Literary Agent
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.
Literary Agent
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.
Literary Agent
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?
Literary Agent
Jeanne Moore @jmhonolulu
Hi, all. I need suggestions for a font to use when I want to distinguish text messages from the rest of the manuscript. I'm using Courier New, but am not very happy with it and don't like many of the other fonts I've looked at. #amwriting #askagent #amwritingromance #pubtipI would use a hyphen (-) before the texts. One easy way to do it. #askagent
Literary Agent
Carly C'de Baca @carlycdebaca
@WeronikaJanczuk I am super super late to this (as I am with everything), but here is my question: Should the synopsis reveal major plot twists and the conclusion? I've seen mixed responses in the past. 🤔 #askagentI would say 100% yes. I look for proof that there is a clear plot arc--a clear beginning, middle, & end/resolution to the key plot/tension questions. If I read a synopsis, it's to evaluate/pre-empt reading a ms in entirety, in order to gauge writer's capacity to finish. #askagent
Literary Agent
Caroline Sciriha @CarolineScirih1
@WeronikaJanczuk #askagent. I'm going to take you up on your offer! I mention in my queries that the ms is written in British English. I'm querying both American & British agents. Is a ms in Brit Eng something that could put American agents off?To a v. small extent--depends on the agent. It will need to be copyedited at some point! #askagent
Literary Agent
Darly Jamison @DarlyJamison
@WeronikaJanczuk Can I ask another question? Why is it that some agents point out all of the things they loved about a manuscript, but in the end, something didn’t resonate so they passed, while other agents are up for several revisions? Are they sugar coating the rejection just to be nice?was lacking. This is my experience with the vast majority of things I pass on, to different degrees. It's ultimately v. hard to integrate everything from start to finish; takes much practice, a gut/intuitive talent, & great intentionality. (2) #askagent
Literary Agent
Darly Jamison @DarlyJamison
@WeronikaJanczuk Can I ask another question? Why is it that some agents point out all of the things they loved about a manuscript, but in the end, something didn’t resonate so they passed, while other agents are up for several revisions? Are they sugar coating the rejection just to be nice?Yeah, this is a good ?. This will depend, on some extent, on the agent. For me, what this means is that there are specific pieces to the writer's capacity that resonated--say, good voice, or characterization, or world-building, but that magical spark that gels an entire ms (1)
Literary Agent
Rebecca Fryar...is haunting graveyards @rebecca_fryar
@WeronikaJanczuk @tammy_oja Talk to me about graphic novels. How does a script query differ from a standard MS query?Ooh. V. good question. I'm not doing graphic novels for the moment, but genuinely hope to in the near future. In addition to story arc content, the query must describe something of the nature of the art & need for it. It's a dual pitch: story & artistic need/capacity. #askagent
Literary Agent
Rebecca Bayham @RebeccaBayham
@WeronikaJanczuk If I'm querying an adult novel, is it a bad idea to use a YA novel as a comp even if they are similar in terms of plot/worldbuilding/character development? Thank you.It's not a terrible idea, but I would do it ONLY with agents who are also repping YA, and will be familiar. It will be a hard comp to use in a pitch to editors, where editors (on the most part) specialize v. heavily in the adult niche they edit. (Send a query!!!) #askagent
Literary Agent
David Neuner @david_neuner
@WeronikaJanczuk I will be querying a 2nd standalone book sometime in the near future. If I am fortunate enough to receive an offer for the 2nd novel, is it good practice to notify any agents who are considering my first novel?I would say 100% yes, and to give them the opportunity to review either/both full manuscripts. #askagent
Literary Agent
E. R. Hoffer @erhoffer
@WeronikaJanczuk Thanks! I was curious whether agents were thinking about how a manuscript sounds when read aloud, to assess its marketability for audio listeners.I'd say there are only certain genres for which this kind of reading is even conducive to the ms quality--primarily literary fiction, short stories, poetry. You wouldn't want to measure a more commercial concept for traditional pub by capacity for translation to audio. #askagent
Literary Agent
Mister Hand @MisterHand1
@WeronikaJanczuk An established author (8 published novels) liked my novel. Her agent doesn’t rep YA, so author told me to query another agent at agency & use her as referral. That agent passed. Would author’s recommendation carry any weight when querying other agencies? #askagentThis is a good question. I'd say it won't carry formal weight, unless the agent knows the author, but if she has endorsed the book, you could include a quote from her between the query & sample pages. Cite her & her credentials. Agents may differ on this ?. #askagent
Literary Agent
Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet
@WeronikaJanczuk What software is used by literary agents and editors for editing? #askagentsystem (created one for myself, basically) in Word, & it's hard for me to let it go; would only do so if I found something more effective, in transitioning from query inbox to files to author to editor. We're really working with the same book the whole way through. (2) #askagent
Literary Agent
Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet
@WeronikaJanczuk What software is used by literary agents and editors for editing? #askagentThis may differ from agent to agent, but as far as I can tell, standard route is Word. I rely on Track Changes for specific ms-level comments, & write editorial letters in entire documents. There are some specific tools out there (programs), but I learned a great (1) #askagent
Literary Agent
Stacey Polishook 🌊 @Stpolishook
@WeronikaJanczuk how do you feel about child protagonists in adult novels? Multi pov with one being a child the other an adult? #askagentI would love to see a story like that. Some of the most interesting contours of reality are accessible from the eyes and experiences of children. The trick is to really nail the experience; believability, rawness, viscerality - be real & true. This is always my marker. #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
E.M. Westfall @em_westfall
@WeronikaJanczuk tips for incorporating diverse voices and representation? Or advice on what not to do? - a white author #askagentBeyond this, I'd say that the way to own the voice is to enter into the skin of the person--and so for "white persons" writing "diverse characters," do your research; go deep; encounter and write from experience of culture. (If I'm missing the ? here, clarify for me!) #askagent
Literary Agent
E.M. Westfall @em_westfall
@WeronikaJanczuk tips for incorporating diverse voices and representation? Or advice on what not to do? - a white author #askagentAre you asking about doing this craft-wise? The answer to me is v. simple: you have to own the voice. Own the voice, no matter what; I can't stand books where the voice falls flat. Whether you're owning your own voice, or the voice of a diverse character, OWN IT. #askagent