Literary Agent
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
Can a MS be pitched as an age crossover? I see people pitching "Adult SF with potential for YA crossover" or "YA romance with potential for Adult crossover." I had assumed those would be New Adult, but some are saying that's "not pitchable."#askPSLA
They probably would be New Adult if that category had developed like many hoped it would. Alas, it's not really a recognized category in traditional publishing, so you're right to pitch as having crossover potential. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
In comp titles for a query, would you rather have titles that are similar genre but maybe not writing style, or titles that are similar writing style from a different genre (having trouble finding any that meet both criteria) #askPSLASimilar writing style. I don't need comp titles for genre—those are easy to find. I'm more interested in comp titles that have to do with style, tone, theme, etc. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Casey Mulligan Walsh @caseyhen1
What is your preferred range for memoir word count from a first time author? #askPSLAMemoir's tricky, they can be quite effective even when on the shorter side. I would say 60k-80k. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
Do you have any unusual pet peeves when it comes to queries? (beyond the traditional things that most agents hate) Or any that seem to be coming up a lot recently? #askPSLAI really dislike it when someone puts down other books/tropes/topics/etc. in their query letter. Just focus on your own book, not what other people are writing! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
What are you hoping to see more of in your inbox this year? #askPSLAMy wish list is on my website, and I'll update it throughout the year as I think of more projects I'd like to see. #askPSLA mariavicente.com/representation
Literary Agent
S. Beard @ABeardedScribe
I've been seeing a lot of varying word count requirements for Urban Fantasy, lately. Is there a solid range––or even, "sweet spot"––word count for the genre? (so far, I'm seeing recommendations somewhere between 60-120k depending on source, which is a daunting spread😬)#askPSLA
It depends on the age group. For adult, I would think 80k-100k is a good range. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
zach. @whackyzach
@PSLiterary @msmariavicente @maureen_moretti When would you encourage a client to use a pseudonym? Would it be necessary if someone wants to write disparate genres, i.e. graphic novels for adults and novels for middle grade? #askPSLAI would suggest using a pseudonym if you want to publish books for both the kids and adult markets, especially if the adult content is inappropriate for kids (like erotica or super violent/gory GNs, for example). #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Angela @AngieMCat
I'd like to become a literary agent one day and I know that interning at a literary agency is the best way to get experience but are there any other ways/options available that could also give me the needed publishing experience? #askPSLAKeep up to date with the books being published in the categories/genres you'd like to represent. Subscribe to industry newsletters (like Publishers Weekly). Attend local bookstore or library events. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Brie Edison Author @BrieEdison
#askPSLA Is it okay to write a middle grade book in first person?Yes, absolutely! There are plenty of MG books written in 1st person. It helps readers put themselves in the character's frame of mind—which often helps win over young readers. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Clarissa Marques @byCMarques
What usually makes you interested in continuing reading something based on the first page? Are there any specific elements you like to see? #askPSLAI'm always looking for a fantastic voice at the beginning of a submission. It's much easier to fix plot than writing style. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Melanie Doctors @MelanieDoctors
@PSLiterary @maureen_moretti @msmariavicente #askPSLA Hello there! I'm working on a new ms which I'd classify as a dark rom-com. Is there such a thing and if so, is there a market for it?I don't work on adult lit much, so @maureen_moretti might have a better response, but just throwing it out there that "dark rom-com" sounds exactly like a book I would read in my downtime haha. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Casey Mulligan Walsh @caseyhen1
If an agent indicates she's looking for narrative nonfiction, does that include memoir? I've read differing thoughts on this. #askPSLAI think it's safe to assume memoir is included. Worst case scenario is that the book isn't for them! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Katie LaRae 🏳️🌈 @The_Katie_LaRae
Third (and last) one!What trends are you hoping to see rise up in 2020?
#AskPSLA
(Thanks again for doing this!)
Books filled with joy (instead of trauma/"issues") by marginalized creators.
I'd also like to see more books that play around with form and structure. I like my lit weird.
#askPSLA
Literary Agent
Aaron Wyckoff @ajwyckoff
Every YA book I've read recently has romance as a major sub-plot. Is this a rising/falling/here to stay trend? Is romance a necessary component to sell YA today? #askPSLAFor me, it feels like for every YA book I read with romance, I read one that doesn't have it! It's definitely not going to disappear—romantic relationships can be a very important part of YA readers' lives—but by no means does every YA book need a romance subplot. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Katie LaRae 🏳️🌈 @The_Katie_LaRae
#AskPSLAThanks for doing this session!
I have a few questions lol.
First one, how do you feel about periods being a primary focus in upper MG fiction?
I think it's a topic that affects such a large group of MG readers that we should have MORE books that focus on it. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Sarah M. Anderson @SarahMAnderson1
Is there a hard-and-fast line dividing lower YA from upper YA? Is it the presence of a relationship/love triangle or...? #askPSLARomantic relationships can be in both lower and upper YA. It has more to do with the age of the characters, the context of the story (are they starting college, for example), etc. Upper YA targets the older readers of the category. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
David Krell @davidkrell
@laurenspieller What's the best time of year to query an agent?Any time they’re open! But personally I’d avoid the weeks surrounding the winter holidays #askagent
Literary Agent
When to Bring in Beta Readers #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2020/01/21/hir…
Literary Agent
I started a (free!) (awesome???) newsletter. This will be one weekly update containing a Best Of #AskAgent question, plus bookish news and whatnot. Subscribe to get it directly.
First up on the Best of Ask the Agent: WTF is an ARC?
literaticat.substack.com/p/best-of-ask-…