Assistant Editor
SOMHOW @somhow13
#askDVpit Hi DVpit! Do you want/accept a fan art comic pitch? Or story that borrow the background setting from other existing famous movies or fictions?While these can be good portfolio pieces (and I know that this has led to deals at places like Marvel where all their work is work-for-hire), I wouldn't be able to acquire a fanart/fanfiction-type story for ©️ reasons (unless the orig. source was in the public domain) #askdvpit
Literary Agent
blaquélez 🏳️🌈🇳🇬 @EziRije
Is it possible to have an adult book that centers on teenage characters? I mean in the 17-19+ range. I hear NA isn't a very popular genre atm, and I have two books with protagonists in this age range. #askDVpitThere are adult books about teen (and younger) characters. Protagonist's age is often but not always an indicator of the market the book was written for. #askDVpit
Editor
Ashwin 🔱 @AshwinWijay
Is it a good time to query agents and are Publishing imprints actively acquiring rn? I cut ties with my old agent (mild homophobia and Hinduphobia) last August and focused on school but today’s affairs make me feel it’s best I delay my Publishing endeavours a bit. #askDVpitLots of editors are eagerly looking for submissions to take their mind off *gestures at world.* Just think about whether you're up for navigating negotiations and contracts. If that sounds like a nightmare rn, holding off might make the most sense. If not, go for it! #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Daphne Dador @daphnedador
Hello! For a story to be considered #ownvoices in addition to having an author coming from same marginalized community as the protagonist, does the story also need to center around cultural or identity issues? Seen it discussed both ways... #askDVpit Thanks!Like any term, I don't know that there will ever be full community consensus in how it's used, but I don't take it to refer to theme and that's not what it was intended to mean by the person who coined it. More here: corinneduyvis.net/ownvoices/ #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Daphne Dador @daphnedador
Hello! For a story to be considered #ownvoices in addition to having an author coming from same marginalized community as the protagonist, does the story also need to center around cultural or identity issues? Seen it discussed both ways... #askDVpit Thanks!i personally don't think it does -- as long as you personally share your protagonist's marginalized identity in some way, you can use the #ownvoices hashtag but i'm curious to hear what others think #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Ashwin 🔱 @AshwinWijay
Is it a good time to query agents and are Publishing imprints actively acquiring rn? I cut ties with my old agent (mild homophobia and Hinduphobia) last August and focused on school but today’s affairs make me feel it’s best I delay my Publishing endeavours a bit. #askDVpitImprints are acquiring for sure. Agents are reading queries. But I'd advise anyone querying to be patient, thoughtful, and do their due diligence. Some agents are busier than usual. Others have way more time to read. Smaller rounds might be wise. #askDVpit
Editor
Ramses @goldendrella
Might sound a dumb question, but what are some topics you would consider strictly MG or YA? Sometimes the line is really thin isn't it? #askDVpitto be honest, i don't think this line exists outside of life events that are clearly happening at a certain age (like prom, hs graduation, etc). other than that, it's all about how your characters and how they behave/feel in regards to any storyline #askDVpit
Literary Agent
Ramses @goldendrella
Might sound a dumb question, but what are some topics you would consider strictly MG or YA? Sometimes the line is really thin isn't it? #askDVpitpersonally, i think any topic can be handled in both genres -- it's a matter of execution, sensibility, and focus, and knowing how to connect with your target readers in the most effective way. #askDVpit
Assistant Editor
Ashwin 🔱 @AshwinWijay
Is it a good time to query agents and are Publishing imprints actively acquiring rn? I cut ties with my old agent (mild homophobia and Hinduphobia) last August and focused on school but today’s affairs make me feel it’s best I delay my Publishing endeavours a bit. #askDVpitWhile some publishers are having a difficult go of things right now financially, at least in my experience we are still acquiring at a regular if not increased rate. #askdvpit
Literary Agent
Daniel Mauleón @_mauleon
Hey #AskDVpit!I was using DVpit as my deadline to finish my revisions, but now with covid, I've lost my schedule.
