Cecilia Lyra

Literary Agent

P.S. Literary Agency

Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Thalia Miller @tmillerwrites10

What’s the best way to find comps? Whenever I search for suspense, I get thrillers and murder mysteries. I’m tempted to just classify my genre as women’s fiction but that seems so vague. #askPSLA

The trick to comps is understanding the intersectionality in your work β€” the X meets Y. The best way is to read voraciously in that genre (which you should be doing anyway since you're writing in it) and find common denominators within these works that apply to yours. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Jes Kingsley @JesKingsley

When you ask for a revision from an authour before considering offering representation, what usually signals you to offer or step aside once you receive the revision? #askPSLA

Hum, probably how well they were able to incorporate the notes in the new version. Editing= patience and discipline. It can be tempting to send it out before it's ready to see how the agent feels (maybe they can help you?). But polishing the work is the writer's job. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Gabriella Brianna @gabrielbrianahs

What are some red flags that a manuscript is too much work to take on? #askPSLA

The #1 reason why I pass on queries is because the writing on a line level just isn't there. I can offer guidance on a lot β€” but not writing.

In that sense, the biggest red flag is someone who hasn't done the work that it takes to edit, revise, and polish their pages. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Paula Chapman @Pchapmanauthor

#askPSLA
Do you prefer writers stick to the "formula" for query writing, or be themselves, including exceeding the recommended 300-word limit?

My advice is to stick to the traditional 'formula' β€”Β  we should be wowed by the originality and creativity in your pages, not your query.

That being said, it's a personal choice. I'm sure there are cases of people who did it differently and had success.

#askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Andrea Green Burton @ALGauthor

#AskPSLA Is there typically a correlation between how quickly agents respond to queries and whether it's a request or a pass?

Speaking for myself, no. My speed in getting back to #amquerying writers has more to do with how much I have on my plate that week. I feel like this is probably true for most agents. We're honored when you query us and wish we could respond super fast to all!

#askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Vivsbiggestfan @Vivsbiggestfan1

#askPSLA thank you PSLA! Would you please offer one or two things you love to see in a synopsis and one or two things that make you crazy?

I like brevity (one page is ideal!) and clarity (e.g. using all caps when introducing a new character). Oh, and I love it when writers justify margins (I'm weird, I know).

I dislike run-on sentences. And wacky fonts. Please spare me the wacky fonts! #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

Do you ever ask writers questions when you request a partial/full? Such as, if you think a revision could be beneficial, do you feel out the writer?
#askPSLA

Do you mean when we turn down a partial/full? If so, sometimes we respond with an R&R β€” or revise and resubmit. It's not common, but it does happen! It depends on many variables. (Sorry if I misunderstood your question.)
#askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

Does anyone in your agency, or all of you, respond to all queries? Or only those you are interested in? I thought I heard Carly mention recently in a talk she gave that she responds to all, so I’m just curious. #askPSLA

My sense is that all agents follow this rule: "if you don’t receive a request for further material within 4-6 weeks it means a no from the agency."

We do respond with a yes or no after having requested materials (e.g. partials or fulls).

#askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

Ok, my big question...how do you feel about fiction with Covid in the background? Is it ok? Or, if it’s not a pandemic book, not playing a major role, do you say cut it out? #askPSLA

A caveat: it's your story and your call. You are the goddess of the wonderful world you createβ€”no opinion is more important than your own.

My two cents: we're not ready for COVID-19 in fiction. I think we will be in a few years, but it's too raw, too present. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Robyn Michaels @RobynMichaels9

#askPSLA Do you have a preferred query formula?

Great question! ☺️ I like the book + hook + cook formula.

The PSLA website has a helpful breakdown of what each paragraph should contain. e.g. 1st paragraph "title and category of your work (...), an estimated word count and a brief, general introduction." #askPSLA