Danielle Chiotti

A thousand different agents might give you a thousand different answers on this. For me, I always try to respond. It's not always timely, but I try! #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Angie Hawkins @th_littlebirdie

#AskUpstart if you really liked the writing of a submitted piece but it was too close to something you already had, would you ask for other/more mss or decline and move on?

Replying to @th_littlebirdie

I would likely invite the writer to query any future works. #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Rebecca R. Cohen @RebeccaRCohen2

@susanhawk @UpstartCrowLit What is the key to hooking an agent? What stories really catch your eye? #askUpstart #askmeanything

Replying to @RebeccaRCohen2

Write a fantastic manuscript, and pair it with a clear, concise query. I never know exactly what I'm looking for when I open the query box, but I'm always ready to be wowed. #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito

I’m planning to query agents in batches—6 to 7 at a time. If I don’t get any interest from those 6 or 7, should I consider a revision? What’s your take? #askupstart

Replying to @maureenmirabito

If the comments from agents call out the same issues in the novel, then it's worth considering a revision. Otherwise, get it out as widely as you can! #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Michael Stearns @mikalroy

What “trends” do you see growing or waning nowadays? Or is it utterly foolish to speak of trends at all? #AskUpstart

Replying to @mikalroy

Lately, I find myself dealing less in trends and more in: does this story surprise and delight me? I want to be surprised and delighted. #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Danielle Chiotti @daniellechiotti

@mikalroy @th_littlebirdie The barn was very large. It was very old. It smelled of hay and it smelled of
manure. It smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath
of patient cows. It often had a sort of peaceful smell as though nothing bad could
happen ever again in the world.

Replying to @daniellechiotti

Charlotte's Web. Every darn time. #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito

If I’ve queried you and need to remove olives and mermaids and how much my character hates her new town from the story, how long should I wait to try again? #AskUpstart

Replying to @maureenmirabito

If you have something fresh and new, why not try now? #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Lynn Rogalsky 💻 @lynn_rog

I know it depends on the genre and individual story, but are short chapters in MG/upper MG acceptable, say 200-500 words? Is there a norm? Thanks.
#AskUpstart

Replying to @lynn_rog

You're right that every story is different, but that sounds rather short for chapters in MG/Upper MG. But if it works for the story, go with it! #AskUpstart

· 9 Apr 2019

Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito

If this query landed on your screen today, and you said, “I have been waiting my entire career for this!” what would it say? #askupstart

Replying to @maureenmirabito

Oh gosh, that's so hard to say. I often don't know it until I see it, which is why I try to get into the query box as often as I can. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

Who in your agency is best fit for adult science fiction? Thanks. #askupstart

Replying to @anuponthenet

To the best of my knowledge, none of us reps adult sci-fi at this time. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Elizabeth Toth (Stoever) @Stoeverit

#AskUpstart What are the most common types (or examples) of revisions you do with debut authors? Pacing, char development, improving the ending? Thx!

Replying to @Stoeverit

All of the above! Every novel is different, but pacing in the first act is key, and I often spend a lot of time there with debut clients. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Adam Blackman @Adamdbgood

#AskUpstart If a pitch is liked during a Twitter event, when should one submit a query? That day? Within the week? Does it matter as long as the *heart* is referenced in the query letter? (Thanks for offering this Q&A!)

Replying to @Adamdbgood

It's appropriate to send whenever the query and project are ready to go. If you're ready now, great! If not, it's ok to wait. Also: always research who "hearts" your pitch! #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Khadijah L. VanBrakle 🇨🇦 @LVanBrakle

Is there anything specific that you want authors who query one of you to know? Something we can't find out from social media. #askupstart

Replying to @LVanBrakle

From a personal standpoint: I love stories with lots of emotional layering. And I quickly jump down to the writing sample so I can read to get a sense of that. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Khadijah L. VanBrakle 🇨🇦 @LVanBrakle

Is there anything specific that you want authors who query one of you to know? Something we can't find out from social media. #askupstart

Replying to @LVanBrakle

From a technical query standpoint: I love brief queries with a clear hook. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Cara Liebowitz @spazgirl11

If you're unclear on the feedback an agent offers on your full, is it appropriate to email back and ask for clarification? I often find when agents offer feedback I'm not entirely sure what they mean. #askupstart

Replying to @spazgirl11

A good question, and I'm sure this is difficult for writers. Unless I'm requesting a revise and resubmit, time does not typically allow for me to respond in more detail about why I'm passing. #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

Faaiza @modestmunchies

I have a cookbook proposal I'd like to submit. Should I paste the first 20 pages into the email with my query or just send a query and wait for a proposal request? #AskUpstart

Replying to @modestmunchies

I always like to see sample proposal pages with cookbook queries. So yes, include pages, please! #AskUpstart

· 7 Nov 2018

PJ McIlvaine @PJMcIlvaine

#askupstart When you like a pitch at a pitch event does that get priority over other pitches in the inbox?

Replying to @PJMcIlvaine

I typically review queries in the order in which they were received. #AskUpstart

@daniellechiotti

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