Literary Agent
defy every cynical narrative 🏳️🌈 @tehartley
@RedPenKaitlyn @JesKnutson @dmniccoli Similar question: is there a good rule on whether people should query YA or adult agents for books that are crossover or fall into the "new adult" 18-22 age bracket?Depends on the themes/age. If a character is 18/19, most likely YA with adult crossover potential. If older, you're probably falling into Adult w/ YA crossover and should query agents accordingly #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
C. A. Crisóstomo🇧🇷🏳️🌈☂️ @CACrisostomo5
@RedPenKaitlyn Hello Kaitlyn!If I've made major edits on a submission that has been sent and close to the agent's ''deadline'' for an answer, should I email them and ask if they would like to review the new material or should I wait for the time to be due?
Thank you very much! #askagent
It's never a problem to be done sooner than expected. You should be fine emailing them to ask if it's okay to send the work now rather than later =] #askagent
Literary Agent
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? #askagentMany 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
Literary Agent
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!!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)
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
coffeehousescribbler 🇨🇦🇮🇪 @coffeehousescr1
@RedPenKaitlyn What one thing do prospective clients do routinely that turn Agents away from them?? #askanagentClaim 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
Literary Agent
Jessie Knutson @JesKnutson
@RedPenKaitlyn @dmniccoli Yes please!I have an adult sci-fi with a young protagonist (16), and I’m afraid, while querying, agents will think I’m trying to pass a YA off as adult. Is this a legit concern? If so, is there a way to make it clear I wrote it to be adult?
hm, does the character age as the story continues? If so, you can just state character name and make it clear the story encompasses a certain number of years. The agent will realize that means adult #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
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!
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
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
MindyCarlson Is Querying @MindyRCarlson
@RedPenKaitlyn How long should an author take on an R&R? #askanagentDependent 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
Literary Agent
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?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
Literary Agent
Kaitlyn Johnson - closed to Queries @RedPenKaitlyn
@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
If more, often there is 1 or 2 characters the main plot mostly centers on or the voice is strongest. Focus on them and how the story is built. Tell us of other voices in synopsis #askagent
Literary Agent
Autumn Harvey @booksbyautumn
@RedPenKaitlyn If you have a novel with multiple pov, how do you write the query?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
Literary Agent
Susan Gray Foster @susangrayfoster
@RedPenKaitlyn Any recommendations for a good current source of info?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
Literary Agent
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
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
Literary Agent
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?
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