Maria Vicente
@msmariavicente
literary agent at @psliterary (graphic novels! children’s books! cool nonfiction!) • made of coffee, books, and magic • ✉️: maria@psliterary .com • she/her
new brunswick, canada
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- #askPSLA (215)
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
maria vicente @msmariavicente
@AliceArley Very rarely do I think a picture book manuscript can exist without art notes (even if minimal). The text should always leave room for the art to tell part of the story, and if you don't explain what's missing in the manuscript, then the reader won't understand the book. #askPSLAI have a short post on my website about this. mariavicente.com/blog/visual-th… #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Alice Arley 🐇🌹🍵 @AliceArley
I know that art notes are only to be used when absolutely necessary to understand a story in PB, but I have also seen some say no art notes ever, no matter what. Leave it to the reader and illustrator to decide. Do your agents or agency have an opinion on this? #askPSLAVery rarely do I think a picture book manuscript can exist without art notes (even if minimal). The text should always leave room for the art to tell part of the story, and if you don't explain what's missing in the manuscript, then the reader won't understand the book. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Michael Lunsford @LunsfordMichael
Why do so many MG agents automatically reject any MG book with an animal protagonist? (Hoping the answer isn’t just personal preference.) #askPSLAPersonal preference. ;)
And also, they're a tough sell at publishing houses. Maybe the market's oversaturated right now? #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
maria vicente @msmariavicente
@thatpurdywriter I wish the conflict wasn't always focused on what makes a "diverse" character "diverse." Ex: A YA book with a queer protagonist that doesn't focus on trauma associated with their sexual identity. Instead, the conflict is that they're being chased by a dinosaur. #askPSLAOr just more joyful stories in general! A book about hanging out in a cat cafe, rather than dealing with the world ending. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Sarah Purdy @thatpurdywriter
@msmariavicente Can you elaborate a little on joy in books? I want to read and write more joy! ^_^ But how can that co-exist with the relentless conflict required? #askPSLAI wish the conflict wasn't always focused on what makes a "diverse" character "diverse." Ex: A YA book with a queer protagonist that doesn't focus on trauma associated with their sexual identity. Instead, the conflict is that they're being chased by a dinosaur. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Kaliyah Martin @kaliyah_nicole
Hi @msmariavicente and @maureen_morettiWhat is something in either a query letter or the first few pages of a manuscript that immediately captures your attention and usually leads you to request more? #askPSLA
I mentioned this in an earlier response, but I'm always looking for a great writing style at the beginning of a manuscript. In a query, if your concept is something I truly haven't read before (many queries sound repetitive of one another), then I'll want to know more. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Ginger Ninja @engriffs
#askPSLA at what age do you feel young adult cuts off/it's adult? I'm querying a manuscript with a 21 year old and a little unsure.The oldest I've read in YA (that I recall now, anyway) is a protagonist starting their first year of college, so 18/19 typically. 21 might be a bit too old. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
IR Garner @irgarner
@PSLiterary @maureen_moretti @msmariavicente My ms combines translations of great Russian 20th century writers and historical commentary about their roles at the Battle of Stalingrad. Do I pitch it as literature, non-fiction, or translation? Is it even trade publishable, or better in academia? #askPSLAIt sounds more academic to me, a mix of literary commentary and history. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
Can a MS be pitched as an age crossover? I see people pitching "Adult SF with potential for YA crossover" or "YA romance with potential for Adult crossover." I had assumed those would be New Adult, but some are saying that's "not pitchable."#askPSLA
They probably would be New Adult if that category had developed like many hoped it would. Alas, it's not really a recognized category in traditional publishing, so you're right to pitch as having crossover potential. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
In comp titles for a query, would you rather have titles that are similar genre but maybe not writing style, or titles that are similar writing style from a different genre (having trouble finding any that meet both criteria) #askPSLASimilar writing style. I don't need comp titles for genre—those are easy to find. I'm more interested in comp titles that have to do with style, tone, theme, etc. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Casey Mulligan Walsh @caseyhen1
What is your preferred range for memoir word count from a first time author? #askPSLAMemoir's tricky, they can be quite effective even when on the shorter side. I would say 60k-80k. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
Do you have any unusual pet peeves when it comes to queries? (beyond the traditional things that most agents hate) Or any that seem to be coming up a lot recently? #askPSLAI really dislike it when someone puts down other books/tropes/topics/etc. in their query letter. Just focus on your own book, not what other people are writing! #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
What are you hoping to see more of in your inbox this year? #askPSLAMy wish list is on my website, and I'll update it throughout the year as I think of more projects I'd like to see. #askPSLA mariavicente.com/representation
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
I've been seeing a lot of varying word count requirements for Urban Fantasy, lately. Is there a solid range––or even, "sweet spot"––word count for the genre? (so far, I'm seeing recommendations somewhere between 60-120k depending on source, which is a daunting spread😬)#askPSLA
It depends on the age group. For adult, I would think 80k-100k is a good range. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
zach. @whackyzach
@PSLiterary @msmariavicente @maureen_moretti When would you encourage a client to use a pseudonym? Would it be necessary if someone wants to write disparate genres, i.e. graphic novels for adults and novels for middle grade? #askPSLAI would suggest using a pseudonym if you want to publish books for both the kids and adult markets, especially if the adult content is inappropriate for kids (like erotica or super violent/gory GNs, for example). #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Angela @AngieMCat
I'd like to become a literary agent one day and I know that interning at a literary agency is the best way to get experience but are there any other ways/options available that could also give me the needed publishing experience? #askPSLAKeep up to date with the books being published in the categories/genres you'd like to represent. Subscribe to industry newsletters (like Publishers Weekly). Attend local bookstore or library events. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Brie Edison Author @BrieEdison
#askPSLA Is it okay to write a middle grade book in first person?Yes, absolutely! There are plenty of MG books written in 1st person. It helps readers put themselves in the character's frame of mind—which often helps win over young readers. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Clarissa Marques @byCMarques
What usually makes you interested in continuing reading something based on the first page? Are there any specific elements you like to see? #askPSLAI'm always looking for a fantastic voice at the beginning of a submission. It's much easier to fix plot than writing style. #askPSLA
maria vicente @msmariavicente · Jan 27
Melanie Doctors @MelanieDoctors
@PSLiterary @maureen_moretti @msmariavicente #askPSLA Hello there! I'm working on a new ms which I'd classify as a dark rom-com. Is there such a thing and if so, is there a market for it?I don't work on adult lit much, so @maureen_moretti might have a better response, but just throwing it out there that "dark rom-com" sounds exactly like a book I would read in my downtime haha. #askPSLA