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
After you sign with an agent, your needs and wants might change. If that happens, DO NOT PANIC. It just means you need to talk to the agent and find out if they're able to adapt to these changes. If so, GREAT. That is the dream. If not, then it's time to move on. #querytip
Literary Agent
Writers--when looking for an agent, it's really important to assess *your needs and wants* in addition to what sort of book the agent is looking for. It's hard to know the answer up front, but talking to agented authors is a good place to start. #querytip
Literary Agent
I'm not sure when exactly, but I'll be closing to queries at some point this summer. Likely late June/early July. Just a heads up. #QueryTip
Literary Agent
Danai is querying The Red Candle 🔥🕯📖 🐍 @Danaiwrites
@laurenspieller Thank you for doing this! If a book is part 1 of a fully fleshed out series, would you like to learn a bit more about the series in the query?Nope, keep the focus on this book, and add "with series potential" at some point in the query #querytip
Literary Agent
#querytip When it comes to your pitch, keep it to the point, but don't leave out crucial information. The way to tell if you've done this? Share the pitch with someone who HASN'T read the book, and have them tell you if it makes sense.
Literary Agent
#querytip: comp titles MUST be recent and relevant. RECENT. AND. RELEVANT. I also STRONGLY urge you to include at least one *book* that is in your genre, published within 2-5 years ago.
Literary Agent
#querytip: If you've written a big 'world might end' type book, then your stakes should have two levels: yes, the fact that the world might end, but ALSO (and arguably more importantly...) what is at stake FOR YOUR CHARACTER?
Literary Agent
Lauren says GET VACCINATED @laurenspieller
Lunch break #askagent! Anyone got any questions? In the meantime, here's a thread of #querytips!#Querytip: be clear about what you protagonist WANTS. It's not enough to know what happens to them. I need to know who they are and what they want so that I can appreciate what is DRIVING the story (hint: it should be your character!)
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: use normal font sizes. I cannot read your tiny font!!
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
#QueryTip: check your spam. I've noticed that my replies--requests and rejections--are occasionally not received, which creates confusion and angst! Make sure you're checking your spam at least once a week!
Literary Agent
I see lots of MG novels that are seemingly about a series of developmental/familial conflicts instead of a central conflict. I understand that friendship break ups and periods and divorce are all important at that age, but I still need you to tell me what the HOOK is. #querytip
Literary Agent
Query Don’ts:
—insult other books
—say your book defies genre
—use negative self talk
—ignore guidelines
Query Do’s:
—Give us the hook/high concept pitch
—Show your summary to someone who hasn’t read the book
—send it to agents individually
—write another book!
#querytip
Literary Agent
Don't give away the ending of your book in a query. Especially not in the very first line of the email. 😭 #querytip #triadatip
Literary Agent
Writers: if an agent is pressuring you to sign with them and pull your book from other agents, think long and hard about why they are doing that and whether it’s in your best interest to do so *before* you agree. #querytip
Literary Agent
I’ve been receiving a lot of emails from writers (very politely!) requesting feedback, referrals, or explanations after I’ve passed on their query. I understand wanting these things but agents receive more than 30 queries a day—we unfortunately don’t have time. #querytip
Literary Agent
Writers— “contemporary” and “realistic” are often used as synonyms when describing genre, but they’re not. Ex: a realistic/real world novel set in 2002? That’s historical. (Gah I know—we are old! 😆) #querytip
Literary Agent
#QueryTip! Don’t query until you get feedback on your pitch from someone who is unfamiliar with your manuscript. They will be able to point out holes that are invisible to you/someone who has read the MS already. #Triadatip
Literary Agent
When you transition from one line to the next in your query summary/pitch, the relationship between those two lines is dictated by how your story unfolds ("But" vs "Therefore"). If you're not sure what I mean, I suggest watching this: youtube.com/watch?v=vGUNqq… #querytip
Literary Agent
Comp titles are there to help agents/editors see how a book will fit on shelves/into the CURRENT market, so it’s important that the ones you provide be both *relevant* and *recent* #querytip