Literary Agent
May Ngo @mayngo2
@julietpickering @ESAlexander4 Hello, how much should you have of your manuscript done before querying an agent? Should it definitely be completed? #askagentIf 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
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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 :) #AskAgentI 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
Literary Agent
David Barker @BlueGold201
@jounwin Voice, setting, plot. Please rank in order of importance when receiving a submission. Thanks #AskAgentI'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
Literary Agent
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…
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
Literary Agent
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? #AskAgentyes, most publishers only accept submissions via agents #AskAgent
Literary Agent
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 #askagenttotally 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
Literary Agent
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!no, I haven't been #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Karen Vivers🏴🇳🇱🖊️ @KarenVivers
#AskAgent is it sensible to keep submitting over holiday times (July/August)?no one is on holiday this year, ha ha, so probably fine #askagent
Literary Agent
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? #AskAgentthey change often! The best titles place the book in a particular market and/or tell a story in and of themselves #askagent
Literary Agent
Angela Nurse @_AngelaC1975
@LinaLanglee #askagent would you want to know that there were more projects in the pipeline in the submission letter?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
Literary Agent
Yet another "do authors need a website" question. Honestly, the meteor can't come fast enough. #AskAgent
literaticat.tumblr.com/post/622373663…
Literary Agent
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…
Literary Agent
Kristi McManus 🛫 @kristimcmanus
@RedPenKaitlyn Omg i forgot all about this!Don't know if this has been asked yet, but any idea what date you are at in your query inbox?
My Maybe Pile and General Box are caught up to May! =] #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Michelle Young @michelle13136
@RedPenKaitlyn How do you feel about more "zoomed in" fantasy stories? Like a story that takes place in a fantasy setting but is more focused on a smaller cast of characters and not so much the whole world? Instead of a big war, it's more focused on a personal battle, etc?I'd love that. We see a lot of "whole world" stakes and it's nice to pull that in #askagent
Literary Agent
Ana Gardner🦔 @whataremetaphor
@RedPenKaitlyn @WannerCheryl (if i can sneak another q in) what would be a good spot for upper MG historical? some conflicting MG word count guidelines out there for upper...I'd stay b/w 50-60k. That feels (to me) enough to show worldbuilding and plot are fleshed out without going too overboard #askagent
Literary Agent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@RedPenKaitlyn If you could give one piece of advice to someone in the querying trenches, what would it be? #askagentRemember passes aren't personal. It's such a subjective industry and there are so many agents. I know it's easy to just say, but try not to let passes discourage you #askagent
Literary Agent
Michelle Young @michelle13136
@RedPenKaitlyn How formal should I be in a query?At the end of the day, it's a business proposal, so I'd remain that way throughout. If you get a request or the agent wants to chat further, that's where things get a bit looser #askagent
Literary Agent
A M Duperre (Doo-perry) @A_M_Duperre
@RedPenKaitlyn For comps, do you prefer”x meets y” or do u like to know why they’re comping to those stories?I love to know why. Otherwise, there could be many things about that title that might relate to your story #askagent