Stephanie Winter
Literary Agent
P.S. Literary Agency
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
Literary Agent
Shannon @ShannonJCurtin
I have a WIP with a plot component that might read controversial to some. Is there a way to tell if an agent/agency is open to something that's a little left-field? #askPSLABeyond bios, I'd say look at the agent's/agency's list to see if they'd be a fit. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
The Scott that is Querying @SWBauthor
Do you want to know if a querying author has short stories in anthologies when they’re querying a novel?#askPSLA
Yes! We might even know the anthology, but more generally, writing credits can also suggest to us that you are approaching writing as a career. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
L Currie @LCurrie48172079
How do I make sure my manuscript is polished before I query an agent? Would it be best to invest in hiring an editor? #askPSLASelf-editing is the first step, in my opinion. Take a break from the work and come at it with fresh eyes (this might mean weeks or longer!). Explore free options like beta readers and writing groups--other writers who are also looking for another opinion. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
𝒦𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝐹𝑜𝓍𝓍, 𝒜𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇 @kfoxx_writes
I’ve heard from many agents not to spend the money on an editor because that’s part of the process when you get an agent and go through editing before submission. How do we do developmental, etc. edits without hiring an editor ahead of querying? #askPSLAIf you can, find writer groups or beta readers who will swap works with you--Twitter can be a great resource. If you are editing solo, take a significant break and come back to the work with fresh eyes! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Lacy - Host of That's ProbLITmatic Podcast @reachwriter
In your opinion, what makes writing "exceptional"?#askPSLA
For me personally, if it is well-paced (the author knows how much to write and when to stop); if it is incisive; if the voices/characters are interesting/engrossing. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Konnie Writes ✍️ @KonnieWrites
@PSLiterary #askPSLA. what are the biggest writing issues that cause you to pass on a manuscript?This is a tough one! If the manuscript reads like a first draft--of course, the occasional typo/grammar hiccup is to be expected. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
jrmitchell @jrmitch53998160
#askPSLA Do you have a slush pile? And have you ever had any success with finding an author/book from the slush pile?We do! Here are our submission guidelines. And yes, I've found a number of my creators in the slush pile. 😁
psliterary.com/submissions/
#askPSLA
Literary Agent
🔥(SL)Ashley McAnelly is revising🔥 @ashewriter
What are some books you've read recently you would love to see comped? #askPSLAI love this question! Read these two, not recently, but would love to see Andrea Bartz's The Herd and Wicked + Divine (but YA or MG) comped. Or Can't Even by Anne Helen Petersen, too. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kit Mareska @KitMareska
Thx so much for doing this Q&A. Do you like personal info in a query’s bio section or do you prefer strictly professional? #AskPSLAHmm, I've seen both done well! If it's personal, I appreciate when it's intentional--relevant to the work and/or funny/endearing/memorable. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Cyndie "CJ" Zahner @TweetyZ
And finally, do you like rom coms for 40-something women gaining strength later in life? #askpsla @ceciliaclyra @readbystephanieYes! And if the book has a clear hook and strong stakes/objectives/goals for characters, even better. 😊#askPSLA
Literary Agent
💫 K.E. Stanton 🦋 @kestanton1
What do agents mean when they say “I didn’t fall in love with it”?#askPSLA
For me, it comes down to passion. You want an agent who is SO passionate about your project, they're going to work so hard to see it succeed. The agent should love your book--if they just like it, there's likely another agent out there who will love it. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
jawna @jawna
#askPSLA Does agency accept urban fantasy books?Yes! Check out what we're acquiring below to see who might be a fit for your book.
psliterary.com/submissions/
#askPSLA
Literary Agent
Lisa Lark @lisa_lark
When querying a memoir in essarys, should I convey an average length? Some of mine are longer, some are quite short (listicle style, Top Ten lists). #askPSLAFor me personally, the main word count I look for is the overall proposed book length. If you are playing with form, a short line in the query sharing some of the styles you play with can be a way to pique my interest! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Jes Kingsley @JesKingsley
When you ask for a revision from an authour before considering offering representation, what usually signals you to offer or step aside once you receive the revision? #askPSLAUsually I'll offer after an R&R if I LOVE the project, if the edits strengthened the work, if the work aligns with my list, if we have the same vision for the work, etc.
It's equally important for the author to find the right agent for them and their goals!! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
plantin based natt @soonattgee
#askPSLA after submitting a query letter and additional materials for review, do agents respond with a courtesy, ‘No thanks’? How long before we should query again?Every agency has different rules and standards. If you've been asked to submit pages (independent from an initial query), you'll receive either a personal or agency note from us to pass (or to talk more!). #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2
Do you ever ask writers questions when you request a partial/full? Such as, if you think a revision could be beneficial, do you feel out the writer?#askPSLA
Great question! If I'm excited about a work but want to see how the author edits, I'll get in touch with the author about possible revisions after I've read the full--sometimes this can mean a non-exclusive revise and resubmit. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Daniel M. Clark @danielmclark
#askPSLA and my last question is… how important is it, really, for authors to be on twitter? I tend to leave the platform for years at a time because I really don’t like it. If I have to keep it up for the sake of a career, I’ll do it, but I’d rather not lolFor NF, that following can help. For fiction, having a twitter community to support you and your work can be rewarding, but it's not crucial to selling your work. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Marcie Price Jackson @MissMarciePants
#askPSLA thanks for answering Qs today! I’m wondering, at what point do you shelve your MS? I’ve read various numbers- 10 queries, 50, etc.? I’ve had several full and partial requests, but haven’t found “the one” yet.If you're getting those requests, that means you're on to something. It might be time to do another edit or lean into a writer critique group. It sounds like your query is doing its job. If you've lost your passion for the MS, that's when I'd shelve the MS for now. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Maureen Moretti @maureen_moretti
@snlefebvre Publisher's Marketplace's free website lists internships, as well as bookjobs.com. There are a number of programs, including Columbia, NYU and Pace that offer publishing certificates to learn more. #askPSLAAlso try twitter and social media searches. Some companies/agencies will share postings there too. #askPSLA