Literary Agent
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Bonnie Maisen is brainstorming @BonnieMaisen
@UweStenderPhD @Michelle4Laughs 1. What are the qualities of a good hook?2. If a writer has no writing credits, how much information is useful in the bio section of a query?
1. Essentially, it's personal. I may get hooked on something, and another agent won't. Some people like Taylor Swift's music, I prefer Rihanna's.
2. Just say something general about you <i.e. I live in xyz with my pets.. >
Literary Agent
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RealCRich @RealCRich
@UweStenderPhD How would agents receive ensemble casts? Collection of short stories but written as a novel?I personally would find the odds against it high. I would only rep current clients for those, as publishers generally don't seem to want to buy such projects. YET, there may be agents who would disagree with me and love just THAT.
Literary Agent
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Michelle Renee Stimpson @Stimpy8
@UweStenderPhD When providing comp titles in a query, I imagine the more recent m, the better, but what's the cut-off? When is a comp title too outdated?I don't know, it depends on the project. I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as the comps are still relevant.
Literary Agent
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Kate Nash @katenashagent
7 questions to #AskAgent before you sign a representation agreement:1. Are client monies kept in a separate bank account?
2. Will the agency pass on royalties promptly?
3. Does the agency have adequate professional insurance?
4. Are there any conflicts of interest?
1/2
5. Does the agency commit to keeping my confidential affairs confidential?
6. Does the agency commit to keeping me apprised of relevant information and offers received?
7. What happens if my agent dies / retires / disappears? How am I protected?
2/2
Literary Agent
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Lauren Spieller @laurenspieller
Ok, I've received 150 queries in the last 48 hrs. Here are 3 things I've noticed:--word counts that aren't in line w/ category/genre (read: too short or too long).
--tiny email font that is difficult to read
--lots of dragon books.
If you have any Qs, ask away!
I have answered a ton of questions in the replies—check it out! #askagent
Literary Agent
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I have a Monday Instagram series called “Monday stories” where I tackle popular questions. Today’s is “why don’t agents give feedback?”
To view the rest go to my “highlights”! #askagent instagram.com/stories/carlyw…
Literary Agent
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For anyone that attended the Querying 101 webinar last night: here’s the rest of the Q&A over on IG stories...
#askagent instagram.com/stories/carlyw…
Literary Agent
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Lily Mehallick she/her @LilyMehallick
@UweStenderPhD Oh no sorry to hear that! My question is if a book with Greek mythology (a Medusa retelling) is a hard sell right now?At Triada, we just sold one. Don't believe in generalizations, though some publishing *Gods* seem to know better. <unrelated reference >
Literary Agent
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Sarah Kaake @SarahEKaake
@UweStenderPhD @AnnDevon1 Glad you’re okay! I’ve gotten stuck a few times in the winter—no fun!My question:
If it’s been a few years since querying an agent and receiving a rejection, and since that time you’ve edited and revised the story quite a bit, is it okay to query again?
I would say: sure.
Literary Agent
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Diane Nichols @DNicholsAuthor
@UweStenderPhD @RobertPolk2 I wish I could share my Florida palm trees with you! How important are prior sales if an author has books traditionally published? Would you reject a good story if a previous book did just meh?Maybe, but that's what pen names may be for.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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🦭 Sarah Nour 🦕 @SaCha1689
@UweStenderPhD Do you need to have a specialized genre pinned down before querying?I write YA, children's books, and adult fiction. My genres range from realism to magical realism to fantasy. Should I pin it down or find me an agent who can do all of those?
Query the book you love the most and go from there.
Literary Agent
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Dr Brooklyn Stinson 🚀📚💻 @abandonedladder
@UweStenderPhD Oh my. So glad you’re okay.But, I’ll also take advantage of the largesse: what do you prefer to see in the way of comp titles? A certain number/format? Or is it one of those situations that changes with each submission?
It changes. I like 2 or 3. Could be books or film/TV for me.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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Tash -wannabe author- Broom @writtenonthepag
@UweStenderPhD Is there such a thing as "too unique" of a plot?Hmmm...it sounds a bit pretentious, as pretty much everything and anything has been done before, but maybe, unlikely, not.
Literary Agent
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Brekke El 👩🏻🎤🌈🧘🏼♀️ @BrekkeWrites
@UweStenderPhD Yiiikes! I am glad that you’re okay!As a PhD yourself, what advice would you give an academic who’s interested in writing commercially (both nonfiction and fiction)?
This is for my professor spouse! I didn’t have the attention span for anything last my masters! #askanagent
This is not going to sound helpful, but: write a strong commercial book. Don't fall victim to the pretension of academia, ie Derrida and Foucault blabla.
Literary Agent
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Loretta Chefchaouni is a hopeful ball of anxiety! @Writerly_me
@UweStenderPhD What do you new trends do you see becoming popular in YA, currently or near future?I am the wrong person to ask, as I don't, and never have, followed trends. Write the book of your heart, and you will be fine.
Literary Agent
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Ming @Mingshuwrites
@UweStenderPhD 1. Hope you’re okay! But glad you were able to shovel it out!2. Accidentally wrote a YA high fantasy which I know is a hard sell right now. Keep querying? Trying writing something new? (And shelf book for when YA high fantasy opens up a little more?) Do both? 😂
1. Thank you.
2. Keep querying, & also write more. Don't listen to detractors,write what you feel compelled to write. In 2009 publishing "experts" claimed "print books are dead." Gutenberg won. Those who claim to KNOW the market are fools. They don't. There're always exceptions.
Literary Agent
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Madeleine Richey @Madeleine_jo
@UweStenderPhD Do you like trigger warnings in queries? If so, where in the query do you recommend including them?It makes me no nevermind, as my grandma used to say, but in German.
Literary Agent
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Susan Burdorf @sburdorf
@UweStenderPhD #askagent How much research (if any) do you do on authors before signing them once you have decided you like their work?I used to do none, but after some bad experiences, the necessary ones.