Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 1 Jul 2020

Feargus Woods Dunlop @thisactorslife

How do you strike the balance between already having something too similar & it being too far out of your remit/interests? #AskAgent

Replying to @thisactorslife

I would say that I represent books in the same genre for sure but the pitch can’t be too close. So two novels which are thrillers set in Cornwall, fine, two novels which are thrillers set in Cornwall where a nun is the detective - not fine #askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

Rebecca E Roberts @BeckyERoberts

#AskAgent If you're approached by someone who has already been published, would you check out their previous work, or is your decision based entirely on the MS submitted?

Replying to @BeckyERoberts

The decision would be based purely on what is in front of me but, if interested, I would check out previous books - both because it would be relevant if pitching and because I'm nosey! 🕵️‍♀️
#askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

Ben Edge @bnedge

#AskAgent If I’ve previously submitted to a few agents, and based on feedback have gone back and changed the book entirely (setting, time period, title, pretty much everything except the core themes and structure) would I be able to resubmit to agents previously submitted to?

Replying to @bnedge

Not usually, but certainly try new people! #askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

Elizabeth Frattaroli @ELIZFRAT

Do you prefer your authors to have a brand and stick to one genre/target age range, or would you encourage people to try and diversify once they are established? (I'm thinking particularly of YA writers at present, as I know some have been asked to write up or down) #askagent

Replying to @ELIZFRAT

If I sign someone for a novel in X genre, I know it's likely that the publisher will want to build them in that area - readers tend to be loyal to genre rather than author, unless they are successfully established already. However, you can diversify with pen names etc #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

May Ngo @mayngo2

@julietpickering @ESAlexander4 Hello, how much should you have of your manuscript done before querying an agent? Should it definitely be completed? #askagent

Replying to @mayngo2

If you are writing fiction I'd say you should definitely have the whole book written and edited. Few things are more disappointing than requesting something based on a brilliant sample and then have to wait 6 months to read the rest. You lose momentum.
#askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

May Ngo @mayngo2

@julietpickering @ESAlexander4 Hello, how much should you have of your manuscript done before querying an agent? Should it definitely be completed? #askagent

Replying to @mayngo2

yes, complete it and edit it first! #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

Linda @lindcai

@julietpickering @mushenska @jounwin I found Spread the Word's diversity report an interesting read. What are your experiences of taking on/pitching novels by BAME writers? I'm Asian & so excited to see more Asian writers being published but wonder what my chances are realistically. Many thanks :) #AskAgent

Replying to @lindcai

I am very eager to find more ownvoices novels - and I'd say I have a pretty strong hit rate in placing those clients with publishers #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

David Barker @BlueGold201

@jounwin Voice, setting, plot. Please rank in order of importance when receiving a submission. Thanks #AskAgent

Replying to @BlueGold201

I'd agree with Jo and want all three. If I ABSOLUTELY had to pick (cruel) voice would be the most important to me. Plot and setting is easier to edit.
#askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

MyRejections @MyRejections

Why do increasing amounts of agents just not get back to writers at all, despite their website promises? Excluding the lovely & polite agents replying to this hashtag of course...

#askagent

myrejections.com/post/unsolicit…

Replying to @MyRejections

I do respond to every submission, which is a time-consuming process. However, it can be quite painful to take the time to read & respond and then receive a snarky, mean spirited reply: my rejection is never intended personally, whereas people often take them that way. #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

Ms Barney Harper @MsBarneyHarper

This may be a silly question but please forgive me I'm new. Do I need an agent for a non-fiction book? #AskAgent

Replying to @MsBarneyHarper

yes, most publishers only accept submissions via agents #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

Jeanna Louise Skinner @JeannaLStars

I see witchcraft is having a moment lately. What genre would you say these kind of books fall into? Specifically a mostly contemporary set romance with historical and witchcraft elements? I'm wary of calling it paranormal as I know it's a hard sell. Ty #askagent

Replying to @JeannaLStars

totally depends, e.g. THE FAMILIARS was reading group historical, whereas others have been more romantic. Maybe timeslip, if it's contemporary with historical elements? #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

Tim Bisset @timbisset

#AskAgent some literary agencies have TV/screen agents. Have you (or would you be swayed) by taking on a book which you 80% loved, but thought "this could really work/be easy to sell as a TV/film?" Genuinely asking out of curiosity, not in this position!

Replying to @timbisset

no, I haven't been #AskAgent

· 1 Jul 2020

Karen Vivers🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇱🖊️ @KarenVivers

#AskAgent is it sensible to keep submitting over holiday times (July/August)?

Replying to @KarenVivers

no one is on holiday this year, ha ha, so probably fine #askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

Abi Lown @AbiLown

@jounwin How often does a working title change before publication? Is it important that you’ve researched other similar titles out there before submission? #AskAgent

Replying to @AbiLown

they change often! The best titles place the book in a particular market and/or tell a story in and of themselves #askagent

· 1 Jul 2020

Angela Nurse @_AngelaC1975

@LinaLanglee #askagent would you want to know that there were more projects in the pipeline in the submission letter?

Replying to @_AngelaC1975

Wouldn't need a full pitch but a sentence or two, or just something that shows you have the writing bug is great to include.
#AskAgent

· 30 Jun 2020

Yet another "do authors need a website" question. Honestly, the meteor can't come fast enough. #AskAgent

literaticat.tumblr.com/post/622373663…

· 29 Jun 2020

Over on the #AskAgent Tumblr, I've enlisted the help of my friend Editor @mmanlove to get through some of these questions. She is smarter and more eloquent than me! Yay!

literaticat.tumblr.com/tagged/guest-e…