Literary Agent
Nicole Hospital-Medina @pinkurlers
What do agents mean when they say accepting “select picture books” #AskECLAGenerally, it means that picture book submissions are narrower than the other categories. For example: I really only want STEM, PB that break down gender stereotypes, and a variety of family structures for PB. but no anthropomorphism (which is big in PB)
#AskECLA #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Deborah Foster is writing like the wind! @DeborahClaytonF
When it comes to PB what are you looking for? And NOT looking for? Authors or Author/illustrators? #AskECLAOoh, I'm not open to picture books, but what do you think @GarrettAlwert and @dawilliamsbooks ?#AskECLA #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Nicole Hospital-Medina @pinkurlers
@dawilliamsbooks Thank u! But can u send different query/manuscripts to one agent? Like if I send a book a few weeks ago can I send another different one to same agent?If you've received a response on one query, then yes, you are able to submit another query/mss to the same (or different) agent!
#AskECLA #askAgent
Literary Agent
Sara Kellar @SaraKellar
Would you reconsider a project you’ve previously rejected that’s undergone a significant revision? (I don’t want to make any assumptions lol) #AskECLAMe too! But the changes really would have to be significant -- and particularly if I've already read and responded well but rejected a full manuscript. I always respond to fulls with personal notes, so if those concerns are addressed YES #askECLA #askagent
Literary Agent
Sara Kellar @SaraKellar
Would you reconsider a project you’ve previously rejected that’s undergone a significant revision? (I don’t want to make any assumptions lol) #AskECLASpeaking only for me, I would. Please add information that it's been revised in the query so that I'm aware that work was done. #AskECLA #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Nicole Hospital-Medina @pinkurlers
Question! Is it okay to send one agent different manuscripts and queries separately but within a short amount of time? Or if they reject one manuscript can I send them another? #AskECLAThe best thing to do is submit to one agent at a time. Once you get a rejection then you are welcome to submit to another agent. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Melanie Cole @MelanieKCole
#AskECLAI have a YA I've been querying that I'm tentatively calling scifi, bc there's a DNA component, but it reads more paranormal than scifi. There's no tech, it's not near future or post-apocalyptic. It's a contemporary setting with strange happenings. Thoughts on genre?
Call it a YA novel, haha. An agent can decide which way to spin it when they pitch, based on what the market wants. (That's my opinion, anyway). My debut was a YA time travel, but I didn't have to mention that- the query made it clear. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Linda -pro witch, anti pumpkin spice- Epstein @LindaEpstein
@MandyHubbard Absolutely agree with this. But know who you're querying, because not all agents like everything. For example, I'm the wrong agent for violence or anything remotely murdery. Just do your research.Linda and I constantly joke about how I want the dark/murdery books (I spend my free time listening to Dateline podcasts and watching True Crime docs!) It really is often taste and not reflective of your writing if we pass. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Mandy Hubbard @MandyHubbard
This is SUCH a good question-- and it varies tremendously from one agent to another as lists take shape. Some clients write a few books a year, others a book every few years. Some clients take more time to assist, since so much of agenting happens BEYOND the sale. #AskECLA twitter.com/JanSuhr/status…I am on the slower path than some but am looking forward to adding to my list significantly in the next year. #askECLA
Literary Agent
Jeannette Suhr @JanSuhr
@LindaEpstein How many writers are you currently representing? What’s the maximum you would handle?This is SUCH a good question-- and it varies tremendously from one agent to another as lists take shape. Some clients write a few books a year, others a book every few years. Some clients take more time to assist, since so much of agenting happens BEYOND the sale. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Stephanie L. Ward 🎃👻🕷🕸🎃 @StephaineWard
@LindaEpstein What about #MG #Scifi? Are any of the #askECLA agents looking for this type of story?I think we would all look at it! #AskECLA Check out what we've sold/general wish list and query the one you think best fits what you've got. You can always query another if there is a pass.
Literary Agent
Doris @doreesespieces
Would love to know your general guidelines in terms of content restrictions for YA. I just feel like I’ve read such different things on the internet...Thank you so much for doing this #askECLA !
As long as the character reads like a teenager, reacting to things as a teen, I don't think there ARE restrictions. With some topics (like sex), it is generally handled in a more emotional/grounded way, rather than scintillating. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
August Zehn @AugustZehn
Is there a reason agents usually ask for the *first* X pages of a manuscript? #askECLAWe just like to get a flavor for the writing. Sometimes people can pitch a project well, but the writing is really flat. And if I'm on the fence from the query I ALWAYS read the pages! #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Mandy Hubbard @MandyHubbard
.... New agents at established agencies often kick ass, and they're building a list, so they are taking on more new clients than established agents. As long as they have a good company to back them, 100% query them!You should also consider a brief, paid membership to Publisher's Marketplace! It allows you to search an agent by name and see what kind of sales they have reported. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Chad Harper 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 @chadharper91
@LindaEpstein Curiosity. Trying to figure out how to pitch it when the time comes and didn’t think I could call it contemporaryMy favorite thing about writing in YA/MG is you don't REALLY have to call it anything but YA/MG. Just pitch the book and call it a YA novel. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Mandy Hubbard @MandyHubbard
The most important thing to understand is that, unlike real estate agents, there is no licensing or required education to become a literary agent. Which means anyone can be an agent, and you as a writer have to research agencies and decide who to trust with your work. #AskECLAYou want an agency founded by someone who spent years at an established agency, learning the ins and outs of industry standards. What're the going royalty rates? What are fair rights splits? What language do you need in a reversion clause? #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Mandy Hubbard @MandyHubbard
While we're doing an #askECLA session, can I give you a few check boxes for the #amwriting #NaNoWriMo community when you're looking at agents to query?The most important thing to understand is that, unlike real estate agents, there is no licensing or required education to become a literary agent. Which means anyone can be an agent, and you as a writer have to research agencies and decide who to trust with your work. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Thereza Dos Santos is NaNoWrimo-ing! 🎃✍️☕️🍂🇨🇦 @TherezaDSWrites
@MandyHubbard @MelanieFishbane I have an agent at a major agency who’s had my full since April/20. When I followed up in June I got an out of office reply referring to the wrong holiday. Is she disorganized, uninterested, something COVID-related? I’m scared to find out! #askECLAI wouldn't read too far into the OOO, it's easy to put up the wrong one, realize it, and fix it but it went out to a few people first. That said, I wouldn't give it too much brain space, you may hear back eventually or not. I know that's frustrating. #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Linda -pro witch, anti pumpkin spice- Epstein @LindaEpstein
@MandyHubbard See that, @MandyHubbard, I just said after 6 weeks. The truth is, there are no specific rules. If an agent is going to get pissy about you following up after 6, 8, 12 weeks, you probably don't want to work with them. Definitely not before 6 weeks though!Right? That's why I said "generally!" It does vary quite a bit, and I wouldn't be upset if someone touched base at 6 weeks. Especially if they said Linda said it was okay. ;-) #AskECLA
Literary Agent
Hannah Grieve @Hannah_Grieve
@MandyHubbard @MelanieFishbane @TherezaDSWrites Is it ok to follow up (after an appropriate amount of time) I’m always nervous that it’ll be deemed unprofessionalWriters can ABSOLUTELY follow up after an appropriate amount of time (generally, 8-12 weeks is common), because you ARE a professional who is working on your career. #AskECLA