Literary Agent
김윤미 Author @kimyoonmiauthor
@agent_ayesha @foldandgathers @serenemaria Is there space in the querying world for queries that have other worldwide story structures than conflict-centric plots, so that non-white European and non-white European diaspora can have their stories published? Also is there room for querying non-trauma porn diversity stories?Yes I really hope so! I think we at APL at least (and many others!) have been working hard to create this space. Keep writing the story you want to write. The right agent will get it. #askAPL
Literary Agent
Gabriella Caballero @GabriellaCabal6
I'm a writer with multiple book ideas! I want to write contemporary YA and Adult Fantasy and also horror stories. Do I find one agent to represent them all? Or do I find different agents for my different stories? #AskAPLYou can do either! It’s great to find one agent with range who you can really develop with but that’s not always easy to do. It’s not unheard of to find one agent for your adult projects and one for your kids books for example #askAPL
Literary Agent
Alexandra Z. Lazar @alexandrazlazar
@laurenspieller I’ve read a lot of successful 80-100K MG fantasies, but most rules say they should max out at 75K, if not less. What’s your opinion on the maximum acceptable length? Also, what are your thoughts on 14-year-old protagonists in MG?I think your safest bet is to stay below 75k for a MG debut.
I think a 14YO can work as long as their wants/wishes/story still feels MG and not YA. #askagent
Literary Agent
KC Harper @kcharper613
@laurenspieller What if what your character wants changes through the story or they get what they want halfway through so the focus changes? Is that problematic?A character changing is the definition of a story, so for the purpose of the query, just include their initial WANT! But if there's a sudden, inexplicable about-face, then you need to really look at your character arc and make sure it makes sense. #askagent
Literary Agent
Kimberly Van Ginkel @VanGinkelAuthor
@laurenspieller A friend of mine is querying a book about a 12- year- old girl in the 60s coming of age. She doesn't feel it's a YA book, because of her writing style, but she keeps getting rejections when she submits as women's fiction. Should she pretend it's YA to get someone to read it?Typically a book about a 12YO is Middle Grade, though there are adult books w/ child MCs. It sounds like she's straddling a few different categories, and needs to think about who her audience really is, and why they might not be connecting to this version of the MS. #askagent
Literary Agent
sar is drafting🍓 @ohsarahplays
@laurenspieller Hello! What are some of the boxes a manuscript has to tick in order to receive a request/an offer?-Great Voice
-Exciting/Interesting premise
-Reasonable word count
-Blood Sacrifice
#askagent
Literary Agent
Keith LaFountaine @KL_writing
@laurenspieller Any big pet peeves with queries/opening pages? Things that aren't necessarily an auto-reject, but still raise an eyebrow.It frustrates me when the opening feels generic, or non-specific to your character. I want to get to know this person, so don't start with the weather (unless the weather is VERY interesting). #askagent
Literary Agent
Amiee White Beazley @awbeazley
@laurenspieller I have a MS that fulfills one of your very specific #MSWL asks. It’s not perfect yet. Should I still reach out?Always query your best, finished work! You only get one shot, etc. #askagent
Literary Agent
aroa is editing @aroagab
@laurenspieller hello! thanks for this! my question is regarding the opening line of a book. how do we make it interesting enough so that our first pages catch an agent’s attention straight away? is it better to have it short, long, or am i just worrying too much?It's not about length, or even about making it perfect. It just needs to have VOICE, and make us CURIOUS about reading more. #askagent
Literary Agent
Christiana Doucette @doucette515
@laurenspieller I've heard rumors agents and publishers are getting even more submissions than usual. Is this true? And should those querying expect longer response times at the moment?It does seem to be going up, yes, and it makes sense that response time would go up too. But you can still always check in! #askagent
Literary Agent
Rebecca Weber 🖌️🎨🦋 @RWeberWrites
@laurenspieller How many rejections are typical for a manuscript being queried? Is there an estimate amount that would signify something is inherently off with the text?The # of rejections depends on the number of queries you've sent, and also how targeted those queries are. I wouldn't look at rejections, though. I would focus on request rate: are agents requesting? If not, look at the query *and* the manuscript, and find out why. #askagent
Literary Agent
Shannon @ShannonJCurtin
I have a WIP with a plot component that might read controversial to some. Is there a way to tell if an agent/agency is open to something that's a little left-field? #askPSLABeyond bios, I'd say look at the agent's/agency's list to see if they'd be a fit. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
🔥(SL)Ashley McAnelly is revising🔥 @ashewriter
I know it varies from agent to agent but do either/both of you try to give feedback on fulls that you reject? #askPSLAI have before, yes! It's rare, and it usually happens when I love the writing but the project needs SO MUCH WORK that I'm not sure my vision will match with the writer's. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Andrea Green Burton @ALGauthor
#askPSLA I'm hearing that agents are particularly swamped right now. True? And if so, is that typical for this time of year, or is it pandemic-related?When are we not swamped? 🙃
Seriously, though: it's the best job in the world. It's all good. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Jodi @jodilasky
I'm slightly over word count, even after working with an editor to get it down. Do I acknowledge it in my query (show knowledge) or just state the word count? (Women's Fiction, 103k words) #askPSLAHum... for me, I'd prefer you to acknowledge. But, sorry to ask, can't you get it down to 99k? Pretty please? There HAS to be things you can cut. Your editor will likely expect you to. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
The Scott that is Querying @SWBauthor
Do you want to know if a querying author has short stories in anthologies when they’re querying a novel?#askPSLA
Yes! We might even know the anthology, but more generally, writing credits can also suggest to us that you are approaching writing as a career. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
jrmitchell @jrmitch53998160
#askPSLA Do you have a slush pile? And have you ever had any success with finding an author/book from the slush pile?I think all agents do. Sush pile = queries from people without a referral — so the majority of cases. And yes, absolutely! I've signed several authors from the slush pile. #askPSLA
Literary Agent
L Currie @LCurrie48172079
How do I make sure my manuscript is polished before I query an agent? Would it be best to invest in hiring an editor? #askPSLASelf-editing is the first step, in my opinion. Take a break from the work and come at it with fresh eyes (this might mean weeks or longer!). Explore free options like beta readers and writing groups--other writers who are also looking for another opinion. #askPSLA