Literary Agent
Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2
Ok, my big question...how do you feel about fiction with Covid in the background? Is it ok? Or, if it’s not a pandemic book, not playing a major role, do you say cut it out? #askPSLAA caveat: it's your story and your call. You are the goddess of the wonderful world you create—no opinion is more important than your own.
My two cents: we're not ready for COVID-19 in fiction. I think we will be in a few years, but it's too raw, too present. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2
Do you ever ask writers questions when you request a partial/full? Such as, if you think a revision could be beneficial, do you feel out the writer?#askPSLA
Great question! If I'm excited about a work but want to see how the author edits, I'll get in touch with the author about possible revisions after I've read the full--sometimes this can mean a non-exclusive revise and resubmit. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
𝒦𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝐹𝑜𝓍𝓍, 𝒜𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇 @kfoxx_writes
Will pubbing short/flash/micros help an #author be taken more seriously when #amquerying? If so, does it matter if the genre of the novel being queried is different than the pubbed short/flash/micro?#askPSLA @ceciliaclyra @readbystephanie Thank you!
#WritingCommunity #Writer
Publishing shorter pieces is great, though by no means required to be taken seriously.
My advice is to do it if it brings you joy. Above all, keep your eyes on the prize, i.e. making your full-length work as good as it can possibly be. Writing is rewriting. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Robyn Michaels @RobynMichaels9
#askPSLA Do you have a preferred query formula?Great question! ☺️ I like the book + hook + cook formula.
The PSLA website has a helpful breakdown of what each paragraph should contain. e.g. 1st paragraph "title and category of your work (...), an estimated word count and a brief, general introduction." #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Reem Khaleel @reemkhaleel97
#askPSLA What is your favorite part of agenting or working with your clients on submission?This is hard because there are so many things to love! Here's a brief list:
- reading the ms for the first time (🥰)
- writing a pitch letter
- creating submission list
- sharing good news with a client
- sharing good news with an editor
Only hard part is rejection... #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Raen is socially distant @raenEdaze
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris Are there geographical limitations to agent/writer relationships? Is it easier to have a agent who works in your country or are there no literary borders in 2020?#askPSLANo borders! I’m in Philly! Shout out to my clients in Canada and the UK! #askPSLA
Though I do wish I could do the celebratory dinner thing when books sell. I know a great Wendy’s.
Literary Agent
CathEEEEEKKK! 🎃💀🕸 says VOTE @cathydipierro
Can you demystify the agent-editor relationship a bit? When you are deciding whether to offer, are you already thinking about which editors to sub to? Or do you research each project individually to find potential matches? How often do u sell projects to the same ed? #askPSLAWhen I'm reading a manuscript that I'm interested in representing, I am constantly thinking of who to submit to and how I will pitch the book. Sometimes I have an entire submission list in my head before I've even had a chance to connect with the author! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Lynn McPherson @CozyMysteryLynn
How long do agents usually take to decide if they are interested once they’ve requested a full manuscript? #askPSLAOnce I've requested more, I try to be quick about it. However, it also depends on what is on my plate already from my existing clients. A client's work will always take priority, but I do prioritize full manuscripts from queries as much as I'm able to. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Steffi is a PitchWars Hopeful @clumsiesteffi
Should writers send a nudge after not hearing back? My research has come up with “Yes! Do the thing!” and “No! If you don’t hear back it’s a no! Don’t be unprofessional!” So it’s a bit of a range there...#askPSLA
You can always nudge.
37% of an agent’s job is sending followup emails to editors. We nudge all the time. “Just circling back!” You can too! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Steffi is a PitchWars Hopeful @clumsiesteffi
Should writers send a nudge after not hearing back? My research has come up with “Yes! Do the thing!” and “No! If you don’t hear back it’s a no! Don’t be unprofessional!” So it’s a bit of a range there...#askPSLA
Take a look at the agency website for guidelines. Some agencies will say not to nudge or that no response means it's a pass after a certain amount of time. If you do decide to nudge, it helps if you have a reason (i.e. other interest, a new development, etc.) #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kunoichi | ∞ #BLM @Infinitii_FGC
I’ve had people suggest putting social media following in query letters. Do you think it is worth mentioning?If so, does it influence your decision for rep? #askPSLA
It's much more important for a nonfiction project, but it never hurts to include links to your social media handles in your signature. I wouldn't make it the focal point of your query, though. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Cara Stout @CaraFoshizzle
Any trends that are selling better in the current state of affairs? Or ones that aren’t? (I’m assuming pandemic and plagues are a tough sale) #askPSLAI feel like the tricky thing with trends, is that by the time one is happening and you see the books in the store, they are maybe over?
I know a lot of editor friends who want horror and middle grade. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
🦄 Cap'n🌈 Cal 🏴 (but scary) @WriterRaptor
#askPSLA if an agent accepts my adult fantasy, and then I write MG which they don't rep, do I need to find another agent? Do I come back to the 1st if book 3 is another adult?You should discuss with your agent because they might have a recommendation for someone at their agency who DOES rep your new genre. If not, they might suggest you part ways--and maybe they'll recommend another agent they know so you don't start from scratch. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
KJ @KaraJWrites
#askPSLASo lately My WIPs have been..not fitting one particular genre or genre blend. If I ever get to the point of being ready to query them, how do I when so many agents have a wishlist that’s specific?
Look at me having anxiety over my @NaNoWriMo project before it’s started
My advice for odd genre blending books is usually “send it to me.” 😂
But also, look at agents who work on books that straddle categories. Look at your favorite recent books that do it. Lots of us like our out of the box books. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kathryn Faye @KathrynFaye007
Do you recommend saying, in your queries, that you separated amicably from your agent & are writing in a different genre? Or do agents want to hear about that later? #askPSLAPersonally, I find it helpful to know if you were represented previously (especially if you've already published books with an agent). You don't need to get into details in the query--you can discuss circumstances later on once you have a phone call with the new agent. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
C.G. Miller @cgmillerwrites
As someone who hasn't yet had a book published, is it good to list things like my writing degrees or freelance writing/copywriting credentials in the bio section of a query letter? Or is it better to just leave it blank if the writing exp. isn't relevant? #askPSLAStill list your qualifications and experiences that are writing related. It's nice to get a sense of who you are with your bio, so don't leave it blank! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
🦄 Cap'n🌈 Cal 🏴 (but scary) @WriterRaptor
#askPSLA my fiction novel has footnotes (think Discworld, Bartimaeus Trilogy, etc). They're not essential, but they add a lot. QueryTracker and email only queries won't work with footnotes. Do I omit them? Leave them at the end of the sample? Mention them in query? Please helpI would add them to the end of your sample. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Eilene Spear @EileneSpear
Ok, last one! Is there a way to signal that you are open to input/feedback in a query, or is that just assumed? Like, I’d be the best client ever! Similarly, is like, background helpful or just annoying? Like, my first draft was 120,000 words and I cut it down to 85k? #askPSLABefore opening representation, I have a phone call with the author & talk through changes I'm suggesting. That's a good time to be honest about whether you're willing to make changes or not. I don't necessarily think you need the background info in a query. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Steffi is a PitchWars Hopeful @clumsiesteffi
At what point would you reconsider a manuscript you passed on?What catches your attention?
#askPSLA
Anytime. If you rewrite it half a year later, send it my way.
It happened with @TheAdamSass, we talked about it here. I love that book terribly. ❤️ #askPSLA ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2020/9/9/…