Literary Agent
Isabelle ⵣ @WriterIsabelle
@UweStenderPhD How do you balance all the things you have to do in a day/week (reading, revisions, answering queries, talking to editors & submitting, etc.)? Do you have dedicated times for certain tasks or pick based on deadlines or what you feel like doing?Great question. Deadlines and "musts." Currently, I MUST do 1099s and taxes, so I am not reading anything. And I no longer read on vacations. So, if you have a manuscript with me, PLEASE be patient, because I am weeks behind.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Carol Nissenson @nissenson
@UweStenderPhD Perfect segue into my question. Do you find the current state of the nation (and the world) affects what you enjoy reading and/or the way you might react to a submission?For me, yes. I don't want virus or pandemic submissions. I LIVE it, I don't want to read about it. Sooo, give me escapism.
Literary Agent
TJ @jjexists
@UweStenderPhD Is it taboo to resubmit the same project to an agent if it has been substantially revised after 5-6 months?Taboo is a strong word. I can only speak for myself: if I didn't request an R&R, I am not interested.
Literary Agent
E R Hoffer (@🏠) @erhoffer
@UweStenderPhD How has the consolidation of publishing companies impacted your work, if at all? What does the trend imply for writers and agents in the future?So far so good for us.
I don't know. Essentially, I believe that people who think they can predict future outcomes are narcissistic and delusional, so I am not joining that group.
Literary Agent
Gina Denny @ginad129
@leonicka If an agent/agency says their response time is X weeks, but X week fell during the holiday fog at the end of December, should I allow more time? Or assume it's a No Response Means No? #askagentGreat question! Agents with a “no response means no” policy will state so clearly on their site. If they list a response but have missed it, they’re probably just swamped/dealing with all the 2020 nonsense. I recommend giving them a bit more time, then a polite nudge. #askagent
Literary Agent
Aleksander @alekpetitwrites
@Megan_Manzano If you’re a new writer and working on a series, how might the querying process be different than pitching a stand-alone work?If you're working on a series, I'd make sure the first book can stand on its own. Then while querying, you can mention it having series potential.
#askagent
Literary Agent
🛸 ALINA VEGA 🚀 @alinalasvegas
@Megan_Manzano what’s something in 2020 that brought you genuine joy?Selling my first book for sure! Also the amount of great books I read.
And getting a desk for a work from home setup.
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Literary Agent
Noreen @noreenlekhak
@Megan_Manzano Do I have to specify in my QL if I have Editor interest? #askagentYou can, especially if the editor interest came from a pitch contest.
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Literary Agent
Carol Nissenson @nissenson
@Megan_Manzano Did the events of the last year make you crave or turn you off to certain genres/subgenres?I think I've definitely been craving lighter, more adventure based stories especially in MG and rom-coms. But generally, I tend to like darker stuff regardless.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Lisa Orchard @lisaorchard1
@Megan_Manzano #askagent Is it okay to send a second query to agents if you've done major editing to a submission and dropped your word count significantly?Yes. Just mention you made major revisions to the story.
#askagent
Literary Agent
James Lloyd Dulin @JamesLDulin
@Megan_Manzano @EsmeSymesSmith How long into the new year should we wait to start querying? I don't want to get caught in the post holiday break backlog.I feel like there's no concrete answer to this. If an agent is open to queries, you're more than welcome to query. There will always be a bit of a wait regardless of the time of year.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Lindsay Rae @LindsayRaeWrit1
@Megan_Manzano Are you OK with being re-queried with a project if major revisions have been done? And possibly years have passed? 😅Yup! I'd just mention you did major revisions.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Patricia Whitney @pwhitslpd
@Megan_Manzano What grabs your attention in a query, besides an original story idea?Really clear and intriguing motivations/stakes for the characters involved. I love being interested just on the query alone what might happen.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Elva Hills @ElvaHills
@Megan_Manzano How should two unagented writers approach the querying process for a co-written project? Do the same rules apply, in your experience?Yup, same rules apply. You just mention both of you writing the project and if an agent likes you work, they'd rep both of you as a duo.
If you both wanted separate representation but wanted to work together, there are a bit of extra steps.
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Literary Agent
Kristen Tsetsi @ktsetsi
@Megan_Manzano How important is a Twitter following?Not super important. I think it's a useful tool and a great way to gain a community/keep up with the industry but it's okay to have a small following or not be super active.
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Literary Agent
C. A Crisóstomo aka Caro (she/her) 🇧🇷🏳️🌈 @CACrisostomo5
@Megan_Manzano What is the key point in a query letter in your opinion? I've heard a personalised intro can help but agents have different opinions xxI like personalization but it's okay to just get right to it.
I think the stakes of your story are so vital and all of your metadata.
#askagent
Literary Agent
Ez ~ #GiftWINGS @EsmeSymesSmith
@Megan_Manzano What was your BEST read of 2020?Felix Ever After or The House in the Cerulean Sea but honestly I have a list 😂
#askagent
Literary Agent
Abby Rose @TheGAofAbby
@CortneyRadocaj #askagent my WIP is about a protagonist with c-ptsd. I have c-ptsd as well as other disabilities. Do I mention that I have c-ptsd in a query so an agent knows I’m not just writing about it to have my character be “unique” or whatever? It’s deeply personal to methat's up to you! you're not required by any means to disclose anything you're not comfortable with, but you absolutely can if you want to. i wouldn't spend too much time on it--maybe a sentence.
if you don't, it'll likely be something that's talked about on an offer call!