Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
EikaPrime @EikaPrime
#AskAgentBLA It seems like every book I read in YA/A has a romance plot or subplot. What are the odds of a romance-free story ever getting representation?Does it matter what the odds are? If that is the book you want to write, you should. There are YA books that don't contain romance that sell. I have repped YA projects without any romance. #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · Aug 16
Helena Hoayun @helenahoayun
#AskAgentBLA if for some reason you sign with an agent and the match isn’t as good as you thought (you don’t agree with edits, they aren’t selling your book vigorously, etc), how do you go about ending that relationship amiably?I ALWAYS recommend a conversation with your agent FIRST. Communication, esp expectations, is key. Never talk to others only and assume things. If you do still want to part ways, a call or an email work. You can't control anything but your actions; be professional. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Jon Wallace @_Jon_Wallace_
Another question! I have scientific journal publications, but I write YA fantasy. Is this worth mentioning in a query letter or not relevant? #AskAgentBLAI'd say it's worth mentioning, as it is a part of your bio. A scientific mind can make for an intriguing world. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Lisa Herron @LisaC_Herron
@bradfordlit How do you feel about quiet women’s fiction? #askagentBLADepends on the writing because the quiet aspect will almost always make it much more challenging to pitch and sell. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Jon Wallace @_Jon_Wallace_
If you’re being pitched to at a conference, do you like the author to bring a paper copy of a query letter with them for you? #AskAgentBLANope! I don't want anyone to give me anything I have to take home and I prefer that someone talk to me at a pitch appointment rather than asking me to read something. Or reciting something that I need to follow along. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7
What are your thoughts on college YA? Is it impossible to sell even if it truly sticks to YA themes and has a young protagonist? #AskAgentBLAThere's a market for these stories, too. Not impossible! College offers a new setting and just as much drama. But it should still feel YA. It may wind up as a crossover book, though. #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · Aug 16
Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7
What are your thoughts on college YA? Is it impossible to sell even if it truly sticks to YA themes and has a young protagonist? #AskAgentBLAI wouldn't say impossible, but difficult. The experiences, particularly independence, are usually difficult to relate to for a 15 year old (remember, not just 17+ reading YA!) #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
honking @ScribblingGoose
#AskAgentBLA if an author queries an agent with a new novel and it is discovered that they have 1 or more self-published novels, will this information impact/sway the decision of an agent?Is the SPing a secret that you are keeping? Is that why the information was discovered instead of disclosed? I pretty much assume that most everybody has at least 1 SP book at this point, so it isn't a huge factor unless it is like a racist manifesto or something #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · Aug 16
EikaPrime @EikaPrime
#AskAgentBLA It seems like every book I read in YA/A has a romance plot or subplot. What are the odds of a romance-free story ever getting representation?High! There are editors who specifically only like "B plot" or no romance! If it doesn't need it it doesn't need it. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Diane Roth @deerothwriter
My narrator is 51, and while I'm getting lots of amazing feedback from beta readers aged mid-40 on up (who are strangers), I've only gotten a few requests for pages. Is this a tricky age to sell? I heard that from one agent...#AskAgentBLAI don't have a problem with that age, so long as the MC's experience is relatable. I don't think I have ever had an editor tell me that a protagonist was too old (or too 50), honestly. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Andrea Nourse @AndreaNourse
@BaadeMichelle Thank you for asking this, Michelle. I'm in the exact same situation. A follow up #AskAgentBLA can prior history with self-publishing be a turn off to some agents?I can only answer for myself and as someone with a deep background in romance where SP is very prevalent, as far as I am concerned almost everyone self-pubs. Doesn't turn me off. Though I may not count those sales as much as you like, depending on what they are. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7
Do you see dystopian ever making a comeback? #AskAgentBLAYou mean "speculative"? Why, yes, yes, it's still here...in disguise. 😉 I think there's some fatigue about depressing worlds in general, but I've heard several editors eager for 50 years in the future, grounded speculative stories. #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · Aug 16
Jon Wallace @_Jon_Wallace_
If you’re being pitched to at a conference, do you like the author to bring a paper copy of a query letter with them for you? #AskAgentBLANot really, personally! But I don't care if an author has one to read from :) #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Lisa Dunn @AuthorLisaDunn
What are your thoughts on “quiet” YA, especially in terms of marketability?#AskAgentBLATough to sell, often but not impossible if the writing is truly amazing. Agree with Kari and Sarah's takes on this. #AskAgentBLA
Natalie M. Lakosil @Natalie_Lakosil · Aug 16
Traci Douglass @Traci_Douglass
#AskAgentBLA Hello, I'm currently between agents & wondered when the best time would be to contact a prospective new agent? Should I wait until I have a new contract in hand to entice them or open up dialog now to get the ball rolling? Thanks for taking the time to do this Q&A!I think with a contract in hand you do run the risk of agents hopping on just for that deal. I think as soon as you have a new manuscript ready, it's a good time. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Jeff Provine @JeffProvine
@bradfordlit Is the call for graphic novel scripts or graphic novels with completed art? #AskAgentBLABoth! If you are not an artist, don't draw it yourself. There's no need to find someone to draw samples for you. If the publisher likes the script, they will find an artist. If the publisher likes the script, but not the art that was put with it...they may just pass. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Kirtida Gautam: Reading Harry Potter for 1st time @KirtidaGautam
A similar question.If my novels from two different reader category (A and YA) are set in the same world, with some of the same characters, does it pose rights issues?
#AskAgentBLA twitter.com/McAdamsRobertD…
It could, dep. on the contract you sign w/whichever publisher buys which ms first. But if you aren't contractually bound, you can do whatever you want. That said, you shld ask yourself whether it makes strategic sense to do that. Will there be crossover readership? #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
honking @ScribblingGoose
#AskAgentBLA if an author queries an agent with a new novel and it is discovered that they have 1 or more self-published novels, will this information impact/sway the decision of an agent?I'd want the author to note their prior self-publishing up front. As long as the current project is something new and enticing, that's what matters. Sometimes authors have self-published in one genre but what they're sending is for a different market. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Jeff Provine @JeffProvine
@bradfordlit Specifically, middle grade and YA editors #AskAgentBlaWhat Kari said. EVERYONE wants MG graphic novels right now. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Susan Person @SusanM74
#AskAgentBLA I keep hearing that paranormal romance is coming back fast. Are you seeing this trend in the industry as well? If so, any particular facet that is hotter than others?I couple editors I talked to at RWA National mentioned that they were open to taking on A PNR or A series of PNR. I did not get the sense that the floodgates were opening up. #AskAgentBLA