Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · Aug 20
Kadie @KadieAWriter281
@LindaEpstein @kaitylynne13 #askagent Hi Linda, I was wondering if you know about collaborating authors? If two writers work together to become an author for their book, how would this work within the publishing/querying process? Thanks! 😊📝 I’m going to collaborate with my mom for the Sci-Fi book.If you're always going to write together then query together, because you'll want an agent who will sell books for you as a team.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · Aug 20
Diane Callahan @QuotidianWriter
@LindaEpstein Thank you for being open to questions! A few for you:Do you reject books because the word count is too high?
What types of plots would you like to see more of in your genres?
Which comp titles are overused?
#askagent
If I loved something but the word count was too high I'd speak to the author about it. If a PB comes in at over 1000 words it won't work. If a MG comes in at over 70 or YA over 100K it won't work FOR ME. The titles you think would be overused are the ones that are.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · Aug 20
🌾Beau Van Dalen @BeauVanDalen
@LindaEpstein What do you look for in a writer's first pages/chapters while reading their query? #askagentThanks so much for doing this! 😁🙏
First the query needs to capture my attention. If it does & I read the pages then I'm looking to be drawn in immediately, to a character or a situation (but I do ❤️a good character!) so much that I don't want to stop reading...
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · Aug 20
Laura A. Pike @lauraapike
@LindaEpstein I've seen a lot of conflicting information on what age the MC should be in a MG book, and what the typical word count range should be. #askagentOh hi! MG is for readers who are 8-12, so characters should be the same age. Sometimes it can stretch to 13. @literaticat has a post all about word counts here: literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordco…
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
NLMcLaughlin @NMclaughlin9053
@UweStenderPhD When submitting a series, should there be a synopsis for each book in the series or should there be one synopsis that covers the entire story arc? Also, do you want spoilers or no?Not necessarily, but IF you have all of that, that is awesome. I personally don't mind spoilers, but that may be a NO NO for others.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Traci-Anne [wip = 38,483] @traciannecan
@UweStenderPhD With a lot of YA authors heading to MG, do you predict that will become as oversaturated as YA soon?Likely, but again, I am the wrong person to ask. I rep what I love.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Catherine T. Ricardo @CathyTRicardo
@UweStenderPhD I know that agencies vary on this point - if a writer submits to you and you pass, is it acceptable to query others at your agency? Or do you share submissions?In our case, go to the next Triada US agent.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Belinda Grant @belindagrant80
@UweStenderPhD If you come from a Non-American English speaking country, should you Americanize your spelling for querying?In my opinion IF it is grammatically correct in either/or US or UK English, it is fine.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Shanice Littlejohn is revising @twixsftbl
@UweStenderPhD How long is typically too long of a wait to hear back from an agent? Is a gentle inquiry welcome or unprofessional?Give people 14 weeks, after that they ought to be open to a nudge. IF they are disrespectful to you because of a gentle nudge, YOU should not want to work with them anyway. They may not have had a chance to consider yet, but they should not be CRANKY about a nudge.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Julie Shattuck @JulieShattuck
@UweStenderPhD Do you have any plans to close temporarily for submissions anytime soon?I will NEVER close to submissions. That is how I started my business, and I will die on that hill.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Brett Jonas @BookSquirt
@UweStenderPhD If you are preparing to write a cookbook, do you write it first and query, or write a proposal first and query that? (I know about fiction, but this cookbook thing for my mom has me totally lost lol)Anything non fiction will work on a detailed proposal with sample chapters.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Belinda Grant @belindagrant80
@UweStenderPhD What is your take on the discussion re the need for more books for older MG/Young YA? How hard are they to sell? Is there a market?I have no opinion. I take on what I love (I am 100% gut feeling, and don't follow trends). IF that is a real discussion, then I am sure they're is an emerging trend. But I am the wrong guy to ask.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · Aug 18
Shanice Littlejohn is revising @twixsftbl
@UweStenderPhD Do you typically have a word limit that you prefer for ya speculative fiction submissions?Not necessarily, but less than 100k would always be welcomed.
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Lolis Aguila @lolisaguila
When an agent requests more pb manuscripts on a query what are they looking for? I overthink what to send since the query is for a serious pb bio and my other pb projects are lighter. Do they want something similar to the query or something different? #AskAgentBLAIt's going to vary. I'm looking for a sense of your range and what YOU want to be publishing. If your focus is on serious pb, then submit just those. If you want to do more than one kind, submit a few. Same for fiction/nf. #AskAgentBLA
Laura Bradford @bradfordlit · Aug 16
Patrick Ross @PatrickRwrites
#AskAgentBLA Is it a problem for a debut novelist to pitch a novel that while a good read by itself (complete story/protagonist arc) is intended to be the first of a trilogy? Should that fact even be revealed up front?You can just say it is intended as the 1st in a trilogy. But if it doesn't stand alone and act as a fully satisfying read on its own, that would make it harder to hook an agent/editor. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Patrick Ross @PatrickRwrites
#AskAgentBLA Is it a problem for a debut novelist to pitch a novel that while a good read by itself (complete story/protagonist arc) is intended to be the first of a trilogy? Should that fact even be revealed up front?You can call it a standalone with series potential. I like to know if you have a plan for more, but that there is a satisfying conclusion. #AskAgentBLA
Kari Sutherland @KariSutherland · Aug 16
Mackenzie Reed @mackenziemreed7
@KariSutherland Also, when pitching a crossover, would that be pitched as YA and NA? And to an agent, does that mean it could be marketed to both genres?#AskAgentBLA
If the characters and themes feel more suited to YA, then query it as YA. I tend not to use NA, just call it a YA with crossover appeal. Unless the themes are really more on the adult side. #AskAgentBLA