Literary Agent
sjtownend @sjtownend
@jounwin If an agency rejected a submission but saw that said novel was doing quite well with zero promotion - just ambling along on Amazon via word of mouth and the odd social media tweet, would an agency ever change their mind?I wouldn't - there are certainly novels I reject which go on to perform well, but it's about my own taste and love of the manuscript. #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Beatrice Anobah @anobah_beatrice
@mushenska my book has a friends to lovers trope, where shld tropes be included in the cover letter? In the blurb? Or listed with the book themes? Or not at all? Thx! #askagentI probably wouldn't mention it - I'd focus on making the blurb as strong as it could be instead #askagent
Literary Agent
Nick Raistrick @nick_raistrick
@jounwin So, I wrote a (non-fiction, travel) book. My agent vanished and I indie-published end 2019: excellent learning experience, a few good reviews, but still not selling loads. Working on new book. Do I send potential agents the old book? Or focus on new pitch? #askagent ...thanks!I'd say focus on new pitch #askagent
Literary Agent
Dave Lawrie @ConstructGlue
How far apart are the statements "I love this book" and "I can sell this book" for an agent? I imagine not as far apart as some might think? #askagentfor me it's the same thing - if I love it I presume I can sell it #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Sarah is staying home 🌈💜 @Sarah_Schygulla
Do you generally pass on manuscripts internally if you feel it doesn’t fit your list but it might fit a colleague‘s?I had a full being passed internally at one agency and now I’m unsure whether to query other agents at agencies where the queried agent passed. #AskAgent
most agencies (not all, but most) say a pass from one agent is a pass from all agents - if it was strong but not right for me I'd pass it internally #askagent
Literary Agent
Craig Smith @Smicht
@mushenska Thanks for the reply. Further to that, how long would you give it before telling the author that it's maybe time to stick it in a drawer and begin work on something else? Asking for a... erm... friend.I think start working on something else write away - a good distraction and then means you have something ready to go if the other novel is parked #askagent
Literary Agent
Somebody on le Tumblr #AskAgent asked me how agents and editors are doing RIGHT NOW - like, taking the temperature of publishing as it were - this is my rambling response. Spoiler: there's good news and bad news.
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/615303672…
Literary Agent
Sharon Lynn @SharonLWrites
@Megan_Manzano Should I continue to query my debut novel during the virus? All the articles in NY Times are saying publishing is shutting down. Are agents still looking? Thanks!If an agent is open to queries, you can query them. We're still looking for projects and deals are still being made.
We're all just navigating the changes in the industry.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Adam Breckenridge @agbreckenridge
@Megan_Manzano How much stock do you put in previous short story publications? Do they matter? Does anyone care?Getting short stories published is awesome and you can mention most recent pubs in your bio while querying.
However, agents are looking to sell novels.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Carol Lucas @callydcfc
@Megan_Manzano Hi Megan, what does it mean when an agent doesn't like your voice?It could mean several things:
1. An agent wasn't pulled in by the character
2. The voice isn't as engaging/we're not close enough to the character to form a connection.
#askagent
Literary Agent
a lot of people in the #askagent inbox ask if it’s ok if the main characters in their YA books are not young adults and I have a very nuanced answer that should really get to the heart of it:
NO
Literary Agent
Gina 💯 @GBDolfan
Is it ok to vaguely mention something, like an illness, with no explanation, then give details later in the story, or do you have to explain right away? #AskAgent #CorvisieroLitI think that it's usually best to slowly show the reader that there is an illness afoot, but not show it all right away to keep them actively engaged and let them figure out what's happening. #askagent
Literary Agent
Aoife Doyle @1adoyle
#askagent I've changed my fantasy from adult to YA and cut it from 148k to 118k words. To cut more means axing scenes/chapters and am unsure what to cut. Could I query it as is and ask a future agent for help or do I need to get it under 100k?As @JoleneHaley said. 4 YA Fantasy the wordcount shouldn't be more than 85K. Especially for a debut. There are very few times that a work that long needs to be so. There is usually something to take out. Don't fall in love with your words. Keep the plot moving forward. #askagent
Amanda Woody 📚 @findmeediting
@CorvisieroLit I'm not sure if you've already been asked this, but do you consider yourself a very collaborative agency? Or is it sort of every agent does their own thing? 😊 #askagent #CorvisieroLitWe are very close! Even though we work with our clients independently, we are still a team and bounce ideas off each other frequently. We all benefit from each other's creativity:) #askagent
Literary Agent
HJ Haydt [WIP: 126K] @HJHaydt
Will it impact your decision to represent if a writer has different projects in different genres?#askagent
It won't really impact the decision for the one book, but do make sure you try to find agents that represent the genres you write in so that they can rep all your projects. #askagent @CorvisieroLit
Carolynn Howard @carolynn_howard
@CorvisieroLit Rather than asking about common mistakes, what are amazing things first-time authors can do to elevate their query letters? #askagent #writingcommunityI'm looking for a unique hook to your story. If the story is good and the voice is strong...I will want to see it. #askagent
Phoebe Ross is Washing Her Hands 🧼 @phoebeross_
#askagent #TeamCorvisiero are you guys bracing for a wave of “quarantine queries” and have you notice an impact in the pub industry?So far it is business as usual but remotely! We might be a little slower than usual as we all adjust to the world, but we are still signing clients. Publishers are still buying books. #askagent @CorvisieroLit
Literary Agent
HJ Haydt [WIP: 126K] @HJHaydt
Do agents ever help name their authors' works?#askagent
Yes, we do help pick titles sometimes. Sometimes with the author before pitching and other times with the editors if they want to change the title. #askagent @CorvisieroLit #teamcorvisiero