Literary Agent
Alex Hawley @HawleyReviews
Several writers write under a number of different pen names depending on what genre they're in. Does this make it easier or harder for the agent. #askagentIt can be encouraged, so that fans of you (for example) romance writing don't have a shock by accidentally picking up some of your science fiction. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Hazel Compton @HJCompton
What is the one thing authors can do to help you when reading their queries, or something you wish more authors did when submitting? (I.e. name their attachments clearly) #AskAgentClear labelling is always brilliant, as is a neat subject heading (makes searching so much easier). As long as the submissions guidlelines have been read and followed, we're happy! #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jennie Godfrey @PrincessJen70
What are the sorts of questions you might ask a writer before signing them? #askagentWhat are you looking for from representation is the key one. This is check that what the author wants, we're the right agency to deliver this for them. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Emma Prunty @emprunty
@RobbieGuillory @katenashagent @keithapearson What would be the average word count for memoir? Are you averse or friendly to the term flash memoir? #AskAgentThis is the first time I have heard the term "flash memoir". If it means super short memoir, then no, I am looking for book length memoir only. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Alex Wholey @alex_wholey
What would be your ideal elevator pitch for a submission? Also can you mention books or tv series which are similar in the pitch? #AskAgentRead/watchalikes can be really useful! I like to be able to see what the main conflict of the book is in an elevator pitch. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
JI Ackroyd @jiackroyd
Have you rejected a submission based on word count alone, or has the ‘voice’ given you reassurance that the novel could either be bulked up or edited down by the author? #AskAgentNot worried about word count per se. The question is rather, is the word count right for the story? #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Alex Hawley @HawleyReviews
If you start in one genre such as memoir like I'm doing, then move to crime, which is what I hope to do, would I need a new agent? #askagentProbably not, though some agents do specialise in nonfiction. It is always a good idea to be upfront with any propective agents as to what you want to do with your writing career. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Hazel Compton @HJCompton
What is the one thing authors can do to help you when reading their queries, or something you wish more authors did when submitting? (I.e. name their attachments clearly) #AskAgent1. Personal preference but keep your submissions letter short. A couple of paragraphs is fine.
2. Include your phone number.
#AskAgent
Literary Agent
Jessie Atkinson @jessieatkinsonx
Hi! An agent has asked for my full manuscript. What kind of timeline could I be looking at for a reply?Is asking about what else you hope to write in the future along with the request a positive sign or standard?
Thanks x #AskAgent
Congratulations! I'd say three months is the time to wait before politely nudging.
#AskAgent
Literary Agent
Joyce Butler @JoyceBWriter
@katenashagent Hi Kate, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm currently just submitting to Literary Agents. Is there any you could possibly recommend? And should I include in the covering letter that I'm seeking an Agent who can shape my book for the market?Its been edited professional twice.
The members directory of the Association of Authors' Agents is a brilliant place to start researching different agents and finding the one that would be best for you.
agentsassoc.co.uk/members-direct…
#AskAgent
Literary Agent
Alex Hawley @HawleyReviews
As a fan of crime fiction who is intending to write crime fiction in the future, what would be the panel's best advice on how to come to the possibility of writing cross genre and how to decide where to pitch yourself in such a large field of fiction. #AskAgentThe benefit you have in crime is that it is a wide genre but one with lots of well defined niches. Be clear where in the market your story would sit re other authors / sub genres. @CrimeReaders has lots of info. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
C S Chamberlain @CS_Chamberlain
@KNLitAgency @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory @JustinNashLit @NickChapLit #AskAgent thanks for the opportunity! My Q: Is it worth re-subbing to agents you subbed to before you realised your query docs could be hugely improved, or is that a burned bridge now? 😆(a.k.a. how much do the query docs matter if the MS is strong?) TIA!You shouldn't really submit the same book to the same agency more than once. We receive so many submissions that we would be overwhelmed otherwise. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Katie Ginger @KatieGAuthor
@katenashagent My question is, what's the best way for a more established author to approach an agent?Should we have a new book ready, or would you be up for a chat if we're contracted to a publisher but looking for an agent moving forwards?
#askagent
Hi Katie, we'd always be up for a chat. Your publishing history is enough to show us that you can write, and we can talk about how best we can support that in the future. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Katy M @nightspunwriter
@KNLitAgency @CS_Chamberlain @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory @JustinNashLit @NickChapLit #AskAgent thanks for this opportunity! I'd like to ask how you weigh an exciting concept vs a polished MS. Is it worth querying a book that may sell in the current market even if it's not quite perfect?A great concept AND quality writing is needed. A polished manuscript is always nice but it's the writing - storytelling ability and voice - that really matters. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Emma Prunty @emprunty
@RobbieGuillory @katenashagent @keithapearson What would be the average word count for memoir? Are you averse or friendly to the term flash memoir? #AskAgentWe don't represent any flash writing, fiction or non- I'm afraid. I'd say that a memoir needs to be at least 70k words, though it really does depend on the story being told. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Hattie Clarke @HattieLC
#askagent Are you interested in historical fiction at the moment? If so, are there particular time periods or themes you'd like to see in your submissions?I love all periods of history and novels that allow you to mentally time travel. WW2 is always popular, plus anything that brings back to life through great characters the past in all its exotic splendour! My original muse was the medieval and agent worlds. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Katy M @nightspunwriter
@KNLitAgency @CS_Chamberlain @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory @JustinNashLit @NickChapLit #AskAgent thanks for this opportunity! I'd like to ask how you weigh an exciting concept vs a polished MS. Is it worth querying a book that may sell in the current market even if it's not quite perfect?For me, as long as the writing is really good and I can see a market for it, that can be enough. We can work with you to get the plot/ms in shape for submission. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Danielle Devlin @snoochems
@KNLitAgency @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory @JustinNashLit @NickChapLit Hi all, thanks so much for this. I’m part of a mentorship with an editor at the moment and have been advised to start thinking of agents to submit to, would it put agents off that I’ve already been through a mentorship with the MS I’m submitting? #askagentI would think most agents would be positive at the demonstrable effort you are showing at shaping your writing so do mention this in your cover email. #AskAgent
Literary Agent
Danielle Devlin @snoochems
@KNLitAgency @katenashagent @RobbieGuillory @JustinNashLit @NickChapLit Hi all, thanks so much for this. I’m part of a mentorship with an editor at the moment and have been advised to start thinking of agents to submit to, would it put agents off that I’ve already been through a mentorship with the MS I’m submitting? #askagentAbsolutely not! Being able to have some editorial input before you start submitting is a lovely thing to have, and we wouldn't penalise you for it. #AskAgent