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
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

jrmitchell @jrmitch53998160

#askPSLA Do you have a slush pile? And have you ever had any success with finding an author/book from the slush pile?

I think all agents do. Sush pile = queries from people without a referral β€”Β so the majority of cases. And yes, absolutely! I've signed several authors from the slush pile. #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

L Currie @LCurrie48172079

How do I make sure my manuscript is polished before I query an agent? Would it be best to invest in hiring an editor? #askPSLA

Self-editing is the first step, in my opinion. Take a break from the work and come at it with fresh eyes (this might mean weeks or longer!). Explore free options like beta readers and writing groups--other writers who are also looking for another opinion. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

πŸ’« K.E. Stanton πŸ¦‹ @kestanton1

Do you like it when an author has more than one (polished) book to offer at the time of signing or does it not make a difference in the ultimate decision?

#askPSLA pic.twitter.com/XMpm1qWohR

I like it when a writer has more than one book in them, whether polished now (great!) or to be written in the future. As an agent, it's my intention to sign an author for the duration of their careerβ€”and I hope it'll be a long one! πŸ₯° #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 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
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 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

Lacy - Host of That's ProbLITmatic Podcast @reachwriter

In your opinion, what makes writing "exceptional"?

#askPSLA

For me personally, if it is well-paced (the author knows how much to write and when to stop); if it is incisive; if the voices/characters are interesting/engrossing. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Bethany Samaddar is on hiatus @blsamaddar

If your manuscript has gone through a developmental edit, is that worth mentioning in your query letter? #askPSLA

I assume all manuscripts have gone through developmental editing β€” it's an important step to get a work ready for submission. (Sadly, the ones who have not stand out in a bad way.) If you used an editor, then it might be worth mentioning that editor's name. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 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
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Kimberly Crow @KibbyTweets

Hi ladies. If you love a MS but don’t think it’s ready for the market, how likely are you to offer rep anyway? I’m thinking similar to Abby Jimenez (got agent wPlaylist but asked to write Friend Zone first). Would you offer based on author over MS? Thx #askPSLA

If I love the writing style, I'd have an honest conversation with the writer and, if they agreed, I'd suggest working on something new together and then saving that other work for later. Full disclosure: the quality of the writing would have to be EXCEPTIONAL. #askPSLA

Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Lisa Lark @lisa_lark

When querying a memoir in essarys, should I convey an average length? Some of mine are longer, some are quite short (listicle style, Top Ten lists). #askPSLA

Yes, if there's an average. And if there's not (perhaps because it does vary SO much), then explain that. ☺️ The important part is to address the length. #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
Cecilia Lyra
@ceciliaclyra
Literary Agent
Storyteller & Storyseller / Associate Literary Agent @PSLiterary ✍🏽 Co-host of @TSNOTYAW podcast 🎧 Feminist. Latinx. Immigrant. Reader.
142 MSWL
58 AskAgent
2 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

#askPSLA How many times in average do you do revisions with your debut authors before going out on submission to publishers? Or, how much time do you typically spend in this process?

For me, usually 2 – 5 rounds of edits. It does depend on the category, genre, whether this is the writer's first work or not, etc.

In terms of time, it depends on the writer's availability more than anything. #askPSLA