Lauren Spieller
Literary Agent
Folio Literary Management
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Amanda Spell @StonesofMoss
@laurenspieller What are your top questions for querying authors to ask if they get "the call"?Ask about our editorial vision, our communion methods, and our plans for sub. Also ask to speak to clients. There are other good ones but this will get you going. #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Jamarshauthor @jamarshauthor1
@laurenspieller Me! If you are querying the first of a duology, how (or do) you raise this in the query letter?In the paragraph after the pitch
Literary Agent
Serena 🌸 @serenaemay
@laurenspieller #askagent If you sign with an agency/publisher for a specific genre of book you did (let’s say YA), but are writing a different genre (lets say Thriller/Crime), will they strongly consider publishing that work as well? Or they prefer you to stick to one genre?They’ll likely want to build a track in one genre to start
Literary Agent
Misty Brown @MistymlbBrown
@laurenspieller When an agent requests a full or a partial is it a reflection of interest level? I had an agent who requested a full straight from a query letter, while a different agent requested a partial.Sometimes yes but other times it’s a work/time management strategy
Literary Agent
Abbey-Author @abbey_author
@laurenspieller Ah! I’m afraid I missed the time window but I wanted to ask how vital social media following is when querying. I grow my following organically to engage with like-minded people but I’ve heard that lower follower counts can mean agent rejections even if the query is good.Not at all necessary unless it’s part of your platform
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Mary Lynne Gibbs @marylgibbs
@laurenspieller If your book has only been subbed (w/an agent) to a handful of editors, is it something that can be queried again?Yes but to varying degrees of success bc our ability to sell (and possibly our faith in salability) has been decreased
Literary Agent
Sean David Robinson @SDR_Writer
@laurenspieller How important is it to pub success that the agent specializes in a genre? If I write litfic, and my perspective agent typically reps YA but sometimes dabbles in literary, am I better off looking for an agent who primarily reps lit fic?You need someone who reps what you write. It doesn’t need to be their primary focus. They just need to know it well
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Adrianne Karasek @AdrianneKar
@laurenspieller On your mswl page you mention "no fae unless they're scary". Is that still true?Do Juliet Marillier-type stories fall under "scary" or at least different enough from high-fae-prince-of-autumn types?
I really only want scary, or so unique it’ll blow me away
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Shannon Renee @WritingElements
@laurenspieller Is voice more important to you than the MS when offering representation? Or do you sign someone based on the MS they’re querying? Have you ever fallen in love with someone’s style and storytelling, but not the MS, I guess is what I’m asking. And if so, what would happen?Voice is crucial, but it’s not enough for the writing to be good. The whole thing needs to be great. After all, I pay my bills by selling books. #askagent
Literary Agent
𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙊𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙢𝙪 @cross_radical
@laurenspieller What’s the most common reason you turn down a manuscript after making a full request?Honestly, just not loving it enough. #askagent
Literary Agent
Ashlee MacCallum @_ashleedani
@laurenspieller What’s the best way to nudge an agent without seeming rude? Or is it pretty common practice and acceptable?As long as you write a polite email, there’s no need to worry about nudging. #askagent
Literary Agent
Annie 🦻🏻chillin like villain 🔪👀😱 @AnnieSoulFire
@laurenspieller Could hard of hearing or deaf characters be on your wishlist? What is your top most wanted on your wishlist for the end of the year? #askagentYes please! I’d love to see more of those stories! #askagent
Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf says buy Parting the Veil @sburdorf
@laurenspieller Do you feel the COVID adjustments like greater reliance on ZOOM or DISCORD or platforms like those have created a disconnect between people in the industry or enhanced those connectionsI think it’s changed things and shone a light on the problems in the industry, and that has made some people feel disconnected. Personally I feel almost TOO connected now, bc there’s no line between work and home. #askagent
Literary Agent
Amanda Spell @StonesofMoss
@laurenspieller How do you feel about flashbacks written into a story? Have you ever seen it done well without messing up the pacing? #AskAgentIt can work, but it’s tricky. Can’t think of good examples off the top of my head. Can anyone else? #askagent
Literary Agent
Kristina Woods ✨🍁 @WKristinaM
@laurenspieller Do you see sports romance making a comeback with the Ted Lasso success?It’s not really my thing so I’m not the best person to ask, but generally I think a good hook is a good hook, and a major TV show comp can’t hurt. #askagent