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Comping Books Outside Your Own Genre #askagent #amquerying #MSWL bookendsliterary.com/2018/10/23/boo…
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Lauri Schoenfeld @LauriSchoenfeld
@BookEndsJessica This brings me to one of my biggest wonders with a query. I've been told by a few people to tell the ending of my story in the query. If you use it as a back cover copy, as a reader, I wouldn't want to have the story spoiled. Any advice here?I never suggest you tell the ending in the query. Save that for the synopsis. I like to be surprised and approach a manuscript like a reader approaching the book. I want to be surprised. #askagent
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E. R. Hoffer @erhoffer
@UweStenderPhD @pltavormina THANKS! I’m very interested in your answer re:climate change! Another Q: What is your approach to a debut fiction author with follow-up projects in other genres and non-fiction? As an agent, are future projects targeting the same genre/readers better than a wide range? #askagentIt all depends. But it is not a turn off for me. But of course I have ADHD and am interested in everything.
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Noreen @naziaso
@UweStenderPhD @pltavormina #askagent Have you ever accepted a manuscript that wasn’t perfect but had great potential?If it is close to perfect, and the voice IS perfect, then yes.
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Patricia Tavormina @pltavormina
@UweStenderPhD Is it possible that an otherwise good query would be shied away from by an agent because climate change is a prominently featured theme?So few agents MS-WL it, and some authors say bluntly 'It doesn't sell.' What do you think?
#askagent
I don't see why climate change as a topic is a reason to reject a query. I guess this confuses me.
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Kari Hagen @KariHagenWrites
@UweStenderPhD #askagent - I'm struggling with genre. Would you as an agent rather see a fantasy alien world in an alt universe (similar to Star Wars) classed as Fantasy, Science Fiction, or a hybrid like Science Fantasy? Also, it's MG, so does the sub genre even matter?YOU need to know what the genre YOU write is.
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Christopher L Malone @CLMalone84
@UweStenderPhD How long should I wait on an agent after they've requested a partial manuscript? #askagentIn my opinion, check back after 10 weeks.
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Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD If you request a partial/full what is the longest you will wait to receive it? i.e. is the expectation you will receive it within a week and is a month too long?If you are querying, *I* personally would expect to see it right away. Wait with your query until your manuscript is submittable.
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Matthew Reardon @SpaceLawyerSF
@UweStenderPhD Would an offer of publication from a small e-book/print on demand press, with a very low 4-figure advance, be worth running by agents (particularly ones who still have partials/fulls on the book)? Thanks so much for doing these #askagent sessions, by the way!Yes, sure. And thank YOU.
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Marie 𝓼𝓹𝓸𝓸𝓴𝔂 Bishop Author @mazblondie
@UweStenderPhD How soon into an MS do you have to have a connection to it? Also, do agents, if they like the voice, but not the premise of the requested MS request other work the author may have?I need to connect by page three, or you will lose me, other agents may have wildly different parameters...I only respond to queries, but others may reach out. I can only speak for myself.
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E. Hormazabal @EHormazabal_W
@UweStenderPhD When asked to send partial or full MS, would it be wise to include a map of the world (I'm talking fantasy or sci-fi) alongside the MS? We're talking NOT professionaly made, but polished enough to be presentableIf it is needed for understanding the world, why not?
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Danielle Simonelli @dmsimone99
#askbookends #askagent @NaomisLitPix There are many documented sources / opinions on word count, but I'd like to know your thoughts - what is the upper bound for word count for a debut YA fantasy? Thanks again! And sorry I'm late to the discussion...I think 100k is your upper limit, and some agents will say even that is too high. Aim for 85k if you can. #askagent
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Tamara Rittershaus @TRittershaus
@bookendslit #askagent As a PB writer, most guidelines ask for the full manuscript, so I never get a "request for full" or any other indicator that I'm on the right track. Is it ever appropriate to respond to a form rejection and ask, "Was my MS even close?"Unfortunately, agents just don't have time to give individualized feedback. (I receive about 3,000 queries a year, other agents receive more.) The best people to ask if your manuscript is marketable is your critique group, a writing class, or a crit partner, etc. #askagent
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Tamara Rittershaus @TRittershaus
@bookendslit #askagent As a PB writer, most guidelines ask for the full manuscript, so I never get a "request for full" or any other indicator that I'm on the right track. Is it ever appropriate to respond to a form rejection and ask, "Was my MS even close?"Unfortunately, no, this isn't a good idea. We read so many queries we cannot possibly provide personal feedback to everyone who wants it. @TracyMarchini I think has a Tweet about her query stats for the last year.
#askbookends #askagent
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Stacy Burch @pen_and_crayon
For a text-only PB, do agents prefer the author paginate the MS? #AskBookEndsJrI like to see natural page breaks (generally using returns), but I don't need numbers. #askagent #askbookendsjr
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Kristin Kumm Connon @kristinconnon
#AskAgent @bookendslit How important is "correct" formatting of the MS in a query? I would assume its pretty important for requested materials.I don't think you'll get rejected for, like, having different indentations, etc - that would be silly - but as a general rule, we read a LOT, so having easy fonts and double spacing is really important so our eyes don't bleed. #askbookends #askagent