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

Gabriella Saab @GabriellaSaab_

@kaitylynne13 What’s something you wish all writers knew about agents? #askagent ☺️
Replying to @GabriellaSaab_

That we're people and we're looking for a great work just as much as you're looking for a great agent lol we don't like saying no #askagent

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

Desiree Niccoli @dmniccoli

@kaitylynne13 Do you have any tips for cutting down the synopsis to the appropriate length, while still giving enough context and character development details? Thank you for offering to answer questions!
Replying to @dmniccoli

Definitely avoid subplots or trying to over-explain a character's emotions or motivations (the WHY they do something). Give the facts and briefly show how beginning, middle, and end are tied together. That should help eliminate too many unnecessary scene explanations #askagent

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

Dragonness Wyverna @DragonnessRawr

@kaitylynne13 So multiple paragraphs should be devoted to the pitch?
Replying to @DragonnessRawr

Yes, the pitch is technically those middle paragraphs giving us character, conflict, and consequences (stakes). Be sure to know the difference between this and logline/elevator pitch #askagent

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

Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7

@kaitylynne13 Another one! Do you see a preference for YA in point of view and tense when novels go on submission?
Replying to @mackenziemreed7

I will say, third person present tense is very odd and second person is hard to pull off. Otherwise, first person/present and third person/past seem the most popular/common #askagent

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

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

. @kaitylynne13 #askagent - Had one agent suggest they'd want me to tell my employer I was writing/getting published. Is that typical?

I work for a SW company & my IP agreement specifically excludes children's books. I thought it was strange though?
Replying to @KellyLKC

It may have been the agent just ensuring that IP agreement wouldn't be breached and to be sure your employer wouldn't intend to stand in the way/make things difficult for publication. Sounds like they're just covering bases #askagent

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

Kaitlyn Johnson - Closed to Queries @kaitylynne13

@DragonnessRawr I often suggest this layout: Para 1 - metadata (intro, genre, age, word count, etc.); Para 2 - intro to MC and opening situation; Para 3 - intro to conflict; Para 4 - intro to stakes; Para 5 - bio #askagent
Replying to @kaitylynne13

Of course, add one paragraph if you have dual POV. So, change to: Para 1 - metadata (intro, genre, age, word count, etc.); Para 2 - intro to MC and opening situation; Para 3 - intro to 2 MC & conflict w/ both; Para 4 - how 2 connect & stakes; Para 5 - bio #askagent

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

Dragonness Wyverna @DragonnessRawr

@kaitylynne13 How long do you recommend a pitch be within a query letter? #askagent
Replying to @DragonnessRawr

I often suggest this layout: Para 1 - metadata (intro, genre, age, word count, etc.); Para 2 - intro to MC and opening situation; Para 3 - intro to conflict; Para 4 - intro to stakes; Para 5 - bio #askagent

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

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

. @kaitylynne13 #askagent
Is a mention of human sacrifice really taboo in upper MG? It's implied, but the MC kills the antagonist, nixing the impending sacrifice.
Replying to @KellyLKC

No, we're getting so much deeper with MG. Just mentioning it isn't over the line (not when you consider some MG horror! lol) #askagent I have a client w/ a MG involving an "intended human sacrifice" that is thwarted 😉

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

Noreen @naziaso

Is there a current trend in romance? Are rom-coms in demand ? #askagent
Replying to @naziaso

I'm noticing rom-coms being called for! Also enemies to lovers and coworker romances, but nothing super specific yet #askagent

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

KellyLKC @KellyLKC

. @kaitylynne13 Also when submitting an r&R where a significant portion is rewritten (Full transparency, this is me today) do you need to re-submit a synopsis? #askagent
Replying to @KellyLKC

I would personally like a new synopsis for something like that just to see how the writer changed areas and to remind the agent of the storyline in general. They've probably read a ton since last seeing it and a refresher is helpful #askagent