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Rebecca R. Cohen @RebeccaRCohen2
@susanhawk @UpstartCrowLit What is the key to hooking an agent? What stories really catch your eye? #askUpstart #askmeanythingWrite a fantastic manuscript, and pair it with a clear, concise query. I never know exactly what I'm looking for when I open the query box, but I'm always ready to be wowed. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Danielle Chiotti @daniellechiotti
@mikalroy Lately, I find myself dealing less in trends and more in: does this story surprise and delight me? I want to be surprised and delighted. #AskUpstartI don't think we're in a heavy trend period - no vampires taking over the shelves, no dystopian dominance. Its a good thing! More exciting for the field to be open. I do see exciting growth, esp in MG, where editors are hungry for GNs, and books for the older readers. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito
I’m planning to query agents in batches—6 to 7 at a time. If I don’t get any interest from those 6 or 7, should I consider a revision? What’s your take? #askupstartIf the comments from agents call out the same issues in the novel, then it's worth considering a revision. Otherwise, get it out as widely as you can! #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Michael Stearns @mikalroy
What “trends” do you see growing or waning nowadays? Or is it utterly foolish to speak of trends at all? #AskUpstartLately, I find myself dealing less in trends and more in: does this story surprise and delight me? I want to be surprised and delighted. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito
@mikalroy Yes, you’re right. I am. Thank you for that shift. I was always under the impression that the query was the ticket to an agent reading more. First pages makes sense.Just seconding Michael's comment here! No one makes an offer of rep because of a great query. It's the manuscript that matters most! #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Danielle Chiotti @daniellechiotti
@mikalroy @th_littlebirdie The barn was very large. It was very old. It smelled of hay and it smelled ofmanure. It smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath
of patient cows. It often had a sort of peaceful smell as though nothing bad could
happen ever again in the world.
Charlotte's Web. Every darn time. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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kirsten pendreigh @kpiependreigh
@UpstartCrowLit #AskUpstart Hello! I write PB's. Susan, I see that you, like many agents, currently prefer author-illustrators...What is your advice for author-only PB writers? Hypothetically, how might a person convince you to consider a text-only PB? ;)Well, you can always send it to me to see! My advice is: persistence! Keep track of who's looking for PB texts, keep improving your craft, and keep going! #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito
What’s been the biggest surprise in the MG market in recent years, both in terms of what‘s written and what’s selling? #askupstartI can't think of a surprise, but I am very glad for the increased representation we're seeing - though more to do there, for sure. I'm delighted that GNs are doing so well, and also love older MG - the boundaries that are being pushed there. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito
If I’ve queried you and need to remove olives and mermaids and how much my character hates her new town from the story, how long should I wait to try again? #AskUpstartIf you have something fresh and new, why not try now? #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Lynn Rogalsky 💻 @lynn_rog
I know it depends on the genre and individual story, but are short chapters in MG/upper MG acceptable, say 200-500 words? Is there a norm? Thanks.#AskUpstart
You're right that every story is different, but that sounds rather short for chapters in MG/Upper MG. But if it works for the story, go with it! #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Cindy @sea_thought
Along the same line as @BackyardReading asked, what suggestions can you offer to help an inexperienced, unagented, rural-living(like no cell service or McDonald’s), Retired teacher, hopeful author, OK: Me...to get started in the publishing process? #AskUpstartI'm sure you're doing this already but, read, read, read! The more you read, the better writer you'll become. And, being that you're rural this might be more challenging, but see if you can find other writers to share work/critiques with. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Maureen M. Mirabito @maureenmirabito
If this query landed on your screen today, and you said, “I have been waiting my entire career for this!” what would it say? #askupstartOh gosh, that's so hard to say. I often don't know it until I see it, which is why I try to get into the query box as often as I can. #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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Christina Julian @christin_julian
I've never been on time for anything but here I am! #AskUpstart @UpstartCrowLit 1) In PB manuscripts, is 1st person a no-no? Or ok if the story begs to be told directly by the mc? 2) what's the number 1 thing someone can do to make a query standout of the slush. #amqueryingThe #1 way to stand out is to write a wonderful book. Honestly, if you do that, you will stand-out! #AskUpstart
Literary Agent
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How Much to Reveal in Your Query #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/04/09/wil…
Literary Agent
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Sarah Jane Pounds @sarahjp22
@AnneTibbets Comp books that grab your attention in queries?Believe it or not I pretty much ignore comps in queries. I'm odd like that. 🤷
Literary Agent
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Whitney Hill ✍🏾 @write_wherever
@AnneTibbets What trope, theme, or plot are you tired of seeing or feel is overdone?Person waking up as book opener, that's a bit tired.
I'm seeing lots of ghost stories. Soooooo many ghosts. It has to be unique to get my attention b/c the ghost queries are overflowing.
Personally tired of 'womanizers who find women have quality' trope is definitely NOT for me.
Literary Agent
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Deidre Huesmann @DeidreHuesmann
@AnneTibbets Favorite and least favorite tropes? And are they ever affected by the current market?Favorite trope = girl and/or woman comes into her self confidence and does amazing shiz all on her own
Least favorite = drunk investigator searches for killer of a long line of dead girls
Not affected by market. Those are just my personal preferences.
Literary Agent
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Jordan Thomas @ByJordanThomas
@AnneTibbets How long of a pitch do you like at conferences?5 minutes. An effective "elevator pitch" and then provide answers if the agent asks questions.
Know your word count, category, genre, and then the plot and hook.
Literary Agent
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it's okay to say you don't know the answer to something. whether you're doing an #askagent/#askeditor or at a conference, it's better to say I DON'T KNOW than to give wrong information. don't pretend to be an authority on something you know nothing about. #revpit
Literary Agent
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Jamie Lynn Boothe @boop1967
Are you supposed to begin each chapter in the middle of a new page? Is the first paragraph supposed to be indented & the rest flushed left? #writingcommunity #literaryagents @BookEndsJessica if this is true it would explain some of the rejectionsIt doesn’t matter & no one rejects a book they’re loving because of where a paragraph starts. #askagent