Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD @DanaLDavis #askagent How many edits do you suggest a writer do before submitting to you? And do you request proof of edits?There is no magic number of edits. If the book is great, it is great. Proof of edits?!? I don't even know what that means or is about.
Literary Agent
Emily @CarrKicksDoor
@ZREllor @medievalismish I have a complete manuscript, but I think it could use more work. Do I send it to an agent yet or not?Yes! Don’t send it out until you’ve polished it with critique partners and it’s the best it can be
Literary Agent
Kate is in the revision cave @katehavas
@ZREllor I think content notes/warnings are (thankfully) becoming more common in publishing and in CP/beta circles, is it helpful for agents to have them in a query or when sending a full?I think you should certainly include them on the cover page of your full MS, or at the start of your sample pages, if they contain triggering material
Literary Agent
Jeronimo Torres @JeronimoTorres1
@ZREllor I only started seriously considering a writing career a year ago. Spend way too much time learning about writing instead of actually writing. I believe I may require external motivation, perhaps contests, groups, crit. partners, etc. How to find them?Look for writing groups in your community and online; seek out people at the same stage in your career you and engage with humility and willingness to learn. Every writing network is different, and it takes a while to find your stride—best of luck!
Literary Agent
Shuchi Mehta @ShuchiGMehta
@jenchentran What kind of stuff would you like to see in a MG first generation-immigrant parents story? I feel that there are so many now that the manuscript that I started almost 4 years ago feels run-of-the-millThat’s a tough one! I like contemporary stories but with a fresh twist. I’d like to see more multi-generational MG stories, dealing with multi-generational struggles/ issues. More MG that explores the special grandparent-kid relationship.
Literary Agent
Liz Waters @scrabblized
@jenchentran Does an R&R mean the agent read the entire MS? Or most of it?In my experience, yes, a R &R means an agent has read the entire MS and is asking you to revise it for a second chance to consider it again. It’s a good thing but make sure to take the agent’s notes to heart. S/he wants to see how well you revise.
Literary Agent
Lisa Carnochan @AmidPrivilege
@jenchentran Thanks for this. If I'm already doing women's fiction plus elements of workplace thriller, is it too much to add the third comp for voice?It really depends. A good comp can still be concise and not over the top. Are you part of a writer’s group? Try out both versions with your peers and take the temperature.
Literary Agent
K. R. Monin @kunderscoremons
@jenchentran What are your thoughts on comp titles? "It's got the X of this book and the Y of that book!" Helpful or pretentious? #askagentI personally love them. It helps me conceptualize the book and set the tone before I even start reading. One successful query, from an author who became my client, called her novel “When Harry met Sally meets Portlandia.”
Literary Agent
Emily Wagner is revising @writeonwagner
@jenchentran What makes you want to request pages?For fiction, voice, sense of place, characters that make me wonder and that challenge me. I have to identify with one or more of the characters and want to spend time with him/ her. I like to be surprised, to find stories with something to say. Hope that wasn’t too nebulous.
Literary Agent
katydid 🦗 not come in peace @KatyLapierre
@jenchentran #askagent Thanks for doing this! Could you weigh in on the standards of putting the housekeeping / metadata items about your MS (word count, genre, etc.) at the beginning or at the end of the query?Good question. I typically like to see the word count at the end of the query (some agents like it at the beginning) and genre info toward the beginning or where you mention comps, if any. It’s more a stylistic choice and there isn’t really a wrong way to do it.
Literary Agent
Jeff McKown @waythingsturn
@jenchentran Hiya Jen - Editing my second novel now and planning to query it next year. My first novel was published in 2017, and the rights revert back to me in 2020 (if I choose not to renew the contract). Do agents care about that? What should I mention in my query about the first novel?Hi Jeff! I would mention at the end of yr query letter that your first novel was published in 2017 by x press. I wouldn’t mention reversion if it’s still a contingent situation-not really relevant to your current project and it may not happen. Does that make sense?
Literary Agent
Lisa Carnochan @AmidPrivilege
@jenchentran Tips on how to communicate what about your genre fiction makes it upmarket, maybe even literary in places? Is this something to state directly, or better to imply in the tone of the query, or hey, both?Thanks in advance.
Good question! Are there appropriate genre books w/ a literary bent that are also upmarket which you can use as a comp? I.e. “this book is for fans of x book by author y.” It gives me a sense of both the audience and the style of writing in a more concise way.
Literary Agent
What does it mean when an editor or agent says your manuscript is “quiet?” #AskAgent #QueryTip #Amwriting tracymarchini.com/2019/05/23/mea…
Literary Agent
The Rules of Re-Querying Agents--Should You or Shouldn't You #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/05/23/re-…
Literary Agent
How would you categorize a "Unique" Novel that doesn't seem to fit in with any genre? #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/05/21/cat…
Literary Agent
#askagent I will try to answer questions about publishing on Fridays. For non-fiction, platform is so important. Publishers want to see numbers and yes, that means engagement but also a dedicated audience. Different NF books have different requirements. #publishing
Literary Agent
Today has proved beyond any doubt why authors sometimes simply just need an advocate. #askagent #literaryagent
Literary Agent
Averill Elisa Frankes ✨ @averillelisa
#askgzla I queried a book a couple years ago and got a lot of requests, but ultimately no yes. I'm gearing up to query my next project and I'm wondering about query strategy. Do I query those agents that requested my book first, all at once? Batches? Mix in with new agents? Eep!Base your subs on how YOU feel about the agents. Make your list and send it to your favs 1st- whatever feels manageable - no matter if they are brand new or passed on your prior project. And onward down the list. Do not feel any pressure to resubmit - send to your favs! #AskGZLA
Literary Agent
Noreen @naziaso
Is WF harder to sell than romance #askgzlaIt needs a juicy hook, so unless it has that, it can be. The market is still pretty robust, though! #AskGZLA
Literary Agent
Ryan Ramkelawan @ryanramkelawan
Are song lyrics allowed in an MS are there copyright questions around them? #askgzlaThat does become a licensing issue, so legal (at the publisher) will be brought in. It's generally cost prohibitive, though, depending on the song. #AskGZLA