Go ahead and talk about your book! They'll let you know if they'd like you to send a query or other material. And time doesn't run out—reach out when you're ready. #askPSLA

Doesn't matter to me! As long as the metadata details are somewhere, I'm happy. #askPSLA

1. There aren't a lot, mainly just people talking about how funny the book is without actually telling a joke, or other similar things like "heart-breaking" etc when I should get that from the query.

2. You're fine either way, there's no real protocol!

#askPSLA

If a project wasn't the right fit, but I liked the author/illustrator's style, I would probably ask them to reach out with another book in the future. #askPSLA

If it's a project from an author/illustrator though, I want to see a complete dummy of the picture book and not just the text. #askPSLA

There will always be teenage readers! #askPSLA

It's ok to do so if you want to, but no one should ever feel it's mandatory. You could put this info in the bio section or with the intro details (ex: "an own voices manuscript called ___"). #askPSLA

Sales are starting to shrink and it's definitely starting to slow a bit, though it's by no means disappearing. I think middle grade is where people are really hungry for some truly excellent stuff, and there's a lot of breathing room for cool concepts! #askPSLA

Every editor I've talked to lately says they would love to find more illustrators to add to their pool! So I think the portfolio definitely outweighs inexperience, it's all about showing you can do the kind of work required--but exp does help get your name out there. #askPSLA

If you don't want to use twitter, then don't use twitter. It doesn't bother me if my clients aren't on a particular social media platform. #askPSLA

Illustration notes should only be used when the illustrations add understanding to the story that the reader won't get from the text alone. #askPSLA

I prefer to work on new projects. I have a longer explanation here: mariavicente.com/blog/why-agent… #askPSLA

No, that's hardly ever necessary. But if you're feeling like you need an extra boost or don't have critique partners for free help, it can certainly be useful to get feedback on your first 20 pages or so and learn how to apply that to the entire MS. #askPSLA

With a 19yo protagonist, this sounds more like YA than adult contemporary (just based on this small pitch). Compare it to published YAs with college-aged characters and see if it fits in. #askPSLA

You can pitch them if you want (assuming you mean in the hallway and not in a meeting), but querying is free so it may be better than memorizing a pitch. Instead consider asking them things to get insight into what they like/the industry and use that in your query later! #askPSLA

I'm impatiently waiting for the next big vampire thing tbh. #askPSLA

It is always a factor in some way. I don't want to offer to represent someone's work if I don't think I can sell it. #askPSLA

I don't think anything is ever really "out"—any topic just needs to have a really new twist. With so many books published every year, your concept needs to stand out. #askPSLA

Generally it's all about the way you write it--a common technique is to make it clear that the child POV is actually the adult "looking back" on events. I would do a lot of careful reading of ones that do this well, like the Farseer books! #askPSLA

I don't think they affect the salability of a project at all, I've never heard an editor express strong feelings either way. The concept, writing, and strength of the voice are all going to matter way more than the particular personality of the MC. #askPSLA