Literary Agent
Kunoichi | ∞ #BLM @Infinitii_FGC
I’ve had people suggest putting social media following in query letters. Do you think it is worth mentioning?If so, does it influence your decision for rep? #askPSLA
It's much more important for a nonfiction project, but it never hurts to include links to your social media handles in your signature. I wouldn't make it the focal point of your query, though. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Cara Stout @CaraFoshizzle
Any trends that are selling better in the current state of affairs? Or ones that aren’t? (I’m assuming pandemic and plagues are a tough sale) #askPSLAI feel like the tricky thing with trends, is that by the time one is happening and you see the books in the store, they are maybe over?
I know a lot of editor friends who want horror and middle grade. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
🦄 Cap'n🌈 Cal 🏴 (but scary) @WriterRaptor
#askPSLA if an agent accepts my adult fantasy, and then I write MG which they don't rep, do I need to find another agent? Do I come back to the 1st if book 3 is another adult?You should discuss with your agent because they might have a recommendation for someone at their agency who DOES rep your new genre. If not, they might suggest you part ways--and maybe they'll recommend another agent they know so you don't start from scratch. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
KJ @KaraJWrites
#askPSLASo lately My WIPs have been..not fitting one particular genre or genre blend. If I ever get to the point of being ready to query them, how do I when so many agents have a wishlist that’s specific?
Look at me having anxiety over my @NaNoWriMo project before it’s started
My advice for odd genre blending books is usually “send it to me.” 😂
But also, look at agents who work on books that straddle categories. Look at your favorite recent books that do it. Lots of us like our out of the box books. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kathryn Faye @KathrynFaye007
Do you recommend saying, in your queries, that you separated amicably from your agent & are writing in a different genre? Or do agents want to hear about that later? #askPSLAPersonally, I find it helpful to know if you were represented previously (especially if you've already published books with an agent). You don't need to get into details in the query--you can discuss circumstances later on once you have a phone call with the new agent. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
C.G. Miller @cgmillerwrites
As someone who hasn't yet had a book published, is it good to list things like my writing degrees or freelance writing/copywriting credentials in the bio section of a query letter? Or is it better to just leave it blank if the writing exp. isn't relevant? #askPSLAStill list your qualifications and experiences that are writing related. It's nice to get a sense of who you are with your bio, so don't leave it blank! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
🦄 Cap'n🌈 Cal 🏴 (but scary) @WriterRaptor
#askPSLA my fiction novel has footnotes (think Discworld, Bartimaeus Trilogy, etc). They're not essential, but they add a lot. QueryTracker and email only queries won't work with footnotes. Do I omit them? Leave them at the end of the sample? Mention them in query? Please helpI would add them to the end of your sample. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Eilene Spear @EileneSpear
Ok, last one! Is there a way to signal that you are open to input/feedback in a query, or is that just assumed? Like, I’d be the best client ever! Similarly, is like, background helpful or just annoying? Like, my first draft was 120,000 words and I cut it down to 85k? #askPSLABefore opening representation, I have a phone call with the author & talk through changes I'm suggesting. That's a good time to be honest about whether you're willing to make changes or not. I don't necessarily think you need the background info in a query. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Steffi is a PitchWars Hopeful @clumsiesteffi
At what point would you reconsider a manuscript you passed on?What catches your attention?
#askPSLA
Anytime. If you rewrite it half a year later, send it my way.
It happened with @TheAdamSass, we talked about it here. I love that book terribly. ❤️ #askPSLA ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2020/9/9/…
Literary Agent
Cheryl Reed @AuthrCherylReed
@claire_m_harris What is your ideal work relationship with an author? #askpslaI like to be very open with my clients. If they have questions, I want them to feel comfortable coming to talk to me. Another major point is that they need to trust me--the relationship won't work if there's not trust and mutual respect. And ideally we hit it off, too! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Allison Carvalho @AllisonCwrites
#askPSLA @msmariavicente@ericsmithrocks
With all the pitch contests going on, I'm curious:
1. Do you have a fave you like to 👀?
2. In your opinion, how long is too long after a ❤️/like to submit your package?
3. How do you feel about mood boards posted w/ pitches?
Thanks!
I think @beth_phelan is doing such astonishing work with @DVpit_ and I’m not sure we deserve her.
In my experience most agents won’t mind if you follow up later, but you should really only be doing those pitch events if you’re ready with that book. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Vanessa Potions #BLM 🍁 @vanessaepeay
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris For the synopsis an agent requires it's supposed to be 1 page correct? And reveals everything that happens in the book? #askPSLAI like them to be roughly one page and to tell me what happens in the book, yes. If there's a major twist that you don't want to spoil, I'm fine with hinting at it. But I need to know the basics of the plot and it's better to keep it at roughly 1 page in my opinion. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
andrea maller @dystopiandream4
How much weight does a good Kirkus review carry, and should it be mentioned in a query? #askPSLAIt never hurts to include a good review from a major publication, in my option. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Emily🎃 @emholyoakauthor
Advice for when you get full requests but they ultimately reject? #askPSLAIt's definitely tough, but don't take it personally. To take on a project, we need to be head over heels in love with it. It could've been a close call, and there will likely be someone else out there who *does* fall in love with it. Keep your head up and keep querying! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Valerie Norton (Turpin) @valeriecturpin
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris Hi Eric and Claire! 😊At what point is it worth specifically calling out a bookstagram in a query? If it has 5k followers? 10k? Higher? Or should it just stay beneath the author salutation as a link?
#askPSLA
I would add it in your signature--never hurts! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Jessica Ungeheuer @phoenixfire110
#askPSLAI was curious on your thoughts on pages...Your agency submission guidelines only mention submitting the query but no pages. Do you find the query is enough to get an idea of the author's voice & story?
In general, the query letter is enough for me to decide whether I'm interested in it enough to read pages. Bonus tip: it's really helpful when you include comp titles in your query, as that can really draw me in #askPSLA
Literary Agent
boilingonepiecetakes @warmtakrs
#askPSLA If you want to write graphic novels should you find your artist first or can you query with just the written script.You can pitch with a script! My colleague @msmariavicente has a bundle of resources about this on her website too. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Lif Strand wrote Evolution Device @fasterhorses
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris Claire: Are you caught up on your queries? Should I assume if I got no response and it's now been two months that you aren't interested? #askPSLATo be honest, I'm still working my way through queries from the beginning of September 🙈 Working on getting caught up. I like to keep everyone informed via tweet, so keep an eye on my twitter for updates on what query date I'm up to! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Kunoichi | ∞ #BLM @Infinitii_FGC
@PSLiterary @ericsmithrocks @claire_m_harris Hello Eric and Claire!What is your ideal target word count for a thriller YA novel? #askPSLA
For me, the sweet spot in the YA thriller space is 70k to 90k.
If you’re worried about word count, use other thrillers to inform your work.
@MikalebRoehrig’s are favs of mine and right in that space, I think! #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Brooke Carter @thebrookecarter
Hi, thanks for doing this! A two-parter: do you sign clients based purely on the project they’re pitching? Or overall career/backlist?And when you work with clients do you help them decide which new projects to pursue? #askPSLA
My interest generally starts with the project they're pitching, but most agents (me included) want to rep authors for their entire career, so that's really important, as well. Personally, I like being involved in helping my clients decide which ideas to pursue. #askPSLA