D. Ann Williams
@dawilliamsbooks
Literary Agent
she/they associate agent @EmeraldCityLit Dabbling in writing with @makingthewords . All thoughts my own!
16 MSWL
12 AskAgent

Nicole Hospital-Medina @pinkurlers

What do agents mean when they say accepting “select picture books” #AskECLA
Replying to @pinkurlers

Generally, 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

Caitlin White
@caitforestell
Literary Agent
editor | associate agent @emeraldcitylit | formerly @hellogiggles @bustle | big fan of shark movies and em dashes (she/her) 🫀
67 MSWL
8 AskAgent
D. Ann Williams
@dawilliamsbooks
Literary Agent
she/they associate agent @EmeraldCityLit Dabbling in writing with @makingthewords . All thoughts my own!
16 MSWL
12 AskAgent
Caitlin White
@caitforestell
Literary Agent
editor | associate agent @emeraldcitylit | formerly @hellogiggles @bustle | big fan of shark movies and em dashes (she/her) 🫀
67 MSWL
8 AskAgent

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) #AskECLA
Replying to @SaraKellar

Me 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

D. Ann Williams
@dawilliamsbooks
Literary Agent
she/they associate agent @EmeraldCityLit Dabbling in writing with @makingthewords . All thoughts my own!
16 MSWL
12 AskAgent
D. Ann Williams
@dawilliamsbooks
Literary Agent
she/they associate agent @EmeraldCityLit Dabbling in writing with @makingthewords . All thoughts my own!
16 MSWL
12 AskAgent
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

Melanie Cole @MelanieKCole

#AskECLA
I 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?
Replying to @MelanieKCole

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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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.
Replying to @LindaEpstein

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

Garrett Alwert
@GarrettAlwert
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent at @EmeraldCityLit (PB, MG, YA). Currently Closed to Queries. He/Him.
14 MSWL
1 AskAgent
1 Tips
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

Stephanie L. Ward 🎃👻🕷🕸🎃 @StephaineWard

@LindaEpstein What about #MG #Scifi? Are any of the #askECLA agents looking for this type of story?
Replying to @StephaineWard

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.

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

August Zehn @AugustZehn

Is there a reason agents usually ask for the *first* X pages of a manuscript? #askECLA

We 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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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. #AskECLA

You 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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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

Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips
Mandy Hubbard
@MandyHubbard
Literary Agent
Author of eleven novels. Founder of Emerald City Literary. Follow me for book talk… stay for pictures of my cows.
67 MSWL
28 AskAgent
1 Tips

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 unprofessional

Writers 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