Literary Agent
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Linda Stephen @linstevo1
@julietpickering @BristolPrize @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory Thanks for doing this! How specific should a synopsis be? I've seen some guidelines say to include every plot twist while others say they don't need (or really want) to know every twist- just to flesh out the pitch. #askagentI like to know what the major beats of the novel are, especially the final twist (if there is one!). #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Linda Stephen @linstevo1
@julietpickering @BristolPrize @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory Thanks for doing this! How specific should a synopsis be? I've seen some guidelines say to include every plot twist while others say they don't need (or really want) to know every twist- just to flesh out the pitch. #askagentStick to 1-2 pages and tell me who dies at the end #askagent
Literary Agent
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Samya Mitra @MrSamyaMitra
What are the differences between US and UK query letters? What are the components and their sequence in a UK letter? Can you please provide an ideal UK query letter for a literary novel? #AskAgentI don't know what is standard in the US but for the UK it only needs to be a short letter introducing the writer with a paragraph or two (blurb) introducing the book. Mentioning the genre and where it might sit in the market is also very helpful. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Jrussellwriter @jrussellwriter
@RobbieGuillory If you like the sample do you ask for the full MS or just the next few chapts? I'm working to submit to the mentorship at Kate Nash btw, just working at polishing the pitch!Great to hear!
I'd ask for the full manuscript at that point. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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EJ Kingsley @ericajok
@mushenska #askagent Last week I read somewhere when rejections say "we don't think we are right to represent you" or "another agency may soon be keen..." then it has potential, But does it matter if no one asks for a full? Is it just a better-worded rejection?Hmm I would say that sounds like a standard rejection to me - normally even a line of personalised feedback is encouraging though #askagent
Literary Agent
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Christopher Byford @Morningstaruk
Being that videogames is a massive industry, have you considered selling rights for your clients in that arena? For example, Sapkowski/Witcher and Glukhovsky/Metro 2033 did well. I was wondering if it's seen as more of a niche thing. #askagentIt is something that I am looking into, but at the moment only as a long shot. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Ben Edge @bnedge
#AskAgent What genres don’t you get a lot of submissions for that you feel you’d love to get more of?Romcoms!
Detectives (amateur or pro)!
Historical adventure (lots of battle scenes please)! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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E.S. Alexander @ESAlexander4
#askagent Oooh, knew there's something else I wanted to ask: Titles. I have one (obviously) but wasn't thinking too hard about it when submitting. I've now hit upon a much better title that is much more compelling. Do agents judge a manuscript's title...or is that not an issue?I generally expect that the title will change, if not by my hand, then by the eventual publisher, so amn't very fussed. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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E.S. Alexander @ESAlexander4
#askagent Maybe others have had different experiences, but I don't think I'm alone in wondering why mainstream publishers are so poor at promoting authors' books, unless they're already BIG names! This is something many of us can't fathom -- why pub a book & not get behind it?I certainly try very hard to match books to the right publishers who will deliver the marketing & publicity needed for the particular book. I encourage authors to discuss this with their agents and ask see marketing plans from publishers before contracts are signed. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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E.S. Alexander @ESAlexander4
#askagent Oooh, knew there's something else I wanted to ask: Titles. I have one (obviously) but wasn't thinking too hard about it when submitting. I've now hit upon a much better title that is much more compelling. Do agents judge a manuscript's title...or is that not an issue?I wouldn’t sweat it, titles often change #askagent
Literary Agent
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Lilith Antoinette (not related to Mary) @justlilytbh
#askagent should you hire an editor before submitting or is that somethin an agent can help with? Im on a third draft with some great constructive beta reader responses.You don’t need to hire an editor but should get it as polished as YOU can #askagent
Literary Agent
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Clifford Thompson @Cliff_Thompson1
I see a lot of references on social media to MG or middle grade as a genre/sub-genre. Is it a US thing or is it recognised in the UK? What exactly is it? #askagentIt is used here and means fiction for children around the 8 to 12 age group. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Sammy Walks @_SammyWalks
When submitting work, at what point would you like the author to relay their desire to have the writing published under a pseudonym? Thanks #askagentBefore we submit the book to publishers! Before that, it isn't going to make a huge impact (though we might want to put you on the website, so that would be a good moment also). #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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E.S. Alexander @ESAlexander4
#askagent Are the days of Max Perkins working with Tom Wolfe (and F. Scott Fitzgerald etc.) long gone? Just how involved are today's agents (YOU :-)) in helping shape books that show potential, if not immediately publishable?I loooove editing #askagent
Literary Agent
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Emma Steele @EmmaSteele85
@julietpickering @mushenska @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory On the topic of book group fiction as per question above, what exactly do you feel makes it that genre? #askagentA really strong concept and also talking points. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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†hε ωεψmαη @WeymanWrites
@RobbieGuillory Hmmm, yeah. I know that Romance is one of the most lucrative genres, so it would make sense that agents are keener to pick up romance writers than others 🤷♂️It certainly is a huge market, but I think there might be more literary fiction agents than romance... haven't counted, mind! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Elaine Fearnley @laineyf1
#AskAgent as a newbie to the writing world (I was awarded a bursary for the RNA New Writers Scheme) - I’m totally overwhelmed by the whole Agent/Publishing thing!! How do I know which (if any) agents would be interested please? Thank you for any advice.Make the most of your RNA membership by joining the Facebook group and also any local chapters to you (likely they are meeting online right now) where you can learn from other authors. Congratulations! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Valerie Griffin @griffin399
#AskAgent is it too pushy to follow up on a query letter to an agent? I understand they might not be interested but could there be a chance they never received it? Thank you.Not at all! Most agents will have an estimate of how long it would take to get back to you on their websites, to give you an idea when to chase. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Grace Parables @GraceParables
#askagentIs this a good or a terrible time to pitch a novel (with a white protagonist) set around the 1919 re-emergence of the KKK in Georgia?
It would entirely depend what is was about. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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Lilith Antoinette (not related to Mary) @justlilytbh
#askagent could an author use the sales and statistics of a previous self published work to display their ability to attract sales and an audience? Are self published authors given a fair chance compared to traditionally published author?They absolutely could, yes, and should! I don't think that a self-published author moving into trad would be treated any differently. #AskAgent