Claire Harris

Literary Agent

P.S. Literary Agency

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Reem Khaleel @reemkhaleel97

#askPSLA What is your favorite part of agenting or working with your clients on submission?
Replying to @reemkhaleel97

This is hard because there are so many things to love! Here's a brief list:
- reading the ms for the first time (🥰)
- writing a pitch letter
- creating submission list
- sharing good news with a client
- sharing good news with an editor

Only hard part is rejection... #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Lynn McPherson @CozyMysteryLynn

How long do agents usually take to decide if they are interested once they’ve requested a full manuscript? #askPSLA
Replying to @CozyMysteryLynn

Once I've requested more, I try to be quick about it. However, it also depends on what is on my plate already from my existing clients. A client's work will always take priority, but I do prioritize full manuscripts from queries as much as I'm able to. #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Steffi is a PitchWars Hopeful @clumsiesteffi

Should writers send a nudge after not hearing back? My research has come up with “Yes! Do the thing!” and “No! If you don’t hear back it’s a no! Don’t be unprofessional!” So it’s a bit of a range there...

#askPSLA
Replying to @clumsiesteffi

Take a look at the agency website for guidelines. Some agencies will say not to nudge or that no response means it's a pass after a certain amount of time. If you do decide to nudge, it helps if you have a reason (i.e. other interest, a new development, etc.) #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

🦄 Cap'n🌈 Cal 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (but scary) @WriterRaptor

#askPSLA if an agent accepts my adult fantasy, and then I write MG which they don't rep, do I need to find another agent? Do I come back to the 1st if book 3 is another adult?
Replying to @WriterRaptor

You should discuss with your agent because they might have a recommendation for someone at their agency who DOES rep your new genre. If not, they might suggest you part ways--and maybe they'll recommend another agent they know so you don't start from scratch. #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Kathryn Faye @KathrynFaye007

Do you recommend saying, in your queries, that you separated amicably from your agent & are writing in a different genre? Or do agents want to hear about that later? #askPSLA
Replying to @KathrynFaye007

Personally, I find it helpful to know if you were represented previously (especially if you've already published books with an agent). You don't need to get into details in the query--you can discuss circumstances later on once you have a phone call with the new agent. #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Cheryl Reed @AuthrCherylReed

@claire_m_harris What is your ideal work relationship with an author? #askpsla
Replying to @AuthrCherylReed

I like to be very open with my clients. If they have questions, I want them to feel comfortable coming to talk to me. Another major point is that they need to trust me--the relationship won't work if there's not trust and mutual respect. And ideally we hit it off, too! #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Vanessa Potions #BLM 🍁 @vanessaepeay

@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris For the synopsis an agent requires it's supposed to be 1 page correct? And reveals everything that happens in the book? #askPSLA
Replying to @vanessaepeay

I like them to be roughly one page and to tell me what happens in the book, yes. If there's a major twist that you don't want to spoil, I'm fine with hinting at it. But I need to know the basics of the plot and it's better to keep it at roughly 1 page in my opinion. #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Emily🎃 @emholyoakauthor

Advice for when you get full requests but they ultimately reject? #askPSLA
Replying to @emholyoakauthor

It's definitely tough, but don't take it personally. To take on a project, we need to be head over heels in love with it. It could've been a close call, and there will likely be someone else out there who *does* fall in love with it. Keep your head up and keep querying! #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Lif Strand wrote Evolution Device @fasterhorses

@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris Claire: Are you caught up on your queries? Should I assume if I got no response and it's now been two months that you aren't interested? #askPSLA
Replying to @fasterhorses

To be honest, I'm still working my way through queries from the beginning of September 🙈 Working on getting caught up. I like to keep everyone informed via tweet, so keep an eye on my twitter for updates on what query date I'm up to! #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Brooke Carter @thebrookecarter

Hi, thanks for doing this! A two-parter: do you sign clients based purely on the project they’re pitching? Or overall career/backlist?

And when you work with clients do you help them decide which new projects to pursue? #askPSLA
Replying to @thebrookecarter

My interest generally starts with the project they're pitching, but most agents (me included) want to rep authors for their entire career, so that's really important, as well. Personally, I like being involved in helping my clients decide which ideas to pursue. #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Cara Stout @CaraFoshizzle

What makes you fall in love with a manuscript enough to off rep? #askPSLA
Replying to @CaraFoshizzle

I love this question--and there are so many answers! For me, it's:
- great writing
- characters I can't get enough of
- interesting plot
- genre I'm interested in
- feels fresh (can be a classic trope, but shouldn't feel stale)

Could go on forever! #askPSLA

Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent

Catherine Burgess @GattaScrive

Several articles and people suggest writers should query 80-100 agents, but that they should all be agents you have extensively researched and thought you would be a good fit for each other. What advice would you have to balance these two seemingly opposing ideas? #askPSLA
Replying to @GattaScrive

I recommend researching agents before submitting to them, but make that wishlist and prioritize. To make it a little less overwhelming, you could submit to agents in waves. Also, keep in mind you might not know if an agent is really a good fit until you speak with them. #askPSLA