Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 8 Apr 2020

Bella Osborne @osborne_bella

What are your predictions for which genres are going to do well in the current climate? #askagent

We are repeating our trends survey which I was going to be presenting end of this month at #SelfPubConf but we will now share online...
and there's still time to fill the survey in: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HYBYNVX #AskAgent (1/2)

· 8 Apr 2020

Andrea Fazackerley @andreafaz08

@LinaLanglee @katenashagent Thank you! I’m doing an MA @bath spa and we’re doing the publishing module. Can I ask why so much is bought in from the US when there are a lot of talented writers here who would write YA if the advances were higher?

Replying to @andreafaz08

I think there's a lot of contributing factors to this... The main one is probably the 'synergy' (sorry) of publishers coming together in branding and marketing etc. A book with buzz is seen as less of a risk.
#AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Mark Lowes @MJLAuthor

@katenashagent Hi Kate, I meant us lowly unagented authors submitting to your agencies. Have you managed to keep up the pace of reading submissions? How's everything with your agency too? Everything ok?

Replying to @MJLAuthor

I think submissions have gone up a bit in volume but I think we are keeping up. What may happen in about 3 months time is a huge tsumani of submissions of the all novels everyone is at home writing right now! #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Jo Lobato @jolodisco

@katenashagent @CathodeRave Do you think these times frames still hold with current crisis? I feel bad chasing when agent probably has far more pressing things on their mind!

Replying to @jolodisco

If there is a reason why an agent hasn't been able to read as quickly as they would like, they will let you know and ask for more time. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Slug Soup @slug_soup

#askagent Have you ever received a manuscript from a stuffed toy? And what would you think if you did? pic.twitter.com/IgFfp6tcCi

Replying to @slug_soup

Having spent part of this morning cutting out Corona masks for selected plushies (idea of my 7 year old... catch them on youtube later...), I would be delighted but please include your human guardian's name and address. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Kate Nash @katenashagent

@andreafaz08 I am paging @LinaLanglee for this question ☎️

Replying to @katenashagent

Oh, good question. I think editors are being cautious and that US buy-ins take up quite a lot of the market. Having said that, there is a lot of good will for homegrown talent, editors keen to champion great writing, and enthusiastic readers too!
#AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Christina Rowsell @ChristinaRowse2

@julietpickering How important is a social media presence? Does it play a part in the agent's decision to take on an author? #askagent

Replying to @ChristinaRowse2

Not for me. We try and help our authors use social media better if they are not already doing so and publishers also support authors with this. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

mperegrineburrows @mperegrineb

If a writer had a publishing deal in Australia, made without an agent, would it be worth them querying agents in the UK to try and sell the book over here? How do agents feel about this sort of thing? #AskAgent

Replying to @mperegrineb

We would want to represent your rights worldwide, not just UK. If you think your book has an international readership certainly query. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Jack Finlay @Akashsiddarth1

#askagent Hi. How many authors do you sign every year and how many do you receive?

Replying to @Akashsiddarth1

We get about 10-15 submissions a day which is crazy. I have quite a full list so sign perhaps 6 writers a year but colleagues who are still building their lists have more capacity. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Dr Cailean McBride @CathodeRave

What's a civilised amount of time to send a follow-up after a full ms request #askagent

Replying to @CathodeRave

I do try and get back on full requests within 3-4 weeks so if you haven't heard after 6 weeks certainly chase. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Mark Lowes @MJLAuthor

Is it business as usual? Has the submissions side of your work delayed somewhat due to current issues?
#AskAgent

Replying to @MJLAuthor

Do you mean us agents submitting to publishers? Publishers are still acquiring and we are submitting as usual. #AskAgent

· 8 Apr 2020

Benny Allen @benlen

@julietpickering #askagent is a full-manuscript request from agent a good reason to notify other agents you’re waiting an reapomse from? Or better waiting for an actual offer of representation?

Replying to @benlen

I think no harm telling them #askagent

· 8 Apr 2020

J.C. Chang @concrete_roads

@mushenska @julietpickering Hello! As UK based agents, do you take on a lot of North American clients & do your clients normally get UK pub deals first? Wondering which side of the ocean is ideal to be querying on as a confused Canadian or if it doesn’t matter! #askagent

Replying to @concrete_roads

I rep people from all over but my primary market is the U.K. so if you want to be published in the US and have a strong American sensibility probably best to query there #askagent

· 8 Apr 2020

Mark Lowes @MJLAuthor

Is it business as usual? Has the submissions side of your work delayed somewhat due to current issues?
#AskAgent

Replying to @MJLAuthor

It is and it isn’t! I have had some publications delayed, and some publishing staff furloughed - mostly the same! #askagent

· 8 Apr 2020

Tess Thorne @Tess_Author

My first novel is part of a 3 book series- how much do I mention that in the pitch? A synopsis of the other 2 books too? How long should the synopsis be? #AskAgent

Replying to @Tess_Author

Just focus on book 1 with a line saying you have 2 other books planned #askagent

· 8 Apr 2020

Spidergirl349 @spidergirl349

#askagent Do agents read all of the submissions they receive or are they sifted first by somebody else?

Replying to @spidergirl349

All submissions coming to our agency are read by an agent and we share a communal inbox so if it might be right for any of our agents it will be passed on to that agent for review by whoever reads first. #AskAgent