Juliet Mushens

Comps are helpful but I'd never reject based on lack of them! I also don't expect them to be 'My book is exactly like X and Y', but it could be 'with the setting of X, and the writing style of Y author', or comps to TV/movies are acceptable to me too! #AskAgent

always have a new idea or new project to work on - that way if project 1 doesn't sell or doesn't perform as well as hoped, you have something new to try #AskAgent

Yes, publishers tend to want to establish you in one area before diversifying - largely because readers are often genre-loyal rather than author-loyal. However, there are of course exceptions #AskAgent

I'm fine with multiple POVs as long as it doesn't feel confusing, and that each strand is as strong as the others #AskAgent

yes an increase in mine for sure - I'm always interested in a good book, well told! #AskAgent

it depends on the agent requirements for non-fic - if they ask for a proposal send the proposal but say you have written the full thing #AskAgent

It doesn't HAVE to be - I'm not a stickler for a padded word count if it feels unnecessary, but 60k would be considered on the short side and might mean some strands could be developed more #AskAgent

I would mention it, just a brief line or two. #AskAgent

Not much - could just be 'it would sit alongside novels like X and Y' #askagent

e.g. you might finish the book and realise that the main character actually hasn't ended up being the main character, or that it should be third person not first person, or you've written yourself into a corner and need to get out. All things which would impact opening #AskAgent

Definitely finish and polish the whole thing before sending off. I typically respond within 2 weeks, and it's not great to email asking to see a full book and it not be ready! also, I tend to believe that the ending of the book will inform the beginning too #AskAgent

I would say it's easier to pitch and sell a book which is mainly X, but elements of Y, than a true mash-up of X and Y #AskAgent

Yes, for fiction you need to finish the novel #AskAgent

I love short stories but their sales in the UK are always modest - even collections by established authors tend to see lower sales than their novels. In the US there's a much bigger market #AskAgent

It really depends on how much I love the book and how big the change is - and if I think the author would be willing to make that change #AskAgent

I'd send a polite chaser after a couple of months and then move on #AskAgent

I tend to say no unless they specifically asked to see a revise - but no harm in asking I guess #AskAgent

If I think there is promise there but the editorial work is BIG - sometimes the author might not want to do it/be able to do it #askagent

Not at all - just mention it briefly in your biog #askagent

No I don’t think you need a ‘perfect’ first page - just an interesting one which keeps me reading #askagent