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I’ve gotten “Dear Agent,” in a query letter before, but “Dear Editor,”? I mean, come on, #AmQuerying writers...if you’re not going to personalize the address of a letter, at least try hard enough to realize you’re not querying an editor, but rather a literary agent. #AskAgent
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🍁michelle kemper brownlow🍁 @MK_Brownlow
@UweStenderPhD Hi Dr. Stender! What in your “slushpile” would blow your mind?A beautifully written YA contemporary!
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James Yu (禹良君) @jamesyuwrites
@UweStenderPhD After sending a full requests, what’s an acceptable time to nudge an agent in your opinion (especially accounting for COVID/post-election stress).And would it be better just to let the agent get back to me if/when they choose, without prompting them?
I would wait 3 months. And I think you should prompt.
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@mohayeswriter @mohayeswriter
@UweStenderPhD Yay! Finally saw this in time. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!Do you Google writers to see if what is online matches what they write in a query?
If I want to offer these days, yes, I will. I had two bad experiences.
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Amy Lange Kawamura is a 🦃 @AmyLangeKawmura
@UweStenderPhD Thanks, Dr. Stender! I always have so many questions, but I forget them.Yesterday I realized my tab setting was wrong on Wordperfect. (I changed it so it's automatic now.) Do agents care about that sort of stuff? Like if a writer (not me!) is older and does the old double space?
I like MSWord, Times New Roman 12, and double space.
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Lauri Kerns @KernsLauri
@UweStenderPhD What’s the hottest genre in publishing right now #askagentI really don't know. I *personally*, right now, want YA contemporary, YA and MG graphic novels, and adult suspense.
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Zaheer 🌐 @ZaheerSooliman
@FlanneryLitera1 Hey! Thanks for this! I’ve heard many say include an author bio in the query, and many that say don’t. On QT, most agencies have a separate bio submission box. So.. is it necessary to have a bio in the query? What’s your opinion?Bio in the query is fine to let us know a little about you. But it should come after the hook and pitch. Sell your story to us first.
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AEV @AEVShadow1993
@FlanneryLitera1 Thanks for doing this!From my research, I noticed a couple articles stated that if you have a booktube or something of the sort, you should include that in your query. Is this true?
If not, what do you include after you state your pitch and the reason why you chose that agent?
The most important things are your hook, pitch, and sample pages. Everything else is icing on the cake. So you can include booktube in your bio info. If you provide a link, most agents won't click on links or open attachments, unless requested.
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now_grace 🇪🇸 🇺🇸 @now_grace
@BrittSiess Since drawing is so time-consuming, I could see it taking multiple years to go from 10 sample pages to a completed work. Do the advances tend to be enough to keep the author housed and fed for that long?the advance depends on the publisher and the book and a myriad of other details. In my experience, the advance takes into consideration how long it takes to make a graphic novel.
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✨ Gray Aleksi ✨ @Alakotila
@BrittSiess Hi Britt!I've heard that summaries or outlines should contain all story beats including the ending, and not just a hook or teaser. I wanted to make sure that's true?
Do you see the adult market picking up? I love YA too, but I would like to write older characters.
I can't speak for others (I know some agents DON'T want the ending) but I prefer all the story beats and the ending. I think it's up to you if the agency site doesn't specify. I think eventually we'll see the Adult market pick up, but I can't say when (if I could, I'd be rich).
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Sal Figueroa @SalWrights
@BrittSiess Hullo, Britt! Thanks a lot for doing this. I’m mainly a writer and kind of worried my drawing skills aren’t up to par. Should I try just going for it, or would you suggest collaborating with an artist?This is ultimately up to you. If you have reservations about your own art, plenty of writers collaborate with artists. And plenty of artists have their own unique styles. Do what feels right!
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🗽EmiLEE in NYCEE🗽 @ree_emily
@BrittSiess Thank you!Another question: should I be writing my pitch in an academic voice? I started writing my pitch like I was writing a paper and I felt like I lost the magic of the story. I switched to a more colloquial style and it flows much better, but I don't want to make a mistake.
I can't speak for other agents and their preferences, but I'd prefer to have the creator's voice (rather than an academic one). I want to get a sense of the story and it's tone.
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elidasaur @elidasaur
@BrittSiess Hi Britt, What's your ideal pitch packet, format...?I'd love to have the full synopsis, character art, and author bio. And of course, sample pages!
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Ann C. Orlandi (Carrie Ann) @Writer_Carrie
@BrittSiess can I ask a followup for YA mswls? :)I'm particularly interested in seeing YA graphic memoirs! I'd really love to see something, maybe historical, exploring a particular moment or intense situation in a creator's life where we feel so drawn in we're part of the experience.
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Nikki @jeveuxharibo
@BrittSiess 1) If you're just the writer, is it better to query a GN once the script is complete?2) Do writers have any say/get to choose the artist for their GN if they have an idea of the art style they want for their story?
1) Can't speak for others, but I'd prefer the full script 2) Yes
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Ann C. Orlandi (Carrie Ann) @Writer_Carrie
@BrittSiess what are some stories or themes that are on your manuscript wishlist for gns? #askagentI would LOVE to see more contemporary MG OGNs in my inbox that explore themes of identity, coming into your own, and dealing with new situations.
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Daniel Sulzberg @Danvillageart
@BrittSiess Hi Britt, Have you ever taken a graphic novel from one of your clients and then set it up as an animated series? Is that something that you consider?BSCM does handle clients books for film and TV rights, yes. Can't say more at this time 😉
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🗽EmiLEE in NYCEE🗽 @ree_emily
@BrittSiess Hello!In OGN pitch packet guides, I often see ppl suggest plot summaries be 1-3 pages. If you're pitching a 2 book series (duology?) should you still fit your summary in 1-3 pages?
This is up to you. I'd go with your gut. I can't speak for others, but I'd want to see a full synopsis for each book.
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🌸🌵Scotty🌵🌸 @ScottyComics
@BrittSiess Hi Britt, Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I'd like to ask what a good average of Sample pages would be for a pitch? And how important is it to have a story fully scripted as compared to just a rough synopsis and chapter breakdowns?Every agent/agency is different, so I can't speak for others. I'd like to see abut 10 sample pages. A full synopsis is vital for me. A full script isn't.