I think all agents do. Sush pile = queries from people without a referral — so the majority of cases. And yes, absolutely! I've signed several authors from the slush pile. #askPSLA

Self-editing is the first step, in my opinion. Take a break from the work and come at it with fresh eyes (this might mean weeks or longer!). Explore free options like beta readers and writing groups--other writers who are also looking for another opinion. #askPSLA

I like it when a writer has more than one book in them, whether polished now (great!) or to be written in the future. As an agent, it's my intention to sign an author for the duration of their career—and I hope it'll be a long one! 🥰 #askPSLA

I like a little bit of personal. Especially love it if you tell me about your fur babies, just saying ❤️
#askPSLA

If you can, find writer groups or beta readers who will swap works with you--Twitter can be a great resource. If you are editing solo, take a significant break and come back to the work with fresh eyes! #askPSLA

WHITE IVY by Susie Yang and CONFIDENT WOMEN by Tori Telfer — please see my pinned tweet for more! #askPSLA

For me personally, if it is well-paced (the author knows how much to write and when to stop); if it is incisive; if the voices/characters are interesting/engrossing. #askPSLA

100% yes! #askPSLA

Yes, but only if the query is for a genre I don't represent OR if there's a serious red flag (e.g. offensive or rude etc.). #askPSLA

I assume all manuscripts have gone through developmental editing — it's an important step to get a work ready for submission. (Sadly, the ones who have not stand out in a bad way.) If you used an editor, then it might be worth mentioning that editor's name. #askPSLA

The writing. The writing. The writing. 😍 #askPSLA

A few ways an agent could help include negotiating the contract, offering a big-picture vision of your career vis-à-vis the industry, and selling your rights to work in other territories and formats. #askPSLA

This is a tough one! If the manuscript reads like a first draft--of course, the occasional typo/grammar hiccup is to be expected. #askPSLA

Speaking for myself, yes! 🥰 #askPSLA

If I love the writing style, I'd have an honest conversation with the writer and, if they agreed, I'd suggest working on something new together and then saving that other work for later. Full disclosure: the quality of the writing would have to be EXCEPTIONAL. #askPSLA

No (with very few exceptions). Agents do welcome NEW work from self-published authors. #askPSLA

Yes, if there's an average. And if there's not (perhaps because it does vary SO much), then explain that. ☺️ The important part is to address the length. #askPSLA

We do! Here are our submission guidelines. And yes, I've found a number of my creators in the slush pile. 😁

psliterary.com/submissions/

#askPSLA

For me, usually 2 – 5 rounds of edits. It does depend on the category, genre, whether this is the writer's first work or not, etc.

In terms of time, it depends on the writer's availability more than anything. #askPSLA

I love this question! Read these two, not recently, but would love to see Andrea Bartz's The Herd and Wicked + Divine (but YA or MG) comped. Or Can't Even by Anne Helen Petersen, too. #askPSLA