Unclear or absent stakes for the protagonist. Even the most literary, character-driven novel is meant to capture a pivotal moment. If I can’t parse the “something will change or else” of the book from the query I have to pass. #askagent #querytip

Writers are often looking for the maximum number of agents to pitch to but in my session on queries I posit that this is an incorrect approach. You want to look for the most QUALIFIED agents to pitch to. #askagent

If an agent doesn’t have a history in a genre but WANTS to get into it, they’re usually explicit about it. So their history + wishlist is a reliable representation of their taste and expertise. #askagent #querytip

Great unique Q! no rule but I’d avoid this. It’s not rude but your email wouldn’t be high priority so it may not get answered. Instead, try to get that info from their client list and sales history. #askagent #protip

GREAT QUESTION! Answer is NO! Especially in the internet age it doesn’t matter where your agent lives only that they have the necessary expertise to sell in the territory you want your book to be published. #askagent #publishingtips

I’m doing a pop up Q&A on IG stories this afternoon.

Enter your Q here: instagram.com/stories/carlyw…

#askagent

Love tropes! They exist & endure because they work! Endlessly interesting ways to tap into, explore, subvert tropes from a marginalized pov. Publishing is too quick to declare a genre "dead-dead" when we've only pushed out one (read: white/euro/straight/cis) version #askdvpit

You can show off personality here, writing credentials, awards, the like! Don’t go too lengthy, but it’s our way to see you as a person apart from just the author #askDVpit

You’ll want to be on the same page w/them so they can continue to foster your career! I wouldn’t reach too far with 6 genres all in a year, but establish yourself in 1-2 areas and then grow as an author and your readership and branch out as you do! Pacing is everything #askDVpit

No tropes are dead to marginalized folks. 👏🏾Period👏🏾 None. Do them all. #askDVPit

Not tied to only fantasy—I’m tired of stories of white ppl in foreign lands being surprised, shooketh, idk about this place/culture that isn’t there’s. Lol I don’t care about their thoughts or discomfort in this situation…🤷🏾‍♀️ #askDVpit

I don’t think it’s tacky at all. Just be mindful that you aren’t turning that revision over in a week. Spend time on it, really reflect on it, and allow for the agent to have some distance to and get excited #askDVpit

Everyone should create a website! I mean, do you absolutely need one before you get an agent? Not necessarily. But it does help give people a sense of your identity, work you can showcase, experiences, aesthetics etc. but they are massively important when you get a deal #askDVpit

I have found that adult fantasy really is shifting. I’m once again going to tag team my favorite human to help me a bit here @NaomisLitPix #askDVpit

I would say it sort of depends because one agent could read immediately and then speed the process along for all of us, but also we all are trying to read and do justice by each other so our speed could be normal compared to a regular full request! #askDVpit

I M guessing this is for PB would stick to 1-3 others that fit their wishlist and are relevant. See what grabbed their attention with the first and show off a little range, but don’t overwhelm #askDVpit

Adding on, it's good to have market awareness of a trend. Identify the most prevalent iteration of that trend and distinguish your pitch from it. If XYZ is booming, here's how your book taps into that proven market *and* here's what'll make it transcend any one moment #askdvpit

That you aren’t caring enough about your own genre/demographic to research & know current work. Twilight, Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games are all great books, but dated and not representative the same now. I highly recommend finding comps from being doing the work NOW #askDVPit

It really depends on the medium. For example in GN, middle grade and YA contemporary and memoir has been hot for YEARS and will continue to be popular for many more. It’s almost evergreen. Other genres have some successes but are less stable—but this will change soon! #askDVpit

Personally, not for me. I love when writers allow readers to explore worlds, myths, and lore that aren’t as well known. I think it’s beautifully refreshing! I actually search hard for them! #askDVpit