Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 5 Jul 2018

Sam Zott @sam_zott

@UweStenderPhD I’m trying to find a comp title for my query letter and the project is pretty niche-y. If the only comp title I’ve found is from 2002 should I just leave it out?

Replying to @sam_zott

Sure.

· 5 Jul 2018

Shereen Cook @ShereenCook

@UweStenderPhD How then would you define a “good” agent?

Replying to @ShereenCook

Do they have the necessary connections? Are they smart? Are they upfront? Do they do what they say they will do? Do their editorial ideas align with yours? What is their reputation? Lots of factors.

· 5 Jul 2018

Stephanie Williams @StephanieBoyer

@UweStenderPhD What’s a reasonable amount of time to wait to query an agent with a new/different ms after a rejection?

Replying to @StephanieBoyer

I guess that depends. You just don't want to leave the impression that you are just throwing projects against the wall to see which may stick.

· 5 Jul 2018

Shereen Cook @ShereenCook

@UweStenderPhD What’s more important, for an agent to have a solid track record of sales, or to be passionate about a genre? Do I want to be repped by someone who is green but excited? Or better for them to have more experience?

Replying to @ShereenCook

As long as they are good agents, and are passionate about YOUR project, it does not matter at all.

· 5 Jul 2018

Shereen Cook @ShereenCook

@UweStenderPhD When starting the querying process, do you recommend querying fav agents first or second tier to get some feedback first and be able to send a better version to favs?

Replying to @ShereenCook

Your faves.

· 5 Jul 2018

Stephanie Williams @StephanieBoyer

@UweStenderPhD @Michelle4Laughs Does getting a “nudge” after 3 or 4 months post-full request annoy agents?

Replying to @StephanieBoyer

Not me. It is very reasonable to ask after 12 weeks.

· 5 Jul 2018

Sir Whitney @whitney_DG

@UweStenderPhD If you really loved a project and believed in it, but many editors rejected it, would you recommend self-publishing?

Replying to @whitney_DG

Depends on the circumstances. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Since I sold projects after many rejections & after more than 8 years later, I'd have to evaluate the circumstances. There are at least 3 projects I am convinced I could sell well now that clients selfpubbed prematurely.

· 5 Jul 2018

Amber Rose Kobb @AmberKobb

@UweStenderPhD Other than the writing itself, what else do you consider before offering rep? #askagent

Replying to @AmberKobb

Whether I could actually work with that person.

· 5 Jul 2018

Brandy meinhardt @MeinhardtBrandy

@UweStenderPhD I’ve had an agent request a 2nd R&R, this time with a two week exclusive. If they decide to pass can I re-query agents who’ve passed if I’ve made major changes?

Replying to @MeinhardtBrandy

Yes. Definitely. As long as the changes are truly significant.

· 5 Jul 2018

K A Black @authorKABlack

@UweStenderPhD #askagent if you get an offer of rep and you've been sending agents fulls through email--do you send a new email telling them or reply to the same chain?

Replying to @authorKABlack

I think either is fine, but since that is part of the chain for this project, I may keep it a part of it.

· 5 Jul 2018

Chad Parsons @ChadRParsons

@UweStenderPhD If an agent passes after reading your full, but mentions they’d like to see future work, can you send your next query/material in the same email chain once it’s ready? Or is it better to send a fresh email and just mention what they’d said previously? #askagent

Replying to @ChadRParsons

I think a fresh email chain is better and less convoluted.

· 5 Jul 2018

Tiffany Lea Elmer @TiffanyLeaElmer

@UweStenderPhD When going through your slushpile, does knowing specific editor MSWLs ever influence your request or offer decisions? #askagent

Replying to @TiffanyLeaElmer

Whenever I evaluate a project that I love, I ask myself if I can think of at least 10 editors who might love this. If I cannot, I will pass. But I have to love the manuscript first. If I don't love it, I don't care who may want it.

· 3 Jul 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

I added a video to a @YouTube playlist youtu.be/LSlLapH4YX4?a An Agent's Answers to Your Questions on Representation

Today's video was a bit long-winded. I'll try to keep them shorter, but it's every answer I have to the questions you'll be asking an agent when representation is offered. Good luck! #askagent

· 29 Jun 2018

Shana Schwarz @shanaschwarz

@BookEndsJessica @actblue If parts of the book I'd like to query have already been published (ebooks on Amazon, I still own all rights), should I still be looking for an agent? Or will that be a problem?

Replying to @shanaschwarz

You can definitely still look for an agent, but you might run into difficulties because parts of the book have already been sold. That makes it harder for the publisher, but without knowing all details it's hard to say #askagent

· 28 Jun 2018

Choosing to E-Publish #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/28/cho…

· 28 Jun 2018

Shana Schwarz @shanaschwarz

@BookEndsJessica How do you decide what genre to classify a novel? Are their guidelines to follow? Are there people who can help narrow down a story into a concise description for a query? Getting ready to submit and almost feel like I need a consultant to help prepare.

Replying to @shanaschwarz

In terms of writing queries, I strongly suggest you get a group separate from your critique partners to critique only queries. #askagent #querytip

· 28 Jun 2018

Shana Schwarz @shanaschwarz

@BookEndsJessica How do you decide what genre to classify a novel? Are their guidelines to follow? Are there people who can help narrow down a story into a concise description for a query? Getting ready to submit and almost feel like I need a consultant to help prepare.

Replying to @shanaschwarz

It comes down to knowing who the audience is for your book. Who is reading your book and what else are they reading then look at what genre they are, but part of learning the business of being an author is understanding genres. #askagent