I've heard those things too. You just have to do what works for you. Just remember to notify everyone--even agents who just have a query--if you get an offer of representation.

If you want to get your (unpublished) work in front of traditional editors, yes. Or if you are looking for ways to execute your subrights--foreign, audio, film, etc...

I'm always open to revisiting a heavily revised MS. Sometimes it's a pass because it's not ready yet, and now maybe it is

For readability it makes sense to do it all in the same font.

Timing varies so there is no way to answer that question with any kind of true number. Sometimes weeks sometimes months to years. The trick is finding someone who isn't willing to give up after one round.
I think 3 months is reasonable to nudge, but don't be surprised if they...

YES! I want to know about you! I don't care if you don't have writing creds? What inspired you to write this book? Do you have a cat? What's your favorite kind of pie? Just show me who you are. Those are my favorite kinds of bios. ❤️

Okay, let me see if I can get all of these. 1) People die so it happens at any age. It's how it's dealt with that is important to the age group. (I'm open to death in MG if that is the real question here.) 2) I'm open to revisiting manuscripts that have been heavily edited...

Lots of "first in a series" types of books. But other than that, nothing specific. For a while it was wolves. Not werewolves, but wolves. Which was interesting.

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking, but you can expect them to get your work in front of editors to consider your work with a goal of selling it. Then it is about trying to get you the best deal and looking out for your best interests.

That seems in line for younger MG. The average contemporary MG is around 50K I would say, give or take depending on that true target age. Does that help?

Within the last 3 years is ideal, but 5 years is okay. It's more so we understand where you see your book fitting into the current market, so recent is always best.

For me, I do my research before asking for more pages. I like to get an idea of who I could potentially be working with. Compatibility is important.

In fiction: for me personally: it does not matter. In nonfiction: instant name recognizability and/or supreme verifiable qualification to write about that particular topic.

I don't stalk anyone. I have no time for that. Nor the inclination. And why would anyone dismiss an "indie" author? I would not.

Difficult to answer. Zeitgeist. Buzz. A concept that translates well from book to film. Luck.

That’s a tough sell. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part erotica doesn’t sell well traditionally.

If you base your request rate on query, then I would say that if you get less than 6 requests per 10 queries, you may consider working on the query.

I don’t think there’s been a decrease, I think agents and editors don’t want to read books that break the ceiling on word counts any more. And UFOs? I believe in them 👽 I loved the show Roswell and The X Files.

The pandemic, and pandemic fatigue, slows everything, and everyone, down. Not just editors. And I include myself. I am so far behind the eight ball, I can't even see it with binoculars.

Depends what the agent’s policy is—should be listed on their website. But generally 6 weeks is a short amount of time for an agent to read a full (definitely NOT a short time for an author to wait).