Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 30 Jul 2015

anon asked: is it OK to try to get an agent before submitting a full MS to an interested publisher? tmblr.co/Z1DsEu1qt2R7k #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Maria, Maria 🎶 @msmariavicente

@DaniDuck Haha, that's ok! If it's wordless, a dummy is a great idea. A finished illustration or two won't hurt either. #askagent

@DaniDuck Or are you just looking for an art agent? Because that's possible too, with a portfolio. No manuscript needed. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Dani Duck @DaniDuck

@MsMariaVicente Wow, I meant asking this too late for me. Didn't see you stop answering questions before I submitted. That's odd timing!

@DaniDuck Haha, that's ok! If it's wordless, a dummy is a great idea. A finished illustration or two won't hurt either. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

@F_D_Bonnell Never leave your bio blank! #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Tabitha Sims @one_nerdy_mom

@MsMariaVicente Got it. How do you feel about authors submitting self-published work? #askagent

.@one_nerdy_mom It needs to have had tremendous success to catch my attention. Usually better off querying with a new project. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Lisa Katzenberger @FictionCity

.@MsMariaVicente Does it help if the writer has a body of work in 1 genre, but dabbles in something else to stretch themselves? #askagent

@FictionCity It's not a good or bad thing, just something you and your agent need to keep in mind when deciding what to focus on. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Sara Marissa Patel @SeeSaraScribe

If u get an offer of representation, should an author give 1 or 2 weeks to the other agents w/queries, partials, fulls? #askagent

@SeeSaraScribe Depends what you and the offering agent agree on for the timeline. 1 or 2 weeks is common. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Erica Davis Secor @thedavisgirl

Are my own illustrations better than no illustrations for a chapter book query? @MsMariaVicente #askagent

.@thedavisgirl Nope. Only submit illustrations with a project if you're a pro illustrator and you want to illustrate the project. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Kristin O'Keefe @_KristinOKeefe

@MsMariaVicente Why is there women's fiction but not men's fiction? If I'm writing humorous fiction about women, call it? #Askanagent

@DreadfullyBusy Wish I had an answer for you! Let's just call it all fiction. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Lisa Katzenberger @FictionCity

@MsMariaVicente Regarding writing in multiple genres, do you feel that's good/bad/indifferent? #askagent

.@FictionCity It can be a challenge when making career-based decisions. Some agents are ok with clients who do this, some aren't. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Patti M Hall, writer @PattiMHall

@MsMariaVicente if you're still there... Is there a particular genre you are seeking right now? #askagent

.@PattiMHall So many things! You can read about what I'm looking for here: mariavicente.com/representation #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

S. L. Saboviec @Saboviec

@MsMariaVicente (One more, if I may without imposing.) If it's a retelling, should I include comps? Or is that overkill? #askagent

.@Saboviec I have a love/hate relationship with comp titles. I wrote a blog post that could be helpful: mariavicente.com/post/110062546… #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

☕Kara Cargill 🎄❄ @Coffee_Is_love

@MsMariaVicente #askagent how soon is too soon to send a new project to an agent who rejected your old project?

.@Coffee_Is_love Doesn't matter. Many writers have multiple projects, and we understand that. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Patti M Hall, writer @PattiMHall

@MsMariaVicente thank you. Another one.. I have two nonfiction manuscripts and two kids picture book proposals... Try one agent? Or two?

.@PattiMHall Maybe try to find someone who does both? #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Debra Getts @DebraGetts

@MsMariaVicente Makes sense. I have one protag who keeps telling me she is 14 though I say 13. Thankfully, my other protag agrees she is 12.

@DebraGetts Haha, those pesky characters! #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Tabitha Sims @one_nerdy_mom

@MsMariaVicente What are your thoughts on rhyming picture books? #askagent

.@one_nerdy_mom They are REALLY tough. You need to be an excellent poet to write those well. Often sells the story short. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

June Smalls @June_Smalls

@MsMariaVicente i.e picture books, chapter books, or middle grade listed on the bio.

@June_Smalls Yup, exactly. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Pokémaniac Dan @DanBerbs

@MsMariaVicente there a general rule for query length that turns agents off? Less than a page is understood, but word count? #askagent

.@DanBerbs No, no word count. I shouldn't have to scroll down when I open it in my email. That's a good guideline to follow. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

Agnes Bookbinder @agnesbookbinder

@MsMariaVicente Just sent off a query. Did I read PS Literary's requirements correctly: no sample but the query letter? #askagent

.@agnesbookbinder That's correct! We separate concept from the writing. Win us over with idea, then show us you can execute it. #askagent

· 30 Jul 2015

S. L. Saboviec @Saboviec

@MsMariaVicente #askagent Should I mention an unreliable narrator in a query letter, and if so, in the intro paragraph or plot summary?

.@Saboviec That's a buzzword a lot of agents like, so you might as well. Just bring it up wherever it feels natural. #askagent

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