Literary Agent
mamatha jahnavi k @mamathajk
@jenchentran which is the latest work by and Indian author that you loved and published? @PanAsianVoices #DVIndiaChatPersonally haven't represented Indian author yet, would love to find the right one. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Kulpreet Yadav @Kulpreetyadav
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices :My Q: why aren't the agents in the US interested in Indian popular fiction, why only lit fiction.
Strangely, perhaps the agents interested in this type of writing have more literary taste? #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Kulpreet Yadav @Kulpreetyadav
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices :My Q: why aren't the agents in the US interested in Indian popular fiction, why only lit fiction.
I don't know! You tell me! Would love to see more contemporary commercial Indian fiction. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Ruchira @abracabadra01
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices How about visionary fiction? Any scope out there? Although I see PauloCoelho, Deepakchopra books make a fortuneI'm not sure. I think that it's tough to write well. I do find Coelho's writing fascinating. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Payal Desai @payaldesai83
@PanAsianVoices @jenchentran Q: do you think American readers enjoy stories based in other cultures and countries?Can think of many. The Kite Runner. Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Murakami books. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Payal Desai @payaldesai83
@PanAsianVoices @jenchentran Q: do you think American readers enjoy stories based in other cultures and countries?I do, but maybe I'm an idealist! So many excellent stories set in other cultures/ countries. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices How sensitive are agents about word counts ? What if the story is well said in just 50-55K words ? #DVIndiaChatDepends on genre. More leeway for fiction. Agents/ editors leery of word counts of 120K+. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran For modern fiction, is it easier to sell if protagonist is English names, specifically in OwnVoice Diverse stories?#DVIndiaChatNot necessarily. Names not of paramount importance. Character development, plot, narrative tension more imp. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices What are the top 3 reasons you will reject a well-formed query in the first read ?#DVIndiaChat#3 you query me in an area I don't represent. It pays to do your homework. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices What are the top 3 reasons you will reject a well-formed query in the first read ?#DVIndiaChat1. You address the wrong person (not me). 2. You say that your book is the next #1 best-seller. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
It's 1 of the reasons I became a literary agent. I NEED to see more representation & want to create change. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Archana Sarat @archanasarat
@PanAsianVoices @jenchentran What stories are pubs looking for from Indian authors? Will those based in contemporary urban India work?I do think multi-generational stories set in contemporary urban settings are compelling. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Archana Sarat @archanasarat
@PanAsianVoices @jenchentran What stories are pubs looking for from Indian authors? Will those based in contemporary urban India work?Hard to say what the trends are. Write what is true to you and you will find a home for it. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
As a minority, I was often puzzled why there weren't more books that represented me. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Great q! 1. Representation is so important. We should read books that reflect ourselves. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices What is the typical timeline for first response when we query an agent in any agency? #DVIndiaChatEvery agency is different. Mine is 6-8 weeks, but I only respond to queries I'm interested in. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices DiverseBook ? Written by non US author, or characters and world building in non-english space ? #DVIndiaChatDiversity means many things. Can mean racially, socio-economically, etc. Incl. non-US authors. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Siddharth @contagious_sid
@jenchentran @PanAsianVoices That is the Q. I havent seen any books launched in historic fiction recently. Do agents accept it? #DVIndiaChatYes, some agents rep historical romance. Look at #MSWL or other Agent Guides to find out more. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Neil D'Silva @neildsilva
I see #WeNeedDiverseBooks on your intro, and 'deep, dark stories'. Me glad! Are pubs looking for such stories? @jenchentran #DVIndiaChatAs for dark and deep, that's my preference. But just as agents have different tastes, so do editors & publishers. #DVIndiaChat
Literary Agent
Neil D'Silva @neildsilva
I see #WeNeedDiverseBooks on your intro, and 'deep, dark stories'. Me glad! Are pubs looking for such stories? @jenchentran #DVIndiaChatYes! "Diversity" used to be an empty catchphrase, but editors are now actively acquiring #ownvoices stories. #DVIndiaChat