yep! you might get hearts from editors too, if they are the kind that can consider un-agented materials. just be ready to send your query and sample pages to the agents/editors who like your pitch. they are instructed to tweet submission instructions before particpating #askdvpit

editors who retweet are signaling to agents and you should keep a list of those editors to give to your eventual agent. they're not requesting unless they LIKE the pitch #askdvpit

Oooh, except in the case of "X meets Y"--if your X and Y are too similar, what's the middle ground where they're meeting? An "X meets Y" piques my interest when the combination feels unexpected. #askDVpit

You're friends can definitely retweet, but not heart, your pitch. But if an editor retweets your pitch, keep a list. When you have an agent, give your agent that list and tell them that these editors were interested. It helps your agent tailor who they'll sub to. #askDVpit

focus on what's in front of you. ideally you'll land an agent that can cover all your work, but if not, pursue a second agent when the time comes. it wouldnt stop me, if i really loved the book #askdvpit

Yep! Tweet your pitch, mention the age category + genre, and include the hashtag! You can also look at old pitches for inspiration #askDVpit

ask yourself who is the reader and that should be your answer #askdvpit

This is a good point! And @Ryality mentioned THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END earlier, which is an example of a killer illustrative title that also punches home the hook #askDVpit

yes and yes! #askdvpit

i say just paste the link so we can refer back and if they liked multiple then just choose randomly. put it in the opening...

the hashtags are shorthand to what should be in the query, so no need to include them

:)

#askdvpit

And I love a good reflective voice in adult fiction! It's absolutely not a problem with the work, but the default isn't "teen character = teen book." #askDVpit

If we could predict this, we'd be printing money! 😉 Certain categories, esp. in YA, are crowded, but that doesn't mean inventive new stuff won't sell. Rom-coms are in, but there are a lot in the queue at pubs already. You can't write to trends; you'll never catch them! #askDVpit

we've been doing april and october but that is subject to change at any time #askdvpit

i say an evocative title can add to the intrigue!!! #askdvpit

i think it's best to go by what feedback resonates with you. getting more eyes on your work is good and you should keep an open mind, but everything is subjective and ultimately we want YOU to be happy with your book #askdvpit

Yes to both! But if your comps are wildly different from each other take a second look--in general, they should be on the same wavelength. Also, love a good film or tv comp ;) #askDVpit

I should also note here that 13, especially if the themes tread upward, is an in-between age that sometimes gets stuck between middle-grade and YA. Do write the book + character you wanted to write, but this can affect where you'll have most success selling it! #askDVpit

i like a good, compelling title, so if it's a strength, include it! and no you can save that for the query #askdvpit

The key to "what makes a book YA" is voice. Does the narrative mood of your book inhabit the immediacy and spirit of BEING a teen, or is it more mature or even nostalgic? If you don't feel ready to make this call, you might want to do more reading in recent YA fiction. #askDVpit

yeah this and also consider bandwidth. i have authors that write in several categories and others that are staying put, at least for now. you want to be able to build somewhat consistently but depends on which categories and series and other unique factors #askdvpit