Uwe Stender
@UweStenderPhD
Literary Agent
Founder @triadaus , Literary/Film Agent. Herthaner. Berliner Schnauze. Westend. Qualität kommt von Qual. 1982,1991, 2013, 2017. Books, Films, Music. ❤ Berlin ❤
76 MSWL
1203 AskAgent
44 Queries
81 Tips
Uwe Stender
@UweStenderPhD
Literary Agent
Founder @triadaus , Literary/Film Agent. Herthaner. Berliner Schnauze. Westend. Qualität kommt von Qual. 1982,1991, 2013, 2017. Books, Films, Music. ❤ Berlin ❤
76 MSWL
1203 AskAgent
44 Queries
81 Tips
Uwe Stender
@UweStenderPhD
Literary Agent
Founder @triadaus , Literary/Film Agent. Herthaner. Berliner Schnauze. Westend. Qualität kommt von Qual. 1982,1991, 2013, 2017. Books, Films, Music. ❤ Berlin ❤
76 MSWL
1203 AskAgent
44 Queries
81 Tips
Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips
Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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. 🤔 #askagent
Replying to @carlycdebaca

I 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips
Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips
Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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?
Replying to @DarlyJamison

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)

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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?
Replying to @rebecca_fryar

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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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.
Replying to @RebeccaBayham

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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips
Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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.
Replying to @erhoffer

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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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? #askagent
Replying to @MisterHand1

This 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

@WeronikaJanczuk What software is used by literary agents and editors for editing? #askagent
Replying to @anuponthenet

system (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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

@WeronikaJanczuk What software is used by literary agents and editors for editing? #askagent
Replying to @anuponthenet

This 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

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? #askagent
Replying to @Stpolishook

I 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

Gates Palissery @Gateskp

@WeronikaJanczuk Is it bad practice to comp a book that the agent you're querying sold (if you use it as a comp in other queries)? I wonder if it makes it look like you're sucking up to that agent. #askagent
Replying to @Gateskp

This is a great question. I'd say it's definitely not bad practice. Just be sure that it's a good comp, and that there isn't a better one. Most of the times, I see comps and one of two things happens: (1) writing falls flat (so ms is poor), or (2) comps don't match ms. #askagent

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

E.M. Westfall @em_westfall

@WeronikaJanczuk tips for incorporating diverse voices and representation? Or advice on what not to do? - a white author #askagent
Replying to @em_westfall

Beyond 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

E.M. Westfall @em_westfall

@WeronikaJanczuk tips for incorporating diverse voices and representation? Or advice on what not to do? - a white author #askagent
Replying to @em_westfall

Are 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

Weronika Janczuk
@weronikajanczuk
Literary Agent
Lit. agent @ JLA, which I designed m'self. 🇵🇱. @NYUGallatin alumna. Lover of persons, saints, ♥s, intelligentsias, impact, + books. A mini Lisbeth Salander.
64 MSWL
69 AskAgent
3 Tips

E. R. Hoffer @erhoffer

@WeronikaJanczuk I've heard that demand for audiobooks is growing fast. Does this trend factor into consideration of manuscripts? Or impact the way agents work with authors? Or in the next 3 years? Thanks! #askagent
Replying to @erhoffer

The way audio rights are handled differs pretty widely, on behalf of different agencies as well as boilerplate contracts. I don't foresee the audio market specifically impacting the agent-author relationship broadly; it may impact the contractual content with sales. #askagent