Literary Agent
Mike Spinney @spinzo
@UweStenderPhD sorry for a second ask, but do you take into account potential beyond the book? film/television rights? product marketing? or is your first priority a good read?A good read, but of course that includes all of the above. But if I am not in love with your novel, I don't care about any of it. I don't torture myself with stuff I don't like, regardless of saleability.
Literary Agent
Rebecca E. Treasure *Black Lives Matter* @R_E_Treasure
@UweStenderPhD Another, if that’s okay. I’ve seen/heard conflicting takes on hiring a developmental editor before you query. I see the question a lot in the writing groups but when I say “I’ve heard you shouldn’t”, I get pushback.What’s your take? #askagent
I may be an outlier, but if you can't write your novel without a developmental editor, I am not interested in you. I am also not interested in Milli Vanilli if they can't sing their own songs.
Literary Agent
Michelle Hauck @Michelle4Laughs
@UweStenderPhD Do you think the role of an agency in helping clients with promotion/marketing is increasing? Should agents play a role in helping clients market their books?To a degree, of course. But agents are agents, and PR experts are PR experts. Opthamologists are fantastic doctors, but you don't want them to perform an appendectomy. And you don't want your heart surgeon fix your retinal detachment.
Literary Agent
Rebecca E. Treasure *Black Lives Matter* @R_E_Treasure
@UweStenderPhD Oh yay I’m online for one 🙂 #askagentFor you personally- If you requested a full, but passed, does it matter if that’s mentioned in a future query?
Generally, do you think word counts are getting shorter across the board? 100k down to 80k, even for adult?
Thanks!
Ha, happy you made it.
It does not matter either way.
I don't know. All I care about is that it works within the book I am reading.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Paige Wyatt @Paigeotto
@UweStenderPhD What are you really wishing you could see more of in your inbox lately?Smart rom coms. Unique thrillers.
Literary Agent
James Haes @JamesHaes
@UweStenderPhD What are the three most important things you look for in a query letter?In non fiction: concept, platform, and platform again. In fiction: hook, no spelling errors, and lack of grandiosity.
Literary Agent
JoeyIsEditingSendChocolate @JoeyIdeaJones
@UweStenderPhD I have a question, if it's not too late. I've heard both that the common phrases in a rejection, like, "not right for my list," can be taken literally, or they're actually code for something. Should we break out the tea leaves or take what's said at face value?Who knows? Nonetheless, I would not give it a second of thought. Drink the tea, don't read the leaves.
Literary Agent
Irene @ireneiswriting
@UweStenderPhD @Sarah_Nicolas @awfleck Hello, thanks for answering questions! What happens if a publisher asks for a manuscript before you find an agent? Is it better to have an agent before submitting to the publisher?Yes. In fact, a publisher should tell you to get an agent.
Literary Agent
🍩 Grace Ellis Barber @novelorbust
@UweStenderPhD @awfleck Why might a novel get a "revise and resubmit" response over an outright rejection? Do you encounter smaller story issues that you assume will be dealt with in editing after a sale or do you try to have them perfect before you offer and pitch to publishers?For me, it means it is a strong project, but maybe 90% of the time it sounds like a 16 year old talking, but 10% of the time it sounds like a 40 year old writing a 16 year old, but can they pull it off 100% of the time? Etc.
Literary Agent
Quiana Glide @Quiana2001
@UweStenderPhD @awfleck How can one stay positive in this business? I know rejection is just a part of things but I have depression and still struggle sometimes. #askagentWhen I started out, at one point I was 0/1000. Then I stopped keeping track. I am sorry you have depression, but in this business, my only advice is to "not take it personally," which is tough, BUT true. Hang on in there.
Literary Agent
A. W. Fleck (is drafting) 🌞🌙✨🔮 @awfleck
@UweStenderPhD Hello! I’m here! Thank you for the alert! Hope you’re staying safe ❤️ My question: What’s going on with the ‘New Adult’ genre? My MC is 20, dealing with narcissism, abuse, etc. Should I query as adult? Age is very intentional and changing it changes everything about her. Thanks!Alexandra!!! So nice to hear from you. It's tough. Most pubs appear to be convinced that nobody reads that age group..."too old" OR "too young." I disagree with that assessment, but... My, probably useless, advice: write the story you are compelled to write. It MAY still work!
Literary Agent
No Justice No Peace | Madeline Scott Pine (They) @Madeline_Pine
@JNRlitauthor @LaylaHersch How do you personally handle a book deal with a queer MC and/or plot when the author does not want to publicly come out? How does the industry typically handle it? And what steps to further protect authors do you think the industry and agents can take than what they’re doing now?Great questions! Personally, I always work to do what is in the best interest and wishes of my authors including what makes them comfortable and and safe. No one should feel forced to publicly come out to anyone (including their agent) until they are ready and want to.
Literary Agent
Architectonics @theshadowarc
@JNRlitauthor does it mean anything that I'm getting more actual rejections (vs. non-response) on queries than I used to?It’s always good to know your work is getting read. If there is any feedback in the rejections you could maybe try to rework your query to turn it into requests. Best of luck to you!
Literary Agent
Erin Fulmer Writes #BlackLivesMatter @erinya
@JNRlitauthor Hi Jessica, thanks for doing this! What are your thoughts on the marketability of adult urban/contemporary fantasy? It seems to me like not many agents are looking for the genre right now.Hi! I love that genre so feel free to query me when I read-open next month. You can also check out the mswl hashtag to see if agents are interested.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Kelly K-C - Just don’t be a bigot @KellyLKC
@JNRlitauthor @LaylaHersch Hi! As an agent, would you accept a MS (dark urban legend retelling with a dash of speculative) with a biracial main character, who was the same mix as the white writer's kids?Thank you for doing #askagent!
Hi and thanks for joining in! You could query me when I reopen and I would be looking at the POV of the MC and how that is written when taking it into consideration in the query. #thewriterszen
Literary Agent
I have spent the last 24 hours answering #askagent Qs on the @PSLiterary IG: instagram.com/psliteraryagen…
Watch them in stories or highlights!
Literary Agent
Nina (is querying her food novel) @NFortmeyer
@UweStenderPhD Is personalization important in a query? It seems so forced.I don't care. Too personalized is creepy, IMO.
Literary Agent
🌈RacheliMarquardt BLM🌈 @8LeavEmEtOdreaM
@UweStenderPhD @author_analieze If I get an agent who agrees to represent me for more than one book, how does that work? What if I don't have another book ready for another 2 years? Do I just contact them when I'm ready to seek publication?I can't speak for others, but if you sign with me, my intent is to be your career agent.