Literary Agent
Ariana 🌸💜💙 @ariana__celeste
@Megan_Manzano What is the recommended word count for a debut YA Contemporary Fantasy? I'm having a difficult time finding it online. Some say less than 90k, others say under 100k. (I'm used to Adult Fantasy wordcounts)75K - 85K is a good range for a contemporary fantasy but can be a little longer if needed.
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Literary Agent
📚Sim Carter @simcarter
@Megan_Manzano Should you mention there are semi autobiographical elements in the novel in your query letter? And thanks for doing this!You can! I don't think it's 100% necessary when it's a fictional work but it doesn't hurt.
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Literary Agent
A M Duperre (Doo-perry) @A_M_Duperre
@Megan_Manzano I’ve seen some agents say to put “with series potential” in queries and others say don’t waste the space. I know it probably all comes down to what the publishers want to do anyway, but do you have a preference for query letters?I prefer to have "with series potential" in my queries.
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Literary Agent
LivMacy @MacyLiv
@Megan_Manzano What advice would you give to a debut author querying you? What is it the will make you want to offer?My main advice would be to keep patient and keep going. Things are A LOT right now so agents may be slower than usual when it comes to reading.
As to what will make me want to offer - I love a really strong voice or just a concept I can't stop thinking about.
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Literary Agent
Elizabeth Bates @ElizabethKBates
@Megan_Manzano Thank you so much for doing this! If a novel has a major plot twist should that be addressed in a query? Also, do agents want to know the ending of the book in the query letter? #askagentDo not put a plot twist or the ending in a query letter. You only reveal the ending / twists in the synopsis.
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Literary Agent
Paulette B Sharkey author of A DOLL FOR GRANDMA @pbsharkey
@Megan_Manzano I recently read an interview in which a children's author mentioned getting "project-based representation" for one manuscript. I’d never heard of this before. Would most agents consider this type of representation? #askagentThere are some agents / agencies that do sign a client based on a project versus a career.
I don't think it's very common but it is not unheard of.
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Literary Agent
Cate Green @saracategreen
@katenashagent This is so insightful and useful. I now have an agent😀 but it would have been wonderful if earlier rejections had included this kind of short feedback. Would that be feasible generally? Asking for the #WritingCommunityAn agent looking at submissions is like scrolling through Netflix. Some stuff grabs you, you engage, find out more. Other stuff no, scroll on.
Subs I read diligently I will include a line of feedback. But those simply "not my subject" I can't. It's just "not for me". #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Toyin Adek @ToyinAdekola1
@Megan_Manzano Let's talk tropes. If you use a trope in one work and a similar one in the next, does that make you a one trick pony?Not necessarily since it'll always look different when writing a different story.
Plus, I think every writer has a trope or theme or topic they include in almost every work.
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Literary Agent
Elizabeth Bates @ElizabethKBates
@Megan_Manzano I am writing a fiction novel, but have characters going to actual locations. What is the legality of this? Do I need permissions from business owners in order to feature locations in my work? Thanks! #askagentNope, you don't need permission.
More about why and what's considered fair use can be found here:
janefriedman.com/sample-permiss….
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Literary Agent
Kelsey Mickailyk @KelseyMickailyk
@Megan_Manzano I’ve read that it’s almost impossible for a debut author to have a trilogy sold to publishers, but what about a duology? Is that more likely, or is a writer better off just presenting a book as a stand-alone that could potentially have a second book? Thank you :) #askagentStandalone with series potential. For debuts, a series deal isn't always guaranteed as publishers want to see how your first book does via sales before committing to more.
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Literary Agent
Sara Baysinger 🦕 @sarambaysinger
@Megan_Manzano If a writer gets an offer from an agent, should they only notify the agents who have a full, or all agents who have the query?All agents who have your work, even if it's just a query.
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Literary Agent
Kate Jackson @KateBJackson
@Megan_Manzano If you have two books of a potential series, should they be queried together or should the second book even be mentioned at all, especially if book one can be standalone?Query the first book as a standalone with series potential. You can discuss the second book with your agent if you sign with them.
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Literary Agent
tatum layne (black lives always matter) @tatelaynex
@Megan_Manzano @sabinapost To add onto this question, what about comps to television shows/movies/media in general outside of books?Love those! I'd add in one book comp to show you know the current market but media comps are some of my faves.
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Literary Agent
Me @KJoyceWrites
@Megan_Manzano Do agents truly dismiss all works under 30k? Even middle grade?Not really since lower middle grade can have a word count of about 25k words, but not all agents are open to younger middle grade works.
There's also the difference to consider between chapter books and middle grade novels.
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Literary Agent
S. Alessandro Martinez @The_Morda_Shin
@Megan_Manzano @tajiinaa How likely would an agent be to take on a manuscript that was previously handled by a prior agent and didn’t sell? Is it a good or bad idea to query that previously handled manuscript?It can be tricky to take on a MS that was previously repped by another agent and didn't sell, because that MS has already been seen and presumably passed on by editors.
It makes it harder to go on sub with for the new agent.
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Literary Agent
Sabina (semi hiatus) @sabinapost
@Megan_Manzano What kind of comps do you prefer?Ex:
-Similar book x similar book
-"For fans of (book or authors)"
-Element X of (book) meets element or theme Y of (book).
I've noticed agents have different preferences. Thanks
I'm okay with all of these, but I really like option 1 and option 3 the most.
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Literary Agent
Sasa Hawk @SasaHawk
@Megan_Manzano What kind of stories are you hungry for right now? Any burning wishes from your mswl? #askagent-MG stories of all kinds
-Latinx stories, especially with Magical Realism
-Queer AF romcoms
-Non-western MG/YA fantasies
-A really good YA thriller, esp if it had an unreliable narrator
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Literary Agent
Vartul @VartulSri
@Megan_Manzano What kind of profanity is considered acceptable in YA? Are words like sh*t and cr*p okay? What about f*ck? Are agents/publishers reluctant to take on YA novels with profanity?Personally I don't mind swearing in YA. Some teens curse. I know I did and still do ALOT. 😂
As long as it's not overwhelming in the story, I think dropping a curse here and there is fine.
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Literary Agent
𝒜𝓃𝓉𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒 𝒱.𝒮 •𝕿𝖍𝖊_𝕮𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖔𝖗• @The1_Creator
@Megan_Manzano What would you say publishers - or agents are looking to sell right now in the market? What’s trending or likely to be accepted? ( Assuming the query is good of course ) #askagent pic.twitter.com/NjwdmLVTMvI'll speak for kidlit specifically but I've seen calls for rom-coms or lighter middle grade right now.
Fantasy is harder, but contemporary fantasy is creeping up or just books with speculative elements.
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Literary Agent
Molly Ippolito @MollyIppolito
@Megan_Manzano @kissedbyink What's an appropriate time frame to follow up with an agent after they've requested more work? (Without looking desperate or pushy but also showing that you're excited & interested in their thoughts)2 months is the standard unless otherwise specified by the agent's guidelines or the agency's guidelines.
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