Jennifer Laughran
Literary Agent
Andrea Brown Literary Agency
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
Literary Agent
I answered some #AskAgent questions on le Tumblr just now -- mostly Coronavirus related. TL;DR: Publishing is NOT stopping -- but we are all navigating a strange new landscape. Agents are taking this day by day, just as everyone else is.
literaticat.tumblr.com
Literary Agent
Somebody wrote to tell me that my latest "Best of #AskAgent " newsletter about personalizing queries was confusing. Which... part? I'm happy to clarify but I honestly THOUGHT I was being as clear as it was humanly possible to be. Maybe not! 😬 Sorry???
literaticat.substack.com/p/best-of-ask-…
Literary Agent
I got really fired up about this #AskAgent question. Like, I want to reach through time and space and beat somebody up. I'M STILL MAD. "An editor said being young and attractive helps people get book deals. REALLY?!" 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/190894824…
Literary Agent
I started a (free!) (awesome???) newsletter. This will be one weekly update containing a Best Of #AskAgent question, plus bookish news and whatnot. Subscribe to get it directly.
First up on the Best of Ask the Agent: WTF is an ARC?
literaticat.substack.com/p/best-of-ask-…
Literary Agent
My #AskAgent Tumblr -- it's SO FULL of questions from people who are tying themselves up in knots. Here's the answer for all of you:
YOU ARE SERIOUSLY OVERTHINKING THIS. Please go outside and take some deep breaths of fresh air. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, PLEASE BE GOOD TO YOURSELF.
Literary Agent
My #AskAgent Tumblr in a nutshell:
"Is it true you should only get an agent who lives in NYC?"
(I don't live in NYC.)
"If I queried and then I changed two words should I send an updated version?"
(No.)
"How many words are in a book"
(Just make it book length pls.)
Literary Agent
Jennifer Laughran @literaticat
I'm trying to power through all the current #AskAgent questions on le Tumblr, so if you HAVE a question, it is likely that it will be answered before the New Year**(unless it is a terrible question or a repetitive question obvs)
literaticat.tumblr.com/ask
(BTW I am all caught up on #AskAgent questions and the inbox is empty! Woooo!)
Literary Agent
I spent my lunch answering a bunch of #AskAgent questions (and YEAH maybe also making a poster of a bunch of pretty books to answer one of the questions, what OF it???)
literaticat.tumblr.com
Literary Agent
Somebody on the #AskAgent Tumblr asked about writing an "NA Romance" that doesn't have HEA. But like... then it isn't a Romance...? If it is a ROMANCE, it has to have HEA/HFN. It can be a book with some romance IN IT and have an ambiguous or unhappy ending. But not a ROMANCE.
Literary Agent
My sweet darlings: I am very happy to answer #AskAgent questions on the Tumblr. You don't need to ask the same question multiple times: If I haven't answered, I just haven't thought of an answer OR, I already answered it. Probably a lot. xoxo literaticat.tumblr.com
Literary Agent
An #AskAgent tumblr question: "Is it true that a no from one editor is a no from all"? -- my answer (in which I explain a bit about Imprints):
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186587291…
Literary Agent
This got long (why do I talk so much omg I will shut up now) -- ANYway, #AskAgent -- how important is "personal chemistry" between an author and an agent?
My answer:
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186471322…
Literary Agent
An #AskAgent question: Why *shouldn't* an author look for another agent while they are still agented? My answer:
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186468425…
Literary Agent
A tumblr #AskAgent question: It seems like more and more agents only want to rep people who write novels rather than just picture books - why is that? My answer: literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186450188…
Literary Agent
This #AskAgent question about foreign rights turned really long, sorry
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186354394…
Literary Agent
I love it when people ask me interesting questions on the #AskAgent -- this one is, which is more important, the AGENT or the AGENCY? And also, what sets my own agency apart from others? Well, not to brag, but... *brags*
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186284700…
Literary Agent
Somebody asked on the #AskAgent tumblr if it is necessary for an aspiring author to get a fancy pro headshot, and at what point. I answered... and now my inbox is filled with followup questions from people who never want pic of themselves to exist? Well...
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/186238064…
Literary Agent
lea is drafting book two @whatsalelo
@LindaEpstein Is it ever okay to re-query an agent if the manuscript has gone through extensive revisons? For example, if there were a few major plot points that were stated in a blurb, that doesnt exist anymore. Chracters have been mushed into one. The title changed. Etc.Woof. If it has been more than six months and it’s a MAJOR revision... sure. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jennifer Reinharz @Redsaidwhatblog
@LindaEpstein Agents/publishers in general always seem to be looking for MG. Do you think this includes nonfiction for middle grade readers? If so, what’s in demand or trending? Thank you in advance. #askagentI’d say it includes nonfiction UNLESS they specifically say Fiction only. And, timely topics (feminist, social justice, etc), STEM, and history/bio about lesser-known folks/topics that can still clearly tie into curriculum. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Alicia Curley @ACurleyWrites
@literaticat @LindaEpstein #askagent When requesting additional PB manuscripts from a potential author/client (after the lead story query), 1) how many do you typically ask for and 2) are you looking to see the range of someone's portfolio, strength of portfolio, both, other?1) I’ll ask for “two or three” — 2) I just want to know you have more than one great idea and high quality work. #askagent