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KC Gallagher @KCGallagher13
@NaomisLitPix Wow! So out of all those requests that didn't pan out, is there a similar thing that made you feel they MS wasn't for you after all?But MOST often, the skill level is where I needed it to be but it just didn't DRAG ME IN the way I'd hoped. It's a subjective reaction not indicative of anyrhing wrong with the book - just didn't make me feel like I MUST have it. #askagent
Literary Agent
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InterContinentalBallisticMissile @InterMissile
@NaomisLitPix You know... & this is an irrational idea in this modern world.... But if you ONLY accepted HANDWRITTEN query letters through snail mail.... Not only would you have 75% fewer queries, but you'd have 90% fewer waste of time unprofessional not ready to be a writer type queriesJust because they aren't "ready" doesn't mean they aren't worthy of my time, attention, and response.
Nor is my opinion the be all end all of responses.
And think of what I might miss for those who cannot afford the postage to send out a batch of 15 page q packets! #askagent
Literary Agent
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Jennifer SantaPutten 🌊⛄🎄 @JenVanderputten
@NaomisLitPix I'm going to have to watch myself for this. My nature is to assume that I'll be lucky to get an offer at all & I might jump too quickly. Question: is it okay to let an offering agent know that you are going to take a little time to consider? What is a reasonable time period?Great question! Definitely ask for time. Any good agent will be willing to give you 2 weeks. Inform all other agents with the full manuscript that you have an offer, giving them 2 weeks to respond. With any luck you'll be able to choose from several reputable agents! #askagent
Literary Agent
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ravingmadscientists @ravingmadsci
@NaomisLitPix How many queries did you receive this year, roughly?I received 2,679 queries this year.
#querystats #askagent
Literary Agent
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Bumbling Gardenista @BumblingGarden
@NaomisLitPix Omg. That’s like rejecting Chris Hemsworth for a first date... 🤪An author needs to feel like *I* am the right match for them as much as I do. When I lose one, it does hurt (VERY much so!), but I'm glad they are confident in the direction they've chosen. I want the best for them+book, even if that best is not me. #askagent #querystats
Literary Agent
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Kate @katenicholas007
@jody_hadlock @NaomisLitPix Do you know more or less which books you can sell to what publisher? I’ve found many publishers who want similar to what I’ve written but don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. As in, do you look at the whole of the market or just a set few publishers ?That said, editor preferences are as wildly varied&subjective as agent preferences, and then they have the added step of convincing sales/marketing/etc that the book is a solid investment. Def not as simple as seeing a book is a good fit for a house based on prev pubs. #askagent
Literary Agent
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Jody Hadlock @jody_hadlock
@NaomisLitPix Just saw this tweet in my feed & have a Q if you don't mind. When you request a full MS, how often do you sign that writer?#askagent of the 189 full manuscripts I've requested this year from QueryManager, I have signed 12 authors.
#querystats
Literary Agent
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Kate @katenicholas007
@NaomisLitPix What’s your biggest reason for rejecting? And what’s your biggest reason for accepting 🤔#askagent
My biggest reason for rejecting is that the writing wasn't ready. Or the story didn't feel original enough.
For accepting: the writing wowed me (original&dynamic voice) and the story felt like something I hadn't read before.
Literary Agent
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J.L. Scritchfield @JLScritchfield
@AllieLevick Splendid! Last question: (since I'm drafting a letter anyway) how do you like to be addressed in a query?Allie, Alexandra, totally doesn't matter.
Literary Agent
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J.L. Scritchfield @JLScritchfield
@AllieLevick If a query letter checks all your boxes, do you always read the ten page sample (even if the query doesn't grab you)? Thank you for doing this btw.I always read the sample! (I read backward: sample first then letter)
Literary Agent
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Allie Levick @AllieLevick
Cc: @JustinRColonThank you so much to everyone who participated!! I've answered as much as I can right now. I'll try to schedule another #AskAgent soon for anyone who missed out!
Literary Agent
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Bruce Pollock @cousinB
@AllieLevick Do you think YA is a tougher sell than it was a couple of years ago?I do think the market is a bit more crowded and competitive.
Literary Agent
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Manju B. Howard @ManjuBeth
@AllieLevick Hi, Allie! Following the @SCBWIMidSouth Conference, I submitted my latest NF PB ms to some faculty. If I submitted the same ms to you, would you wish to know that an editor is considering it? Or should I put that ms aside and submit other PBs to agents? #amwritingI think you should submit the project you feel is the strongest and the best fit (for the market and the agent). If that's the one that's with editors, I think that's fine. Just give a brief mention of it.
Literary Agent
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Allie Levick @AllieLevick
@EmilyMBailey1 I think it's ok to submit and I think you should let agents know.I *highly* recommend having an agent negotiate a deal for you, if it comes to that. I'm biased of course but you NEED someone advocating on your behalf.
If the editor does make an offer, email all the agents who still have the project *OFFER OF PUBLICATION RECEIVED* and let them know the details. Do NOT accept the terms as offered by the editor. Thank them and let them know you'll be back to them soon.
Literary Agent
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Allie Levick @AllieLevick
@EmilyMBailey1 I think it's ok to submit and I think you should let agents know.I *highly* recommend having an agent negotiate a deal for you, if it comes to that. I'm biased of course but you NEED someone advocating on your behalf.
If the editor does make an offer, email all the agents who still have the project *OFFER OF PUBLICATION RECEIVED* and let them know the details. Do NOT accept the terms as offered by the editor. Thank them and let them know you'll be back to them soon.
Literary Agent
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Emily M. Bailey @EmilyMBailey1
@AllieLevick Hi Allie. Thanks for this. I am currently querying. I have had a request for a MS on pitmad from an editor. What is the correct protocol in this situation? Is it okay to submit to the editor and should I let the agents I have queried know?I think it's ok to submit and I think you should let agents know.
I *highly* recommend having an agent negotiate a deal for you, if it comes to that. I'm biased of course but you NEED someone advocating on your behalf.
Literary Agent
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Emily M. Bailey @EmilyMBailey1
@AllieLevick Hi Allie. Thanks for this. I am currently querying. I have had a request for a MS on pitmad from an editor. What is the correct protocol in this situation? Is it okay to submit to the editor and should I let the agents I have queried know?I think it's ok to submit and I think you should let agents know.
I *highly* recommend having an agent negotiate a deal for you, if it comes to that. I'm biased of course but you NEED someone advocating on your behalf.
Literary Agent
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Michelle Van Berkom @MVanBerkom
@AllieLevick Hi Allie, what are your thoughts on pros & cons of using a pen name vs writing under real name?I think this is a deeply personal decision. Some people don't want their personal circle knowing about their writing. Sometimes people just want a separate persona for their work. I don't think either is intrinsically better or worse, it just depends on the situation.