Literary Agent
Cass Andres @CassTrous
@FlanneryLitera1 Do “unconventional” (i.e. not what writing books recommend on ‘how to query’) query letters interest you or make you roll your eyes?Unconventional could be a lot of things. If the unconventional query has a hook, stakes, and character(s) - I'd be fine with it. What does make me roll my eyes are queries that ignore submission guidelines. Always follow submission guidelines for each agent.
Literary Agent
Kathryn Faye @KathrynFaye007
@FlanneryLitera1 I've recently heard that there's a "Maybe " pile in literary agents' emails. What exactly is that and what's reserved in it? Why not just request a partial of an agent is slightly curious?I don't have a maybe pile. I may sit and think about a query/submission pages but ultimately, for me it will either be a pass or request for full MS.
Literary Agent
Leslie Lee Sanders @LeslieLSanders
@FlanneryLitera1 Do you consider yourself an editorial agent? What are your thoughts on agents who are hands-on (or not) with their clients through the revision process?I can only speak for myself. I like to be collaborative in my editing style. Bouncing ideas back and forth. I also like to help develop ideas.
Literary Agent
Melissa Jenson @MelissaSDavies
@FlanneryLitera1 Are any of the following worth mentioning in a query:--you are interested in working with an illustrator for your novel (not PB),
--you know an illustrator whose work you like and who is interested
--you have an inkling of an idea for a sequel, but wrote as a stand-alone.
Unless you're an author/illustrator or an author/illustrator team - the publisher will pick the illustrator. You can mention you have a sequel/series planned.
Literary Agent
Sara Kruger @sarakruger
@FlanneryLitera1 I have no publishing credits. And I've been told to leave out family and geography info from my pb query bio. What should I include?I like bios near the end of the query. For me, I like to see education/experience that's related, if none, that's ok. I like the "When I'm not writing, you'll find me X, Y, and Z." If you're a member of any writing organizations or critique groups. Bios help us get to know you
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Jennifer Mattern 📝 @JEngelMattern
@FlanneryLitera1 If I get zero response from an agent at an “a NO from one is a no from all” agency that also promises to respond to every query, what can I do? I already nudged and it’s been a really long time. Chance blown?I would follow-up again and see if you get a response. The agent could just be behind for whatever reason. If you still get no response & choose to query another agent just be transparent that you queried the other agent but never received a response after X number of weeks.
Literary Agent
Jana Mattern @MatternJana
@FlanneryLitera1 If an author queried you multiple times, and you rejected some manuscripts before signing with them, would you ever consider looking at those rejected manuscripts again in the future to see if they could go on sub?Depends on a few things - are the MS something I represent or feel I can represent well. For example, I'm not the agent for poetry because I don't have that background and wouldn't be a service to that author. Have the MS undergone a rewrite since I last read them?
Literary Agent
Mary Malhotra @MCMalhotra
@FlanneryLitera1 I have a PB ms that doesn’t have a conflict but explores traditions and evokes the mood of the celebration of a less-common holiday in the US. Do you see conflict-less books fitting into the PB market?Without seeing the MS - if it's a NF about the holiday that should be ok. If not NF, there should be plot, stakes, character development, even if it's quiet.
Literary Agent
Amy M. Miller @AmyMMiller1
@FlanneryLitera1 Without a subscription to Publisher’s Marketplace, where can writers learn more about agents’ sales?Some agents are private about sales and some aren't. You can check their social media, website, Google their name, and if they offer representation - ask them.
Literary Agent
Phil Gross @PhilGrossVoice
@FlanneryLitera1 @Abrushwithhumor Out of the PB/MG/YA queries you receive, what are the portions? i.e., 60% MG, 20% YA, 20% PB.Followup - which would you like to receive MORE of?
I don't know the exact percentage breakdown, but my best guess is more PB than YA and MG. I'm not looking for one in particular. I'm looking for writing that gives me feels, an authentic voice, and a hook that makes me want to keep reading, weather it's a PB, MG, or YA.
Literary Agent
Robin Wiesneth - Author/Artist #PB #MG 🚀 @Abrushwithhumor
@FlanneryLitera1 If I have three great PB manuscripts, can I pitch them in the same query?My opinion is it's better to pitch them with separate queries. Also, check each agent's submission guidelines to make sure they allow multiple submissions.
Literary Agent
G’morning! I’m doing a day in the life and an #askagent on my IG. Y’all should really follow me over there @/leonicka_
Literary Agent
K.A. Blaser @KABlaser
@UweStenderPhD When an agent requests a full, how often do you think they read the whole thing? Is that less common?I can't speak for others. I personally will read as long as I love what I am reading.
Literary Agent
Paige Wyatt @Paigeotto
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing this! How has COVID impacted publishers purchasing novels and agents signing new clients? I know this is a huge question but just wanted to know what the general trends might be.It has not affected me at all. But I can't speak for all of publishing.
Literary Agent
WBWrites @WbWrites
@UweStenderPhD Do you have any tips for writing a good query letter? I struggle quite a bit with that particular format.Google that, then distill from all the findings what works best for YOU and YOUR project.
Literary Agent
Shanice | Wakanda Forever @twixsftbl
@UweStenderPhD I have an idea for a new book that I’ve written down. It seems adult or NA but idk yet. But I feel very rooted in the YA world rn. How do I as a writer transition to writing for adults (when I’m ready)? Adult genre writing reads very very different to YA to meIf you want it to sell, then sadly it needs to feature characters who are 30 or older, because most publishers will claim that under 30 books won't sell, unless they are YA. Exceptions prove the rule.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Luther Whiting-Collins @lutherwrites
@UweStenderPhD Do you see room for a 14-year-old MC in YA, or is that too close to the upper MG threshold? Also, how mandatory is it that a YA MC be in high school? For example, the MC in my WIP is an older 8th grader who’s 14. I realize that’s probably odd.I'd prefer 15 or older, but look at #Teamtriada's @reckj's debut novel...
Literary Agent
Sajan Prabhakar @hinduskakid
@UweStenderPhD Thanks for doing this! What separates a near offer of rep from an offer of rep in your opinion?If I LOVE LOVE LOVE a book, I will offer. If I just love it, I won't. I need the addictive feel.