Literary Agent
View Post
We’ve done a whole blog post on optimal lengths for manuscripts for different ages. Check out our blog for that and other interesting writerly posts… skylark-literary.com/blog #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
For your reading pleasure, writers: justice.gov/opa/press-rele…
#askagent #publishingtips
Literary Agent
View Post
Shannon Renee @WritingElements
@laurenspieller Is voice more important to you than the MS when offering representation? Or do you sign someone based on the MS they’re querying? Have you ever fallen in love with someone’s style and storytelling, but not the MS, I guess is what I’m asking. And if so, what would happen?Voice is crucial, but it’s not enough for the writing to be good. The whole thing needs to be great. After all, I pay my bills by selling books. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙊𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙢𝙪 @cross_radical
@laurenspieller What’s the most common reason you turn down a manuscript after making a full request?Honestly, just not loving it enough. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Ashlee MacCallum @_ashleedani
@laurenspieller What’s the best way to nudge an agent without seeming rude? Or is it pretty common practice and acceptable?As long as you write a polite email, there’s no need to worry about nudging. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Annie 🦻🏻chillin like villain 🔪👀😱 @AnnieSoulFire
@laurenspieller Could hard of hearing or deaf characters be on your wishlist? What is your top most wanted on your wishlist for the end of the year? #askagentYes please! I’d love to see more of those stories! #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Susan Burdorf says buy Parting the Veil @sburdorf
@laurenspieller Do you feel the COVID adjustments like greater reliance on ZOOM or DISCORD or platforms like those have created a disconnect between people in the industry or enhanced those connectionsI think it’s changed things and shone a light on the problems in the industry, and that has made some people feel disconnected. Personally I feel almost TOO connected now, bc there’s no line between work and home. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Amanda Spell @StonesofMoss
@laurenspieller How do you feel about flashbacks written into a story? Have you ever seen it done well without messing up the pacing? #AskAgentIt can work, but it’s tricky. Can’t think of good examples off the top of my head. Can anyone else? #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Kristina Woods ✨🍁 @WKristinaM
@laurenspieller Do you see sports romance making a comeback with the Ted Lasso success?It’s not really my thing so I’m not the best person to ask, but generally I think a good hook is a good hook, and a major TV show comp can’t hurt. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Elza Kinde @ElzaKinde
@laurenspieller Is it okay to reach out to agents you'd like to work with before having a completed MS, or is it better to have something concrete before you start that phase?Don’t query until your manuscript is ready. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
🎃Lily Mehallick she/her👻 @LilyMehallick
@laurenspieller Typically, how far into a manuscript do you know you’re going to offer rep on a project?I start to get ~a feeling~ around pg50, and I usually ~know~ by 50% #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
View Post
Nicole is drafting! 27k/90k words @ngriffithbooks
@laurenspieller Is it an expectation for a debut author to have a niche or genre they kind of stay in? Or are you (and agents in general) open to repping a client who writes across genres?Both, actually. You want to build a brand, but you can still write in multiple categories/genres. But you and your agent have to be strategic. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Katherine Memmel @KatherineMemmel
@laurenspieller Do agents have different form rejections they send based on the quality of the query? Or is it more likely they send one basic version, but they’ll personalize if the author is close? It’s hard to tell sometimes.Typically the latter #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Bailee 📚 @baileesg
@laurenspieller What is a common mistake that you see often in query letters?Not making your query a PITCH. You aren’t just summarizing, you are trying to convince agents to read! #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Jennifer @Jenwrites130
@laurenspieller Some manuscript wish lists are not very specific, and that makes it hard for me to know whether or not I should query that agent (and also how to personalize my letter.) Any suggestions?Look at what they represent, and make your best guess. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Mikhaeyla Kopievsky @MikhaeylaK
@laurenspieller How should writers approach querying a new ms if an earlier ms is still out on full request?First, make sure you’re truly ready to query. Second, follow up w agents who have your first manuscript (assuming you are still interested in working with them), and let them know you are querying something new. Also, query additional agents. #askagent
Literary Agent
View Post
Jodi Herlick @JodiHerlick
@laurenspieller I've had an agent tell me the minimum acceptable word count for YA fantasy is 90k. Is that true? And does that apply to contemporary fantasy or can that be shorter? #askagentNope, wrong. First, there is no “rule” about word count. Second, the first YA Fantasy I sold came to me at ~55k. Your word count is determined by the scope of your story and your world. #askagent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
View Post
Alexandra Z. Lazar 🎃 @alexandrazlazar
@laurenspieller What are your thoughts on prologues? Specifically, in MG fantasy?They have to be necessary and fascinating. Otherwise, cut. #askagent