Molly Ker Hawn

I can only speak for myself -- but if I have feedback that I think might be useful, I offer it. If the book isn't the right fit for me at all, I don't think I have any business telling you how to revise it! #askagent

I mean, another agent might disagree, but I suspect most of us would struggle to sell a YA that long #askagent

Nope. 160K words = nightmare to sell translation rights (German, e.g., adds another 25% to the word count) & retailers often complain that YA novels over 100K or so are too long to interest customers. For a debut, I wouldn't consider sending it out at that length. #askagent

The agent's submission guidelines should indicate whether they intend to respond to all submissions. For some, no response = no #askagent

I've seen more and more deals for children's books (fiction and non-fiction) focusing on climate change, but it's hard to say what the best would look like. It boils down to: is the book really going engage young readers in the issue? It's up to the author to do that. #askagent

Can't hurt to explain and ask. The worst the agent could do is say no. (actually, the worst they could do is not respond, I know) #askagent

I rep a lot of YA and I'll be honest with you, these days I probably wouldn't look at a submission that's 160K words. Even if I loved it, I'd have to help the author cut at LEAST a quarter of it before I could submit it. #askagent

Sure, give it a try. Most of us focus on whether we can sell a book into the markets we work in, and not on where the author lives #askagent

I had a book get turned down by almost 40 editors before the perfect one fell in love with it the same way I did! (But I don't share specifics; that's the author's business) #askagent

Sure, 12 weeks is fine. Just be aware that many agents are juggling work with home stuff (even more) these days and are taking longer to read. #askagent

Honestly? They're all polite ways of saying 'Thank you, but I don't want to represent this.' Someone else might—it's such a subjective business. #askagent

I can't speak for everyone else, but I have 22 full manuscripts in my queue waiting to be read, and my days are full with client work (and right now, child care). These days, I get through a full every 2 weeks or so. #askagent

Ah, we're literary agents -- we represent books, not film/TV/play scripts. So I don't have an answer for that! #askagent

No, as long as it works for the story. #askagent

I always like to see it, but only if it's sincere. (Like, don't pick a title from the agent's list at random: 'I loved your client's [creepy serial killer thriller], and I'm pleased to be sending you my [charming bedtime-story picture book]' is not very helpful 🙂 #askagent

Mine are split about 60/40 between North America and the UK - with an Australian in the mix as well. I think most of us would take on any project we believed in and felt we could sell in the markets we work in -- regardless of where the author lived #askagent

If it didn't sell well, you don't have to mention it in your cover letter/query. The work you're submitting should stand on its own, and if an agent offers rep, you can discuss your earlier self-published work then #askagent

Not that I know of, but to be fair, I'm not up on courses. A professional writers' association (like SCBWI, SFWA, etc.) might lead to good recommendations from fellow members #askagent

MG doesn't lend itself to self-pub success the way adult crime/romance/sff does. And unless your sales numbers are well into the 10s of thousands, it wouldn't move the needle for me. If you want to publish traditionally, focus on writing/submitting the best book you can #askagent

A great pitch is most important! #askagent