Literary Agent
Mr Craptramp @craptramp
@mushenska Thanks for doing these. I prefer writing in present tense to past tense, but I've heard publishers aren't as keen on it. Is that true in your experience? Should I change? #askagentI admit to recommending newer writers first master simple past as I think for present tense the voice needs to be very strong to pull it off. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Dawn Boyd @Dawnifer2009
#askagent with the market so well saturated in romance novels and stories, when submitting these does the pitch need to have extra strength to it to make it stand out. Just with the popularity of the genre, I can imagine there are a lot of submissions for them a dayYes a strong hook is important. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jill K Wilson @JillKWilson
#askagent Hi, @mushenska @katenashagent Historical fiction is doing really well in adult fiction. Do you think this will ever filter down to YA/ crossover? Thank youRealistically I can't see it. The kinds of historical stories you might want to write as YA you might as well write as adult fiction. What would be fabulous would be the return of historical teen fiction! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Ben Edge @bnedge
What’s the industry preference for dialogue punctuation? Is it preferred ‘...’ or “...” ? Single seems to be everywhere I look, but I’ve always preferred double. #AskAgentSingle is the more common house style at publishers in UK but use what you like in your manuscript. Doesn't matter. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jrussellwriter @jrussellwriter
#askagent Are agents that see potential in the writer, but think the manuscript they submitted is either out of trend or a bit 'out there' but still love the actual writing they saw, likely to suggest writing something on topic/trend 1st, or would they take the punt on the MS?I'd ask to see what the writer writes next. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Alexandra Wilson @amwilson_opera
#askagent How common is it for an agent to recommend an author change their proposed novel title? Do you have very strong feelings about titles that work/don't work and/or any tips?I probably chat with most debut authors about a possible change of title. I think it's quite important. My top tip is to try and get conflict in the title. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Daphne @daphlt
Do things like shortlisting in contests/awards for unagented writers help distinguish someone when they submit to an agent? #askagentYes certainly mention this in your submission letter. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Mark, The Forever Struggling Writer @StrugglingMJ
I always like to look for master works to learn from. You may not be able/want to answer this, but what's your favourite opening scene from a book you rep or have read? 😁 #askagent"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink" - Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Kate Nash @katenashagent
@AlexClarkes At our agency submissions have always been open and we get huge volumes of submissions. Our agency supports diversity / low income bursaries with RNA and CWA and I make effort to attend events around UK to promote how accessible literary agents are. #AskAgentPS It's a myth that you need connections to get a literary agent. Agencies invest huge resource in reading unsolicited work writers send in. We can do more to educate that submissions are open but the fact is they are open. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
🌺🌸Alex Clarke🌸🌺 @AlexClarkes
Without open submissions, can agencies really be seen to be doing enough to attract writers from marginalised backgrounds who don’t have (and can’t always make) the connections needed to recommend them? If so, what does this say about the industry and writing today? #askagentAt our agency submissions have always been open and we get huge volumes of submissions. Our agency supports diversity / low income bursaries with RNA and CWA and I make effort to attend events around UK to promote how accessible literary agents are. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Mark, The Forever Struggling Writer @StrugglingMJ
How commercial is literary fiction and is it a popular genre taken up by agents?#askagentLots of agents do represent literary fiction. I don't. You can easily check but looking up what individual agents represent, on their websites etc. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Vlshort @Vlshort
I've written one book an historical romance with a twist of time trav, which I'm looking representation for and have started writing the sequel. Does working on a second book make it more appealing to agents and publishers? #askagentIn some genres sequels can work well but it is not something I take into consideration within romance. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Lark @felicity_cooke
#askagent Could someone tell me the best way for a child to get a short novel published?For self-publishing I would suggest using a free platform like KDP or Lulu. Will need adult help. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Annabel Tellis @AnnabelTellis
Some agencies have a database of all the books that have ever been submitted built into their submissions portal and send an immediate response saying they saw this eg. 2 years ago. Isn’t there room for development though? Or should I just keep adjusting the title? ! #askagentWe don't have this but I honestly would rather a writer came back with something new 2 years later because a project I said no to then I will say the same now. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Lis J @todayiseena
#askagent Hypothetically, if there was an editor who was interested in your MS but wanted you to approach via an agent, and you'd had FMRs but no agent offers, would you revise the MS before sending out to more agents in hope of finding one who loves it? Or keep the faith?I would revise if I had specific feedback from the editor on what to change. Otherwise, maybe not. You might remove the thing they really liked! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
6. Does the agency commit to keeping my confidential affairs confidential?
7. Does the agency commit to keeping me apprised of relevant information and offers received?
8. What happens if my agent dies / retires / disappears? How am I protected?
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Literary Agent
3. Does the agency commit to passing on royalties promptly?
4. Does the agency have adequate professional indemnity insurance?
5. Does the agency commit to representing my best interests? Are there any conflicts of interest?
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Literary Agent
8 questions prospective clients rarely ask but really should:
1. Is the literary agency a member of the AAA (or AAR in the US)? (See agentsassoc.co.uk/about/code-of-…)
2. Are client monies kept in a separate bank account?
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Literary Agent
Literary Agent
†hε ωεψmαη @WeymanWrites
#askagentWhat makes you request a full manuscript and what stops you from finishing reading an initial query?
I understand there must be a hook you identify with and this is very personal.
The quickest halt to my reading a sample is when I start going back up the page to reread and still haven't the foggiest what is going on. #AskAgent