Hannah VanVels

You can withdraw and resubmit if you'd like! We want your best work. #askCLA #askagent

Fun question! I get starstruck by virtually every author I ever stand in a signing line for. Sometimes even when I get to meet my OWN authors in person, I'm like, "so um... do u want to sign your book for me?" #AskCLA #askagent

Don’t tell the entire story. Stick to the events of the main plot and skip subplots if needed. Don’t obsess over every detail. If it furthers the plot between crucial moments, include it. Otherwise, save the excess for the book itself. #askagent #askCLA

Nah, I don't think it's a dead zone. It's better pitched as adult instead of new adult, and the Magicians is a great comp. The key will be to make sure that your multiverse doesn't come off as overly complicated! Keep it accessible! #askagent #askCLA

Either is fine! Nothing is ever wrong with a thank you. :) #askagent #askCLA

I would say that living in Ireland is a fun fact about you! What do you do in your free time besides writing? #askagent #askCLA

Oh I also meant to add that I'm looking for your best work! I hope that you've gone through a few rounds of edits and revisions, worked with beta readers and maybe CPs. Am I looking for perfect? Nope. But I am looking for effort and time invested! #askagent #askCLA

I'm hugely editorial. Before agenting, I was an acquiring editor at a house, and these days I also freelance edit. LOVE the editorial process. #askagent #askCLA

Mention it has series potential or is first in a planned series. Focus your materials on that first book. Query and synopsis should be all about that first book as if it is a standalone. #askagent #askCLA

Mention that it's dual POV in your query. Your synopsis might remain largely the same since you don't want to editorialize your synopsis too much. No need for the "in this chapter, then this happens." Synopsis should just be a summary of your story! #askagent #askCLA

I've been seeing a ton more, buuuut I think that's because I've been asking for them! I need the distraction and the words and to sometimes pretend the world is normal right now. #askagent #askCLA

We are still pitching but being a little more selective than normal. Making sure that things are really ready to pitch since focus (my own focus included!) has been all over the place! #askagent #askCLA

I'd go with contemporary with a touch of magic. #askagent #askCLA

We are usually good with re-pitching if you've made through edits! Make a note of it in your query letter. We love to see author growth. #askagent #askCLA

I love working with debut authors! We all acknowledge that lots of authors have day jobs, so you can include a fun fact about yourself, where you live, etc. Any professional memberships you are a part of? #askagent #askCLA

I LOVE morally gray and unlikeable characters!!!!! One of my favorite tropes! #askagent #askCLA

Absolutely! I love chick lit of all ages! #askagent #askCLA

Superheroes have been a harder sell lately and have been dominated by Marvel and DC, but Marie Lu is still going strong, for example! I am a firm believer that trends always come around. We're not taking pitches today, but we are all open to queries right now! #askagent #askCLA

This is fairly long for YA SF. Try to:
-cut filter words
-check your dialogue tags and adverbs and cut where you can
-check your scenes. Ax scenes that don’t move the plot forward
-beware info dumps!

#askagent #askCLA

Great Q! I'm looking for your HOOK in that first chapter. Your hook should:
1. Introduce MC
2. establish MCs everyday life (stakes!)
3. kick off the forward momentum of your plot

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