Literary Agent
Michelle Nangle @Shellymackbooks
@julietpickering Hi I just self published my first children's book, The Turtle and the Spider. I would love to go down the route of traditional publishing for my future books and YA novel especially as I now have a following. Do you have any advice for my next step? Thank you #AskagentFinish the next book, polish it, research agents who you think would be a good match - good luck! #askagent
Literary Agent
staringattheblankpage @nickarmitage
@julietpickering Why would I send a mss to an agent and not straight to a publisher ? #Askagent?Most publishers only accept submissions via a literary agent, and an agent offers editorial insight, international contacts, and negotiating nous. #askagent
Literary Agent
The Publishing Insider @publishinsider
@mushenska @julietpickering Should I send to more than one agent at a time? Is that rude? And if so how many?! #askagent8-10 and keep them updated if someone else offers #askagent
Literary Agent
Michelle M McGrath @MichelleMMcGr
@mushenska @julietpickering hi there,Do you have specific no-no's for first page/first chapter? I've had to leave my opening chapter of my WIP for now after writing five different openings & being unhappy with all and having conflicting feedback. It's a dual narrative. Thanks in advance.
#Askagent
No specific no-nos! I want to get a sense of setting and character and where the story is going to take me #askagent
Literary Agent
Tracy Fells @theliterarypig
Hi, what can be the reasons for an agent not responding after calling in a full, even after the writer sends a polite follow-up email? I'd hoped for some feedback once a full was requested but am feeling pretty demotivated after experiencing this sometimes. Thank you #askagentI have sleepless nights when I do this! I guess it depends on the time frame? I am slow if I have a backlog of manuscripts to edit from existing clients. I’d suggest normally nudging 6-8 weeks later and if no response, try once more and then chalk it up to experience #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Ben Ross @flyraccoonfly
We hear differing advice from different agents, but the big dividing line in term of queries is the vital, vital question: synopses - spoilers or nay? Where do you sit on this most divisive of questions? #askagentA synopsis is a technical document which should reveal the main plot points and the end - you wouldn’t include the ending in your pitch, but it should be in a synopsis #askagent
Literary Agent
Clifford Thompson @Cliff_Thompson1
When writing a first or second book is it advisable to keep to a certain word length, is it true that long books from unknown authors are hard to sell? #AskAgentMost adult fiction is 80-100k words. That can go longer in fantasy. I am not a stickler for a specific word count BUT would say that it can be hard to sustain the pace over say a 150k word crime novel #askagent
Literary Agent
Jade-Olivia @Jade_Olivia2753
#askagent I’m terrified to approach an agent given I’m so new to writing independently. How would you advise going about starting that dialogue? Also I’m very disabled and while that’s difficult in life I realise it may be positive for marketing; is there anyone in the industryMake a list of 8-10 agents you like the sound of and then research them via their websites - send them the material it says they request and wait with crossed fingers. Good luck! #askagent
Literary Agent
Jade-Olivia @Jade_Olivia2753
who has experience with severely disabled writers?Also would my spoken word poetry background be a good thing to mention to potential agents or would it put them off?
I also have very little income at present so is there any type of contract you’d recommend as low risk?
Agents don’t ever take any money up front - we work on a commission basis so only make money if YOU make money, so there isn’t a risk from that perspective. I would advise reading the Writer’s & Artist’s Yearbook to research agents who might be a good match #askagent
Literary Agent
Sophie Draper @sophiedraper9
#askagent I struggle with synopses. I did a two pager, covering most of the twists and turns but then agonised it looked too complicated. Then did another only 300 words that focussed on the setup, main plot reveal, dilemma and ending that I worried was too short. Any advice?Honestly I wouldn’t worry - it’s a technical document so I don’t expect it to be super exciting and polished. I would suggest maybe 1-2 pages in length #askagent
Literary Agent
Internet-Enabled Josh @josh_walcher
How "done" should my manuscript be before I try sending the initial query to you about representing me? I'm on my 4th or 5th edit and it's starting to feel closer to me, but I still find things to improve every pass. #askagentI think you have to accept it will never be perfect - if the edits you are making now are tweaks it might be time to let go #askagent
Literary Agent
Lucie @LucieDeacon
Hello! Have you got any advice for aspiring literary agents? Is there anything I can do during lockdown to upskill? Thank you! #AskagentSome agencies offer remote internships - might be a good time to reach out to a few? Just reading critically and fast is what I ask for! #askagent
Literary Agent
Keith Mansfield📚🚀✨ @KeithMansfield
@mushenska So if a UK author primarily wants a US deal (with a project where the US would be the biggest market) there's no compelling reason not to sign with a US agent? [In this case when US agents have requested a submission] Thanks again! #askagentYes correct #askagent
Literary Agent
GW Neill @GWNeillscifi
@bookishchick How nerve wracking is it to take a pitch before a Publishers you haven't worked with before?It's always exciting and nerve wracking to take something out on submission! I try never to pitch cold, so I usually speak with all the editors on my sub list before sending them anything. Placing a book is really about match making!
Literary Agent
Ami Maxine @Ami_Maxine
@bookishchick It seems like everyone I've heard from stumbled into their agent relationship - somehow like magic - that there isn't a clear path to finding an agent. Do you have any advice for resources that may demonstrate clarifying that path?I have 7 clients and I got 6 of them through the regular querying process, and 1 of them through a call I put out on Instagram. Querying is still the most common and effective way to get an agent.
Literary Agent
Carly C'de Baca @carlycdebaca
@bookishchick At what point should a writer walk away from a MS that hasn’t received any full or partial requests, and only non-specific rejection?You'll know in your gut, is all I can say. 20 passes is WAY too few. You gotta kiss a lot of frogs.
Literary Agent
Casandra Chesser @casachess
@bookishchick When an agent requests a full manuscript, how long should you typically give them to read it and respond? Should you nudge them at a certain point?Nudge after 3 months. It can take a LONG time. I'm not proud of this but I have absolutely dropped the ball on my requests before, and most agents will at some point.
Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@bookishchick #askagent Where do you see the agent's role going after the forced quarantines are over (i.e. more home-based agenting? less NYC influence in the industry?) or little change at all?Agenting is already one of the most flexible parts of the industry (I started in NYC but now in MN). I only hope the entire industry embraces this flexibility and creates more opportunities for disabled people and people of color and folks who otherwise experience access barriers
Literary Agent
Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@bookishchick #askagent How do you know you and an author will be a perfect fit?When I love the way they see and explore the world, so I know that I'll be interested in anything they write, because their viewpoint and expression and fascinations are endlessly appealing to me.