Beth Phelan
Literary Agent
Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
Literary Agent
Kristal McKerrington @K_McKerrington
@beth_phelan #askbeth would you want to see a dystopian ya in your inbox?Depends what it is. I’m always open to considering all my queries
Literary Agent
Dvorah ~ #1 Yennefer fan 🖤⭐🖤 @GoldenSong012
@beth_phelan #askbeth is low word count (65-70k on an adult fantasy) problem enough for an auto-reject on a query for most agents, even if you're otherwise interested?I think it can be tough because publishers and readers expect longer fantasies with big worlds but i am a firm believer that it always depends on the book
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
trish is fine @trishwithapen
@beth_phelan #askbeth has Coronavirus changed the way you evaluate queries? If so how?i'm still as behind on queries as always LOL
but really also, still peeking in looking for that spark :)
Literary Agent
Dr. Barbara | Historical Advisor @adoptanovel
@beth_phelan What are the BIG trends that you're foreseeing (or seeing) in near future? (fiction, I mean)trends are so impossible (at least for the skeptic in me who always thinks "you never know") but i do wonder if we as a society will want even more happy things or perhaps even virtual-centered stories... but i think it always depends on the book itself. we break trends
Literary Agent
Monica Ann Lauscher @MonicaLauscher
@beth_phelan @GalltZackerLit #askbeth Which is better for an unpublished pb author, a website or a blog?i say website if you consider it an either/or situation
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Hannah V. Sawyerr @HannSawyerr
@beth_phelan Any advice on querying (or not querying) an agent if your work isn’t currently on their wishlist but you write work that is similar to authors they represent? #AskBeththe wishlist is only a snippet! it's SOME of what we're looking for in that one moment of time, but not the ONLY stuff we're looking for. we still want to be surprised, so go for it! (as long as it's in the categories/genres we actually rep)
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Rachel Cantor @rachelcantor
@beth_phelan Is now a great or absolutely terrible, obnoxious, what-are-you-thinking time to query agents? #askagenti feel like it's different for everyone depending on their unique situations.. :/
Literary Agent
Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen
@beth_phelan #askbeth Are there any plans to add a mentorship component to DevPit?there are! we have lots of plans in the coming years to expand what dvpit does and what we offer. just not sure the timeline yet!
Literary Agent
Huma Yasin @htyasin
@beth_phelan If an author is planning on having an interactive website to pair with their ANF, is it a better idea to have that up and running pre-query or to wait until it’s been picked up? #AskBethi think it's safe to wait before getting into all those complex designs
Literary Agent
Sadiyah Bashir @idabwellin
@beth_phelan What is the best way(s) for a poet to query an agent? #AskBethoh this is a tough one bc i am so removed from that part of the industry but i am pretty sure pw.org has a lit agents database that you can sort by poetry? and then query per their specific submission guidelines (typically sending an email)
Literary Agent
MichaelJWriting @MichaelJWriting
@beth_phelan #AskBeth What is your opinion of a debut writer getting their book edited before querying you?i don't have an opinion bc it depends on the writer's situation EXCEPT to say that it is not a mandatory thing to do before querying. if you have the means and it makes sense to you, then go for it. if you feel like you're "supposed to" or else can't query until you do -- nope
Literary Agent
Kaylynn Nelson @NelsonKaylynn
@beth_phelan I heard a popular agent being interviewed in a writing podcast say that YA epic fantasy is an over flooded market, but YA contemporary fantasy is more in demand. Do you think that’s true?I think a lot of things feel saturated and we’re always looking for something that feels fresh! It varies but i wouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. It always depends on the book.
Literary Agent
Sammie Trinidad @TrinidadSammie
@beth_phelan What are the biggest “eye roll” cliche questions you get from aspiring authors?I don’t think there are many eye roll-y ones specific to aspiring authors, it’s more that some authors (aspiring or not) ask questions they can find answers to on google or ask problematic diversity questions haha
Literary Agent
Amy lying in wait @AC_Burrell
@beth_phelan Do you think that the #Ownvoices phenomenon is primarily interested in hearing about minority hardship/struggle/ pain? Do you think there is room for #Ownvoices "normality?" Or #Ownvoices stories that don't center the #Ownvoices?Yes and I’ve sold these and feel editors and readers are interested in an array of experiences
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Candice Jarrett @CandiceJarrett
@beth_phelan Yay! Thanks for this ♥️ What do you think is the ideal word count range for YA Paranormal Thriller? I'm currently at 55K but still #amediting. I imagine I'll end up a few thousand words more but under 60K.Also, what is your favorite book cover of all time? Or top 3?
#askbeth
Typically i think those are more like 80k but it depends what serves the story best
Literary Agent
Noreen @naziaso
@beth_phelan If you query do u still CNR? Or no respons is rejection? #askagentI’m trying my best lol but def cross me off if you have been waiting too long and i deserve that! Don’t wanna hold anyone up