
Literary Agent
Grace Walker @GraceRoseWalker
@julietpickering @jounwin I have had a handful of full manuscript requests, with each one, agents have enjoyed the writing but criticised the pace of the book. I'd love to know what you look for in terms of pace/structure. It seems to be my downfall! #askagentWell done for getting this far! I always think of it in terms of what questions will the reader have and how and when will you answer them? #askagent

Literary Agent
Mr Craptramp @craptramp
@mushenska If you don't have any publication history, what, if anything, should you write in the personal section of the cover letter? Thanks! #AskAgentLiterally just ‘I live in Middlesex and work as a beekeeper. This is my first novel’ is fine #askagent

Literary Agent
Case&Firefly @CaseFirefly
@Literary_Tara #askagent It seems that 10 years ago "speculative fiction" was an umbrella term for SF and F. MSWL's now seem to treat it as a third thing. Maybe more real world? Do you have thoughts on what speculative fic is in the current markets?I'll try my best to answer this, but I think it's very subjective. For me, it's a broad umbrella of fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and anything that isn't decidedly one genre. Like with anything, it's evolving right now. #askagent

Literary Agent
Tara Gilbert 🔮✨ @Literary_Tara
This is going to be different for every agent. For me, if it's not something I rep or if the hook isn't there, I'll pass right away. If it is, I'll read the sample, and if they are good, I'll request. But I need to connect with the writing. 1/2 #askagent twitter.com/casachess/stat…Grammar is not the end-all (unless there is a ton!), but if there is too much telling, not enough worldbuilding, passive voice, repetitive use of words, or bad sentence structure, I'll pass. 2/2 #askagent

Literary Agent
Casandra Chesser @casachess
@Literary_Tara What typically makes an agent not want to read more from a query package? Besides the obvious -- didn't check the #MSWL, not familiar with what an agent reps, typos and grammatical errors, etc. #askagentThis is going to be different for every agent. For me, if it's not something I rep or if the hook isn't there, I'll pass right away. If it is, I'll read the sample, and if they are good, I'll request. But I need to connect with the writing. 1/2 #askagent

Literary Agent
J Calamy @CalamyJ
@Literary_Tara #askagent there seem to be a block of publishers who are open to #RomanceWriters that submit directly, sans agent. Is that really a thing? I see miles of #indieauthors and not a lot of agents in my genre. This third avenue is confusing!There are a lot of ways to be published and you need to ask yourself "why do I want to be published" and then decide the best avenue for yourself. There is nothing wrong with self-publishing, or submitting to an indie publishing house, or going through an agent. #askagent

Literary Agent
C L Cawley @C_L_Cawley
@Literary_Tara Are there any books published before you became an agent that you think ‘wow, I wish I’d repped that one?’ If so, why? And what aspects of that work are you desperate to see from anyone querying you? #askagentI love this question! I wish I was the one who found V.E. Schwab, or Rick Riordan, or Maggie Stiefvater. All for various reasons, but mostly because they are all super inclusive and have great characters in their books. I can break it down more in the thread. #askagent

Literary Agent
Laura Genn 🐉 @LauraGenn
@Literary_Tara How is coronavirus affecting agents’ and editors’ jobs right now? Is it still an appropriate time to query? #askagent I hope y’all are staying safe!I don't think anything has changed much. Everyone is saying "business as usual" and I know most of us are still working our butts off. 😂 #askagent

Literary Agent
Case&Firefly @CaseFirefly
@Literary_Tara TY. How do you conceive the difference between upper MG and lower YA? It's some combination of theme, age, and length, and it's murky waters for us.... #askagentIf I want to be black and white, I'd say MG is 11 to 13, and lower YA is 13-15, but it really depends on voice, topics, who your target audience is. Where do you see your book on the shelf? Sometimes it's best to say "MG with crossover potential into YA" or visa versa. #askagent

Literary Agent
Thereza Dos Santos @TherezaDSWrites
@Literary_Tara #askagent Hey, Tara. I’ve got a retelling of Romeo & Juliet - contemp YA with magical elements. No high school drama club here. Is the publishing industry tired of R&J even though it is likely still on many high school curricula? 🤷🏻♀️ Thanks for this!It depends on if it has a unique twist or perspective! Editors and agents want #ownvoices in pretty much everything. Or taking R&J and putting in a time or place that it's never been portrayed would work too! #askagent

Literary Agent
Leigh Haddington @leighhaddington
@Literary_Tara Not even for new unreleased work if the previous work was successful?As long as the work hasn't been published previously, I'm happy to look at it, but the author would have to query me. I don't seek out self-published authors. #askagent

Literary Agent
Casandra Chesser @casachess
@Literary_Tara Hi! I've been curious about this. Are writers penned in to one genre, pretty much, or can they hop around -- i.e., write a sci-fi novel, then a mystery, then romance, whatever the case may be? Or does that damage their career? #askagentHi! I personally don't mind if authors write in several genres. Sometimes the author will use different pennames for each genre to not confuse their fans. I would say if you have a general brand or writing style that fits several genres, that's great! I've seen it done! #askagent

Literary Agent
Tara Gilbert 🔮✨ @Literary_Tara
I do not. I haven't heard of any other agents doing this either. I'm sure someone might have though. Most agents won't take on self-published work since it's tough to get a publisher to agree to publish it. #askagent twitter.com/leighhaddingto…Although, agents are happy to look at other work by self-published authors!! #askagent

Literary Agent
Leigh Haddington @leighhaddington
@Literary_Tara @LombardEmma Missed it? if not, do you ever look through self published authors looking for any gems that didn’t go through the trenches?I do not. I haven't heard of any other agents doing this either. I'm sure someone might have though. Most agents won't take on self-published work since it's tough to get a publisher to agree to publish it. #askagent

Literary Agent
Case&Firefly @CaseFirefly
@Literary_Tara Hi, Tara. So, I'll start a biggie. Do you see yet any changes with publisher plans or the submission process with the current economic changes? #AskAgent (and did I do this right?)Hi! Everyone I have spoken to, and even with the tweets I have seen, everything is business as usual with adjustments of working from home! I think there should be expected slow-down as people adjust, though. #askagent

Literary Agent
Abbi Lee @abbilee18
@UweStenderPhD Have you heard of an author where that situation was reality? I've heard it was common for actors/voiceover artists, but idk about authors.Yes, I have repped two like that before.

Literary Agent
TanisiaTeeMoore @TanisiaTeeMoore
@UweStenderPhD If an agent says your MS isn’t a perfect fit should you revise or keep querying?Keep querying until a legit agent offers

Literary Agent
Scott Rhoades @scorho
@UweStenderPhD What catches your attention in the bio paragraph of a query? #askagent"I am an international pop star and my name is Rihanna."

Literary Agent
Trish @TrishWrites1
@UweStenderPhD @Claribel_Ortega When you ask for a full do you read the entire MS or stop reading if you think it’s not for you after all. And if you stop reading why?I will stop reading the second I decide that I am no longer interested.

Literary Agent
L. Dean @designerldean
@UweStenderPhD If an agent requests a full manuscript, how long should I expect to hear back? Thank you!Give them 3 months before you follow up.