Literary Agent
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Alex Wholey @alex_wholey
In terms of rom coms, are you looking for a particular theme or setting? #AskAgentI'm looking for well rounded, great characters with a real problem in front of them in a story rather than particular themes and settings. Having said that settings are important in romcom, quirky is good and familiar settings equally good. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Amy Doust @ascdoust
Hi @katenashagent when agents say they read every sub, do they always read at least the first page or do you pass over some/many at the letter stage? #askagent Thanks!It does vary from agent to agent. I tend to pay more attention to the writing first and only close attention to the letter second. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Richard @RichYorks
#AskAgent - On mixing genres: I am finishing off, second rewrite, a near future thriller and have concerns about mixing up genres. Any advice on how best to query and pitch this?My advice would be to decide which is the "lead" genre and which is the secondary "genre", i.e. is it a futuristic thriller or a thrilling SF. But at the same time don't be afraid to say it is a crossover in your submission if it really is. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Robbie Guillory @RobbieGuillory
@LauraGomezBooks Our submissions have been closed for a few months but are now open again! We'd love to see more psychological thrillers, more fantastic crime (I'd love some gangland), more romcoms!#AskAgent
Certainly we're always on the look out for crime and thrillers. It's the UK's biggest genre and so we can never have enough submissions here. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Helen Ward @writtenbyhelen
#AskAgent Is there a specific way you like to see cover letters written out? Do you prefer to have the author bio at the top or further down?We have some suggestions of what we would like to see in your covering letter (see link below). In terms of the order, my only "wish" is to see that one line elevator pitch at the start. #AskAgent katenashlit.co.uk/submissions/
Literary Agent
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Tim Bisset @timbisset
#askagent Hi, will you be doing another trends survey in 2021, and what do you think the key genres/trends will be in fiction in 2021?Good question. Yes, I really hope we'll be able to update our trends survey. A huge range of fiction is booming in popularity at the moment across all the main genres. I am wondering - with Bridgerton on Netflix - will the Regency romance make a comeback? #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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David Simpson @simpson_M_88
#askagent My unfinished manuscript ‘Navdeep’ was an unsuccessful entry to your mentorship programme last year. I wondered if you may have remembered it and have any feedback, but mainly, if as an agent you would always prefer a complete manuscript? Many thanks 👍We'd always prefer a completed novel manuscript.
I am afraid we had over 300 submissions to our mentorship programme and so were unable to give individual feedback. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Keith A Pearson @keithapearson
#askagentQ: How far in advance of a manuscript being completed can an author seek representation?
For context, I'm planning to complete my twelfth novel by May but I was hoping to pitch it before then.
Thanks.
For fiction we ask for the whole novel to be completed before submitting but as an established author we'd be happy for you to approach us with a sample and synopsis. For non-fiction we can consider a sample. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Cate Green @saracategreen
@katenashagent This is so insightful and useful. I now have an agent😀 but it would have been wonderful if earlier rejections had included this kind of short feedback. Would that be feasible generally? Asking for the #WritingCommunityAn agent looking at submissions is like scrolling through Netflix. Some stuff grabs you, you engage, find out more. Other stuff no, scroll on.
Subs I read diligently I will include a line of feedback. But those simply "not my subject" I can't. It's just "not for me". #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Samya Mitra @MrSamyaMitra
What are the differences between US and UK query letters? What are the components and their sequence in a UK letter? Can you please provide an ideal UK query letter for a literary novel? #AskAgentI don't know what is standard in the US but for the UK it only needs to be a short letter introducing the writer with a paragraph or two (blurb) introducing the book. Mentioning the genre and where it might sit in the market is also very helpful. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Ben Edge @bnedge
#AskAgent What genres don’t you get a lot of submissions for that you feel you’d love to get more of?Romcoms!
Detectives (amateur or pro)!
Historical adventure (lots of battle scenes please)! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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E.S. Alexander @ESAlexander4
#askagent Maybe others have had different experiences, but I don't think I'm alone in wondering why mainstream publishers are so poor at promoting authors' books, unless they're already BIG names! This is something many of us can't fathom -- why pub a book & not get behind it?I certainly try very hard to match books to the right publishers who will deliver the marketing & publicity needed for the particular book. I encourage authors to discuss this with their agents and ask see marketing plans from publishers before contracts are signed. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Clifford Thompson @Cliff_Thompson1
I see a lot of references on social media to MG or middle grade as a genre/sub-genre. Is it a US thing or is it recognised in the UK? What exactly is it? #askagentIt is used here and means fiction for children around the 8 to 12 age group. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Emma Steele @EmmaSteele85
@julietpickering @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory On the topic of book group fiction as per question above, what exactly do you feel makes it that genre? #askagentA really strong concept and also talking points. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Elaine Fearnley @laineyf1
#AskAgent as a newbie to the writing world (I was awarded a bursary for the RNA New Writers Scheme) - I’m totally overwhelmed by the whole Agent/Publishing thing!! How do I know which (if any) agents would be interested please? Thank you for any advice.Make the most of your RNA membership by joining the Facebook group and also any local chapters to you (likely they are meeting online right now) where you can learn from other authors. Congratulations! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Grace Parables @GraceParables
#askagentIs this a good or a terrible time to pitch a novel (with a white protagonist) set around the 1919 re-emergence of the KKK in Georgia?
It would entirely depend what is was about. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Josephine Rose @jrosephine
@julietpickering @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory Do other writing 'credits' (ie publication in magazines, newspapers, etc...) positively influence agents reading a submission letter? Are agents interested in a book's deeper 'themes'/process in a query letter (in addition to the usual info required (hook/blurb etc...)? #askagentI would say include them but you don't have to. Some agents will give the submissions letter a lot of attention whereas I don't, I skip straight off to the writing sample happily not knowing anything about the writer. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Asjad Nazir @asjadnazir
@julietpickering @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory I mentor a lot of talented writers and many are completing their novels, short story collections & screenplays. What is the best way for them to find the right agent for their work? (also feel brave enough to put their work out there) #askagentResearch so they are approaching the right potential agents for what they write. This sounds daunting but actually all the info is online these days. Agency websites, Twitter and the Writers & Artists are good sources. #AskAgent