Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 15 Apr 2020

Tara Santora (they/them) @Tara_Santora

@hannahvanvels I queried an agent you were working with when you joined Corvisiero and received a revise and resubmit. I'm now prepping for #RevPit and wondering if this disqualifies me from being able to submit to you or if I still could? #askagent

Replying to @Tara_Santora

Nope! I can't consider a project that I've worked on with you editorially for agent rep, but you're welcome to send anything to me for RevPit and query my colleagues with that! If you work with another editor for RevPit, plz query me b/c your ms is going to be awesome. #askagent

· 15 Apr 2020

Kayla Maurais @kayla_maurais

@hannahvanvels Is your agent style more editorial? How polished of a manuscript are you looking for when requesting samples/fulls? #AskAgent 📚

Replying to @kayla_maurais

Oh I also meant to add that I'm looking for your best work! I hope that you've gone through a few rounds of edits and revisions, worked with beta readers and maybe CPs. Am I looking for perfect? Nope. But I am looking for effort and time invested! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kayla Maurais @kayla_maurais

@hannahvanvels Is your agent style more editorial? How polished of a manuscript are you looking for when requesting samples/fulls? #AskAgent 📚

Replying to @kayla_maurais

I'm hugely editorial. Before agenting, I was an acquiring editor at a house, and these days I also freelance edit. LOVE the editorial process. #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Peter Wayne @peterwaynebooks

@hannahvanvels Should I mention that my manuscript is the first of a series in my query or query it as if it's a stand-alone book?

If I should mention the series, how in-depth should I go into what I've planned for it?

#askcla

Replying to @peterwaynebooks

Mention it has series potential or is first in a planned series. Focus your materials on that first book. Query and synopsis should be all about that first book as if it is a standalone. #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Carolynn Howard @carolynn_howard

@CorvisieroLit As seasoned literary agents, I would imagine you are pretty cool customers when dealing with authors...but are there any authors you still get star struck by? #AskCLA

I have been speechless in front of many:) #AskCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Crystal J. Bell @WritingLEOW

@hannahvanvels How do you propose and/or any tips for writing a query and synopsis for a book that has a dual POV? #askagent

Replying to @WritingLEOW

Mention that it's dual POV in your query. Your synopsis might remain largely the same since you don't want to editorialize your synopsis too much. No need for the "in this chapter, then this happens." Synopsis should just be a summary of your story! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kaylynn Nelson @NelsonKaylynn

@hannahvanvels Have you noticed less queries in your inbox? Or is it relatively the same?

Replying to @NelsonKaylynn

I've been seeing a ton more, buuuut I think that's because I've been asking for them! I need the distraction and the words and to sometimes pretend the world is normal right now. #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Rebecca Fryar...is keeping calm and writing @rebecca_fryar

@hannahvanvels Talk to me about the current state of publishing. How are you handling submissions right now and what projects you see succeeding with editors in the next 6 to 8 months?

Replying to @rebecca_fryar

We are still pitching but being a little more selective than normal. Making sure that things are really ready to pitch since focus (my own focus included!) has been all over the place! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Peter Wayne @peterwaynebooks

@hannahvanvels Should I mention that my manuscript is the first of a series in my query or query it as if it's a stand-alone book?

If I should mention the series, how in-depth should I go into what I've planned for it?

#askcla

Look to query us one book. Go in depth with that book. #AskCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Laurie Smith Murphy @LSmithMurphy

@hannahvanvels Another question: I have a bit of magic in my story but I'm not sure if the genre is magical realism. Can I say it has a touch of magic?

Replying to @LSmithMurphy

I'd go with contemporary with a touch of magic. #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Sourav Choudhury @sourav_681

#AskCLA What advice would you give to someone who resides in a third world country, where English isn't the first language, has no access to the mediums that other thriving writers do, such as beta readers, or critique partners, but only has a story worth telling the world about?

The best part of Twitter is that there are many ways to find CPs here. In fact, that is where I found mine:) #AskCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kristi McManus 🛫 @kristimcmanus

@hannahvanvels Is a rejection from one CLA agent a rejection from all? What if the ms went through edits which addressed the recommendations?

Replying to @kristimcmanus

We are usually good with re-pitching if you've made through edits! Make a note of it in your query letter. We love to see author growth. #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kelly A. Reilly @scorched_45

@hannahvanvels Hi! Many agents ask for author bios. This is my debut MS but my day job (which I am also passionate about) is far from related to writing/creativity.
If one doesn't yet have a platform (or is slowly starting one) what would you advise placing in this comment space? #askagent

Replying to @scorched_45

I love working with debut authors! We all acknowledge that lots of authors have day jobs, so you can include a fun fact about yourself, where you live, etc. Any professional memberships you are a part of? #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Peter Wayne @peterwaynebooks

@author_analieze is 84,000 words too much for a YA fantasy? If so, what's a good range? #askcla

That is on the higher end, but not something we'd outright reject for. #AskCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kayla McGrath 📚 @KaylaMcGrath_

@hannahvanvels How do you feel about morally gray and unlikeable characters (MC’s) who eventually grow to be better?

Replying to @KaylaMcGrath_

I LOVE morally gray and unlikeable characters!!!!! One of my favorite tropes! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Kenny Rich @WriteKennyRich

#AskCLA #amquerying #amwriting
With a previously rep'd MS from a decade ago, that has significantly changed and is a different book (shelved it for years), should I mention previous representation in a new round of queries? The previous relationship ended amicably long ago.

Great questions! Our query manager actually asks that question upon submission of your query, so we do like to know, but you don't need to expanded on the details unless we further discussion of rep. #AskCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Carolyn Clarke @CarolynRClarke

@hannahvanvels I see you represent chicklit. For the aged lover of it, would you be interested in rep older MCs 45 and over? More of a family drama. Light hearted dramedy.

Replying to @CarolynRClarke

Absolutely! I love chick lit of all ages! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Alea Harper @alea_harper

@hannahvanvels I've heard that superhero is a dead genre and won't sell. What are your thoughts on this? #askagent #askCLA

Also, are you taking pitches today like last week?

Hope you're doing well and staying safe!

Replying to @alea_harper

Superheroes have been a harder sell lately and have been dominated by Marvel and DC, but Marie Lu is still going strong, for example! I am a firm believer that trends always come around. We're not taking pitches today, but we are all open to queries right now! #askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Case&Firefly @CaseFirefly

@hannahvanvels To do my YA SF story justice will take 125K. Better to query that, or break apart into satisfying character arcs of 60K, even though the story was conceived and written all at once? #AskAgent #CorvisieroLit

Replying to @CaseFirefly

This is fairly long for YA SF. Try to:
-cut filter words
-check your dialogue tags and adverbs and cut where you can
-check your scenes. Ax scenes that don’t move the plot forward
-beware info dumps!

#askagent #askCLA

· 15 Apr 2020

Nick Mancuso @MancusoNR

#AskCLA #AskAgent how much of an automatic disqualification is an 80k word count fantasy novel, or a 60k wordcount literary fiction novel?

I wouldn't automatically reject on this only, especially with fantasy. If we were talking 20k, that would be a different story. Always keep the guidelines for genre in mind, but if the writing is amazing, we can always boost word count a bit. #AskAgent

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