Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Thanks for joining the Q&A!

Have more questions? Me and @agentvicente have TONS of free resources on our sites. Query letters, proposal guides, etc!

Stop by. #askPSLA

Maria: mariavicente.com/blog-posts

Trenchcoat Full of Corgis Pretending to be Human: ericsmithrocks.com/perfect-pitch

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Marsha S @MizzMarshaS

Any feedback / perspective in regards to crossover preferences or do you prefer clean boxes that fit in XYZ? #askPSLA
Replying to @MizzMarshaS

I feel like a lot of the adult books that I work on are ALL crossover books that don’t fit someplace neatly. And that’s what makes them so special?

Genre blending crossover books are always popular. I’m a fan! #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Alisa Hewitt @SparkleFireD

What is a piece of advice you'd give to your "younger" writing self? #askPSLA

To not have pointless goal posts set for myself.

You don’t need an agent by age whatever. A published book at age this or that. A bestseller whenever.

What you need is to take your time. Make friends. Breathe. Remember that there’s more to you than what you’re writing. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

sal @salbux

@PSLiterary @agentvicente @ericsmithrocks Are author websites important these days? What do I include if I’m unpublished and starting out? #askPSLA

I’ve signed authors with no website, but I had them make a website right away.

Because I fear @MissDahlELama and @recitrachel, but also because it’s a great way to showcase who you are. Your home base.

You don’t need to be published yet, to have a simple homepage. #askPSLA

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Cassie Silva @cassieswriting

@PSLiterary @agentvicente @ericsmithrocks #ASKPSLA what are some trends in the market you are seeing? (especially MG/YA but interested in any answer!)

Trends in publishing are such a hard thing to point to, because often times when you spot it, it’s already happened?

I do know a lot of editor friends are asking for more MG/YA horror, and works in verse. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Nicole Buran @BuranNicole

@ericsmithrocks @jd_hathaway @PSLiterary @agentvicente Are credentials as important for memoir as for other nonfiction works?
Replying to @BuranNicole

It depends. Someone like me, who works on memoir in essays, I like to see a body of published work. Chances are your essay collection is about something. I like to see you’re an expert there.

IE: @JamesTateHill’s query is a good example. ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2021/7/26… #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Nicole Buran @BuranNicole

What do I put in my query bio if I'm not yet published? Do I mention contests, etc. for which I am awaiting a response? The next projects I am starting (I've heard this is a no-no)? Nothing at all feels like it's not the right answer... #askPSLA

Say that the project you're querying will be your debut book...that's a very cool thing! I also like to see some personality (where you're from, what you're passionate about, what you do to pay the bills) and a few words about your WIP is a great idea. #askPSLA

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

J.D. Hathaway @jd_hathaway

@PSLiterary @agentvicente @ericsmithrocks In general, does having a creative writing degree or other credentials influence whether a writer is chosen to be represented or published? #askPSLA
Replying to @jd_hathaway

Nope! It’s all about the story. Most of the authors I work with didn’t major in writing.

I only look at credentials in nonfiction, because you’re supposed to be an expert. Past publications really help in that space. #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

🔥(SL)Ashley McAnelly is revising🔥 @ashewriter

I know it varies from agent to agent but do either/both of you try to give feedback on fulls that you reject? #askPSLA

I have before, yes! It's rare, and it usually happens when I love the writing but the project needs SO MUCH WORK that I'm not sure my vision will match with the writer's. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips