Lauren Spieller

Both, actually. You want to build a brand, but you can still write in multiple categories/genres. But you and your agent have to be strategic. #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Katherine Memmel @KatherineMemmel

@laurenspieller Do agents have different form rejections they send based on the quality of the query? Or is it more likely they send one basic version, but they’ll personalize if the author is close? It’s hard to tell sometimes.

Typically the latter #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Bailee 📚 @baileesg

@laurenspieller What is a common mistake that you see often in query letters?

Not making your query a PITCH. You aren’t just summarizing, you are trying to convince agents to read! #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Jennifer @Jenwrites130

@laurenspieller Some manuscript wish lists are not very specific, and that makes it hard for me to know whether or not I should query that agent (and also how to personalize my letter.) Any suggestions?

Look at what they represent, and make your best guess. #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Mikhaeyla Kopievsky @MikhaeylaK

@laurenspieller How should writers approach querying a new ms if an earlier ms is still out on full request?

First, make sure you’re truly ready to query. Second, follow up w agents who have your first manuscript (assuming you are still interested in working with them), and let them know you are querying something new. Also, query additional agents. #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Jodi Herlick @JodiHerlick

@laurenspieller I've had an agent tell me the minimum acceptable word count for YA fantasy is 90k. Is that true? And does that apply to contemporary fantasy or can that be shorter? #askagent

Nope, wrong. First, there is no “rule” about word count. Second, the first YA Fantasy I sold came to me at ~55k. Your word count is determined by the scope of your story and your world. #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Susan Burdorf says buy Parting the Veil @sburdorf

@laurenspieller If you ruled the industry what is a change you would like to see #askagent

Higher, competitive wages. #askagent

· 30 Oct 2021

Alexandra Z. Lazar 🎃 @alexandrazlazar

@laurenspieller What are your thoughts on prologues? Specifically, in MG fantasy?

They have to be necessary and fascinating. Otherwise, cut. #askagent

· 30 May 2021

Lily Mehallick she/her @LilyMehallick

@laurenspieller Do you think Greek Mythology is dead in publishing?

Not dead but it needs to be a very unique approach #askagent

· 30 May 2021

𝖍𝖎𝖏𝖆𝖇𝖎 𝖜𝖊𝖉𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖆𝖉𝖉𝖆𝖒𝖘 @BOQ0RAD

@laurenspieller what should you do if your first ten pages end in the middle of a chapter?

Finish the page at a good spot, but don’t finish the chapter just to finish it. #askagent

· 30 May 2021

Dark Southern Land @southern_dark

@laurenspieller If outside of US - should manuscript be submitted with US style/spelling conventions? Eg, my title includes the word 'harbour' - is this likely to put agents off or make them assume I can't spell?

No one is going to care. Spell it the way you want to #askagent

· 30 May 2021

Dark Southern Land @southern_dark

@laurenspieller Also... for a manuscript that falls neatly into Crossover territory - should you submit it as such or is it okay to submit to both YA and adult agents, framing it as one or the other?
I've heard that use of the term New Adult is somewhat polarising?

Tailor to the agent, but never use NA #askagent

· 30 May 2021

Elle Grey @ElleGrey9

@laurenspieller What is an acceptable amount of time to send the same agent a different pb ms?

I’d try to wait to hear back on whatever you sent last. #askagent

· 30 May 2021

Logan Musselman @LoganMusselman

@laurenspieller If I have a manuscript out with an agent at your agency, but another manuscript ready to query which seems to be a good fit for another agent (same agency) would it be best to wait to hear back on the first manuscript before querying the second?

You should probably nudge for at agent and get an update. If it’s been more than 3 months, you can send new MS to other agent, but tell them the situation. #askagent

· 9 Apr 2021

Alexandra Z. Lazar @alexandrazlazar

@laurenspieller I’ve read a lot of successful 80-100K MG fantasies, but most rules say they should max out at 75K, if not less. What’s your opinion on the maximum acceptable length? Also, what are your thoughts on 14-year-old protagonists in MG?

I think your safest bet is to stay below 75k for a MG debut.

I think a 14YO can work as long as their wants/wishes/story still feels MG and not YA. #askagent

· 9 Apr 2021

KC Harper @kcharper613

@laurenspieller What if what your character wants changes through the story or they get what they want halfway through so the focus changes? Is that problematic?

A character changing is the definition of a story, so for the purpose of the query, just include their initial WANT! But if there's a sudden, inexplicable about-face, then you need to really look at your character arc and make sure it makes sense. #askagent

· 9 Apr 2021

Kimberly Van Ginkel @VanGinkelAuthor

@laurenspieller A friend of mine is querying a book about a 12- year- old girl in the 60s coming of age. She doesn't feel it's a YA book, because of her writing style, but she keeps getting rejections when she submits as women's fiction. Should she pretend it's YA to get someone to read it?

Typically a book about a 12YO is Middle Grade, though there are adult books w/ child MCs. It sounds like she's straddling a few different categories, and needs to think about who her audience really is, and why they might not be connecting to this version of the MS. #askagent

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