Claire Harris
@claire_m_harris
Literary Agent
thriller fanatic, rom com addict, acquiring literary agent @psliterary - she/her
53 MSWL
24 AskAgent
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Eilene Spear @EileneSpear

I am ready to query, but I know my title is awful! Is that a showstopper? #askPSLA

Nope! So many titles change from agent to editor to publication.

You should still have a title that you’re proud to shop your book around under though. #askPSLA

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Marcie Price Jackson @MissMarciePants

#askPSLA thanks for answering Qs today! I’m wondering, at what point do you shelve your MS? I’ve read various numbers- 10 queries, 50, etc.? I’ve had several full and partial requests, but haven’t found “the one” yet.

Keep going!

There are lots of stories about authors who queried 100+ agents. Just make sure you're sticking to agents who feel right for you.

It can be tempting to pitch EVERYONE, but remember. An agent who isn't a good fit for you, is worse than having no agent. #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Daniel M. Clark @danielmclark

#askPSLA how important is it for an author to have a life story. I mean, does it matter that I haven’t held any excited jobs, or that I’ve never, you know, killed a guy? Is a rather dull or average life a roadblock in publishing or author marketing?

ROFL. It's not important. So many of the debut authors I've signed had bios in their query letters like "worked as a lawyer for fishermen" and "I have a corgi and like hockey."

And honestly, that stuff IS exciting and interesting to me. Life exists outside books! #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries

Marcie Price Jackson @MissMarciePants

#askPSLA thanks for answering Qs today! I’m wondering, at what point do you shelve your MS? I’ve read various numbers- 10 queries, 50, etc.? I’ve had several full and partial requests, but haven’t found “the one” yet.
Replying to @MissMarciePants

If you're getting those requests, that means you're on to something. It might be time to do another edit or lean into a writer critique group. It sounds like your query is doing its job. If you've lost your passion for the MS, that's when I'd shelve the MS for now. #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Francesca Donlan @fdonlanVCB

@PSLiterary @maureen_moretti @ericsmithrocks @readbystephanie Thank you for sharing your time. Are memoirs still viable in the industry - when you are not famous and don’t have a big following but a good story. #askagent #askpsla
Replying to @fdonlanVCB

I think so. I've sold a few.

If you're worried about establishing that platform, it is never ever too late. Publishing articles and essays on whatever you're writing about, should be a very welcome challenge.

After-all, you wrote a memoir about this! :-) #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Jenn Mecks @jomecki

What’s the number one factor in a query letter that just kills a query for you? #askPSLA #askagent

When the query starts with "Dear @ErikHane." I get it, we have the same name, but I'm-

Okay no, but really, it's just a story that I'm not interested in. I've signed plenty of authors with queries that weren't perfect.

The story is what matters. Also don't be racist. #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries

Noreen @naziaso

@maureen_moretti @PSLiterary @AEAndersen_ @readbystephanie #AskPSLA follow up to this. What are you looking for (more editorial or a polished MS)? Thx!!
Replying to @naziaso

I'm always looking for your most polished MS! After I sign a client, we work on subsequent edits but we've discussed our mutual editorial vision beforehand. #askPSLA

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips
Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries

Jenn Mecks @jomecki

Would you rather have a query with no comps or a query with weak comps?

Also, is it ok to offer writers (as long as they’re not brands to themselves like Neil Gaiman and JK Rowling) instead of title comps (ie, for fans of x and y)?
#askagent #askPSLA
Replying to @jomecki

I like creative comps! Going the author route works for me, but I want to see what part of their style you are comping (e.g the humor of x). Weak comps are a waste of your word count IMO. Again, specifying what part of the comp is similar (in the style of x) is🔑. #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips
Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

Ashley Jean @missashleyjean

#askPSLA Is it frowned upon to nudge an agent with an updated ms if they have not responded to the initial full request?

I'm a big fan of nudges. I say go for it.

Although, if you're nudging with an updated manuscript like... two weeks later? That's maybe telling me the book wasn't ready to pitch in the first place.

Just dish a little bit of the why. I've signed folks who nudge. :-) #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries

K. Belvedere @kbelvedere

#askPSLA Hi, agents! Thank you for answering these questions. I'm wondering what immediately puts you off a query letter or sample? Are these industry standards or personal peeves?

This is a tough one. I want to give every query a chance! If the word count is significantly too long or short, I am less likely to request. This one is more industry-related, as I'm looking for an author who knows their genre! #askPSLA

Stephanie Winter
@readbystephanie
Literary Agent
Associate Literary Agent specializing in nonfiction, graphic novels, and select fiction. She/Her. 🌈 @PSLiterary Work Updates Only.
51 MSWL
40 AskAgent
1 Queries