Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Nancy Parish @nancyparish

#askupstart What does "I didn't connect with the main character" mean in a query. Is that something that can be easily fixed .
Replying to @nancyparish

When I say that I mean I was unable to care for the character - to be invested in them, to love them. And that usually means something's not right with bringing the character to life, and making their motivations clear. #AskUpstart

Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Lynn Rogalsky đŸ’» @lynn_rog

What do you look for in a nonfiction PB, biography or otherwise?
Also, are chapter books a hard sell?

#AskUpstart
Replying to @lynn_rog

See my response to another writer here, about CBs. For nonfiction, I look for projects that will be exciting for kids. There are so many possible subjects, but I want a book I know readers will love. #AskUpstart

Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips

Keri @BackyardReading

If an agent is not interested do they typically let the author know, or is it a matter of silence means no? #AskUpstart
Replying to @BackyardReading

A thousand different agents might give you a thousand different answers on this. For me, I always try to respond. It's not always timely, but I try! #AskUpstart

Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips
Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Nancy Parish @nancyparish

#AskUpstart Is it okay to use movies as comps in a query letter?
Replying to @nancyparish

I'd be sure to use a book, or two books!, before you comp to a movie. But when it fits, go for it! #AskUpstart

Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Lynn Rogalsky đŸ’» @lynn_rog

#askUpstart I don't write to them, but I'm curious how trends begin.
Replying to @lynn_rog

Now that's a fascinating question! Why does a certain book feel absolutely perfect, at a certain time and place? My gut is that it often will connect to the larger culture - what's happening in the world at the time. #AskUpstart

Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips

Rebecca R. Cohen @RebeccaRCohen2

@susanhawk @UpstartCrowLit What is the key to hooking an agent? What stories really catch your eye? #askUpstart #askmeanything
Replying to @RebeccaRCohen2

Write a fantastic manuscript, and pair it with a clear, concise query. I never know exactly what I'm looking for when I open the query box, but I'm always ready to be wowed. #AskUpstart

Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Danielle Chiotti @daniellechiotti

@mikalroy Lately, I find myself dealing less in trends and more in: does this story surprise and delight me? I want to be surprised and delighted. #AskUpstart
Replying to @daniellechiotti

I don't think we're in a heavy trend period - no vampires taking over the shelves, no dystopian dominance. Its a good thing! More exciting for the field to be open. I do see exciting growth, esp in MG, where editors are hungry for GNs, and books for the older readers. #AskUpstart

Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips
Susan Hawk
@susanhawk
Literary Agent
Children's and YA Book Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Excited to read your query!
120 MSWL
26 AskAgent
3 Tips

Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito

What’s been the biggest surprise in the MG market in recent years, both in terms of what‘s written and what’s selling? #askupstart
Replying to @maureenmirabito

I can't think of a surprise, but I am very glad for the increased representation we're seeing - though more to do there, for sure. I'm delighted that GNs are doing so well, and also love older MG - the boundaries that are being pushed there. #AskUpstart

Danielle Chiotti
@daniellechiotti
Literary Agent
Literary agent @ Upstart Crow Literary, book lover, food lover.
12 MSWL
22 AskAgent
1 Tips