#AskAPL Due to limited bandwidth, certainly agents will take on fewer clients as their list grows - or as their list is comprised of very prolific clients who need more consistent attention.

#AskAPL There are more fairly standard word count ranges in other categories. Lit fiction is a bit more flexible.

#askAPL I'm sorry you've had that experience. It's true that writers from other countries may have a harder time finding an agent because the market for literature from other parts of the world is smaller. But there is growing interest so keep trying!

Writing: Not taking time to edit & polish before submitting.
Approach: Not getting it's a business & starting off w/ "I've been writing since I could hold a crayon" or "I've retired from 40 years in accounting and decided to write a book." Neither will help an agent sell. #AskAPL

#askAPL 1 common mistake is querying before the project is ready. The other is not carefully researching each agent before querying them. Honor yourself and your work and take your time!

I like to see character and what happens, along with word count and comp titles. You don't need to (and shouldn't) "advocate" for your novel. It's not up to you to review it. #AskAPL

#askAPL YA is definitely more open to books set in foreign locations, and if you have a young protagonist that might be a good decision, but like @firerooster said it will be tough if you're not Algerian.

I'm personally fond of that word count and I don't think there is any bias in the category of literary fiction toward longer books. #AskAPL

#askAPL They really are the hardest thing to write! Rather than trying to advocate, try to summarize the plot in a line or two and then focus on the themes and spend time finding the perfect comps, to let the agent know where on the bookshelf the book would fit.

#askAPL That's a perfect word count! Publishers are very interested in shorter books these days, so the lengthy would be considered a benefit.

#AskAPL I am not the #YA expert but believe that like much of publishing there would be a hunger in that category for #OwnVoices. If you are not Algerian it could be tough.

#askAPL Agents usually prefer the first pages of the book but you may want to skip the prologue and send the actual beginning and explain why in your cover letter.

#AskAPL This will depend on *how* similar and in what way. It can also depend on which publisher bought the book. Generally though it would be hard to place a nearly identical plot.

#askAPL You should mention it if it is relevant to the project you're working on. Having experience with a particular culture or identity that you're writing about provides credibility.

#askapl Unfortunately the writer who gets there first probably has the advantage. If you're in the early stages might be worth pivoting to change some elements of your story, or use a different perspective.

Definitely be familiar with the books of the place you’re applying at. You have to make it clear you want to work there and not anywhere else (even though we all know you’re applying lots of places!) #askAPL

Try to stay positive! But also take it as an opportunity to review what’s going on. No requests for fulls? Maybe you need to tweak your query letter. Listen to the feedback and revise your project as necessary. And keep writing other things. It could just be timing #askAPL

Depends! We usually discuss potential projects & others offer their opinion. We’re collaborative & I value my colleagues’ input but ultimately the agent offering is the one to decide. (This could be different if the agent is starting out & others might do it differently) #askAPL

The mini people in my life are adorable and wonderful but so demanding!! I really want to open again soon, hopefully next month. I’ll announce it on here! I’m hungry to read something new and exciting #askAPL

Read widely in the genre you’re writing! Be patient, play the long game, and try not to take rejection personally. I love working with writers who have lots of book ideas. I like knowing I’m investing in the writer, not just one project #askAPL