Literary Agent
Uberjoe @uberjosephB
@Literary_Tara @mcorvisiero #askagent why are agents so turned off by #selfpublished works?It's not necessarily the work itself that's an issue. Agents look for original work that publishers will want. But if the work is already in the market, publishers will not look at it unless it's already selling well. They will not pick up a project that isn't selling. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jenelle Stone @Jenelle_Stone
@CorvisieroLit #askagentWe often hear about what markets are saturated, but what types of books are in big demand right now? Do editors ask you to look out for specific things? Or types of stories?
So I know you’ve likely already heard this but the truth is that a good book, regardless of the genre or market is going to get picked up but I will say that this is probably not the time to pitch a pandemic book, or spec fic title featuring a worldwide event. #askagent
Literary Agent
S.J. Lomas ✍🏻 @SJLomasAuthor
@Literary_Tara Do many agents care to take an editorial approach and help their authors polish things up prior to submitting to publishers or do you just fall in love with what's already on the page and go with that?I'd say it depends on the agent. Some of us are editorial agents, but we have to fall in love with it still and have a strong vision for it. The writing needs to be there and we shouldn't have to do big edits, just enough to make it ready for editors. #askagent
Literary Agent
Cara Devlin @CaraDevlinBooks
@Literary_Tara My previous agent and I have parted ways mutually and past, unsold submissions are mine to do with as I please. Will a future agent consider a project that has previously been on limited submission? Thanks, Tara!Yes, as long as the contract allows for us to do so. Also, you want to mention this in your query. #askagent
Literary Agent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@hannahvanvels So the agent definitely has to connect? Why? What if they don’t like the story, but know it’s something that would sell. (Is that something that even happens?)#askagent
Yes, that can happen. But the agent is likely to decline it if she can't connect to the story if she feels like she isn't the right agent for it. An agent that connects with the work will be a better champion for it. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Cara Devlin @CaraDevlinBooks
@Literary_Tara If an author's previous agent subbed a completed ms to a handful of editors (say 6 or 7) who passed, can the author use that ms to query a new agent? Thank you! #askagentIt would depend on what your contract terms are with that agent. #askagent
Literary Agent
Mackenzie Littledale (what are words again?) @MackenzieLitt13
@CorvisieroLit #askagentI saw a tweet that agents are getting flooded with queries now. Is it better to wait til after the pandemic is over to resume querying?
Agents are always flooded with queries. I wouldn't wait! The only reason to wait is if your manuscript isn't ready. #askagent
Literary Agent
Emily Bonar @emilyjbonar
@Literary_Tara Hi! Is an author an independent contractor with this agency? Is this typical for most agencies? Thank you. #askagentYes, basically, because they get a 1099 for their taxes. So you are especially your own business. #askagent
Literary Agent
J.D. Matthew @JDMatthew2
I botched my tags—sorry if it shows up as a repeat.Should a Q letter include the beginning-middle-end storyline, like a mini synopsis? Or is it okay to describe the MC, character traits that drive the narrative, stakes, and the themes?
TY for doing an #askagent! @CorvisieroLit
Your query should give the gist of your story. The stakes are very important, but should be given in little detail. Save the extra explanation for the synopsis. #askagent
Emily Bonar @emilyjbonar
@CorvisieroLit Is there a contract authors sign for this agency if offered representation? #askagentYes. There is a standard contract that all clients sign when joining #TeamCorvisiero. This is to protect both agent and author:) #askagent
Abbi Lee @abbilee18
@hannahvanvels #askagent I've looked at your mswl (and am going to query you soon), but is there any specific topic or theme in picture books that you are dying to represent?With PBs, I've been finding lately that I either want to cry or laugh. I love silly topics, I love family themes, I love exploring cultures through food, and I love lyrical prose! #askagent
Gaby @thegreatgabsie
@CorvisieroLit I have an own voices ms, do I have to explain in my query how it's own voices? #askagentSuch a great question! This is completely up to you. If you are comfortable, just add that it is an #OwnVoices story in your query. #askagent
Elise @ColorMeREADing
Do I tell a prospective agent about any self-published works that I wasn't really serious about, that don't show up in a google search, and that I don't plan on promoting, but that are still attached to my name? (i.e. was for a school group project)#askAgent @CorvisieroLit
I don't think it's necessary. You may want to disclose this if you talk to the agent about your career path later on. It is part of growth to have written multiple pieces.
#askagent
Sasa Hawk @SasaHawk
@hannahvanvels That's great to know! I'm writing YA fantasy, and I keep hearing that publishers aren't buying it as much...but then again, new books come out and deals are announced all the time! 🤷Yeah, fantasy in general is a little saturated right now, so if you are writing in one of these saturated genres, it's all the more important to make your story fresh! #askagent twitter.com/SasaHawk/statu…
Tristram @TristramAugust
@hannahvanvels And what makes a good prologue?Make sure that your prologue isn't just an excuse to info-dump! Ask yourself if the info in your prologue can better be sprinkled throughout the main plot. #askagent
Madelyn is Revising 🦾❤️🛠✨ @MadelynKnecht
@hannahvanvels I have a follow up question! :) I’m told this varies per agent so I’m curious, if you pass on a project and then later sign the same author for a different project, would you ever help with the first project? Or would it be shelved?Ohhh good q! I'd probably help with the first project b/c I assume I probably passed on it b/c it wasn't quite ready yet and not b/c I wasn't into the author. #askagent
Hannah VanVels @hannahvanvels
Right now it seems there have been a lot of romcoms sold, and I think it's because we all need a laugh at the moment. I've been seeing editors really want YA sci fi but publishers don't seem to be super sure how to deal with it. Trends are so cyclical (1/2) twitter.com/SasaHawk/statu…and so I don't think that writing to a trend should deter you. Remember when everyone said dystopian was done? And now we got a new Hunger Games coming out in a few months. The trends will shift again, so keep on writing! (2/2) #askagent