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

πŸ”₯(SL)Ashley McAnelly is revisingπŸ”₯ @ashewriter

What are some books you've read recently you would love to see comped? #askPSLA

I 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

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
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
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
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

Thalia Miller @tmillerwrites10

What’s the best way to find comps? Whenever I search for suspense, I get thrillers and murder mysteries. I’m tempted to just classify my genre as women’s fiction but that seems so vague. #askPSLA

The trick to comps is understanding the intersectionality in your work β€” the X meets Y. The best way is to read voraciously in that genre (which you should be doing anyway since you're writing in it) and find common denominators within these works that apply to yours. #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

πŸ’« K.E. Stanton πŸ¦‹ @kestanton1

What do agents mean when they say β€œI 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

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

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? #askPSLA

Hum, probably how well they were able to incorporate the notes in the new version. Editing= patience and discipline. It can be tempting to send it out before it's ready to see how the agent feels (maybe they can help you?). But polishing the work is the writer's job. #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

Gabriella Brianna @gabrielbrianahs

What are some red flags that a manuscript is too much work to take on? #askPSLA

The #1 reason why I pass on queries is because the writing on a line level just isn't there. I can offer guidance on a lot β€” but not writing.

In that sense, the biggest red flag is someone who hasn't done the work that it takes to edit, revise, and polish their pages. #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

Paula Chapman @Pchapmanauthor

#askPSLA
Do you prefer writers stick to the "formula" for query writing, or be themselves, including exceeding the recommended 300-word limit?

My advice is to stick to the traditional 'formula' β€”Β  we should be wowed by the originality and creativity in your pages, not your query.

That being said, it's a personal choice. I'm sure there are cases of people who did it differently and had success.

#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
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

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). #askPSLA

For 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

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

Andrea Green Burton @ALGauthor

#AskPSLA Is there typically a correlation between how quickly agents respond to queries and whether it's a request or a pass?

Speaking for myself, no. My speed in getting back to #amquerying writers has more to do with how much I have on my plate that week. I feel like this is probably true for most agents. We're honored when you query us and wish we could respond super fast to all!

#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

Vivsbiggestfan @Vivsbiggestfan1

#askPSLA thank you PSLA! Would you please offer one or two things you love to see in a synopsis and one or two things that make you crazy?

I like brevity (one page is ideal!) and clarity (e.g. using all caps when introducing a new character). Oh, and I love it when writers justify margins (I'm weird, I know).

I dislike run-on sentences. And wacky fonts. Please spare me the wacky fonts! #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
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

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? #askPSLA

Usually 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

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

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

Do you mean when we turn down a partial/full? If so, sometimes we respond with an R&R β€” or revise and resubmit. It's not common, but it does happen! It depends on many variables. (Sorry if I misunderstood your question.)
#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

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

Does anyone in your agency, or all of you, respond to all queries? Or only those you are interested in? I thought I heard Carly mention recently in a talk she gave that she responds to all, so I’m just curious. #askPSLA

My sense is that all agents follow this rule: "if you don’t receive a request for further material within 4-6 weeks it means a no from the agency."

We do respond with a yes or no after having requested materials (e.g. partials or fulls).

#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

plantin based natt @soonattgee

#askPSLA after submitting a query letter and additional materials for review, do agents respond with a courtesy, β€˜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