I'd like to be able to send manuscripts week of, but I don't know if that's feasible.
So the question : what do you feel is the window to query after DVpit
Personally I don't have a window, but I'd advise against pitching projects that aren't pretty close to final. You never know what your subsequent revisions will change. That said, if I say I'm interested in hearing more about a project, there's no ticking clock on that. #askDVpit
Assistant Editor
Peter Wayne @peterwaynebooks
When adding comp titles, should we capitalize descriptions of the comp titles as well?For example: "EGYPTIAN PERCY JACKSON" or "Egyptian PERCY JACKSON"
#askdvpit
You don't need to capitalize the description--the capitalization should only include the book title itself (imo, it's a way to get around the issue of not being able to do ital or underline in certain text settings like twitter, etc.) #askdvpit
Literary Agent
Questions to Ask References when receiving an offer of representation. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2020/04/02/que…
Charlotte Gunnufson @CharlotteGunnu1
@hannahvanvels Hi Hannah! Thanks for the link to your wish list. For PBs, do you accept only author/illustrators?Nope! I'm looking for PB authors and PB illustrators, not only people who can do both. #askagent
Juan Carlos Manning @jcmanning_sp
@CorvisieroLit If I am writing two books: one is a non-fiction and the other one is fiction. Should I query separately to different agents and/or agencies?@CorvisieroLit #askagent
Some of our agents represent both non-fiction and fiction. I would advise you to look for someone who reps both and/or start with querying one at a time. #askagent
Literary Agent
𝙹 𝙻 𝙼𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗 @izziemizery
@kissedbyink Thank you! ☺️☺️Would it be better to have one more recent COMP than a recent and an older? I've been using Deborah Harkness, as it's similar in tone and style to my MS but the last in the trilogy was 2014 (standalone was 2018). Too old? #AskAgent
I would suggest using the comps that fit your work the best and if they all do, then use whichever showcases the key or most interesting elements of your story. #AskAgent @CorvisieroLit
𝙹 𝙻 𝙼𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗 @izziemizery
@CorvisieroLit I see "write what we want to read" a lot. For me that's vampire UF/Like Reality Unless Noted. I regularly look/ask for similar recs to read/use as COMPs, but struggle to find new stuff. Those I have are older (80s-10s) but still v popular. Just use those?#AskAgentAlthough vampire comps may be older, maybe look for a newly published book with a similar writing style. Doesn't have to be an exact fit. #askagent
Literary Agent
Kelly L. Swan Taylor @KellisLST
Here's a question that probably has no answer or too many, BUT...for those of us who write realistic, contemporary fiction:How do we make our stories/queries sound more compelling (compared with unique, exciting fantasy or sci-fi)? #askagent
Science fiction and fantasy are very different from contemp fiction, and so the expectations are different for the reviewers too. Focus on your story and your hook and present it in the most interesting way you can. #AskAgent @CorvisieroLit
LivMacy @MacyLiv
#AskAgent @CorvisieroLitWhat questions should a debut author ask an agent who interested in repping?
For those of us (🙋🏻♀️) who have done research but don’t know what this industry really is like.
You always want to know how an agent will communicate and what will happen if your book doesn't sell. Also, how will they encourage you on your next project. Those questions will see if they fit your expectations. #askagent
Literary Agent
Emily Bonar @emilyjbonar
@CorvisieroLit Does this agency work with Big 5 publishers or have best-selling authors? Thank you for your time. #askagentYes, we work with top 5, big, medium and smaller pubs are long as they do work and take care of our authors. #AskAgent @CorvisieroLit And you're welcome. :)
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@mcorvisiero @MZelaya8 @CorvisieroLit Do you look at everything as it comes in and then shelve it or don’t look at all until you work through each submission?#askagentMost look through submissions in order, unless there is something pressing happening, like another offer of representation, and there's a deadline. #askagent