Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Tess James-Mackey @Tess_JMack
@UweStenderPhD Comps - should they be "current"? And if so, how recently should they have been published? One of mine is about 15years old...Somehow writers currently are overthinking the comps part. There must be Social media groups where this is overthought. Comps are great to place the product. If they are recent, they're on people's radar, but if they comp to instantly recognizable older stuff, it'll work, too.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Alika Yarnell @AlikaYnot
@UweStenderPhD I’ve heard it’s not advisable to mention in a query that you are writing a series and to phrase it as “standalone with series potential.” True? Is there a term for a series of linked standalones where the world is the same but the MC & POVs change?Standalone with series potential is a good way to describe it. I could make up a long German compound noun to describe the second part, but to me that'd still be part of a series about that world and with more or less familiar protagonists. So standalone with series potential.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Miri C Golden @MaryCWallis
@UweStenderPhD I read about a series being by killed by publishers before completion. Can contracts be negotiated to eliminate the potential for this outcome?Thanks for taking the time, Uwe.
No. If the first book or two of the series bomb commercially, there just isn't the demand. Think of TV series being pulled after the pilot or 3 episodes in.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Shereen Cook @ShereenCook
@UweStenderPhD Have you seen this site and/or know if agents pay attention to it? Authors pitch their work and agents browse. Reverse MSWL. asawl.comI suspect agents pay attention. It sounds wonderful. I just don't have the time. I need to read clients's work, study royalty statements, work on contracts etc., I need people to make the effort to find me, I won't find them. But kudos to the concept.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
M S Clements @MSClementsbook
@UweStenderPhD My MS had been read by multiple beta readers, who all say that I build up the tension in the first quarter, then they can't put it down. If only sending the first 3 chapters, the hooks might not seem dramatic enough. Should I preserve with the original MS or change the start?That also depends, but think of an agent's circumstance. They've to read client manuscripts, other submissions, queries etcetc...if you don't capture my attention in the first 2-3 or maybe 10 pages, I will likely pass. I would never get to the great part. It's a war of attrition.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Shereen Cook @ShereenCook
@UweStenderPhD How then would you define a “good” agent?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.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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?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.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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?As long as they are good agents, and are passionate about YOUR project, it does not matter at all.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Stephanie Williams @StephanieBoyer
@UweStenderPhD @Michelle4Laughs Does getting a “nudge” after 3 or 4 months post-full request annoy agents?Not me. It is very reasonable to ask after 12 weeks.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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?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.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 5 Jul 2018
Amber Rose Kobb @AmberKobb
@UweStenderPhD Other than the writing itself, what else do you consider before offering rep? #askagentWhether I could actually work with that person.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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?Yes. Definitely. As long as the changes are truly significant.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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?I think either is fine, but since that is part of the chain for this project, I may keep it a part of it.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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? #askagentI think a fresh email chain is better and less convoluted.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 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? #askagentWhenever 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.
Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica · 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 RepresentationToday'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
Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica · 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?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
Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica · 28 Jun 2018
Choosing to E-Publish #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/28/cho…