Hannah VanVels
Literary Agent
Belcastro Agency
📚 Literary Agent @belcastr | Editor | Writer | #RevPit | Devoted German shepherd & cat mom | Amateur baker | Sparkling water enthusiast | she/her ✏️
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Amy Giuffrida @kissedbyink
It all depends on the amount of reading we currently have to do--and client work that needs attention. I know it's difficult to wait, but we want to give the time to everyone's submissions and that sometimes takes longer.#askagent twitter.com/kristimcmanus/…
Also important to note to really try not to read into the length it takes. Sometimes I've responded right away to stuff I've loved and other times I've taken a while. Ahem. 😅 #askagent
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Brianna Sinder @BriannaSinder
@hannahvanvels Would you include this in your response and give the author a second chance in the future then?I make it clear if I am asking for an R&R or not. Important to note: when I pass on a project, I am only passing on a project, not the author! The author can submit another project when they are ready! #askagent
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LivMacy @MacyLiv
@hannahvanvels As a follow up to this question, are you talking about arcs and plot etc? Because I thought publishers also do editting so I’m wondering what the different editting quality an agent vs a publisher would like to see in the MS.Your ms is going to go through a TON of editing! When I was an editor at a house, I often did 3-4 rounds of editing with my authors. I know their agents did several rounds with them too. You always want to submit your best and most edited work and be prepared to do more #askagent
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Marzieh Abbas @Marzieh_Author
@hannahvanvels When an agent says: i like the concept but your story goes like- this happens and then this happens and then that happens, how can you jazz it up? Do they mean there isnt a compelling enough problem the MC has to solve?#askagent
Okay wow I have totally given this feedback before. This means to work on your writing! This is the space where you get to make ART! Play w/ your figurative language, your sentence structure, your red herrings. This is where you get to show that u've got writing chops! #askagent
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Tristram @TristramAugust
@hannahvanvels When a query asks for the first pages of a manuscript, does that typically exclude the prologue?#askagent
First pages include the prologue. Prologues can be very polarizing. A lot of agents do not like prologues because they are so often not done very well. I love prologues, but make sure you do them right! #askagent
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LivMacy @MacyLiv
@hannahvanvels So the agent definitely has to connect? Why? What if they don’t like the story, but know it’s something that would sell. (Is that something that even happens?)#askagent
Your agent is going to read your story over and over and over, especially the more editorial agents. 👋 If something isn't quite up their alley, a lot of agents will forward to a colleague who will be a better champion of the work! #askagent
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Francesca Tacchi @jackdaw_writes
@hannahvanvels What are the most common mistakes you find in queries?(ALSO YOUR DOGGO IS THE CUTEST ASSISTANT EVER 😭❤️❤️❤️)
My assistant says thank you. There is a good chance that he has nose booped most queries that I've received. Always follow submission guidelines. Make sure your query is your query and not your synopsis. Make sure that you include comps! #askagent
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Joanna Syrom @JSyrom
@hannahvanvels In a query letter, do you think it's better to start with the MC and the story and then mention the genre, category and word count at the end OR the other way around?I think it's great to start with a HOOK! What's a 1-2 sentence snapshot that is going to make me go, "Must read this!" #askagent
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WBWrites @WbWrites
@hannahvanvels I've found I don't know how much to say about *myself* in a query letter, and it seems like different agents want different things. What is essential?This should just be a few sentences. Include any past writing credits if you've got them, the area that you live, and anything else that makes you uniquely you. Agents understand if you haven't published anything before so don't sweat this part! #askagent
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LivMacy @MacyLiv
@hannahvanvels I definitely want to know the “how to snag an agent’s attention from a writing sample,” answer.Besides voice, what else does an agent look for? Is it overall marketability? How much *they* personally connect?
#askagent
First is voice and connection with the story. Second is marketability. What are the comps? How are they selling? I like to get a feel of who the MC is, what the main thrust of the plot is, and a sense of the writing style! #askagent
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Cameron Witt @Cameron_Witt_
@hannahvanvels Hello Hannah! I have a question! When you request partials, what's the most common reason you won't later request a full for the same manuscript? Thanks! #askagentGreat q! The most common reason is that the writing isn't QUITE where I'd like it to be yet. It totes has potential (otherwise I wouldn't have requested the partial) but could usually benefit from a solid edit. Make use of CPs and betas! #askagent