There's more and I could really go on and on. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be part of a place like APL. I know there are lots of great agencies out there, but ours really does feel special #AskAPL

#askAPL We are a mission-driven agency with a focus on representing and supporting authors whose voices are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing industry. We also have a strong international focus; we're multilingual and come from all over.

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

#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.

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

#AskAPL If, after talking with the author, our visions don't align for the project or if I don't have sufficient experience in a particular genre to be the best agent for that book.

#askAPL I've worked with clients for several years and many many drafts before submitting a project. And I've sold something within a few days after taking on a client.

#askAPL Find communities of writers to support you; find mentors; publish pieces that reflect your passions and the themes you focus on in your writing; consider what makes your work distinct.

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

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

#AskAPL Absolutely. I've represented many novels that are told in multiple points of view.

#askAPL Thanks for your question, Carol! If the novel is stellar, then I would consider it, though it would depend on what the total length is. 120k is better than 200k!

#AskAPL I have quirky tastes and wide interests so getting in a project that I personally love and was glad to read, but know I won't be able to sell. 😢

#askAPL Not being able to sell a project I love. I hate disappointing my clients and I am in love with every project I submit. It's the worst when I can't find a home for them.

#askAPL Some agents have a lot of clients. I tend to have a relatively small client list because I focus a lot on editing. And now my clients are working on their third and fourth books so I have less space to take on new ones. But still looking!

#AskAPL Due to limited bandwidth, certainly agents will take on fewer clients as their list grows - or as their list is comprised of very prolific clients who need more consistent attention.

#AskAPL There are more fairly standard word count ranges in other categories. Lit fiction is a bit more flexible.

#askAPL I'm sorry you've had that experience. It's true that writers from other countries may have a harder time finding an agent because the market for literature from other parts of the world is smaller. But there is growing interest so keep trying!

Writing: Not taking time to edit & polish before submitting.
Approach: Not getting it's a business & starting off w/ "I've been writing since I could hold a crayon" or "I've retired from 40 years in accounting and decided to write a book." Neither will help an agent sell. #AskAPL

#askAPL 1 common mistake is querying before the project is ready. The other is not carefully researching each agent before querying them. Honor yourself and your work and take your time!