Amy Giuffrida
Literary Agent
Belcastro Agency
S. Michael @tropicofangeles
@kissedbyink How sexy is too sexy for your taste? Does well written erotic lit have a chance in mainstream?Thatās a tough sell. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part erotica doesnāt sell well traditionally.
Karin is writing a Roswell book šø @BiggsWrites
@kissedbyink Has there been a decrease in YA word count range andā¦.what are your thoughts on UFOs? šøI donāt think thereās been a decrease, I think agents and editors donāt want to read books that break the ceiling on word counts any more. And UFOs? I believe in them š½ I loved the show Roswell and The X Files.
JenSinger @JenSinger
@kissedbyink Should an author follow up on a full ask after 6 weeks?Depends what the agentās policy isāshould be listed on their website. But generally 6 weeks is a short amount of time for an agent to read a full (definitely NOT a short time for an author to wait).
Michaelina Deneka @M_Deneka
@kissedbyink If upper MG fantasy is set in the familiar, everyday world, should I still be trying to hit 65k+, or should the word count be closer to whatās expected of upper MG novels that donāt require the in-depth worldbuilding needed in much of fantasy?Such a good question, but it will depend on what the magic system is. Even without the world building, the fantasy elements themselves could warrant the extra word count.
Kate Downton @kate_downton
@kissedbyink How do you determine an offer of representation over an R&R? Is it more of a gut feeling, something in the query, something about the writing quality?For me itās that I love the writing, but it needs something larger developmentally. I have to have a vision for it, and a R&R will show me if the writer can take it to the next level.
Brian Watson @iambrianwatson
@kissedbyink Do you ever rep for memoir writers?I will rep a memoir when I find a story that calls to me, and I know thereās an audience for.
Heidi Tattrie Rushton @HeidiTRushton
@kissedbyink Hello! I'm new to querying (aka still trying to work up the nerve to *start* querying š ). I'd like to know if US agents also rep Canadian writers or if I should focus on Canadian agents? Thanks for offering this opportunity šI know putting your work out there is stressful, but you can do it! š¤© And US agents do rep authors from around the world, so certainly query them.
Marie Lestrange @LestrangeBooks
@kissedbyink Is 75k a suitable length for an Adult Horror?That is on the lighter side, but I wouldnāt discount it. Iām welcoming lower word counts at the moment. Lol.
Kelly Santana Banks @ksantanabanks
@kissedbyink Thank you for providing this agent Q&A! Do accept MG with a focus on diversity? If so, do you have any specific aspect you'd hope to see?Yes please! I love MG! I really want to see more joy in diverse stories, rather than just trauma. Family and loveāno matter how the characters get there. I will always read a good angsty story, but to balance that with happiness would be amazing.
Brian Watson @iambrianwatson
@kissedbyink What kind of writers do you like working with?Hmmmmā¦I feel like this is a trap. Haha. The writers I work with arenāt afraid to try new things. They write what they love and donāt apologize for it. They are true storytellers who donāt follow trends. šš¼
Hannah Bonam-Young (She/Her) @BonamYoung
@kissedbyink Is it worth replying to 'rejections' with the genuine interest in improving through feedback?Agents use QM so we arenāt getting submissions in emailāthis is for editors & clients only, so anything else may get deleted unread. This keeps us organized. We always root for writers and hope you continue to hone your craft & welcome revised subs.
Great question! Thereās never an expiration on a R&R. Agents truly want to see how you execute their notes, not how fast you can write. The timeline really depends on how deep the revisions are. And yes. Always inform all agents about any offersāeven those with just your query.
KateYorkAuthor @author_york
@kissedbyink Thank you for your time, Amy! What are your thoughts about addressing the pandemic in YA contemporaries? Is it part of our lives and history enough now that it is a fact or should it still be avoided for escapism for the reader?Avoid at all costs! I am not the only one saying thisā¦Iāve heard from fellow agents and editors that none of them want to read about thisāI think there have been one or 2 exceptions so far, but small %. We are still in the throes of the pandemic, so too soon.
Kelly Malacko @KellyMalacko
@kissedbyink What makes a suspense stand out in a saturated market?The uniqueness of the plot and characters. Suspense needs that fast pace and hold your breath and wait rise of tension, so if you can find a new twistā¦and I always say that voice is everything. Twisty and lyrical words can be everything to a story.
Christina Frigo @christinafrigo
@kissedbyink @Amber_Nadette Thanks for doing this! When an agencyās website (like yours) says I can query another agent after getting a pass, but the first agent I queried never responded, whatās the appropriate course of action? Iām a non-nudger by nature, so Iām lost in a situation like this. šIf a no response within a certain time frame doesnāt equal a pass for the agents at the agency, then the agent hasnāt gotten to it yet. I suggest nudgingāeven agents have to, so we are ok with it. I promise.
Abbey-Author @abbey_author
@kissedbyink Hi! I see youāre not currently looking for YA Fantasy. Do you feel the genre is too saturated and most agents/publishers arenāt interested or seeking it at this time?YA itself is saturated, but I have a few YA fantasy on my list, so I need to steer away for now.
Masha Kisel @MashaKisel1
@kissedbyink Is it worth it to attend in person conferences where agents might be present? Are relationships between writers and agents often built this way?Conferences are worth it if you personally take something from it & connections can be made between authors and agents here, which can never be a bad thing. We do remember the writers we chat with. āŗļø
Haley Gillenwater @dragonpop76
@kissedbyink In your opinion, how polished should a manuscript be when it is sent for query. Line edits 100%, just dev edits done, somewhere in between?It should be as perfect as you can get it.