Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Jessica Corra @jessicacorra

@RedPenKaitlyn How do I get an agency internship or assistantship? Are there things I should be looking to add to my CV? #askagent
Replying to @jessicacorra

Many agencies post their openings. Search Publisher's Marketplace job boards, agency websites, sometimes BookJobs.com! For CV, that's tough. Even if you're fresh, a love of lit or maybe a past in it somehow (degree? volunteering? library frequenting? lol) #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

A Pearce @A_Pearce_author

@RedPenKaitlyn Hi! Is it sometimes ok to go a bit over the 1-2 page synopsis length most agents ask for? I write fantasy and find it super hard to sum up 100k+ words and world building in 2 pages 😬 thanks!!
Replying to @A_Pearce_author

It's best to stick to submission guidelines and not try to "fudge" things. If it's super hard to condense, get readers or an editor to really help cut and focus your synopsis #askagent (trust me, I edit synopses. It's possible for Fantasy)

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Corinne Morier (she/her) @cmauthor

@RedPenKaitlyn @editorrascon Anything in YA you're loving lately/wanting to see in your inbox?
Replying to @cmauthor

I know the rumors, but I'm still loving fantasy w/ diverse POVs and paranormal/horror with more unknown, non-Western legends. Also Contemporary w/ characters involved in more than school or their parents' business/drama (though I've been proven wrong there before lol) #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Miki Hua ✨ @mikihuawrites

@RedPenKaitlyn Thanks for doing this! Do you recommend putting Twitter handles in the signature of emailed queries? Does the size of an author's online platform(s) effect an agent's decision on the project?
Replying to @mikihuawrites

Yes! It's great to help agents do their hw and find who you are and if you'll mesh (and to make sure, you know, you aren't a jerk to others online lol).

Platform doesn't matter for fiction as much as nonfiction. We can always work on that. #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

coffeehousescribbler 🇨🇦🇮🇪 @coffeehousescr1

@RedPenKaitlyn What one thing do prospective clients do routinely that turn Agents away from them?? #askanagent
Replying to @coffeehousescr1

Claim they are better than any book you've ever seen. Ignore submission guidelines. Polish/edit first half of story and it falls apart in later half. Act terribly toward others on social media.

Wait, you asked for one thing? 😂 #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

🏔Mandy #amquerying 🌲🍁🍂🍃🌸🦅 @DMandzz

@RedPenKaitlyn Would an agent want to know (like in a query) if you plan to or have had sensitivity reads? Saving up takes a long time lol.
Replying to @DMandzz

Not necessarily. If they love the story, they should be doing their hw and making sure they ask you those questions. Often, though, we do hope you've already had sensitivity readers if necessary to the story #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Lily Mehallick @LilyMehallick

@RedPenKaitlyn If you have a full ms out to editors, how long should you wait to nudge if they don’t say their response time?
Replying to @LilyMehallick

I always say 3 months. Gives us time to get through submissions, handle client manuscripts, contracts, and whatnot. Definitely ok with a check in at 3 months (for both agents & editors). #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Stephanie Moulton @stephamoulton

@RedPenKaitlyn Ooh, thanks for doing this!

What is your best tip (or two) for writing a really good query letter?

Thank you!
Replying to @stephamoulton

Give me the three C's - character, conflict, and consequences. I want to know who is the focus, what challenges them/stands in their way, and what is at risk if they fail/succeed in their goal. Often, your hook will go hand in hand with those details! #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

MindyCarlson Is Querying @MindyRCarlson

@RedPenKaitlyn How long should an author take on an R&R? #askanagent
Replying to @MindyRCarlson

Dependent on writer/agent. Agents often expects a couple months at least, to know you took it seriously and maybe had a few new readers, too. That being said, my current client is a WIZARD and zoomed through theirs so... it depends. #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Lit-Mom @SierraBlanton6

@RedPenKaitlyn What advice would you give a writer just starting out? If you have no idea what you’re doing but you love the craft?
Replying to @SierraBlanton6

Beta readers/critique partners! It's so necessary to have others read your ms before querying to catch what you might not. Also, to read titles in your age/genre within the last 5 years. So helpful on market and voice #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Autumn Harvey @booksbyautumn

@RedPenKaitlyn If you have a novel with multiple pov, how do you write the query?
Replying to @booksbyautumn

depends how many POV. If 2, one paragraph details 1st MC and situation, then 2nd MC and situation, then conflict bringing them together, then stakes.
(1/2) #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Susan Gray Foster @susangrayfoster

@RedPenKaitlyn Any recommendations for a good current source of info?
Replying to @susangrayfoster

Good question! Can't think of something at the top of my head, but Writer's Digest often has current articles. You could also see what recent conferences provide handouts from talks about it.

Also, follow agents! We legit post about this so much lmao #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

S.T. Fernandez ✍📖💛🐝🌊 @STFernandez

@RedPenKaitlyn I'll play! 😊

Here's my question:
If two agents in the same agency have similar #MSWL, is it customary to choose 1 and wait for a reply or is it okay to query both?

#askagent
Replying to @STFernandez

Definitely choose one at a time. Most agencies are great at sharing if it's not for them and fits another agent. You can also ask if they mind you sending to so-and-so after that first agent passes! #askagent

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Katie *Your Writer Big Sister* Masters @Katie_Masters29

@RedPenKaitlyn OH oh!

Would you say there's an average time frame from a time you shop a book around to the time it might get picked up?

Also, what happens to a book if it doesn't get picked up?
Replying to @Katie_Masters29

There is NO set time. Honestly, some get picked up fast, some it's a year or so, and some get picked up AFTER a different title from that author first gets published.

Never throw it away. Market always changes and 1-on-1 w/ editors can always open the door again #askagent