Kurestin Armada

It's definitely not an automatic pass, but it still needs to meet the test of being interesting enough to make your reader want to keep turning pages, a test you have to pass on every single page. If we have to wait for the story to "get good," we won't. #askPSLA

When it's the best you can make it with all of your resources (beta readers and critique partners), really! And then immediately start working on a new book--publishing is a long game, and often you can't hit the next level of growth until you start a new project. #askPSLA

I think it's more important to have something published in a more official place--be it print or digital. That's true of any collection really, be it essays or short stories. And for essays platform definitely counts, but I don't think it has to be "huge," necessarily. #askPSLA

I did a publishing program at Columbia to see what all interested me. After that I tried my hand at publicity and wasn't a fan, so decided to jump to the exact opposite end of the process. I got an assistant gig and that was that! #askPSLA

Oh man! I don't think I did anything big, but it probably involved a bottle of prosecco and a very nice cut of steak. And telling literally everyone in a 20-mile radius. #askPSLA

It depends on the agent, but that's def something you would talk about in your initial call with them. Some will rep all, or have another agent at the same agency rep it, or be open to you obtaining multiple agents. But you probably want someone who does it all! #askPSLA

Hmmmm, not really? Or rather, yes the waves come and go, but I don't think they're related to anything in particular. And some months I get less in quantity but they're all AMAZING and others I get a flood and nothing clicks. It's a giant mystery! #askPSLA

Nope! Now, some areas of "history" are certainly more saturated than others, but in the general, nope. And if you have something with a funny voice like GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE or MY LADY JANE, I am convinced it's the next hot thing, so do send :) #askPSLA

You have to pick one at a time, I'm afraid. If they offer you can always discuss the other, and if they pass then you can query the other after a bit of time has passed. But you probably want to be leading with your newest and best anyway! #askPSLA

Lol! I'm never going to be the one for angel/demon stories, especially in a modern setting. Fantasy-world demons are a whole different thing, though. Purely personal preference, of course 🤗 #askPSLA

If I had the vision for it, I would offer on it. If I had a big picture vision but it would require a complete rewrite of the book, I would ask for an R&R (which happens even less often than I make an offer). #askPSLA

Small distinctions like that aren't a big deal. Something like adult vs MG or thriller vs fiction makes a bigger difference--but even then I've read manuscripts with an eye toward what I think they should be, rather than what the author labeled them as originally. #askPSLA

Absolutely not! You should carefully proofread it yourself, of course, but a handful of mistakes won't make me turn down something that otherwise flows well. And minor mistakes like that are definitely not what you would want to pay a professional editor for. #askPSLA

Usually the power of the writing. I can't edit voice/writing the way I can edit plot, so it'll tip the scales if good enough. #askPSLA

Has been since LoTR, imo, but there's tons of room to play and make it your own. #askPSLA

Ooooh you meant the coded "urban" haha! Love it, sounds original (after all, a purely white utopia is 👀👀) #askPSLA

Just keep going, honestly. If you're almost there, then you just need that one yes! Always have a next idea in your back pocket. #askPSLA

There are pretty good resources out there, but I hope authors are asking Q's to refine what kind of agent they want/need! #askPSLA

End of query (so I get the story first!), no need to name, but expect to be asked on The Call. #askPSLA

Beyond just terrible query etiquette or insults? I avoid stories with rape, abuse, and addiction. #askPSLA