Q7 - Weirdly, the most common mistake is people addressing their queries to Heather instead of Hannah! It happens a lot…but while it’s a bit weird, it’s not a dealbreaker. Rather than getting hung up on possible mistakes - 1/2 #UKRomChat

Q6 - The concept and the quality of the writing are key. I look at the query letter for the concept, or the synopsis if necessary, and then the sample chapters to get an idea of the voice. I try to go into every submission with an open mind! #UKRomChat

Via email – our submission guidelines are at northbanktalent.com/contact #UKRomChat

Yes, absolutely! The different timelines can help to give novels more of an epic feel #UKRomChat

Personally I'm often drawn to novels that are grounded in reality, but I'm definitely open to the odd magical element #UKRomChat

To be honest I didn't know literary agents existed until I'd finished uni and realised that publishing was a thing...but it does feel like a great fit for me. There are lots of books, lots of chatting, and the nitty gritty negotiating side of things is good fun too 👍 #UKRomChat

But it’s not just about one UK book deal – we want to help authors have successful long-term careers, and we also sell directly to the US, other international publishers, film/TV production companies and more. 2/2 #UKRomChat

Q4 - As agents, we work with authors to give them the best possible chance of getting published, which involves giving lots of editorial guidance and putting your manuscript in front of editors we think will love it. 1/2 #UKRomChat

Q3 - you’re asking readers to invest a lot of time in your novel, so they need to like your characters enough to go on that journey with them. I love to see stories with a kind of love at first sight, like ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, and epic love stories like ONE DAY. 2/2 #UKRomChat

Q3 - We represent a wide variety of fiction authors, but the two most important ingredients are a) a brilliant concept and b) excellent writing. I LOVE love stories, in whatever form, but the important thing is that the characters are relatable and convincing – 1/2 #UKRomChat

Q2/4 This meant I got really good at reading very quickly and gave me an incredibly valuable insight into editors’ tastes – what they were and weren’t buying, and what kinds of books got everyone excited – which was very useful when I became an agent. 4/4 #UKRomChat

Q2/3 - Before I was an agent I worked for a literary scout, which involves getting hold of manuscripts from agents while they’re on submission to editors and reading them for foreign publishers and production companies. 3/4 #UKRomChat

Q2/2 - Once they’re under contract, I keep an eye on their journey to publication, making sure everything’s on track and liaising with the author and editor if any issues arise. And, of course, I’m always on the look out for new authors. 2/4 #UKRomChat

Q2 - It’s a brilliant, varied job. I look after our clients, which involves something different for each of them – if they’re not under contract yet, I’m either editing their manuscript or pitching it to editors and scouts, or negotiating deals for them. 1/...3? #UKRomChat

Q1 - Hello! I’m the fiction agent at @NorthbankTalent. I look after our brilliant fiction authors, who write in various genres and are at all stages of their careers – some of them have been with us for years, and some we’ve welcomed much more recently #UKRomChat

Merit.

First of all: if *I* reject it, feel free to query the others one by one: rejection, then next one, etc. My NO is not an Agency NO, unless you are an insufferable jerk, because I am signing the agency agreement, and if you are a jerk, I won't sign. Second, maybe.

No, not really, unless there is a glut.

Either/or/both. It depends on the specific circumstances.

No.