Editor
Kelly Brantley @kellyynewbook
#askdvpit Hello! What mistakes do writers make in their very first pages/queries that immediately turn you away from a manuscript?Infodumping; conversely, action w/o context (find a happy medium). Protag I don't care about. Starting the book in the wrong place #askDVpit
Editor
Thao Le @ThaoLe8
I concur. Use emojis in your twitter pitches sparingly when you need to due to char constraint, but don't make it hard to decipher #AskDvpit twitter.com/AshleyHearn/st…Clarity is key with Twitter pitches! The feed fills up fast, so many requesters don't have time to spend decoding. #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Editor
Jonathan Humphries @JonnoHumphries
How early in a manuscript should an author specify a characters race? Is that necessary at all? #askDVpitA character's race (esp #ownvoices) is an important part of their identity. There's no formula; it should be treated organically. #askDVpit
Editor
Priyanka Taslim @bhootbabe
#AskDVPit Are emojis as shorthand in pitches a no-no?I think it could work as long as the meaning is clear. I wouldn't over clutter it though. #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Kelly Brantley @kellyynewbook
#askdvpit Hello! What mistakes do writers make in their very first pages/queries that immediately turn you away from a manuscript?#AskDvpit when query does not tell what the story is about, motivation conflict what drives this story. something to get excited over!
Editor
Kelly Brantley @kellyynewbook
#askdvpit Hello! What mistakes do writers make in their very first pages/queries that immediately turn you away from a manuscript?A character who has no drive or desire is difficult for me to connect with. And if I don't connect w/ the MC, I won't fall in 💜. #askDVpit
Editor
Saraciea @Sj_Fennell
Trends change so frequently! *HINT* This might also lead to friendship w/ writers in the same genre as you. #AskDvpit 2/Yes, this! A book is never published into a vacuum; being part of your genre community is both a joy and a boon to your career. #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Gabriela Martins @gabhimartins
if an agent offers representation, should you email just the agents who have your partial/full, or all queried? thanksss!! #askdvpit#AskDvpit All you will want to give all agents queried an opportunity to review or request with a specific timeline usually 2 wks Benefits u
Editor
M. M. Collins @Mickcollins32
#askDVpit I'm struggling w/ how to categorize my historical Caribbean novel. It has a range of ages & is a little too graphic for YA.Who do you imagine your target audience to be? Adult can have teen characters, but YA = books from teen POV's for teen readers. #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Gabriela Martins @gabhimartins
when you sign with an agent but that book ultimately doesn't sell, will the agent generally stay with you? thanks! ❤️ #AskDvpit#AskDvpit our goal is to help build career not based on one book. When offering we often ask about writing goals and future aspirations.
Editor
Cina Pelayo @cinapelayo
#askDVpit Also, I'm a little nervous because I've been published by indies. Is this a strike against me? I'm unagented FYI.Many great authors start their careers at reputable indies! (99% of the time, an agent is crucial when moving to a Big 5 house.) #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Agrippina The Younger @ClareAgrippina
NA appears only be romance, would querying a fantasy/sci-fi in that category hurt the manuscripts chances? #askdvpit#AskDvpit I would prefer that the category of YA or Adult be used for fantasy or sci-fi. Also less call right now for NA.
Literary Agent
Sandra Proudman @SandraProudman
If an agent passed on a full before but invited you to submit in the future, should you mention this in a new query to them? #askDVPit#AskDvpit Yes! We tend to have good memories for subs read. Beneficial to mention.
Literary Agent
All the insight from editors, agents, and authors in #askDVpit right now is incredible.
Go read up, and thank Actual Legend™ @beth_phelan.
Literary Agent
Paul Campbell @PDCampbell_
@caitief On pitch day, do you search on #own or #OwnVoices? #askDVpitI do both! I also have about 20 tabs open with my searches... #askdvpit
Editor
Lillian Swindell @WhatLilliThinks
@caitief How bad is it to use movies for comps? I seem to have issues comparing my manuscript to something already in existence. #askDVpitI don't mind it as long as it's nothing too obscure. #askdvpit
Literary Agent
Lillian Swindell @WhatLilliThinks
@caitief How bad is it to use movies for comps? I seem to have issues comparing my manuscript to something already in existence. #askDVpitIn a pitch, I think it is fine. I prefer to see also see a book in the query if you have comps, but for pitches, movies are fine. #askdvpit
Literary Agent
Daka Hermon @dakadh
Will agents & editors request query or manuscripts off pitch? #askdvpitIt depends on the person! I think most ask for some pages w/ the query, even if they usually don't. #askdvpit