Leonicka Valcius

I don’t really have a word count limit for queries but it shouldn’t take more than 3 - 4 paragraphs. About the book, where it fits in the market, about the author. #askagent #amquerying

Fantasy romance is tricky right now! Contemporary romance is king, despite my best efforts. I see some signs that this is changing (Katee Robert! Ruby Dixon!) but I’m not ready to add it to my #mswl yet. #askagent

For your reading pleasure, writers: justice.gov/opa/press-rele…
#askagent #publishingtips

Unclear or absent stakes for the protagonist. Even the most literary, character-driven novel is meant to capture a pivotal moment. If I can’t parse the “something will change or else” of the book from the query I have to pass. #askagent #querytip

Writers are often looking for the maximum number of agents to pitch to but in my session on queries I posit that this is an incorrect approach. You want to look for the most QUALIFIED agents to pitch to. #askagent

If an agent doesn’t have a history in a genre but WANTS to get into it, they’re usually explicit about it. So their history + wishlist is a reliable representation of their taste and expertise. #askagent #querytip

Great unique Q! no rule but I’d avoid this. It’s not rude but your email wouldn’t be high priority so it may not get answered. Instead, try to get that info from their client list and sales history. #askagent #protip

GREAT QUESTION! Answer is NO! Especially in the internet age it doesn’t matter where your agent lives only that they have the necessary expertise to sell in the territory you want your book to be published. #askagent #publishingtips

This industry is shifting rapidly and it’s become more important than ever that writers have clear vision for the career they want and resilience for the realities of the business. It’s a long game, friends. #askagent

I see some folks in the replies asking why and I’m bored on this afternoon walk so I’ll answer! #askagent

All of the above! Send the agent the best draft you can. You don’t want to be rejected for something you knew you had to fix. Don’t start querying if you’re still circulating the draft for feedback. #askagent

Functions of publisher incl:
-prepare product for market (incl editing, typesetting, cover design)
-produce product (incl print and bind)
-market product (incl identify target audience and convert them to readers)
-distribute product (incl warehouse, ship, fulfillment)
#askagent

Great Q! If I haven’t responded to the query yet, it’s fine for writers to nudge me letting me know they have a revised version. I wouldn’t want to reject them based on something they’ve already fixed. #askagent

Yup! But don’t forget to have a clear WHY in your pitch and manuscript. An exciting premise collapses without compelling stakes. #querytip #askagent

G’morning! I’m doing a day in the life and an #askagent on my IG. Y’all should really follow me over there @/leonicka_

GREAT Q! I want books that kids will pick up for themselves and share with their friends, not books that their parents/teachers will force them read so they learn to share or the value of teamwork or something. I’m not a fan of didactic texts. #askagent

Great question! Agents with a “no response means no” policy will state so clearly on their site. If they list a response but have missed it, they’re probably just swamped/dealing with all the 2020 nonsense. I recommend giving them a bit more time, then a polite nudge. #askagent

The popularity of certain genres ebbs and flows. Rom com is booming right now but that doesn’t mean other subsets of romance won’t sell. #askagent

A US agent may be less familiar with the vagaries and idiosyncrasies of the Canadian industry. Might be less familiar with awards system and grant structures. If those things are important to you ask in the offer call. #askagent

Not sure what you mean by analyse but they can be a slightly harder sell only because publishing likes easy labels and obvious audience. But that won’t deter an experienced agent cuz when it works it works really well. #askagent