Literary Agent
Alexandra Johnson @allie_l_johnson
Any advice on querying a “quiet” (as in, internal) YA MS? #askJNAIf the voice knocks me out, then you always have a shot. But to echo @byobrooks -- make sure there's a plot. Even if I love the voice, and not the plot, we can try shaping it together before we send it out to editors. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Nassiri @Nassiri27021983
Teen romance is it outdated? #askJNANo way! Phew! Although I do like an extra plot layer or subplot to complement the romance. Not always necessary though. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Kate Gardner @katevgardner
#askjna How important is the number of social media followers someone has when you're considering working with them?Unless their book is based on on their social media platform, this is not at all important to me. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
#askJNA Is there anything a writer could submit that would immediately turn you off to the project?Try to spell our names right! (No one named Wendy Wu works here!) #askJNA 🤪
Literary Agent
Janine Annett @janineannett
@JanklowNesbit @byobrooks @WendiLuluGu @canonizer @melflashman @mwspence @AllisonSHunter @hellegilly @thatemmaparry If working on several types of projects/books at once, is it better to query one agent who could possibly represent different types of projects, have multiple agents for different projects, or try to pick ONE area/project to focus on? #AskJNAI would pick one as a *primary* focus, and if you want to diversify into a completely different genre down the line, JNA's agents specialize in nearly every type of book out there, and can consult one another or co-agent a project! #askJNA
Literary Agent
Brenda Miller @meowdemeow
@WendiLuluGu @BergerBooks Yes! If the rhyming is awkward, forced, and you stumble over it when you read it out loud, maybe your book shouldn't rhyme?Or when it's clear that the rhyme is driving the story -- that's such a red flag for me! XD #askJNA
Literary Agent
Brooks Sherman @byobrooks
@Acidic_Heart I'm afraid not for YA, no. There are always exceptions to the rule, but this feels like a tough one. #askJNAAgreed, @byobrooks! It will be a tough sell in the YA space. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
#askJNA hi again. What are the expectations your agency has for its writers that you find seems to be the hardest thing for the writer to do?There's that book 2 curse. Book 2 is so hard to write! But we are here to support you editorially and emotionally. #askJNA
Literary Agent
gcskiracer @gcskiracer
Do you want to know in the query if we’ve worked on the ms with a freelance editor? If so, worth naming him or her? @JanklowNesbit #AskJNA #askagentYes! Ask your freelance editor if they have any recommendations for agents -- we all run in the same circles, so they might have some good ideas. (One of my clients was actually a freelance editor referral.) #askJNA
Literary Agent
Austin Anderson @austinawrites
Is anyone interested in a coming-of-age YA that features a genderqueer HS student and a HS production of Rocky Horror? 😬 #askJNAThanks @canonizer. YES!!! Feel free to submit to both @byobrooks and me, too! (I have a feeling he'll want to see it too!) We'll both read and figure out who is a better fit. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Brenda Miller @meowdemeow
What are you not seeing enough of in #kidlit? (And what are you seeing too much of?)#askJNA
I am also seeing far too many rhyming picture book texts. If you are going to rhyme, read @BergerBooks for inspo and properly fantastic rhyme!! #askJNA
Literary Agent
Harrison Ley @harrison_ley
I’ve been working with a big-deal agent for three months, but he still hasn’t signed me. Now he wants to pitch my book. What should I do? #AskJNAI recommend trying to have a frank conversation with the agent about becoming official. If they think the book is ready to pitch, then it's in both your interests to have something on paper. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Amanda Salisbury @shyjot
Can pages ever balance an awkward query letter? Or do you consider them parts of the same wheelhouse? #askJNAPages can overcome a multitude of query sins, but I often feel less invested by the time I read pages if the query is a clunker. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Jessica Messier @jmmessier0320
#AskJNA Hi there! My question: while a writer waits to hear back from an agent about their pages/whether or not they will work together on the MS, what do you recommend the writer does in the meantime, in terms of working on their platform? And do you keep querying other agents? twitter.com/JanklowNesbit/…I am likely shooting myself in the foot here, but definitely continue to query, in case you get an offer that might speed the other agents along! #askJNA
Literary Agent
Kate Gardner @katevgardner
#askjna How important is the number of social media followers someone has when you're considering working with them?A social media platform always helps, but it isn't predictive for me in most cases. #askJNA
Literary Agent
Stefanie Lieberman @hellegilly
@AllisonSHunter @elisa_stryker I try to respond to everyone, but it isn't always possible (nor are my responses always timely). Maybe give me 4 months? #askJNAOh -- but feel free to follow up if you haven't heard back from me... #askJNA
Literary Agent
Allison Hunter @AllisonSHunter
@elisa_stryker This is different agent to agent, but I personally don't reply to all. I would move on after three months. #askJNAI try to respond to everyone, but it isn't always possible (nor are my responses always timely). Maybe give me 4 months? #askJNA