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

Kunoichi | ∞ #BLM @Infinitii_FGC

I’ve had people suggest putting social media following in query letters. Do you think it is worth mentioning?

If so, does it influence your decision for rep? #askPSLA
Replying to @Infinitii_FGC

It's much more important for a nonfiction project, but it never hurts to include links to your social media handles in your signature. I wouldn't make it the focal point of your query, though. #askPSLA

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

Eilene Spear @EileneSpear

Ok, last one! Is there a way to signal that you are open to input/feedback in a query, or is that just assumed? Like, I’d be the best client ever! Similarly, is like, background helpful or just annoying? Like, my first draft was 120,000 words and I cut it down to 85k? #askPSLA
Replying to @EileneSpear

Before opening representation, I have a phone call with the author & talk through changes I'm suggesting. That's a good time to be honest about whether you're willing to make changes or not. I don't necessarily think you need the background info in a query. #askPSLA

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

Jessica Ungeheuer @phoenixfire110

#askPSLA

I was curious on your thoughts on pages...Your agency submission guidelines only mention submitting the query but no pages. Do you find the query is enough to get an idea of the author's voice & story?
Replying to @phoenixfire110

In general, the query letter is enough for me to decide whether I'm interested in it enough to read pages. Bonus tip: it's really helpful when you include comp titles in your query, as that can really draw me in #askPSLA

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