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Travis Simpson @trvsimpson
@AllieLevick 1. Do you read the attached sample if you don't like the query? Is it worth resubmitting a new query if you whiffed but still believe in the work overall?2. Do you have anything that is an instant no; conversely is there anything that is an instant yes for full ms requests?
1. I don't allow attachments! But generally, I do queries backward--read the sample and then the query letter. Yes! Absolutely try again.
2. If someone says something derogatory in a query it's an instant no.
Instant yes if i love their writing! 🙃
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Laura Passmore @lauracpassmore
@AllieLevick Assuming an author has followed your general guidelines and queried you regarding a genre/category of book you actually represent, what is one of the most common reasons you find yourself passing on queries? Thanks!It's often that I don't connect to the voice.
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Alexandra Ayers @authoralexayers
@AllieLevick Should you pay for editing before submitting a manuscript? Specifically, line editing.It's not strictly necessary. I would recommend working with beta readers or a critique group. However, if you feel there are a lot of line edits that need to be made and want to have someone work on it, that's totally fine! Either way, it's important to send a polished mss.
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Kelly Mangan @KellyAMangan
@AllieLevick I heard from a PB author I love that writers should always include mention of other manuscripts we’ve written in our queries (esp if the MS being pitched is part of a series). Is this something you’d recommend? Or does that come across presumptuous and/or overbearing?No! I think it seems like you're dedicated to your craft.
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Elizabeth Roderick (semi-hiatus) @LidsRodney
@AllieLevick If you’re still here:If an author has other books out with a small publisher and their sales haven’t been stellar, will this give you pause if you’re thinking about taking them on for a new MS?
Sales track is a speed bump but can be overcome. I'm honestly more concerned whether the publisher has any contractual bearing on the author's next work.
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J.L. Scritchfield @JLScritchfield
@AllieLevick What is the most important thing you'd want an author to know before querying you? Asking for a friend, of course.That a typo isn't make or break. I think so many people stress out SO much over a single typo. Obviously, if the whole query is grammatically incorrect, we have a problem, but don't worry if there was one little mistake. We all make them.
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Erik Thurman @ErikThurman
@AllieLevick That would be awesome! One more thing, do you have a preference for a web-based proposal like: erikamoen.com/comics_old/gri…or a .pdf proposal like:
dropbox.com/s/kr1gawztoa9g…
To be honest, I have a very personal hatred of DropBox. (This is totally a ME problem.) I'd love either a PDF attached or a link to view from.
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EowynGN @eowyn_nygaard
@AllieLevick * typo should be "the word prologue"Prologues are tricky and often unnecessary, but not an immediate rejection.
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Bruce Pollock @cousinB
@AllieLevick When you say you want pages within the body of the email, is it okay if they're single spaced?I would recommend double spacing or even 1.5 spacing, just because it can get a bit hard to read. (Again, this is totally a personal preference!)
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Akula @Akula_H
@AllieLevick How many picture book manuscripts do you prefer to see before you take on a new writer?This is something that really depends situation to situation, but generally, I'll want to see at least three total if I'm interested. In a query, though, I only want to see one.
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Akula @Akula_H
@AllieLevick Thank you so much for askagent. I'm from India and I live in a non-English speaking country(Germany). My writing is good and it may hide the fact I'm not a native spraker , but my accent will give it away. Is this going to be problem?No. It shouldn't be. I've absolutely worked with authors whose first language wasn't English. It's all about the writing itself.
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Jenna Nicole @jenna_nicc
@AllieLevick Is the common response “this just isn’t for me” a kind way of saying “this needs a lot of work?” Lol!I can only speak for myself, but there are so many times where nothing is inherently wrong with a manuscript I just don't feel the spark that says *I absolutely must have it*. And that's my cue that it isn't a good match for me.
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AIWA @aiwahannah
@AllieLevick What sort of literary fiction are you interested in? Are you drawn to voice-driven fiction? Thank you.Voice is always, always, always the way to hook me. Across any genre! I find that I just can't care about a character as much if I don't have a firm concept of them in my brain as I read.
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D.M. King @Shhhman
@AllieLevick How would YOU get teens reading again? Do you ever go with a gut feeling in choosing a writer to represent?Teens are reading! Quite a lot, in fact.
And yes, I definitely trust my gut quite often!
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Zanko @Zanko65416357
@AllieLevick When I start querying with this book, do I add the custom font to the query so that agents can install the font and see the runes or is that a total no-go for agents?I think you'll get push-back on that. Agents are generally a bit suspicious of any kind of download in a query because so many have received viruses that way. It may just be worth a mention in case they're interested in the story itself.
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Shakira Shute @ShakiraShute
@AllieLevick Hi Allie! Thanks so much for doing this ask agent today. Posting now so I don’t miss out. 1. What are your thoughts on rhyming pb texts? 2. How do you feel about pb series?1. Rhyming is fairly out of fashion right now when it comes to what's being acquired. 2. I think they can be super promising! Though I would recommend writing book 1 and maybe just outlining 2 and 3, so you haven't spent too much time on them if someone doesn't end up buying #1.
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Allie Levick @AllieLevick
@louisefeder I think it helps to go back and be sure the essential bones of the story are there. Ex: An established want, an established obstacle, and an established action against the obstacle that you can clearly identify.It's so easy to get caught up in the details, I would recommend zooming back out once everything is complete so you can be sure that the story elements that make us care are actually present and identifiable.
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Louise Feder @louisefeder
@AllieLevick Hi Allie! Thanks so much for doing this #AskAgent. Do you have any tips for authors just beginning edits on their first drafts? Anything in particular you wish we’d look for during the revision process?I think it helps to go back and be sure the essential bones of the story are there. Ex: An established want, an established obstacle, and an established action against the obstacle that you can clearly identify.
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Allie Levick @AllieLevick
@JustinRColon Oops! I missed this one. Sorry, Justin! I love when there is a bit of subversive humor in a PB (that an adult reader would catch). I love when a story has layers (emotional, thematic, etc.). Generally, I think I'm amenable to most sub-genres.I will say, rhyming may not be the best match for me, nor are the really sweet projects.