Literary Agent
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Maeve Galvin @maevelineg
Thank you for doing these. I am among the many who appreciates them! Is it harder to sell books without a clear cut, traditional plot? What advice do you have for those writing something that is stubbornly veering from plot? #AskAgentYour book is either plot led or it is character led. If plot led then it does need a central and compelling plot, yes. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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HappyJoe @HappyJoe84
#askagent If you have recently parted company with an agent, should you say who they were, and why you went your separate ways?Entirely up to you. Naturally, I'd be curious, but it might be a better conversation had if representation is being discussed. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Alexandra Wilson @amwilson_opera
#askagent Any advice on whether ones needs to be cautious about writing about a real person? Does one have free rein if the person is dead - or not?You have to tread very carefully, even if the person is dead. Publishing contracts demand that there is nothing libellous or otherwise unlawful in your writing, and some houses will require a lawyer to look it over before publishing #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Diana Astra @astra_diana
Hi there. Do agents really only read the first chapter/ 3000words? I know it’ll vary, but wondering how much truth is in it. Thanks! #askagentThat's what we ask for at the first stage, but isn't what we make a representation offer on. If I love the first few thousand words, I'll ask for the full ms, and if I love that, then I offer representation #askagent
Literary Agent
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Asha Hick 🇪🇺 @AshaHick
Do you look at competition shortlists and longlists for possible new clients? #askagentI would like to think I did but rarely have the time. Do mention any accolades in your covering letter. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Madhurima_Sappatti @MSappatti
Hi! What usually makes an agent pick up a story? Like what's the general criteria and what can an author do to fit into it? #askagentFor me a great character I can start following from the first paragraph. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Beatrice Anobah @anobah_beatrice
#askagent Hello! While waiting to hear back from agents I've subbed, I got some inspiration on how to improve the opening of my novel and I added a chapter to the beginning, if an agent makes a full MS request, is it worth mentioning/sending the new draft? Thx!I'd certainly say that you've reworked the opening when sending the full ms #askagent
Literary Agent
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Matthew Holmes @MatthewHolmesBL
@mushenska Ah ok, at the moment I really only have a premise- so you would prefer the book to be finished before being pitched? That way I can say the narrative arc is X wants to do Y but ends up doing Z?for fiction, you need to have finished the book #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Asha Hick 🇪🇺 @AshaHick
Do you look at competition shortlists and longlists for possible new clients? #askagentAbsolutely! I also read a lot of lit mags for great up-and-coming authors. #askagent
Literary Agent
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Emma-Claire Wilson @ECWilsonWriter
#askagent - with the current situation, would you advise writers not to submit heavy subject book club-style books? It seems that all agents are looking for are cosy escapism at the moment and i'm worried that many just don't want emotional right now? @mushenska @julietpickeringI sold a reading group novel with dark themes just last week! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Beatrice Anobah @anobah_beatrice
#askagent Hello! While waiting to hear back from agents I've subbed, I got some inspiration on how to improve the opening of my novel and I added a chapter to the beginning, if an agent makes a full MS request, is it worth mentioning/sending the new draft? Thx!potentially to new agents, but I wouldn't to those who already have it #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Madhurima_Sappatti @MSappatti
Hi! What usually makes an agent pick up a story? Like what's the general criteria and what can an author do to fit into it? #askagentSuch a hard one to answer! It is all about the feel of the writing for me. I want characters I'd like to know more about and I want to feel a sense of place or period - without it being over-egged! Sorry, not very helpful! #askagent
Literary Agent
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Hina Malik @dodgyjammer
#askagent if you have two projects that could interest an agent, do you submit as two separate subs or as one email?I'd go with one at a time, leading with the one that best represents what you think you'll be writing in the future. #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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John Huw Evans @JohnHuwEvans2
#askagentHow would you break down submissions you recieve in terms of their general quality?
Do you get submissions that are really awful and do you give the same rejections to those as generally competent work that just isn't your cup of cocoa?
I give a standard rejection for time reasons largely (I receive 150 submissions a week) but if something does stand out, I'll normally add a personalised line or a PS #AskAgent