Leonicka Valcius

Movies and other media but they’re technically not “comp titles”. #askagent

IMO nothing is “too dark” for YA. If teens experience it, teens can read it. All comes down to voice and execution. #askagent

People really underestimate how much smaller the Canadian industry is. (But Canada is a v important market.) This leads to really wonky expectations of Canadian sales, marketing, distribution etc. More than I can explain here. #askagent

Can only speak for me but my priority is getting the MS ready to sell. So yes my first big step is re-reading the manuscript to make careful edit notes. Another early step is prepping a new client announcement if the timing is right 😊 #askagent

I give way more feedback when things are ALMOST there. When there are significant issues it can sometimes be bigger problem than I can address after only reading an excerpt. #askagent

"Significant revision" means that there is a good chance that the writer may be unable or unwilling to make the changes I'm suggesting. So I send a revise and resubmit letter and pray for the best. #askagent

I say no to a full manuscript when something is off with the execution and it would need significant revision to fix. #askagent

Bonus: Here's my blog post on how I decide to offer representation: leonicka.com/2019/02/25/dec… #askagent

2. Biggest reasons I reject: "I don't rep that" and "this book is too long." Also there are themes that just aren't for me. Sexual violence is usually an instant no. #askagent

1. I request when I've read the sample and the synopsis and I'm eager to keep reading. The easiest way to do this is to entertain me! I am a book lover and I miss reading for fun. So if I fly through your sample like it's a hot new release, I'm requesting. #askagent

On avg I reject in 12 days and request in 34 days. I spend a lot of time deliberating before requesting, especially now that I have a stack of full manuscripts to read too. Thnx for your patience!!!! Questions? Comments? #askagent

The most important thing is that the agent is transparent with the client and explains their submission strategy. #LMVOfficeHours #askagent

One sample strategy: send out submission together to give editors same shot. Follow up when there is new info or interest. #LMVOfficeHours #askagent

Biggest piece of feedback I actually give is “your book is too long.” Biggest piece of feedback I don’t have time to explain is “that’s not how you write a synopsis.” #askagent

A tricky thing about querying is it doesn’t seem to be an iterative process. Many agents don’t have time to give feedback so it’s not a good way to get info on how to make your query/work better. HIGHLY rec finding a writing community and doing research online. #askagent

#askagent occasionally a fiction writer may get an agent before completing a manuscript but it’s usually tied to some sort of high profile accomplishment (award, viral content etc).

#askagent when writers query w/o a full MS it’s usually due to ignorance of the process. I see writers who also pitch concepts or their full body of work. Typically I add a line to my form rejection telling them to do a bit more research and keep it moving.

#askagent For the most part non-fiction is sold on proposal and sample chaps so a full manuscript is not necessary. Fiction generally requires a full manuscript.

Since y’all have no #askagent questions here are some fun stats from my query pile.
Feb: 9 queries, 2 requests
March: 154 queries, 8 requests, 18 unread
April so far: 48 queries, 2 requests, 20 unread

I'm back! I am accepting queries again starting March 1. Read through my submission guidelines and get your work ready 😎 leonicka.com/agenting/ #askagent #amwriting #amquerying