Linda Camacho
@LindaRandom
Literary Agent
Agent @GalltZackerLit ; wise Latina; children's VCFA MFA and Cornell alum. Loves TV and giving unsolicited advice. She/her. (Profile Image: Marjorie Buell)
53 MSWL
95 AskAgent
5 Tips
Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips
Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent
Linda Camacho
@LindaRandom
Literary Agent
Agent @GalltZackerLit ; wise Latina; children's VCFA MFA and Cornell alum. Loves TV and giving unsolicited advice. She/her. (Profile Image: Marjorie Buell)
53 MSWL
95 AskAgent
5 Tips

Marietta B Zacker @AgentZacker

@anuponthenet I will be honest and tell you that it's not a 'game' I like to play. The stories that most grab me are the ones that surprise me. So impossible to forecast ;) #askGZLA
Replying to @AgentZacker

True! Though I will say that what I like about MG is that it doesn't quite follow trends that way YA does, so it's usually pretty open. MG fantasy is big, as is contemporary, so I expect that'll continue. #askGZLA

Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
35 MSWL
27 AskAgent

Matt Gorgans @mgorgans

@GalltZackerLit @erin_michelle_C @LindaRandom @AgentZacker @beth_phelan I’m having trouble deciding if my MG #WIP is sci-fi or speculative. What would you say are the primary distinctions? #askGZLA
Replying to @mgorgans

I have this problem too! I'd say speculative "speculates" on our world. It changes something big or small about our world and imagines what would('ve) happen(ed). That can be wrapped in a sci-fi which is usually technology based, often with tech that pushing boundaries #askgzla

Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips
Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent

Carla Young @CarlaYoung

#askGZLA question: where is the best place to research what agents are interested in? Agency web site? Agent social media profile? MSWL? Query tracker?
Replying to @CarlaYoung

Great question - depends on the agent, I'm afraid, but all those sound OK. Although anything coming straight from the agent is going to be most accurate. So I would always suggest caution with things being reported by others. #askGZLA

Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips
Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
35 MSWL
27 AskAgent
Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
35 MSWL
27 AskAgent

kirsten pendreigh @kpiependreigh

#askgzla Hi Marietta and Erin, 1. what would you love to see in PBs right now? 2. Any topics/treatments you're tired of in this genre? 3. Do you consult with each other about PB subs? Thanks! :)
Replying to @kpiependreigh

1) I'd love a picture book about kids in nature - both the fun of it and the reverence we can have for it, told in an engaging way (not so hoity-toity). Camping, hiking, at the local park, whatever! #askgzla

Linda Camacho
@LindaRandom
Literary Agent
Agent @GalltZackerLit ; wise Latina; children's VCFA MFA and Cornell alum. Loves TV and giving unsolicited advice. She/her. (Profile Image: Marjorie Buell)
53 MSWL
95 AskAgent
5 Tips

lizzy is doing NaNoWriMo! @lizzy_writes

Is NA becoming more of a viable genre one could query with, or is it better to market your MS as a YA or Adult (depending on which one it more leans to)? #askGZLA
Replying to @lizzy_writes

NA isn't really a thing domestically these days--It tends to be categorized as erotic stories featuring the 18-early 20s group. better to classify it as YA or adult, depending on age/story. #askGZLA

Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips
Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent

Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen

How do we research agents? I’m aware of Manuscript Wish List but what other factors should we keep in mind besides what their wish list is? Recent Sales? # of clients?#askGZLA
Replying to @enlightenedpen

Lots of info online (interviews, blog posts, folks talking about agents they met at a conference, twitter) ... & yes, sales, but pls keep in mind that Pub Marketplace doesn't have ALL sales. Also look at PW's Children's Bookshelf. And talk to current clients if possible. #askGZLA

Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips

Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen

How do we research agents? I’m aware of Manuscript Wish List but what other factors should we keep in mind besides what their wish list is? Recent Sales? # of clients?#askGZLA
Replying to @enlightenedpen

Try writer beware and absolutewrite but also remember that talking to other authors in like a FB group or whatever is a great way to get first person info if you feel comfortable asking #askgzla

Linda Camacho
@LindaRandom
Literary Agent
Agent @GalltZackerLit ; wise Latina; children's VCFA MFA and Cornell alum. Loves TV and giving unsolicited advice. She/her. (Profile Image: Marjorie Buell)
53 MSWL
95 AskAgent
5 Tips

Linda Camacho @LindaRandom

@enlightenedpen Recent sales can help, though keep in mind that not all are reported in PW/PM. Reading the acknowledgements pages of books you love is a good place to get a sense of what an agent has repped, too! #askGZLA
Replying to @LindaRandom

You can ask how many clients they rep, but in general, agents only take on as many as they can spend time on, so that doesn't really tell you much. If an agent offers, they generally know they have the time to commit. #askGZLA

Linda Camacho
@LindaRandom
Literary Agent
Agent @GalltZackerLit ; wise Latina; children's VCFA MFA and Cornell alum. Loves TV and giving unsolicited advice. She/her. (Profile Image: Marjorie Buell)
53 MSWL
95 AskAgent
5 Tips

Shannan Williams @enlightenedpen

How do we research agents? I’m aware of Manuscript Wish List but what other factors should we keep in mind besides what their wish list is? Recent Sales? # of clients?#askGZLA
Replying to @enlightenedpen

Recent sales can help, though keep in mind that not all are reported in PW/PM. Reading the acknowledgements pages of books you love is a good place to get a sense of what an agent has repped, too! #askGZLA

Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent
Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
35 MSWL
27 AskAgent

Lauren Grace @LaurenGraceBFYR

#askGZLA You are closing to queries 11/27. I have a query hanging in your inbox (sent 10/15) that I haven't heard back about yet (totally understand, people are busy) BUT would you be annoyed if I sent another PB query before the 27th to get it in before you close to subs?
Replying to @LaurenGraceBFYR

No offense meant, but I would be. If I liked your original query I would respond and ask for more manuscripts, and you could share that story with me then. If I pass, I'd prefer you wait to receive that pass to send another project, as we have a one sub at a time rule. #askgzla

Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: 📚🍦💃🏽, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent

Anup 📝📚 @anuponthenet

#askgzla Are there any specific subgenres in MG that are more in demand compared to others - your forecast for next year? Thanks.
Replying to @anuponthenet

I will be honest and tell you that it's not a 'game' I like to play. The stories that most grab me are the ones that surprise me. So impossible to forecast ;) #askGZLA

Beth Phelan
@beth_phelan
Literary Agent
she/her. mg & ya literary agent @galltzackerlit . founder 501c3 NPO @_DiverseVoices (#DVpit/#DVart, DVcon &more). closed to unsolicited submissions.
129 MSWL
125 AskAgent
27 Tips

S. Beard @ABeardedScribe

How would one query with Multi-POV (more than 2-3) when each MC has equal time and importance to the plot? Or would it still just be to focus one of them and mention it is Multi-POV in the comp section?

#askGZLA
Replying to @ABeardedScribe

When I’ve written pitches for those i put like two sentences for each one (status quo, stakes/obstacle), separate paragraphs. Then one paragraph connecting them all on the major plot. Then last is two lines hinting toward the climax. #askgzla