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SK Terentiev @Sarah_Terentiev
@ericsmithrocks @mikechenwriter #asklitAOCProlog-is it always a bad idea when querying agents?
Example - less than 2 pages, barely any world building (no exposition!), deep in the character’s POV, full of action. It’s purpose is to set the tone for later in the book. A promise to the reader.
Prologues aren't always bad! It's a taste thing.
The prologues I hate are the ones that start the book with something like "looking back, I'm glad we made it" and telling me the novel is all reflective.
Why read the story? Things turned out okay. *closes book* #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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Jay Mehta @jaymstories
What do you feel like is “the moment” when you know you’ve connected with a writer’s story? #askLitAOCWhen I'm reading the book like a reader, and no longer picking it apart while I read. Well. No longer picking it apart THAT much. #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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Jay Mehta @jaymstories
What do you feel like is “the moment” when you know you’ve connected with a writer’s story? #askLitAOCThe moment is usually at 2:46am when I'm 87% through the full and creating a mental submission list. LOL #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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Erik Thurman @ErikThurman
#askLitAOC What can publishing do to ensure marginalized agents don't wash out of their field? ie. paid internships, allowing remote-work, financial support for the first few years of agenting, etc?i feel like fewer barriers for sure would help and also better mentorship and opportunities in general #askLitAOC
Literary Agent
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Rae (is on her final edit right now) Williams @RachaelEWrites
When does #OwnVoices not count as OwnVoices? I am a black/native American author but my MC is Kenyan. Would I label that OwnVoices?#asklitAOC
*whispers* I don't use or pay attention to the ownvoices label specifically for this reason. #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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Jibril Stevenson @jsteven38690251
How important are comps in a query? Should they relate to subject matter, characters, aesthetic, all of the above? #askLitAOCthey are helpful! and they should relate in any or all of those, however it best makes sense for your specific story! #askLitAOC
Literary Agent
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Melissa See @melissasee
Is it appropriate to follow up with an agent who has had a full manuscript for a month (or more)? #asklitAOCI'm a big believer in following up and nudging. Just be sure to check submission guidelines, see how long the agent / agency tends to circle back with authors.
Agents spent 47% of their life following up with editors [citation needed]. You can followup with them. #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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Stephanie Lau @StephLauBooks
@beth_phelan Q2: Recommendations on querying, if you're a POC who is NOT writing ownvoices? #askLitAOCdo it anyway. some agents/editors will be buttheads but the people who are really in it will understand #askLitAOC
Literary Agent
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Samara Lo @Ms_SamaraLo
#asklitAOC Does being an agent or author outside the US have any limits/affects if you're looking to be published in the US? E.g. Would you be targeting US publishers or local connections first?Not in my opinion! I'm lucky enough to work with authors in the UK and in Canada, and have secured them deals with US publishers without a problem. The Internet and email makes the world smaller. <3 #asklitAOC
Literary Agent
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I’m doing Q&A #askagent on my Instagram stories.
Ask your Qs over on IG (find this page on my stories 👇🏻)
I’ll answer them via video tomorrow: instagram.com/carlywatters/?…
Literary Agent
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alibullard @alibullard
@BookEndsJessica Jessica, Your video info is great. I've seen a lot of recommendations to write a whole synopsis, something like 450 words, that tells the whole plot. In your video you say write cover copy, which is significantly shorter. Maybe 150 - 200 words, right? & not to tell the end.The synopsis is about 2-3 pages. It's detailed plot descriptions including how your book ends. This is submitted as part of a requested submission package. #askagent
Literary Agent
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alibullard @alibullard
@BookEndsJessica Jessica, Your video info is great. I've seen a lot of recommendations to write a whole synopsis, something like 450 words, that tells the whole plot. In your video you say write cover copy, which is significantly shorter. Maybe 150 - 200 words, right? & not to tell the end.Thank you. The synopsis and the blurb are two very different things. You will need both. The blurb is the 2-3 paragraph description (aka cover copy) that makes up your query letter. #askagent
Literary Agent
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Jonathan Koelsch @jkArts
@abuckslater @ByAmyBlanchard Thanks, that’s an eye opening thought I did not expect! (I always imagined higher follower count was becoming increasingly important to publishers) #okscbwichatIt’s attractive. It’s not everything. STORY is everything. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@abuckslater What projects do you have coming out that you're really excited about? #okscbwichatOh wow you guys should prepare yourself for @jblecher’ debut OUT OF PLACE and @JanaeMarksBooks FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON, two #mg with luminous hearts. ZOE is a good example of blending with #mystery too. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Amy Blanchard @ByAmyBlanchard
@abuckslater How important is it for a writer to have an online presence? Will that make a difference on whether an agent/publisher passes on a manuscript? #okscbwichatNo, it should not make a difference. Online presences, social media use, etc, is different for everyone, and if an agent loves your story but passes because you have 20 followers? You dodged a bullet. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@abuckslater Talk about how you work with an new author on getting their first book ready to be submitted - what does that process look like? #okscbwichatI edit the book and we dig deeper when necessary, but I know when to step aside and bring a professional on board when the manuscript is ready. I share the submission list and rely on my clients input if they have connections too. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@abuckslater How would you describe your style of agenting? What does your working relationship look like with your authors? #okscbwichatI keep my clients in close contact during the editorial, submission and negotiation process. My job is to find the right editor, a champion for the book, who shares our vision, and I’m there to nurture that relationship and help guide the author along her career. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Jennifer Sneed @JenSneedWrites
@abuckslater @litbeing #okscbwichat Can you name a MG contemporary novel that has the elements you're looking for?I loved SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS by Jack Chang. It’s heartbreaking and told in such a unique way. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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Stephanie Theban @StephanieTheban
@litbeing @abuckslater Kids are so much smarter than people think they are #okscbwichatThey know instantly if they’re being talked down to or coddled. A part of me sometimes thinks that the best children’s stories are told with no audience in mind. #okscbwichat
Literary Agent
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gayesanders @gayesanders
@abuckslater What is one glaring thing you often see that immediately makes you put on the brakes in a query? #okscbwichat @litbeingFor a query, definitely run on sentences, excess of character names, an overbearing bio, my name spelled wrong...#okscbwichat