Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Michelle Henrie @MichelleHenrie

@AnneTibbets Great advice! Also, would you recommend slipping in information about a New York Times best-selling author who has offered to write a recommendation or wait until I have an offer?
Replying to @MichelleHenrie

You can slip that in, but honestly, as an agent, I wouldn't believe it until I saw the actual recommendation.
Sadly, the liars have jaded me.
But, it may hold more weight with a different agent.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Lee Greenaway @leegwrites

@AnneTibbets If a novel rides the YA/Adult line, should the writer use ‘YA with crossover potential’? Rewrite to suit one or the other, or dare I say it, NA?
Replying to @leegwrites

Sadly, NA has a bad rep so I wouldn't pitch it as that unless the agent is looking for NA.
Yes, "YA with crossover appeal" is my vote.
Harder to place YA in adult, than YA cross in YA, but there have been some exceptions lately, esp in Fantasy, so this might be evolving.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

H.W. Johnston @hwjohnston7

@AnneTibbets Are a majority of agents editorial agents?
If an agented author has a tough day job can extensions be made to a deadline?
#askagent
Replying to @hwjohnston7

I don't know if the majority of agents are editorial, but I'm going to say the majority of agents I know are, yes.
And yes, extensions can be made. Best to ask for more time upfront, honestly, so it doesn't mess up a publisher's production schedule.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Michelle Henrie @MichelleHenrie

@AnneTibbets If you're still looking for questions, I'd love to know an agent's thoughts on jumping genres.
I write fantasy, but since a contemporary romcom has percolated in my brain, that's what I'm doing right now.
Replying to @MichelleHenrie

As a writer I jumped genres (and even categories), and my agents pitched it all. So, just be sure when you query to look for an agent who reps widely, and if they offer, be sure to ask them how THEY feel about it. Better that than signing and springing it on them.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

DawsonEmerich @DawsonEmerich

@AnneTibbets How do agents balance work reading and pleasure reading?
Replying to @DawsonEmerich

In my case, very poorly. I used to read about a half dozen books a year, but now, I'm like MAYBE 3.
I love and admire all agents who manage to read more. They're a necessary part of the job, as palate cleansers and a temperature of the market.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

KimVampyVampDrinksBloodInTheCorner @Natkim17052342

@AnneTibbets Is it true that YA sci fi is a hard sell?
Replying to @Natkim17052342

I have opinions on this, but I always hesitate to say them for fear people will take it as prophecy or the ultimate truth...but, in my ever so humble opinion, dystopia and paranormal are due for a comeback. YA space opera isn't impossible, just in less demand at this time.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Lily Mehallick @LilyMehallick

@AnneTibbets Thanks for doing this! I’m getting the impression that not many agents will be taking a look at pitmad pitches tomorrow. Thoughts?
Replying to @LilyMehallick

I know several agents who will be there! I'm going to be checking them too. Pitmad is never a waste of time, but also, querying works just as well.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Maya Keita @MayaKeita4

@AnneTibbets What would you need to see in a query for a series (1-3 books). Would I just pitch the first book and pray that catches your attention or would you need more?
Replying to @MayaKeita4

Pitch the first book and mention in the query it's intended as a first in a series. Have book 2 and 3 pitches on standby. If the agent loves the first book, they're likely to ask what you have planned for the rest.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

CJ Dotson @cj_dots

@AnneTibbets Is there a general preference among agents to represent an author who writes in several genres, or an author who focuses on one genre, or not really a common preference either way?
Replying to @cj_dots

I think this depends on the agent. It's certainly EASIER to shop a writer w/n the same genre, but I think a writer has to be open to other genres if they can't land a deal in that one. I write in several genres and my agents have been flexible. I would hope most agents are too.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

E. J. Dawson @ejdawsonauthor

@AnneTibbets Query letter; pitch first or details?
Replying to @ejdawsonauthor

I'm on Query Manager, so it doesn't pertain to me, but I'd say details first, pitch second. I don't think it's a deal breaker either way though

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

Yveline Garnier @YvelineGarnier

@AnneTibbets What do you look for in a query? (Aside from the usual)
Replying to @YvelineGarnier

I might be one of the few agents who doesn't put a whole lot of stock in queries. The sample pages are more important to me. Off the cuff I'd say professionalism, an ability to follow direction, and a brief explanation as to why they queried me specifically. Aside from the usual.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips

AND MORE @BamaWriter

@AnneTibbets if i have an indie publisher offering a contract, what's the best way to approach an agent in that situation?
Replying to @BamaWriter

Query them and maybe put "Offer of Publication" someplace in the subject line? Send the query, sample pages, and let them know you've had an offer and are looking for an agent to either a) negotiate this one deal and that's it, or b) negotiate the deal and sign you.

Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Anne Tibbets
@AnneTibbets
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @MaassLitAgency . Author. SCREAMS FROM THE VOID out now. Opinions & sarcasm my own.
43 MSWL
127 AskAgent
5 Tips
Laura Zats
@LZats
Literary Agent
Founder & Agent @HeadwaterLit . Host of the award-winning @printrunpodcast . Publishers Weekly industry MVP. She/her & Ms/Mx. Open to queries!
213 MSWL
176 AskAgent
3124 Queries
162 Tips
Laura Zats
@LZats
Literary Agent
Founder & Agent @HeadwaterLit . Host of the award-winning @printrunpodcast . Publishers Weekly industry MVP. She/her & Ms/Mx. Open to queries!
213 MSWL
176 AskAgent
3124 Queries
162 Tips

Lynn Lovegreen @lynnlovegreen

@LZats Thanks for offering! I have been working on a book that is upper MG or younger YA. Any thoughts about the difference between those categories? #askagent
Replying to @lynnlovegreen

Well in publishing distinction is mostly sales—market-wise MG is a bit more open, but the difference is relatively slight. Academically, MG is about finding a place w/in immediate social structures and YA is about finding it in a community #askprintrun

Mark Gottlieb
@Mark_Gottlieb
Literary Agent
Mark Gottlieb is a literary agent at the Trident Media Group literary agency in New York City. #tridentmediagroup @Trident_Media
30 MSWL
39 AskAgent
8 Tips

#AskAgent advice? Get ready to be surprised. Just when you think the rules apply to book publishing, they don’t. I’ve seen many authors subvert the rule of thumb that a difficult freshman publication, will inevitably make for a difficult sophomore publication. #writingcommmunity