Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Helena Hoayun {on semi hiatus} @helenahoayun

@kaitylynne13 Oh I thought of another question! Is it wise to mention that other agents have your full in future queries? Or should we leave that out? (Could it hurt because the agents wouldn’t want to compete???) #askagent
Replying to @helenahoayun

I would only let agents know if you've had an offer of representation or if a press/publisher is currently considering the manuscript. We expect other agents to be reading it, so we don't need you to let us know #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

R.M. Seidler @RMSeidler

@kaitylynne13 Hi!
Is it a mark against the author if they are self publishing a series while trying to find an agent to publish a second series?
Ty for your time!
Replying to @RMSeidler

Nope! If it's a completely separate work/series, the agent shouldn't be concerned with that. If they want to set up a call to discuss your work, let them know so they're aware of all the projects you're working on #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Lexie Sharabianlou @lexieshar

@kaitylynne13 Hi Kathryn! Q about page samples: i have a nice tidy arc of my first 10...but more and more agents want the first 5. Does it matter if the pages end mid scene? Or is it worth sending a 6th page to come to a natural end point?
Replying to @lexieshar

Totally fine ending mid-scene. I would suggest not going over the stated number of pages. And yes, whatever they request, it should be double spaced first. Double space the pages, then send the first 5 (if requested) or 10 if they asked for more #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Lane @lanewriteswords

@kaitylynne13 A lot of agents don’t rep sexual assault manuscripts, but does that include all related topics? My MC is the resulting child of a sexual assault and I’m not sure if I should avoid querying to those agents. Don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable/annoyed
Replying to @lanewriteswords

It's not usually all related topics. Like, I don't like graphic rape, but I understand a character who has a past where they experienced it or as you said, are the product of. So, unless they state graphic or any relation to it, you might be ok #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Cortney Winn @CortneyWinn11

@kaitylynne13 Ooh, one more question. What is your dream as an agent? Like, if you achieved this, your career would be fulfilled.
Replying to @CortneyWinn11

Oh, lord! Ummmm have all of my clients at Big 5 publishers? Maybe? Probably to make enough money that I can agent full time and not have a second job? lol I don't really know. I just love what I do #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

John Ryland @JohnRyland10

@kaitylynne13 Do you feel that "new adult"is a viable sub genre?
Replying to @JohnRyland10

New adult is an agent category, not a sub genre, but we're still trying to get it the attention it needs. Right now, most publishers shy away, or label is YA with adult crossover or Adult with YA crossover. #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Rachael Bell-Irving @rbellirving

@kaitylynne13 How do you feel about receiving queries from self-pubslished authors? (that are pitching a brand new story to you). I’ve been told I shouldn’t mention previous books that are indie published if they haven’t sold 10,000s copies
Replying to @rbellirving

Perfectly happy to hear you've self published before and are now pitching a new story. Doesn't affect my choice in the least. We're not judging your self published work. You've grown. Moved on to new stories. It should be about THIS story #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

The Self-Care Enthusiast: prepping for DEC #PitMad @carleelynnlloyd

@kaitylynne13 Are works similar to GOOD OMENS trending at all? As a writer sometimes you can convince yourself a specific fantasy genre is timeless/trending when it actually isn't. Although you must believe before anyone else, of course.
Replying to @carleelynnlloyd

ever since the TV show, people have been trying to compare their story to that. But it needs to be incredibly strong and unique to really land. Angels/demons hasn't been a huge hit apart from that, so it depends what element of the show/book you're similar to #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Emily Locklin @emlocklin

@kaitylynne13 @StephanieNBolla Ooh, I've got it.

What question/s are you hoping we ask you? Is there anything you want those of us in the query trenches to know?
Replying to @emlocklin

haha oh that's a list. I would just say be sure to always look at agent submission guidelines/twitter posts to be POSITIVE they are taking your genre/age. that's a bit deal lol #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Kaitlyn Johnson @kaitylynne13

@TRittershaus That's info we don't need. Give us publication credits if you have them. If not, but you have a connection to the plot/character (like it's about a social worker and you are a social worker) state that. #askagent
Replying to @kaitylynne13

If none of this, give one or two lines about you: town you live in, job, college you graduated from, how many dogs you have. I just want a bit about you. It should never be longer than the pitch letter itself. #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Merril Elizabeth @natural_wizard

@kaitylynne13 Are agents more likely to work with the same publishing houses over and over? Or put another way, if you want a particular publishing house do you have to find an agent that has sold to them before
Replying to @natural_wizard

An agent should be trying to get you in any reputable house. We don't focus on just certain houses. We create a list and are continuously sending you to new people. and just because an agent hasn't sold to a house, doesn't mean they can't #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Sierra @sierrapung

@kaitylynne13 Hi @kaitylynne13! Thank you for taking the time to do this! Can you share about your process? How often do you stop reading mid-query? If you like the query, do you read the pages next or synopsis? Thanks!
Replying to @sierrapung

Sure! Normally, unless the query is 100% no (like about rape or something I strictly say I don't take), I read the pages. I don't often read the synopsis unless I like the pages and want to see where the story goes #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

If I believe in dinosaurs, then they believe in me @SquirrelTheWR

@kaitylynne13 What's a reasonable full request rate to expect with a good query- like, what % query rejections is an indication the query/first pages need work? Thanks for doing this!
Replying to @SquirrelTheWR

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for that. It varies writer to writer. I've seen people with great queries not get picked up for months and months; others who had average query, got picked up fast. There's no fast and hard number #askagent

Kaitlyn Katsoupis
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
283 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips