Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · 16 Aug 2019
ShellyBean @shellyhoover
Hello #askagentBLAWhat is stirring up industry excitement for you?
#OwnVoices rom-com. Historical women's fiction with a unique perspective and agency and romance. Upper middle grade with diverse perspectives. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · 16 Aug 2019
Helena Hoayun @helenahoayun
#AskAgentBLA when agents ask for synopses, but don’t state the length, what are the standard requirements? One page single spaced (two pages double spaced)?Other agents may feel differently, but I'd say 1-2 pages, single-spaced. Longer than that feels excessive. I'm not looking for a chapter-by-chapter breakdown, more a sense of the important plot points. And yes, spoil the ending in the synopsis (but not the query). #askagentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · 16 Aug 2019
Malulani Moreno Kū Kia'i Mauna @malulaninyc
I’m curious when you are evaluating a full manuscript, at what point do you know you’ll want to represent? After reading the entire mss? Half-way? Asked another way: When do you know you are in love with a story? #AskAgentBLAI always finish the full before setting up a call to offer rep, but I'll fall in love with a manuscript before then. It'll differ from story to story--sometimes it's the voice, sometimes it's a really cool world that sucks me in and won't let go. #askagentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · 16 Aug 2019
Helena Hoayun @helenahoayun
#AskAgentBLA Hi! When sending sample pages (say 10), is it better to go over a bit to end a scene? Or is it better to be short? My first chapter ends at 9 pages, but I’m not sure if I should push it to 12 pages (into chapter 2 where there’s a good end to a scene)End the scene. I am honestly not counting pages (which is not an invitation to send 50 if the guidelines as for 10). #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · 16 Aug 2019
Kirtida Gautam: Reading Harry Potter for 1st time @KirtidaGautam
I queried an agent at Bradford. She rejected the MS, but was kind enough to give me feedback. Taking the feedback into account, I worked with a freelance editor and revised the script, fixed the issues she mentioned.Can I resubmit this revised MS to this agent?
#AskAgentBLA
As long as you note up front that you've worked to address her feedback, I think so. #askagentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · 16 Aug 2019
Troy Wilderson @MizGolightly
If you're offered rep, what is the etiquette for giving other agents with your query/ms a chance to respond? Is it okay to ask the agent offering rep for time to consider? If so, how much time is considerate? Thank you so much!#amquerying #AskAgentBLA
You can always ask for time to consider the offer. We expect that you have it out with other agents and need time to run down responses. 1 week is pretty standard, though I have been seeing 2 weeks pretty often in Kidlit lately #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · 16 Aug 2019
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil
@Julianne_SF I always check, but it won't stop me from offering rep if there's nothing there. Would only stop me if the person was an A**hole. #askagentblaI also check--as will prospective publishers. But I'm not looking for a high follower count, etc. at this stage. As Natalie said, just want to make sure the person isn't obnoxious. :) #askagentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · 16 Aug 2019
Julie Novakova is at Worldcon 77 @Julianne_SF
#AskAgentBLA How much, if at all, do you check prospective authors' social media and websites? Does it play a role in the decision-making?For fiction, I vaguely check through social media to make sure you aren't a total dick, or making trouble that would be my problem to deal with. I'm not checking for your stats and only offering rep unless you have X number of followers. It's different for NF, though #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · 16 Aug 2019
Troy Wilderson @MizGolightly
If you're offered rep, what is the etiquette for giving other agents with your query/ms a chance to respond? Is it okay to ask the agent offering rep for time to consider? If so, how much time is considerate? Thank you so much!#amquerying #AskAgentBLA
Let other agents who have your query know there's an offer in; for those with the ms, a week is standard, two is generous (consider holidays and weekends when deciding on time). #askagentbla
Serendipity Literary Agency @serendipitylit · 15 Aug 2019
A helpful tip on #writing your protagonist from our #JewelsOfTheTrade.
#reginasgems #qotd #books #SerendipityLit #inspirationalquote #amwriting #writetip #askagent #amwriting #wip #writingcommunity #motivation #creativewriting #POCInPub #writinglife #protip
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Author Phoebe Ross @phoebeross_
@bookishchick I see agents mentioning Ownvoices but I‘m not seeing as much “specifically social justice” come across the MSWLs. In your opinion, do you think social justice narratives would resonate with agents seeking own voices stories?I do!
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Ela Mishne @ElaMishne
@bookishchick Mu protagonist if 18. Should I mention her age in my query? Thanks!Depending on what category/genre you write in, mentioning the age can be helpful!
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@brnartist Because Publishing upholds racist systems, and employs and publishes white people in vast majority. It is not right, but it is real. There are real access barriers to working in publishing and POC in the industry are often pushed out due to low salaries and high costs of living.We need to hire and RETAIN people of color in every level of the industry, and we need to prioritize the publication of marginalized creators.
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Adrienne La Faye @brnartist
@bookishchick Why is almost impossible for Black authors who write Black children books to get published?Because Publishing upholds racist systems, and employs and publishes white people in vast majority. It is not right, but it is real. There are real access barriers to working in publishing and POC in the industry are often pushed out due to low salaries and high costs of living.
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@AsadAli1993 It is difficult, just in terms of numbers. I get hundreds of queries a month and only make a dozen requests. Of those request I maybe offer on one or two, if that. But that doesn’t make it impossible. It just means that you have to go out with your best work, and do your researchIf you get multiple offers, the best thing you can do is speak to each of them, ask a lot of questions, be honest with yourself about what your needs are, and go with your gut.
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Asad Al-Amir Ali @AsadAli1993
@bookishchick 1. Is it actually difficult to be accepted by an agent when you've submitted your query and sample?2. If you were an interest to multiple agents, what can I do to help choose the best agent?
It is difficult, just in terms of numbers. I get hundreds of queries a month and only make a dozen requests. Of those request I maybe offer on one or two, if that. But that doesn’t make it impossible. It just means that you have to go out with your best work, and do your research
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Christina Ferko @ChristinaFerko
@bookishchick I’ve been getting responses from queries and requests lately about retellings getting saturated now. Do you think there is still room for fairytale retellings right now?I think there is always room for retellings from diverse perspectives (nonwhite, queer, disabled, and more). Otherwise, yes, the market might be a little saturated. But what goes around comes around. The market is ever changing, so write the book you want to write.
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@MKLandrigan A good fit is a person you trust and feel comfortable with. You must ALWAYS feel secure in being able to say no to your agent. No, I don’t agree with that edit. No, I don’t want to accept that deal. No, I don’t want to work with that person. An agent works for *you*If you don’t trust that person, if you don’t feel comfortable with the communication style, if you don’t feel like you are in control of your career, that person is not a good fit for you.
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick · 9 Aug 2019
Kelly Van Sant @bookishchick
@MKLandrigan -What is your turn around time for edits?A good fit is a person you trust and feel comfortable with. You must ALWAYS feel secure in being able to say no to your agent. No, I don’t agree with that edit. No, I don’t want to accept that deal. No, I don’t want to work with that person. An agent works for *you*