Literary Agent
DarbyCupidWrites @darbycupid
@Megan_Manzano If someone acts on helpful feedback given regarding their submission, is it okay to resubmit? I know some agents say it's a no unless it's a full rewrite/restructure...P.S. - thank you so much for taking the time to give feedback.
If it's revising say your opening pages (and an agent only saw your query), I'd probably not resubmit.
If you revised throughout your entire MS, I'd say that's okay.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
TheHollowOne @AlexisLeish
@Megan_Manzano What are things an agent does that aren't recognized enough?The fact that an agent often has other jobs/responsibilities on top of agenting to pay bills. So when we take time to get back to a query or sub, we really are trying.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Rebecca Briggs Baker @becbrigbaker
@Megan_Manzano @jenichappelle For a debut author, what's a good template for the author's bio? Especially if no previous pub credits?Where you went to school, a fun hobby you're into, a random fact.
It's totally fine to have no previous writing credits.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Evie Hughes @Miss_EvieHughes
@Megan_Manzano How hard is YA fantasy to sell right now? I heard the market is pretty saturated.It's definitely a harder sell right now but agents/publishers are still acquiring it.
It's mainly about finding new voices/twists on fantasy worlds we haven't seen/are underrepresented.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Evalyn_Broderick @EvalynBroderick
@Megan_Manzano Thanks for this!There's a lot of talk about YA sci-fi being dead and several agents are no longer representing it. Any thoughts on MG sci-fi? (especially if it is upper MG, light sci-fi?)
There has been a rise in interest for MG stories across the board. I think sci-fi is difficult regardless of age category right now but it's about finding the right editor to champion the work.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Emily is subbing and writing @writeonwagner
@Megan_Manzano My dream agent has my query and has had it for 119 days. I'm sweating bullets over here! Should I nudge?I'd check their submission guidelines to see when their follow up time is. If they don't list one, you can definitely follow up now.
2-3 months is usually the range to nudge.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Hannah Miller @HRuthMiller
@Megan_Manzano #askagent I am getting geared up to start querying again. As I've researched agents I am picking agents who represent authors who write what I write, closed door romances. Should I mention this is why I picked them? Or, would that sound too stalkerish?Doesn't sound stalkerish at all. It shows you did research and appreciate what they represent.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Katie Mullen @KATIEFMULLEN
@Megan_Manzano Do you recommend starting right away with a “hook”? Or rather introduce why you’re writing to that agent, genre, word count, etc in first paragraph?I don't have a preference. As long as the pieces of your query are there, you can start however you like.
#askagent
Literary Agent
J Hood @DiogenesofSC
@Megan_Manzano What do agents prefer for an first time writer?1. Stand alone novel
2. First in a series
Thank you.
#askagent
No real preference just the understanding that your novel should always be able to stand alone, even if you have a planned series in mind.
For the latter, you just query with the phrase "stand alone with series potential."
#askagent
Literary Agent
Alex Andersen @AEAndersen_
@Megan_Manzano How many books is a debut author usually contracted for?This varies a lot by what a publisher offers to a debut. It could be a single book, so a publisher can see how well it performs, or they could take several books at once.
There's no concrete answer.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Olesya Gilmore (on semi-hiatus) @OlesyaGilmore
@Megan_Manzano Thank you, Megan, for taking the time for this! My question is what is your advice re beginning to query? Do you recommend targeting a mix of agents (favorite and other) and a small group at a time? (I was thinking of doing 5-7 to start). Thank you!Everyone queries a little differently but I'd recommend querying agents you KNOW you want to work with. Smaller batches can also help if you get feedback and need to revise/pull your manuscript from consideration.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
FreddieWrites @WritesFreddie
@Megan_Manzano I have a manuscript, and I’m editing it for the third time after a second round of beta-readers. Do you reccomend paying a free-lance editor around $1200+ to edit BEFORE I then send to an agent, or would you reccomend sending straight to an agent?That decision is entirely up to you. You do not need to hire an editor before querying. An editor can be useful in working more closely on your MS/helping you identify large issues that you can take with you, but you can succeed with beta readers alone.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Megan Manzano 🇵🇷 🌸 @Megan_Manzano
@Nightmusics It's up to you. I think a short and sweet (2-3 sentences) is solid.You can say "For your MSWL for angsty ships I think you'd be a good fit for X" or "After watching you give a speech about X, I think you'd be a good fit for me and my work" (1/2)
#askagent
I get several queries that reference my twitter or MSWL or a talk I've done.
As long as you're not overstepping any personal boundaries it's okay to let an agent know why you're choosing to query them. (2/2)
#askagent
Literary Agent
Nightmusic @Nightmusics
@Megan_Manzano Everyone seems to want a customized query. Can you give us examples of good customization? Is it a paragraph or one line? How do you avoid the awkward, "I've been stalking you on twitter, and I see you like dogs and cupcakes. Maybe you'll like my book about dogs and cupcakes."It's up to you. I think a short and sweet (2-3 sentences) is solid.
You can say "For your MSWL for angsty ships I think you'd be a good fit for X" or "After watching you give a speech about X, I think you'd be a good fit for me and my work" (1/2)
#askagent
Literary Agent
Megan Manzano 🇵🇷 🌸 @Megan_Manzano
@MichaelJWriting Find the agent that represents most, if not all of your genres b/c ideally you want an agent for your writing career. Some agents may bring on a co-agent. Some writers choose to have two different agents (say one for fiction, one for non-fiction) as an example. (1/2)#askagent
Ultimately, if you were to get an offer of representation, this should be a discussion point during the call so you know if an agent will be willing to represent you across multiple genres. (2/2)
#askagent
Literary Agent
MichaelJWriting @MichaelJWriting
@Megan_Manzano Let's say you have 5 books in your mind or that you've written, all in different genres. How important is it to query an agent that says they like all your ideas? Do agents represent a clients work if it's not in their wheelhouse, or ask a co-worker to take on the project?Find the agent that represents most, if not all of your genres b/c ideally you want an agent for your writing career. Some agents may bring on a co-agent. Some writers choose to have two different agents (say one for fiction, one for non-fiction) as an example. (1/2)
#askagent
Literary Agent
Melody @DakWriter
@Megan_Manzano When submitting to an agent, how long should one wait before following up if there's no response time mentioned?Check an agency's/agent's submission page as a time frame for follow up is usually listed there.
If not, I'd follow up within 2-3 months.
#askagent