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JWParente @jwparente
@UweStenderPhD Good Evening!What determines how book deals are sold? For instance, on Publisher’s Marketplace, you will often see: “As part of a 2 book deal (or more) to this publisher.”
Particularly if the deal involves two unrelated projects?
Thank you! #askagent
There are so many variables...The amount of the advance, the rights situation, many factors. Too many to drill down in a query.
Literary Agent
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Peter Lopez @peterxlopez
@UweStenderPhD #askagent I've seen a lot of different numbers online, what would you say is an appropriate word count for a debut MG fantasy book?That is too hard to really generalize. I really don't know...maybe 60-80 K...but it all depends...
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MaryAnn DAlto @AnnDslto
@UweStenderPhD Yes! And as rude as not sending a handwritten “thank you” note! I try to personalize each query, beyond “Dear agent name” by showing that I’ve taken the time to learn the Agents likes and interests. How much personalization is “too much”?It is too much when I get stalker or creepy vibes from the query.
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GatNy @eowyn_nygaard
@UweStenderPhD Would you auto reject a contemporary YA novel, based solely on the word count mentioned in a query, if the word count was 105-110 K.Not auto reject, but it would really have to get my attention per its brilliant hook and characters. It sounds a little wordy, especially for a debut.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Andrea MacDonald @AndreaMac_HFX
@UweStenderPhD Do most agents who rep regular PBs (i.e. fiction) also rep nonfiction PBs? #askagentI would think so, yes, but I cannot say with 100% certainty.
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Jessica Weaver @JessieWritesYA
@UweStenderPhD What is the most off-putting and/or common mistake agents see in the first five pages of a MS?To me, spelling mistakes. A close second: telling not showing.
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S.L.Hutchinson @SLHutchinson
@UweStenderPhD Do most agents want to keep foreign rights for the author or do they sign off on them in the contract? Is it better to sell them with an agent or let the publisher have them?We always want to keep them, but that is not always possible. It is always better if the agent can keep them, because an agent will work harder for their client than the publisher to sell them, because the publisher reps tens of thousands of titles, the agent their clients'.
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st. norah @stnorahed
@UweStenderPhD Would a shorter word count for SFF YA (65-75k) put off a potential agent?Not necessarily, it depends on the plot/stakes.
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Khadijah VanBrakle 🇨🇦 @LVanBrakle
@UweStenderPhD as a literary agent & in light of the SLJ article and comments, how do you see the industry changing? #askagentI hope not just the industry, but the entire country/world'll change. Harrassment is wrong, racism is wrong, women making less money than men is wrong etc etc. When societies, cultures change, then industries will change and vice versa. There is a lot of activism which will help.
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Literary Agent
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Tabatha Pope @thee_librarian
@UweStenderPhD What's hot in YA?What is always hot to me : great stories told by great storytellers.
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Literary Agent
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Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD @MonicaBSanz That makes obvious sense. Anything else?Not really. Treat the agent like you want to be treated. Just be professional, but don't be afraid or nervous. You paid good money to go to conferences, get your money's worth.
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Lizzy Marchanne @lizzymarchanne
@UweStenderPhD What's your definition of magical realism? I've heard different things and I'm trying to determine if my MG ghost story is paranormal or magical realism. Thank you. #askagentIt is a story where most of it is set as if in the real world, but with magic or supernatural appearance. My advice: read Gabriel García Márquez.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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MAKAYLA SOPHIA @makayla_sophia
@UweStenderPhD A friend and I was wondering, do websites such as Radish or Tapas (where readers can give authors monetary “tips” for their work) affect first rights if someone were to upload a specific manuscript there? #AskAgentI have to be honest. I know nothing about those sites. I would not pay for stuff like that.
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Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD @MonicaBSanz What is the worst way to approach an agent at a conference like SCBWI and conversely, what is the best way to approach an agent at a conference?The worst way is if you are rude to the agent yourself.
Literary Agent
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Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD @MonicaBSanz What is the worst way to approach an agent at a conference like SCBWI and conversely, what is the best way to approach an agent at a conference?If pitch sessions are offered, try to get one of those. Otherwise, agents are there for a reason and should make themselves available. So just introduce yourself and ask if you can pitch them. They may say "no," that's ok. But if they are rude, strike them off your list.
Literary Agent
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Jabe Stafford @OculusWriter
Aside from, "Keep writing," what guidance would you have for a writer who's goal is to write for life and grow into a career author? #WFGCAskAnAgentKeep reading.
Don't hole yourself up in a writing cave and throw pages out into the ether with hopes it'll be picked up. You have to read. Stay up to date with the market. #WFGCAskAnAgent