Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 23 Oct 2018

Brekke 🧝🏻‍♀️IS REVISING @BrekkeWrites

@laurenspieller How important is it for a querying Arthur to let you know they have other projects in the works? Would you want to know about any of these in a query, or leave them out altogether?

You can mention it but it’s not essential

· 23 Oct 2018

Mike Headley @BowTieWriter

@laurenspieller Replying thank you to a rejection - just a nuisance in the inbox?

Indeed

· 23 Oct 2018

Noreen @naziaso

@laurenspieller what turns you off most about the pages?

Bad pacing

· 23 Oct 2018

Brekke 🧝🏻‍♀️IS REVISING @BrekkeWrites

@laurenspieller How open are you to another fairytale retelling? Do you think the market is to flooded for these?

I’m open to it as long as it’s doing something new with the genre/is retelling a lesser-known fairytale

· 23 Oct 2018

Cit Callahan @AuthorCCallahan

@laurenspieller What's the most important part about a romcom for you? Like what really defines the best parts of the genre?

Ooo this is a good question. My answer isn’t great but it IS crucial: the story has to actually be FUNNY

· 23 Oct 2018

Susan Burdorf @sburdorf

@laurenspieller When is the worst time to send in manuscripts (right after subs open again after a break, or just before agents go on break)? NOTE: not counting times agents are not accepting subs

Both are fine!

· 23 Oct 2018

K A Black @authorKABlack

@laurenspieller Where do you go first in a bookstore? #askagent

YA 😍

· 23 Oct 2018

Lilly SPOOKY-ago 🇵🇷 @LillyMSantiago

@laurenspieller what's a trend that you would really like to see resurface in YA?

Romcoms!!!

Okay, maybe that’s not fair—it’s not like there was a strong trend and then it disappeared, a la dystopian. But I still wants it, precious.

· 23 Oct 2018

Comping Books Outside Your Own Genre #askagent #amquerying #MSWL bookendsliterary.com/2018/10/23/boo…

· 22 Oct 2018

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?

Replying to @LauriSchoenfeld

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

· 21 Oct 2018

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? #askagent

Replying to @erhoffer

It all depends. But it is not a turn off for me. But of course I have ADHD and am interested in everything.

· 21 Oct 2018

Noreen @naziaso

@UweStenderPhD @pltavormina #askagent Have you ever accepted a manuscript that wasn’t perfect but had great potential?

Replying to @naziaso

If it is close to perfect, and the voice IS perfect, then yes.

· 21 Oct 2018

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

Replying to @pltavormina

I don't see why climate change as a topic is a reason to reject a query. I guess this confuses me.

· 20 Oct 2018

Mac🎃KeN🎃Zie🎃Davis @MKNZdavis

@UweStenderPhD Cover design - is it something authors are allowed to have any input on?

Replying to @MKNZdavis

Yes

· 20 Oct 2018

Manddy @DMandzz

@UweStenderPhD What things automatically turn you away from a manuscript?

Replying to @DMandzz

Spelling mistakes.

· 20 Oct 2018

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?

Replying to @KariHagenWrites

YOU need to know what the genre YOU write is.

· 20 Oct 2018

Christopher L Malone @CLMalone84

@UweStenderPhD How long should I wait on an agent after they've requested a partial manuscript? #askagent

Replying to @CLMalone84

In my opinion, check back after 10 weeks.

· 20 Oct 2018

Emily @emholyoakauthor

@UweStenderPhD @SarinaDahlan As an agent, are you hesitant to read a query from a debut novelist? As opposed to an author with a few writing credentials under their belt?

Replying to @emholyoakauthor

No, not at all.

· 20 Oct 2018

Katja Rammer @KatjaRammer

@UweStenderPhD If I were to query you and know you are German...könnte ich die Grußformel und den Einleitungsatz in deutsch machen - den Rest in Englisch?

Replying to @KatjaRammer

Definitely yes.

· 20 Oct 2018

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?

Replying to @sburdorf

If you are querying, *I* personally would expect to see it right away. Wait with your query until your manuscript is submittable.