
Literary Agent
Jen Riggs Querying!! @Riggsywrites
@annmrose White auth of tween black,biracial & white/fiery red head MC's! Cast is diverse no racial undertones. My children are biracial & want a book full of diversity for them. Best way to #? Do i specify race in query? I want to be respectful & more books w/ strong POC characters &girlsLikely the question of authenticity will come up so it’s likely best to address it head on
Literary Agent
Matt Schueller @MattSchueller
@annmrose Question on film comps - I've seen a lot of MSWL's discuss Glass Onion specifically. Is it a red flag to specifically comp something that is so popular and ubiquitous?I mean it can be like setting the bar really high for yourself so I think it’s about the execution
There’s a difference between - this will be as popular as Glass Onion and this has the mystery elements of Glass Onion 😉
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Dor Atkinson is querying! @AtkinsonDor
@annmrose Is it worthwhile to query agents who requested a full MS years ago if you've made major revisions / overhauled your MS? Or is it better to focus on new agents? Thanks!If they passed on the full and you’ve made changes, reaching out with — I’ve made significant changes would you be interested in taking a look - I think is okay. Just be up front about it.
Literary Agent
Siobhan Kellar @StellarSKellar
@annmrose If an agents query procedure requests “10 pages”, does this mean 10 double-spaced?Pages are always double spaced, yes
Literary Agent
Angandeep Chatterjee @angandeep
@annmrose How does an agent feel for pitches outside of US and UK? Ex: I am from India with a story on a US protagonist and all settings in US. I visit Kansas sometimes but basically settled in India. Can I pitch and hope to get published in US or UK after correct editing done?Yes. I have a client in Australia, and I’ve spoken with authors in a number of different countries. Location of an author doesn’t really matter
Literary Agent
Tara Ryan @TaraRyanBooks
@annmrose On QM when it asks if you previously published, do we include self-pubbed titles written under a pen name? And is this a black mark against us if the book didn’t sell well (due to lack of promotion)?First I would make sure the question is - are you previously published - or is this book you are querying previously published - because the first isn’t a black mark but the second generally can be
Literary Agent
Christina @NutshellWriter
@annmrose Enjoying reading this Q&A. What’s the best type of first para for a query. I’ve read start w hook n start w other things.The best query is a professional one that highlights your project in the best way possible.
Meaning there is no right or wrong or best or worst just what’s best for you.
Follow your gut.
Literary Agent
Anna-Roisin Ullman-Smith @ullmansmith432
@annmrose If an agent website lists no agents who are interested in NA is it a safe bet to send an NA manuscript to a YA interested agent? Thank you.YA and NA are two different audiences. So I think the better question would be, is my MS for teen or for adults? And then adjust accordingly.
Literary Agent
rick polito #amquerying COMA BOY, #TBI @thatpolitoguy
@annmrose Agents are asking for neurodiverse creators. I’m a high-functioning traumatic brain injury survivor. Do I risk offending an agent by claiming to be neurodivergent? I have a YA mystery about a #TBI survivor.No. I don’t think this would offend agents.
Literary Agent
KC Cowan is revising @KCcowanartgal
@annmrose how many queries do you get on average per week? How do you keep up?Right now I’m averaging 15 a day so I guess that means (attempts math) 105 a week.
And right now I’m woefully behind still having a few from November so as for keeping up I’m not doing well. 🫣
Literary Agent
Kelly Mangan (She/Her) 🏳️🌈 @KellyAMangan
@annmrose If one has DVPit likes from editors who accept only agented submissions, is this something we should mention in query letters to agents? Or does that seem amateurish, since it’s a guarantee of nothing?It doesn’t hurt to mention it. I don’t think it necessarily will sway an agent but having all available information is nice. ❤️
Literary Agent
Jane Pantsuit @JanePantsuit
@annmrose What is the number one thing that in a good query leads you to saying no?If I have something on my list that is too close to the concept of the pitched project.
Literary Agent
Raquel Valldeperas @RJValldeperas
@annmrose If an agent asks for a full as one is in the middle of heavy revisions, should one wait to send the full until revisions are complete, or send the pre-revised version and make the agent aware of possible revisions?I think communication is key. Let the agent know you are working on reversions and that you will send once complete. Especially if you think those revisions will strengthen the MS.