Maria Vicente

I have a short post on my website about this. mariavicente.com/blog/visual-th… #askPSLA

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. #askPSLA

Personal preference. ;)

And also, they're a tough sell at publishing houses. Maybe the market's oversaturated right now? #askPSLA

Or just more joyful stories in general! A book about hanging out in a cat cafe, rather than dealing with the world ending. #askPSLA

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. #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

I don't see why not! #askPSLA

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

It sounds more academic to me, a mix of literary commentary and history. #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

Similar 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

Memoir's tricky, they can be quite effective even when on the shorter side. I would say 60k-80k. #askPSLA

I 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

My 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

It depends on the age group. For adult, I would think 80k-100k is a good range. #askPSLA

I 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

Keep 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

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

I'm always looking for a fantastic voice at the beginning of a submission. It's much easier to fix plot than writing style. #askPSLA

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