Not necessarily but it also doesn't hurt. #AskGZLA

i mean, if it works it works lol. #askGZLA

It's not a one size fits all sort of thing. I don't love them, but when they work, they work (one of my faves is from Melissa Marr's WICKED LOVELY. #AskGZLA

If you really feel the story needs it, then by all means, go ahead 😀 #AskGZLA

Feels like in this scenario, that author has hit that point ... maybe. But with clients, I listen to see how they're really feeling ... are they tired of working on it? or are they being asked to go in a direction they don't want to go? #AskGZLA

Nope, nope, nope. I have one from @VCFAWCYA and I loved it there, but do I expect it from potential clients? Not at all! Most of my clients don't have one. #AskGZLA

2) Definitely hard and rare with traditional publishers. Indie or self-pub might be the way to go, or perhaps an anthology? But honestly I'm no expert on this genre, maybe my colleagues will chime in #AskGZLA

i would say "normal" YA, well within the typical age range #askGZLA

THESE ARE ALL GUIDELINES NOT RULES but...
1) PB: 250-500, MG 30K-60K, 50K-100K
Your book might need mor or less, might be a different format! Figure out where a bookstore would shelve it and see how long those books are. Or find an agent to help you create a new shelf! #AskGZLA

So true -- @erin_michelle_C makes a good point about money and accessibility, the things that unfortunately keep many marginalized people out of agenting careers. I'm happy to say that @GalltZackerLit offers a paid internship, which is a great start 😀 #AskGZLA

Yes, but remember that we're human first and also ... we're REALLY good at forgetting things on purpose (like, the fact that we're adults and we have to read a MG novel as if we were 10-years-old). I love that skill set! #AskGZLA

Just adds to your story, so mention it, but is an MFA necessary ... nope! #AskGZLA

Yep! So agree with @beth_phelan -- You don't have to say yes to an agent! If it's not the best fit, don't shortchange yourself, even if the agent is a big name. They may be the right fit for someone else, but it doesn't mean they're the right agent for you. #AskGZLA

speaking for myself, i wish we could normalize trigger warnings in queries and conference submissions etc. agents/editors are people with trauma sometimes and we think about our own safety too. #askGZLA

Really, finished is the way to go, I say. If you have history that pertains to the query (including former agents), do mention it ... you'll have to at some point anyway and better to be upfront. #AskGZLA

Yes? Yes. I think so. It doesn't hurt, only protects, and if the agent is somehow offended by it, they probably aren't right for your work anyway. I guess my only concern is spoilers...hmmm haven't thought about this before #AskGZLA

Story reigns supreme, so lead with that, since I suspect those characters have some story to tell. Agree that a 'look in the life of characters' is tough, so what's their story??? #AskGZLA

Those tags can be helpful in providing info, so it can be a big help as you navigate the process of querying and such. If you start to feel overwhelmed and stressed from overload, though, stepping back can be a big help, too. #AskGZLA

Do what makes sense for you, but just know that there are a ton of avenues for finding creatives. I guess the best way to say it is, don't put all your eggs in one basket and do what feels natural and right for you. #AskGZLA

It's really case-by-case, depending on the kind of story you're writing and the team around you who helps makes your book the best that it can be. There's no set number, really. #AskGZLA