Ask Agent | MsWishList

· 18 Dec 2020

Ari Augustine @SouffleLumiere

@UweStenderPhD This is me being greedy with TWO questions:
1. What was the last book that made you laugh?
2. Do you read literary fiction or magical realism?

Replying to @SouffleLumiere

1. A Very Punchable Face
2. Literary Fiction, yes.

· 18 Dec 2020

The Scribbling Dragon 🐉 @ScribblingDrake

@UweStenderPhD If someone was working closely with an editor for a publishing house on a project (bunch of emails) and then they go silent after the latest R&R was sent, safe to assume they decided to pass?

Replying to @ScribblingDrake

Safe to assume, yes.

· 18 Dec 2020

Lauryn 🏳️‍🌈 @lauryngreen99

@UweStenderPhD @BiruktiWrites Do you think New Adult is an age range we’ll see establishing itself more in coming years or do you think the larger market will continue to split it purely as YA — Adult?

Replying to @lauryngreen99

I personally wish it were different, BUT publishing realities seem to split it.

· 18 Dec 2020

Anup 📝📚 SFF / SpecFic. @anuponthenet

@UweStenderPhD Is an 18 yo protag in contemporary make it YA or Adult segment? (can't lower the age, but maybe increase it to 19) Thanks.

Replying to @anuponthenet

18 to me is YA.

· 18 Dec 2020

Zan Safra @CharmQuark12

@UweStenderPhD Do you have an opinion on multiple POVs?

Replying to @CharmQuark12

Make sure they sound different enough to CLEARLY distinguish them from each other.

· 18 Dec 2020

Susana @susanakuehne

@UweStenderPhD Why did you decide to start your own literary agency?

Replying to @susanakuehne

Listen to this podcast. storybeat.net/uwe-stender/

· 9 Dec 2020

Karen ❄ @karenjoe93

@UweStenderPhD Hi Uwe, thank you for this. If I wanted to include a spider diagram in a chapter of my manuscript, format-wise, should I just describe what the diagram says in the manuscript or should I include a drawing in it? Or what should i do?

Replying to @karenjoe93

Draw it.

· 9 Dec 2020

🏳️‍🌈Plain, Simple, Birthday Skeptic🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳 @VScreaming

@UweStenderPhD @Michelle4Laughs Let's say an author sends you a query letter and you reject them.
Is there some rule saying they couldn't hit you up again 4-6 months later?

Replying to @VScreaming

No rule I'm aware of.

· 9 Dec 2020

Siobhan Mitchell @siobhanmitchell

@UweStenderPhD Pandemic mss are popular with agents/editors?

Replying to @siobhanmitchell

Not with me. But I cannot speak for others.

· 9 Dec 2020

Joe Kowalski @JoKo374

@UweStenderPhD Happy holidays!

What would get a query automatically rejected?

Replying to @JoKo374

Thank you. Grandiosity.

· 9 Dec 2020

Megan @meganthebookwrm

@UweStenderPhD What's the number 1 reason you pass on a query or a manuscript?

Replying to @meganthebookwrm

I am just not interested in the topic.

· 9 Dec 2020

Kim is sleigh-in' it. 🛷🎄 @KimTheKindaGood

@UweStenderPhD Thank you for hosting an askagent!

Hypothetically, if a book features a teenage (17-18yo) protagonist but the issues they face might be better suited for an adult audience, should the author query it as a YA or an adult novel?

Replying to @KimTheKindaGood

YA, THOUGH it really depends on the details/issues. Since I have not read it, take my advice with grains of salt, please.

· 9 Dec 2020

L. Dean @designerldean

@UweStenderPhD Can I do a graphic mg novel with only animals or should I have children in it as well? Thanks!!

Replying to @designerldean

I don't know. It depends how it turns out. Believe in your own project.

· 9 Dec 2020

Courtney Livingston @courtneylivin

@UweStenderPhD Do you instantly know when you will request a full after reading a query? Or do you have a pile of ‘maybe’ queries?

Replying to @courtneylivin

I instantly know.

· 9 Dec 2020

Kristin Paula @kristinpaula11

@UweStenderPhD If you’re writing a romantic drama (think Nicholas sparks type books) would you query agents that represent romance or just contemporary in general? I know romance requires a happily ever after that a romantic dramas does not have.

Replying to @kristinpaula11

I don't rep Nicholas Sparks kinda books, so I don't know, BUT I would try both, but only after careful research.

· 9 Dec 2020

Jessica Banks @jessicajbanks

@UweStenderPhD Do you think you’ll cycle back to being interested in YA Fantasy anytime soon?

Replying to @jessicajbanks

Yes, definitely.

· 9 Dec 2020

Jesi Wright @jesiwright

@UweStenderPhD How do you pick the illustrators or illustrations for the children’s and YA books?

Replying to @jesiwright

Unless my client is an author/illustrator, the publisher picks, with consultation with the author.

· 9 Dec 2020

Jen 💖💜💙 @Jen_D_Davenport

@UweStenderPhD Congratulations for all the celebratory reasons!!

Is there a place for polyamorous relationships with little to no on-screen sex in traditional publishing? Or are poly relationships better suited for self-pub?

Replying to @Jen_D_Davenport

Thank you! Of course there is. In fact my colleague Brent and I rep a nonfiction book by @DedekerWinston "The Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory" which was published in 2017. bookshop.org/books/the-smar…

· 9 Dec 2020

Debra Lynn Shelton 📚🎼🌈🌊 IG: dlsheltonwrites @debralynnlazar

@UweStenderPhD Are certain months better than others to query?

Replying to @debralynnlazar

Not really, BUT probably December 15 - January 2 are not an ideal time.

· 6 Dec 2020

#WritingCommunity, as a literary agent, I'm often asked what's the best #AskAgent advice I can give hopeful #writers looking to #GetPublished. It's this simple Japanese proverb.