Maria Vicente
@msmariavicente
literary agent at @psliterary • wicked witch of the east coast • made of coffee, books, and magic • ✉️: maria@psliterary .com • she/her
new brunswick, canada
- #mswl (145)
- #tenqueries (11)
- #100Queries (319)
- #querytip (94)
- #pubtip (13)
- #askagent (96)
- #askPSLA (190)
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Talynn Lynn @TalynnL
@msmariavicente @AyanaGray Could you elaborate on why fantasy pitches sound the same to you? How so? Premise? Stakes? Or...? #aslPSLAThe concepts are often very similar. Royal families, revenge plots, witches with basic magic structures, etc. Just looking for new twists! #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Chris Fine @ChrisTheFine
Thanks for doing this! When using comp titles in pitches or discussions, is it inappropriate to use other media properties like films, comics, or games? #askPSLAI personally like comps that use different media properties, but I know some agents really don't... I realize this isn't the least bit helpful haha. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
𝖒𝖆𝕶𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖆 𝖘𝖔𝖕𝖍𝖎𝖆 ❄️ @makayla_sophia
Generally, how do agents feel about a writer having previously posted an older draft of something they are querying on a serialization site (such as Wattpad or Tapas)? #askPSLAI think generally it would be viewed as already having had its chance to find readers (so, a form of self-published). #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Kurestin Armada @kurestinarmada
@msmariavicente @kevintreaccar If it's a project from an author/illustrator though, I want to see a complete dummy of the picture book and not just the text. #askPSLAOops, I missed that detail when I first read the question! I definitely agree with K—an author/illustrator project should have a complete dummy. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
kaleo m. @kaleomnyc
When an agent agrees to represent a project, is it by project basis or can new projects be submitted to that same agent? #askPSLAEvery agency is different, but @PSLiterary typically signs clients for all work not just one project. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Talynn Lynn @TalynnL
#askPSLA How much of the story should a query cover? Thank you!You're just pitching the story, not giving away all the details. Similar to the back cover description on a published book. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Geoffrey Best @geoffreybest
What if you only want to work with @PSLiterary should still force yourself to submit to other literacy agencies #askPSLA @kurestinarmada @msmariavicenteWe are clearly the right choice, but sometimes it takes us forever to get to our queries or requested manuscripts! Or maybe your project just isn't right for us. Don't sell yourself short! There are probably many agencies out there that would want to work with you. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Ayana Gray @AyanaGray
What sorts of things in a YA fantasy make you immediately request (besides good writing) or immediately pass (a trope you don’t like)? #askPSLAMany fantasy pitches sound the same to me, so if I read something that I've never heard before, I'll definitely request! #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
N. Nasim Homer @HomerNasim
When you meet an agent at a lit conference, what is the appropriate way to approach them about your manuscript? Do you pitch them immediately or just let them know you would like to query them? Also is it okay to follow up a few months after or does time run out? #askPSLAGo ahead and talk about your book! They'll let you know if they'd like you to send a query or other material. And time doesn't run out—reach out when you're ready. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Ayana Gray @AyanaGray
Do you prefer a query letter to begin with metadata or jump straight into plot? And why? I know this varies depending on agency/agent. #askPSLADoesn't matter to me! As long as the metadata details are somewhere, I'm happy. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
🧠🌈 Steve Asbell @rainforestgardn
For author/illustrators, are you (or other agents) ever considering to work with the client even if the picture book dummy or manuscript isn't a good fit at the time? #askpslaIf a project wasn't the right fit, but I liked the author/illustrator's style, I would probably ask them to reach out with another book in the future. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Tesse Struve @StruveTesse
Is YA still a pretty hot genre? I’ve heard rumors it’s starting to slow in popularity. Thanks! #askPSLAThere will always be teenage readers! #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
N. Nasim Homer @HomerNasim
Is it okay to self-identify in a query (such as #POC or #OWN)? If so, where does that go in the letter? Is it toward the end when you give a short bio? #askPSLAIt's ok to do so if you want to, but no one should ever feel it's mandatory. You could put this info in the bio section or with the intro details (ex: "an own voices manuscript called ___"). #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
jstevenson @jsteven38690251
I’m planning to use a pen name. I created a twitter username to match the pen name, but it has no other activity. I have zero twitter presence in my real name anyway. How much do agents care about that? #askPSLAIf you don't want to use twitter, then don't use twitter. It doesn't bother me if my clients aren't on a particular social media platform. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Kevin Treaccar @kevintreaccar
For PBs, how detailed do you like illustrator notes to be for an author/illustrator query? Do you want to see all pagination and illustration notes? Or mostly words with just the most important notes to avoid distracting from the story? Thank you. #AskPSLAIllustration notes should only be used when the illustrations add understanding to the story that the reader won't get from the text alone. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Diane Lash Decker @Lash_Decker
Hi there. #askPSLA Would you consider representing a picture book that was self-published and is being sold locally and in local libraries? @PSLiteraryI prefer to work on new projects. I have a longer explanation here: mariavicente.com/blog/why-agent… #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢 🌶🤷🏽 @gabriellaienzi
#askPSLA more for @msmariavicente. I have an adult contemp about a 19yo chasing closure after a bad breakup (THE MOTHERS, THE FALCONER). But writing style is less literary, and more YA (Angie Thomas). Will that work for me or against me? (or indifferent lol)With a 19yo protagonist, this sounds more like YA than adult contemporary (just based on this small pitch). Compare it to published YAs with college-aged characters and see if it fits in. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Adriëlle @AdrielleBlaas
Is there anything you wish would make a comeback? Genre, trope, etc#askPSLA
I'm impatiently waiting for the next big vampire thing tbh. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
Barbara Martinez @Libby2964
#askPSLA Will the market always be the #1 determining factor? I know this is a business but wonder if you have rejected something you would have liked to represent, but the market is not favorable. Thank you.It is always a factor in some way. I don't want to offer to represent someone's work if I don't think I can sell it. #askPSLA
Maria Vicente @msmariavicente · Feb 25
WRMiller @WRMiller2
@msmariavicente @kurestinarmada Is the market still hot for dragons? #askPSLAI don't think anything is ever really "out"—any topic just needs to have a really new twist. With so many books published every year, your concept needs to stand out. #askPSLA