Literary Agency
Shira Zwiren @ShiraZwiren
@bookendslit #askagentStart looking for internships and make sure you’re very well reads in the current marketplace #AskAgent
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Jess Hartley @jesshartley
I've heard a lot of differing views on what defines a novel as YA (in terms of content, not just intended readership). What, beyond age of protagonist, makes a book YA fantasy, versus general fantasy in your opinion? @bookendslit #AskAgentWhat sort of journey does your protagonist go on? At the end of the day, YA is a coming-of-age sort of story! #AskAgent
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KFSwann @KfSwann
@bookendslit #askAgent If an agent asks for the full manuscript and then passes, is it okay to ask for feedback so you address the issues or does that annoy the agent?I always provide feedback, so I do get a bit irked when authors want me to elaborate further. #askagent
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So as we're ending this #AskAgent, self-promo time! If you've liked what I said and think we'd be a match, shoot me a query at queryme.online/mferrara.
Top of my wishlist: LGBT contemp, unique fantasy, creepy mind-bending horror.
Ages acquiring: PB, MG, YA, Adult
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Rochele Smit @RocheleSmit
Inciting incident. I see so much conflicting advice out there from workshops, articles, editors etc. Where do you as an agent like to see it when reading submitted YA materials? 1st 5? 1st Ch? 2nd Ch? Thanks so much! ❤️ #AskAgentI always say I need enough exposure to the world and characters to get to know why I should CARE that the inciting incident makes the character's life change forever. #askagent
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katydid 🦗 not come in peace @KatyLapierre
@NaomisLitPix @bookendslit How important are comps? And, when trying to find good ones, is it best to focus on plot/theme, or something else? #AskAgentWhat do readers get out of Book A that they will also get out of your book? Maybe that's a lyrical feel, or a powerful world, or a critical look at relevant social issues. Lean on that. "My book will appeal to readers who loved the X of Y book." #askagent
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James McGowan @jamerrson
@TalynnL @SoCalledYALife @BookEndsJessica @bookendslit No, you can save that for the synopsis. You want to get us intrigued for me. #AskAgentSo here one of my client's query letters. She posted it to her blog so other people could see what worked for her: laurataylornamey.com/writing-tip-qu… Hope that helps! #askagent
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Anastasia K. Bond @AnastasiaKBond
I often hear that I should specify the reason for querying a particular agent (i.e. you repped X and you say you like Y) but the times I've done that have resulted in the quickest rejections. Do you get frustrated by being pigeonholed in such statements? #AskAgentCould have just been that the agent was in their inbox at that particular time. Or they have something similar to what you're pitching! #AskAgent
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Michelle Hauck @Michelle4Laughs
@bookendslit Should the voice in the query try to match voice of the ms or be more generic? #askagentI think it should more or less match the voice of the ms. If your manuscript is funny, show that in the query. Or vice versa, if it’s a dark book, that darkness should come across in the query (in a non-creepy way). #AskAgent
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Michelle A. Morales 🌺✨🏞 @shelldoodle1
@NaomisLitPix @bookendslit I have an A SFF that I've split into two books for the purpose of WC(approx. 160k when put together). Should I mention this in a query or query it as one book? Note: Book1 has its own plot and stakes, Book 2 explores plot opened in Book1 and resolution.I would just say "is intended to be a duology" if book 1 stands on its own as a complete, satisfying narrative. (And if not, plz fix that prior to querying) #askagent
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Caitlin LaRue @CaitlinLaRue
What factors influence offering to rep an author outside of loving their work? #askagentWhat else they’re working on, if our personalities and style mesh, the market, whether I think I can sell it, whether I have a vision for it. There are some books I love, but I know I’m not the person to sell it. #AskAgent
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Michael Scott Phillips @GreyOwlStudio
@NaomisLitPix @bookendslit Thank you!I ultimately agreed with your feedback and gave the opening of my ms a significant overhaul. I'm actually more excited about first four chapters now.
That's great! Just as a caution, a common problem I see when I req a full MS is that the first 50-100 pages have clearly been worked and worked and polished and polished, but the rest not so much. I pass on these. #askagent
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Laura Lavoie @lhlavoie
How important is it for authors who are yet to be published to have an author website? #askagentI always actively encourage my authors to set up a website. It is never to early to start marketing yourself as an author. You are not aspiring: you ARE. #askagent
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KFSwann @KfSwann
@bookendslit #AskAgent Do any agents take the time to work with a new writer to polish the manuscript?If I really love the project, yes. But with as many clients as I have, I have to be careful about the projects that 'need a lot of work' that I take on. #AskAgent
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Julie Weathers @Julie_Weathers
@inthesestones @ICT_Pinup @bookendslit #askagent Some writer friends were discussing comps the other day and one mentioned a television show. "Fans of this show would probably enjoy your book." It would make a good comp, but...it's a television show. Should I keep casting for novels?I mean I did this for a MG I sold. It is perfect for fans of the AMAZING RACE. But if you have ever watched the Amazing Race, and then read the book (which comes out 10/1/19) you will see why the comp works. It needs to be well known enough, people understand the comp. #askagent
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Caroline Bertaud @BertaudCaroline
@bookendslit #AskAgent I’ve heard agents prioritize—or are more interested in —debut authors whose novels are part of a series, is that true?Certainly not for me, but I can't speak for every agent. Sure, it's great if you're able to sell 5 books vs selling 1, but that's no guarantee even if the author is writing a series so it doesn't factor in my decision making. If I love the book, I love the book. #askagent
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Talynn Lynn @TalynnL
@jamerrson @SoCalledYALife @BookEndsJessica @bookendslit Sometimes, writing can be confusing. But this makes sense, so thank you for taking the time to answer my question. PS: You don't want to include the ending of the story in the query, correct?No, you can save that for the synopsis. You want to get us intrigued for me. #AskAgent
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🧠🌈 Steve Asbell is Stimming @rainforestgardn
@Magnus919 @BookEndsKim @NaomisLitPix I think a lot of other autistics keep it to themselves because they are afraid of the stigma. Hopefully we can help change that! #askagentAll I can say is I'm very interested in neurodiverse voices. I'm a parent of a child with autism and two children with ADHD, and I want them to see themselves reflected in fiction. #askagent