Serene Hakim

Literary Agent

Ayesha Pande Literary

reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips
Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Pande Literary @agent_ayesha

#AskAPL Find a job at an agency, or in another part of the publishing industry, such as a publisher or a scouting firm. Networks are crucial, so join organizations where you can meet editors and authors. twitter.com/bellaanddabeas…

I'll also add that you should read often and widely - get to know what books are out there, discover your own tastes, challenge yourself with new genres. Pay attention to who is publishing all these books too. It'll help you determine what type of agent you want to be #AskAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

El Park is revising, revising, revising @EMParkAuthor

#AskAPL What role does having a twitter or other social media following play in your decision to take on a writer?

Generally speaking, for fiction, social media doesn't really factor much in my decision, if at all. Obviously a big platform helps no matter what but it's not necessary. For nonfiction, platform is much more important and social media can play a big role in that #AskAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Carol L Park @CarolLPark2

#AskAPL Imagine receiving a stellar debut novel which has more than 100,000 words. If other conditions were right (ie author willing to make changes and do promo work), would you consider it?

I'd consider it if I really loved the novel and had an idea of what it needed to be a more manageable length, and if the author is willing to put in the work! It also depends on the genre and what type of book it is #AskAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Abigail Snyder @abigailrsnyder

#AskAPL what are some of the most common reasons you decide not to sign a book?

For me, I have to a) love it, b) have a good idea of how I want to pitch it/position it, and c) have enough time at the moment to put in the work. Without these things, I don't think I'd be the best agent for the book #AskAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

carolyn wang @commabund

@foldandgathers What advice would you give to people applying for publishing internships/jobs? 😬 #AskAPL

Definitely be familiar with the books of the place you’re applying at. You have to make it clear you want to work there and not anywhere else (even though we all know you’re applying lots of places!) #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Gaby @gaby_reads

Rejection is a large part of the publishing industry. Any advice for authors who have been querying a while or who have been out on submission a long time? #AskAPL

Try to stay positive! But also take it as an opportunity to review what’s going on. No requests for fulls? Maybe you need to tweak your query letter. Listen to the feedback and revise your project as necessary. And keep writing other things. It could just be timing #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Kehinde @RandKallday

@serenemaria @agent_ayesha Hello! I’ve always wanted to know what the relationship is between the agency owner and an agent. For example, when an agent offers rep to a writer, is the owner involved in that? Do they review the MS or approve anything before the offer is extended? Thanks so much!

Depends! We usually discuss potential projects & others offer their opinion. We’re collaborative & I value my colleagues’ input but ultimately the agent offering is the one to decide. (This could be different if the agent is starting out & others might do it differently) #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

L. Ryan Storms @LRyan_Storms

@serenemaria @agent_ayesha #askapl when are you opening to queries again, Serene? (I.e. when will the mini-people in your life allow this?) Dying to submit YA fantasy your way.

The mini people in my life are adorable and wonderful but so demanding!! I really want to open again soon, hopefully next month. I’ll announce it on here! I’m hungry to read something new and exciting #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

carolyn wang @commabund

What advice would you give emerging writers who haven't been published yet? Alternatively, what gets you excited about working with a writer? #AskAPL

Read widely in the genre you’re writing! Be patient, play the long game, and try not to take rejection personally. I love working with writers who have lots of book ideas. I like knowing I’m investing in the writer, not just one project #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Fisherman Git @fishermansdaily

At what stage in the process do you involve an agent?
1.) Write
2.) Self-edit round 1
3.) Self-edit round 2
4.) Find an editor
5.) Send to agent
6.) Agent sends out to publishers

Is this correct?
#AskAPL

More or less! You don’t necessarily need an editor before querying but I definitely recommend having a trusted friend or writing partner take a look. And I’ll add that you’ll probably do even more revision with your agent before they send it out #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Gabriella Caballero @GabriellaCabal6

If I'm a bb author, and I have a book idea, how do I start looking for a lit agent? How much of my book should I have written before looking? #AskAPL

For fiction, have the whole ms done and as polished as you can get it. Nonfiction you only need a proposal (w/ sample chapters). Start by looking online for agents, seek ppl out here & get a sense for what they’re looking for. Do your research before you start querying. #askAPL

Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips
Serene Hakim
@serenemaria
Literary Agent
reader, coffee addict, city dweller, agent at Ayesha Pande Literary @agent_ayesha , mama to two very cute kids, she/her, 🇱🇧
15 MSWL
14 AskAgent
4 Tips

Gabriella Caballero @GabriellaCabal6

I'm a writer with multiple book ideas! I want to write contemporary YA and Adult Fantasy and also horror stories. Do I find one agent to represent them all? Or do I find different agents for my different stories? #AskAPL

You can do either! It’s great to find one agent with range who you can really develop with but that’s not always easy to do. It’s not unheard of to find one agent for your adult projects and one for your kids books for example #askAPL