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
Dan Fitzgerald @DanFitzWrites
@laurenspieller When querying multi POV novels, is it better to focus on the story, on one of the MCs or give a taste of more than one?This is hard to answer bc it depends on the story, but if it’s 2 POV, a paragraph per character often works. Also: google this! There are good examples out there! #askagent
Literary Agent
Angie Bailey 🏳️🌈 @AWritersLifeTBC
@laurenspieller If I apply some edits and fix some cultural issues in a manuscript after I've already submitted it to an agent requesting the full, should I resend? Or ask to resend first?Also, I've changed the opening a little. Should I contact those I've queried letting them know?
You can resend but make it clear why you’re doing so. #askagent
Literary Agent
Jessica Florence @Florence_Jess
@laurenspieller Do you think it gives a manuscript an edge when it is professionally edited VS not?It doesn’t matter to me. I’m here for the story and overall quality, however you achieve that. #askagent
Literary Agent
Jade M. Loren 🔮☄ @jadewritesbooks
@laurenspieller Would a chapter with the inciting indicent taking place a few years before the rest of the story count more as a prologue, or is it okay to name it chapter one?If it's a prologue, leave it out of the query sample?
That sounds like a prologue to me, but you could always make it chapter 1 and make chapter 2 start with X Years Later...
Literary Agent
Pat Scaramuzza @genocideman
@laurenspieller I have an awesome novel with a short (370 word) prologue that I feel is essential. Do you (or agents in general) read that far in, to get to the start of the story? Or will the existence of a prologue mean instant rejection?Many agents dislike them but if they’re essential then it’s fine. But to hedge your bets...call it ch 1 ;)
Literary Agent
Jo Ladziński Wrote a Book Once @JoEatsFood
@laurenspieller How do you feel about folks listing tropes in their queries?It’s fine to point them out but they don’t take the place of an actual pitch #askagent
Literary Agent
Elayne Becker @ElayneABecker
@laurenspieller Top 3 things in a query that compel you to keep reading?1. A great high concept hook
2. Clear voice
3. Intriguing and relevant comps #askagent
Literary Agent
Dan Fitzgerald @DanFitz73792558
@laurenspieller How important is specific query formatting to you? So many successful queries one finds online seem to diverge strongly from the usual formats one also finds.I’m not picky about the format, but I prefer not to see writers lead with length bios, especially at the expense of telling me about their book. My only hard rule: no weird fonts 😆 #askagent
Literary Agent
Brittney Woodson @brittney_canna
@laurenspieller Thank you for responding! From an older ms that got some attention last year, I had received some personal rejections stating they loved the premise but had issues with other things (voice, making some scenes stronger) so I wondered if I revised it differently would it be okYes, but make sure it is TRULY revised
Literary Agent
Brittney Woodson @brittney_canna
@laurenspieller I’m not sure if you’re still answering questions, but if a writer receives a personalized rejection from a manuscript, do you think it’s okay to revise that same ms and query it again to the agent even if they didn’t ask for an R&R? Or is it best to submit an entirely new ms?You can try, but it’s possible the agent will pass without reading
Literary Agent
Gina Pagán @ReignaFTW
@laurenspieller When querying, is it bad to use a title that the agent represents as a comp, since it might come off as being too similar to something on their list?I’d clarify what it is about your book that’s different
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Destinee S. @winkchii
@laurenspieller Sorry, I have another question. Is not hearing back on an R&R on a partial for a month a bad sign? Also, does the amount of clients signed at one time affect the acquiring of a new client? Will there be a period of time that an agent won't look for new clients?A month isn’t that long, but you should nudge at 6 weeks (but not until after the holiday). Agents will take on as many clients as they are excited about and can personally handle
Literary Agent
Jen e.e. Edwards @Jene_e_edwards
@laurenspieller best advise to make sure you're writing an enticing summary in your query instead of falling into doing a synopsis accidentally?Two paragraphs. Don’t give away the ending
Literary Agent
Melanie Locke @MelisWriting
@laurenspieller How long do you think it typically takes to edit something into acceptable quality? Alternatively, how do I know when something is good enough for querying. I don't want to risk ruining my chances because I send out something unedited.It depends on the book, but you should def be getting feedback from critique partners and revising at LEAST once
Literary Agent
Rachel Greenlaw @rachelgreenlaw_
@laurenspieller And I have another one (sorry to bombard you!) but would you say 25% is a good amount for act 1 of a manuscript, or do you think that's a little too much of 'the setup'?It really depends, but if you have a ton of set up and backstory readers will get bored
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Shari Green @sharigreen
@laurenspieller What's one of your fave recent romcoms?RED WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE!!
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Tigest G @TigestGN
@laurenspieller What's a trope you can't get *enough* of?Enemies to lovers