Amy Giuffrida
Literary Agent
Belcastro Agency
Literary Agent @belcastr & wrangler of #TheATeam Lover of books, reality TV, Buffy, coffee, rescue dogs, and tattoos. 💀 My opinions are my own. She/her.
Shondra @shondra_writes
@CorvisieroLit If agencies have requested fulls and partials, but I've yet to hear back, should I continue sending out additional query letters or just be patient? #askagent #teamcorvisiero #CorvisierolitKeep your options open. Keep querying agents that seem to be a good fit for you. Waiting can be tough, but hopefully that interest will result in an offer of rep. #askagent
HJ Haydt [WIP: 126K] @HJHaydt
Does the size of a writer's social media platform impact an agent's decision to rep?#askagent
Platform really matters for a nonfiction writer. However, if you have followers and a platform, this is very helpful when marketing a fiction comes into play. #askagent
LinhPhamBooks @LinhPhamBooks
@CorvisieroLit I wrote a YA sci-fi romance but notice that comps like Alechia Dow's Sound of the Stars and JLA's Lux series are just listed as YA sci-fi. Is this because YA sci-fi romance isn't a thing? Should I just query it as YA sci-fi? #corvisiero #askagentTypically it is considered Science Fiction with romantic elements, so you can just query it as YA Science Fiction. #askagent
HJ Haydt [WIP: 126K] @HJHaydt
Is querying two different projects to an agent at the same time allowed?#askagent
I would choose one project to query at a time. Certainly choose an agent that may rep both genres you write. #askagent
Emily Tennyson @EX_Tennyson
@CorvisieroLit #AskAgentRandom Q unrelated to how I'm querying but something just popped into mind recently
when an agent decides to remove something from their MSWL, what happens to the authors they already rep that write in those genres? Or along those dropped interests?
Juan Carlos Manning @jcmanning_sp
@CorvisieroLit If I am writing two books: one is a non-fiction and the other one is fiction. Should I query separately to different agents and/or agencies?@CorvisieroLit #askagent
Some of our agents represent both non-fiction and fiction. I would advise you to look for someone who reps both and/or start with querying one at a time. #askagent
𝙹 𝙻 𝙼𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗 @izziemizery
@CorvisieroLit I see "write what we want to read" a lot. For me that's vampire UF/Like Reality Unless Noted. I regularly look/ask for similar recs to read/use as COMPs, but struggle to find new stuff. Those I have are older (80s-10s) but still v popular. Just use those?#AskAgentAlthough vampire comps may be older, maybe look for a newly published book with a similar writing style. Doesn't have to be an exact fit. #askagent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
#AskAgent @CorvisieroLitWhat questions should a debut author ask an agent who interested in repping?
For those of us (🙋🏻♀️) who have done research but don’t know what this industry really is like.
You always want to know how an agent will communicate and what will happen if your book doesn't sell. Also, how will they encourage you on your next project. Those questions will see if they fit your expectations. #askagent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@mcorvisiero @MZelaya8 @CorvisieroLit Do you look at everything as it comes in and then shelve it or don’t look at all until you work through each submission?#askagentMost look through submissions in order, unless there is something pressing happening, like another offer of representation, and there's a deadline. #askagent
Emily Bonar @emilyjbonar
@CorvisieroLit How do agents contact their authors? E-mail, phone, etc. How often? #askagentThat all depends what the need is at the time. We use all of the above and Zoom with clients. #askagent
Kelly L. Swan Taylor @KellisLST
Here's a question that probably has no answer or too many, BUT...for those of us who write realistic, contemporary fiction:How do we make our stories/queries sound more compelling (compared with unique, exciting fantasy or sci-fi)? #askagent
I happen to love contemporary fiction. Give me the stakes and what makes your book unique--hook me with your writing. #askagent
Heather L. Powell @HeatherLPowell
Question! If you write in more than one genre, should you look for agents who rep both? This is especially stuff when you think one of your books would be a good fit, but not the other. #askagentI would try to find someone who represents both, but also look for a good fit--querying one project at a time and find an agent to work with you on building your career:) #askagent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@mcorvisiero @Jenelle_Stone @CorvisieroLit As a follow up, if an agent has an interest in an MS that is geared to adult but thinks it would be better as YA, would they say that? And then would they still want to rep or would they want a rewrite first?Sorry for the what if questions!
#askagent
Yes. I have in fact done this. It depends on how much is needed to be revised and the author's liking this idea. Could go either way:) #askagent
nicole bea @nicolebeawrites
How many times do you recommend nudging on a full MS (receiving no response) before taking it as a pass? #askagent @CorvisieroLitWe recommend nudging once. Our team will respond to each submission. #askagent
J.D. Matthew @JDMatthew2
I botched my tags—sorry if it shows up as a repeat.Should a Q letter include the beginning-middle-end storyline, like a mini synopsis? Or is it okay to describe the MC, character traits that drive the narrative, stakes, and the themes?
TY for doing an #askagent! @CorvisieroLit
Your query should give the gist of your story. The stakes are very important, but should be given in little detail. Save the extra explanation for the synopsis. #askagent
Emily Bonar @emilyjbonar
@CorvisieroLit Is there a contract authors sign for this agency if offered representation? #askagentYes. There is a standard contract that all clients sign when joining #TeamCorvisiero. This is to protect both agent and author:) #askagent
Gaby @thegreatgabsie
@CorvisieroLit I have an own voices ms, do I have to explain in my query how it's own voices? #askagentSuch a great question! This is completely up to you. If you are comfortable, just add that it is an #OwnVoices story in your query. #askagent
Elise @ColorMeREADing
Do I tell a prospective agent about any self-published works that I wasn't really serious about, that don't show up in a google search, and that I don't plan on promoting, but that are still attached to my name? (i.e. was for a school group project)#askAgent @CorvisieroLit
I don't think it's necessary. You may want to disclose this if you talk to the agent about your career path later on. It is part of growth to have written multiple pieces.
#askagent