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
Ambrielle Butler @AJButlerWriting
@annmrose How do agents feel about authors who are wanting to write across genres? Is that a dealbreaker?Not at all. The trick sometimes is finding an agent that does all those genres. Sometimes that also means having multiple agents. But it's not impossible.
Literary Agent
David Clark @Ricevillage
@annmrose I have a novel ms. I'm convinced is little like any other, so no comps I can determine. Does this mean it will be a marketing disaster?How so? A book in any genre will adhere to those conventions--romances have a HEA or HFN, a mystery will always have, well, a mystery to solve etc. So how is it different from all the other books it would sit next to on the shelf? It can't sit on it's very own shelf.
Literary Agent
Mire Marke @MireMarke
@annmrose Hi!! Is it concerning if an agent takes a long time with a full? I’ve been told that agents know pretty quickly into an ms if they love it or not. It scares me when I see an agent offered days after getting the full when I’ve got quite a few out for some time nowI don't think so. It's about bandwidth more than anything. Sometimes they really WANT to read it but they just haven't had the time. I wouldn't let length of time indicate excitement about a project. We all only have so many hours a day, and we are doing our best.
Literary Agent
Carly C'de Baca @carlycdebaca
@annmrose I heard a lot of agents don’t even look at the pages requested and go solely off the query. I understand the importance of a solid query, but what if that’s a struggle whereas the pages shine way brighter and they never give them a chance?This is always challenging for sure. All I can say is that if it's something I rep, I always look at pages because I know how hard that query is. I would only not read pages if it is clearly something I've stated I do not rep--screen plays, memoir, picture books...
Literary Agent
Christiana Doucette @doucette515
@annmrose How do you feel about middle grade novel-in-verse?I'm totally open to it. I love novels in verse.
Literary Agent
ᗩᖇTY (Taylor's version) @CuriousArtemis
@annmrose Thanks for doing this! 😊💗1. Are you seeing any sub-genre trends in adult fantasy? 2. Can crossover go from adult to YA or is that not a thing?Aside from fantasy all starting with some kind of chase scene (or running) recently, I can't think of any trends.
Yes, I think crossover can mean both ways. YA to adult or vice versa.
Literary Agent
Rebecca Weber @RWeberWrites
@annmrose If an author publishes their debut with a micro press, would agents see the debut as a pro or con to signing a future work?It just means you aren't necessarily a "debut" anymore is all. So it just means a different approach will be needed.
Literary Agent
erin @erin_go_lightly
@annmrose Should a new writer look for agents w successful, big-name clients, or would they get lost in the shuffle? Versus a newer agent / smaller agency with less clients and therefore more time to focus on you? (Con: they don't have best-sellers or big names on their resumes). Thanks!Like you said there are pros and cons to both. The best thing is to find the right person for you and your book. Sometimes that is a new eager agent where you get to be the big fish in their small pond. Sometimes that's a bigger agent and you are a little fish.
Literary Agent
Kelsey Knowles 🏳️🌈 @_Kelsey_Knowles
@annmrose When you request a full, about what % of those get an offer of rep? I know it varies from agent to agent.PS: Queried you in November and hoping to hear back soon 😊💕
My goal is to try to keep those statistics this year. I have no way of knowing at this point since we don't use Query Manager which does all that wonderful math for you.
Literary Agent
Heidi Nickerson @HeidiANickerson
@annmrose Thanks for hosting this! Obviously this can vary, but do you and/or Prospect Agency have a standard timeframe for reviewing queries? I couldn’t find a specific timeframe on the agency’s submission page.It's buried on our FAQ page... basically it is 3 months.
You aren't the first who couldn't find it though, so no worries. ❤️
Literary Agent
Michael Gilroy is querying @VanguardsMike
@annmrose How long does it take you to get through a standard query, and how many can you do in a normal day? (I know this’ll vary from person to person, but I’m still curious)On average I spend 40 hours a month going through queries. So an entire work week is basically just this on top of all the other things I do.
Literary Agent
🌋❄N.K. Valek🌱🌌 (she/her) @AfterEpilogue
@annmrose What is your recommendation for querying with a debut book that is also a first in the series?For instance, what to say in the query letter?
My recommendation is to make sure it stands alone. When querying a series you aren't saying I am hopeful you can sell this one book, you are saying I'm hoping you can sell ALL OF THESE BOOKS--and that is a huge ask.
So 'stand alone with series potential' is best.
Literary Agent
David Neuner @david_neuner
@annmrose Thank you so much for offering your time for an #askagent a session.What advice do you have for querying after the holidays when many agents are reopening to querying? Is this a bad time or a good time to query?
The best time to query is when your project is ready. If the agent is open, send it, and they will get to it when they can. There is no way to predict the exact right moment to query any one agent.
Literary Agent
Judith L Webster @JudithLWebster
@annmrose Do you expect manuscripts to be “90% polished” (I keep hearing this expectation on podcasts) when they first come to you? Or are you looking for the hook and storyline to grab your attention since it will go through professional editing anyways?I expect it to be the best you can make it, and formatted correctly.
If it's full of spelling and grammar issues that is a red flag. But a "of" instead of "for" here or there isn't a make it or break it.
Literary Agent
Zach Humphrey @Blueslushie92
@annmrose Hi! Do you recommend a certain way of applying to agents in batches? I’ve heard to only do batches of 10-15 and not do your top ones at first to leave potential for revisionsI've heard those things too. You just have to do what works for you. Just remember to notify everyone--even agents who just have a query--if you get an offer of representation.
Literary Agent
sjkrandall @sjkrandall1
@annmrose Is there any benefit to self published authors having an agent? I have seen many wondering this.If you want to get your (unpublished) work in front of traditional editors, yes. Or if you are looking for ways to execute your subrights--foreign, audio, film, etc...
Literary Agent
Stephanie (Lupo) Henson @stepha_henson
@annmrose I’m also wondering about querying you again. It’s been a year and the manuscript is completely updated. Thanks.I'm always open to revisiting a heavily revised MS. Sometimes it's a pass because it's not ready yet, and now maybe it is
Literary Agent
Lisa Dunn @AuthorLisaDunn
@annmrose I'm generally 100% 12pt. Times New Roman, but I'm using two different fonts to get "in character" for a dual POV epistolary novel. (If it makes a difference, the letters are supposed to be handwritten.) When I start querying, should I switch the whole MS to TNR?For readability it makes sense to do it all in the same font.
Literary Agent
Valeriya Salt @LSalt1
@annmrose Thank you for doing this!! How long does it take for an agent to sell a MS to a publisher (on average)? Also, after how many months can I chase an agent who asked to R&R? How often do an agent say “no” after requesting R&R?Timing varies so there is no way to answer that question with any kind of true number. Sometimes weeks sometimes months to years. The trick is finding someone who isn't willing to give up after one round.
I think 3 months is reasonable to nudge, but don't be surprised if they...
Literary Agent
J.W. Martin @jDubMartin
@annmrose @LRyan_Storms In a query, do you want a paragraph about the writer if there are no writing creds to include?YES! I want to know about you! I don't care if you don't have writing creds? What inspired you to write this book? Do you have a cat? What's your favorite kind of pie? Just show me who you are. Those are my favorite kinds of bios. ❤️