Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Van Derance @VanDerance

@literallycait Hello! Do you accept queries for novellas?
Replying to @VanDerance

Technically yes, but they are a more limited market at the moment. I'm seeing that market expand more every month, though, so it is looking better than ever before!

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Sasa Hawk @SasaHawk

@literallycait Oh sorry! I meant should I focus on a different project in a different age category if YA is a tough sell?
Replying to @SasaHawk

YA will always have a market so unless you have a trend-driven book I wouldn't worry too much. But if you do have another project on the backburner you feel you could switch to, by all means!

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Madeleine McLaughlin @Madoxane

@literallycait How many PB MS should a writer have completed before querying?
Replying to @Madoxane

One, unless there's something I'm missing about picture books! I don't rep them. But as with querying in all genres, it should be about quality over quantity. Just be prepared to talk about your next ideas as well!

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Tim Facciola @FacciolaTim

@literallycait I know the β€œNew Adult” stamp in any genre has struggled to be well marketed, but could you speak to the success of, let’s say the Red Rising trilogies, and how they’ve pulled both adult and YA audiences? Thank you!
Replying to @FacciolaTim

"Crossover appeal." There's definitely an audience for it, and publishers have managed to market into that space quiet well with certain covers, blurbs, & campaigns. So it's a known phenomenon, just not crystallized into a specific category.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

S.H. Marr @SH_Marr_Writes

@literallycait any specific subgenres?
Replying to @SH_Marr_Writes

Space opera, primarily. And dystopian has been for a while--though we'll see if this crisis reinforces that or causes a resurgence...

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips
Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Kristi McManus πŸ›« @kristimcmanus

@literallycait How long should a writer wait on a response on a full before they assume it closed? I have 2 that have been out for 8 months, and nudged x 2 with no response
Replying to @kristimcmanus

As much as I wish I could be faster, I've definitely taken longer than 8 months on fulls before, many times. I would say if it's been 12mo & there's been no response on nudges, sure: mark it CNR for your own sanity. But you might still receive a response somewhere down the line!

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips
Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

✨ Elayna Mae Darcy πŸ“ @elaynamae

@literallycait Any advice for folks querying a YA novel in verse? #askagent
Replying to @elaynamae

I would suggest mentioning why you chose to write in verse/what it contributes to the story. I would also be sure to cite a successful novel-in-verse as a comp.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Francesca Tacchi @jackdaw_writes

@literallycait Are agents open to represent people who don't live in America? Or is it a deterrent? (since they wouldn't be able to attend cons etc)
Replying to @jackdaw_writes

I'm not aware of any agencies that aren't! Our agency has plenty of clients who are not based in the US. It's never been a problem that I've heard of.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

S.H. Marr @SH_Marr_Writes

@literallycait Is Ya sci-fi really dead, or is it specific genres of sci-fi?
Replying to @SH_Marr_Writes

"YA sci-fi" is way too broad to ever be dead. I'd say specific subgenres, maybe, and I'd call it "in hibernation"--these things always come back around.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Joanne Machin #amquerying @heyjomachin

@literallycait I’ve been super curious lately about what a day/week in the life of an agent is like! :)
Replying to @heyjomachin

It varies. Some days it is heavy reading & editorial, other days I'm negotiating contracts or on phone calls all day. Every day I'm fielding emails, boosting authors on social media, & tracking basic admin stuff.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips
Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Marcie Price Jackson @MissMarciePants

@literallycait @nearonis Thanks, Caitlin! I’m querying a contemporary YA mystery atm, but my next WIP is YA sci-fi. Should I be focusing on one genre to build a platform? Or plan to find an agent that reps both?
Replying to @MissMarciePants

Since I assume you'll eventually want to publish both, you should look for an agent who reps both! They'll help advise you on where to focus first and how to build that career, but ultimately you'll want the same agent to be able to work with you across the board.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips
Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Jeremy Peters @JPeters_Author

@literallycait I can't get a sniff with a post-apocalyptic (not dystopian) sci-fi series. Is it the market, because I'm unpublished or both? If both, do I have any realistic chance or is it time to look more seriously at self-publishing? Thanks!
#AskAgent
Replying to @JPeters_Author

The majority of querying authors are unpublished! Post-apocalyptic is difficult rn, but keep at it. Meanwhile get yourself a good critique partner (or several) and make sure your ms and query are as polished as you can make them.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

EddieLouise, is WiFiSciFi bound! @EddieLouise

@literallycait @ajhackwith #AskAgent I am small press published and have an award-winning audio-fiction podcast. I also have 3 manuscripts (different genres) ready to query. How do I approach an agent to rep a diverse and flourishing career and help me decide next steps?
Replying to @EddieLouise

Ideally you want one agent who reps all the things you write & can handle your whole career, so first step is researching to find agents who cover that range. Then query with your best ms & a short bio of pub credentials. Don't try to pitch 3 ms at once; that convo is for later.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Anup πŸ“πŸ“š @anuponthenet

@literallycait On a full, usually how much of a book is read before deciding to continue reading or to stop and reject? Thanks.
Replying to @anuponthenet

TBH there's no one answer for this, it's different for every manuscript. I read as long as it holds my interest, I stop when I know it's not a good fit for me or my list. I do try to read at least 50 pages of each manuscript.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips

Paul Anthony @thatpaulanthony

@literallycait thanks for the reply.

To delve further, would it be best approach a potential agent in a, 'I already have a publisher' way, or would it be best to query as normal?
Replying to @thatpaulanthony

Ideally you query before the offer comes in from a publisher; otherwise you're dealing with a very tight turnaround. If you do have an offer already in hand, be upfront in queries that you have an offer from a publisher but would like an agent to advocate for you and your career.

Caitlin McDonald
@literallycait
Literary Agent
literary agent @MaassLitAgency for SFF, YA, & GN β€’ she/her β€’ queer β€’ ADHD β€’ intensely editorial πŸ“š #BLM #TransRightsAreHumanRights
69 MSWL
33 AskAgent
124 Queries
39 Tips