Literary Agent
Tyler Richardson @JugglingBullies
@KimberlyBrower Hello 👋. Have you ever picked up an already self-published book to later traditionally publish it? I have heard rumors of that happening to some authors #AskAgentBack in 2014 or 2015 yes. It's very rare that this happens anymore but never say never. I personally am not looking for self-published work looking to be traditionally published but am open to previous self pub authors with a new project
Literary Agent
Dr. Sara Kapadia @sarakapadia
@KimberlyBrower How long should a writer wait to nudge an agent with a full? #askagentI'd check their website, but the general consensus is about 6-8 weeks. However some agents take longer (I know I have).
Literary Agent
Taryn Rose Frazier @TarynRoseWriter
@KimberlyBrower Genre question: what qualities distinguish a rom-com from a plain old romance?LOL I laugh because I feel like rom-com is used to describe every contemporary romance now-a-days. Besides other genre romances (westerns, small-town). But my definition (which may be very different than others) is that a rom-com has a great hook
Literary Agent
Tobie Carter @TobieCarter6190
@KimberlyBrower Do you find yourself more likely to take a chance on a writer who has a good plot/hook but needs a little help with the writing or one that writes well but needs help with plotting/hook?SUCH a great question. Hands down I'd pick the one who writes well and needs help with the plot.
Literary Agent
Caitlin Howell @CRAHowell
@KimberlyBrower Thank you for doing this!Do you think there are trends in the Mystery genre? For example is the market more towards cozy or procedural or with a women’s fiction slant etc?
Believe it or not I feel like "mystery" has become just as broad as a term as "women's fiction" or "rom com." Cozy will always have a specific demand, but I have noticed mysteries a la Agatha Christie is definitely making a comeback (and I'm here for it)
Literary Agent
Stephanie (Lupo) Henson @stepha_henson
@KimberlyBrower Hi. Thank you for doing this! Are agents influenced by factors outside of the writing/manuscript? Examples - age of the author/if they are a "mom"? If the writer has been rejected by other agencies? Does that impact your willingness to consider them?I can't speak for other agents, but I only consider the manuscript, the author's goals, whether I think we'd work well together. All the other examples you mentioned does not impact my decision at all.
Literary Agent
Rachael Amarante @RachaelAmarante
@KimberlyBrower 1 tip for a new writer querying non-fiction. Thank you!Without knowing what type of non-fiction you're querying, I'd say highlight what makes your non-fiction special/stand out. Why your story should be published.
Literary Agent
Kathleen Foxx @kfoxx_writes
@KimberlyBrower Authors (I think!) get nervous about “the call” but I’m wondering if there are things agents get nervous about on the call to offer rep? #askagentNervous, no I don't get nervous. BUT there is always the chance that the writer will not pick you as the agent. If we're having "the call" and interested in the manuscript then we want the writer to sign with us!
Literary Agent
Tobie Carter @TobieCarter6190
@KimberlyBrower What are the top qualities in a writer or in the writers manuscript you look for before offering representation or rejecting? #askagentFirst thought: the writer is normal. J/K but on a serious note someone that is open to constructive feedback, someone that is looking for a long-term career. In a manuscript, a great narrative voice.
Literary Agent
Kathleen Foxx @kfoxx_writes
@KimberlyBrower What is the hardest aspect of being an agent and the most enjoyable aspect for you? #askagentHardest: Loving a book and having a hard time selling it
Most enjoyable: Selling a book, especially for my debuts. The debut sell is very satisfying and such a sweet moment that I really look forward to.
Literary Agent
Jessica Payne @authorjesspayne
@KimberlyBrower What’s the latest published book you absolutely adored? #askagentI'm 3/4s done with MALIBU RISING by @tjenkinsreid which I love every bit of. But the last one I finished that I still think about is 28 SUMMERS by @elinhilderbrand.
Literary Agent
Zane Re-Bloom 🏳️🌈 @Zane_Re_Bloom
@annmrose Hi! I'm a bit late but thought I'd ask my Q just in case you're still around. I'm attending live pitch sessions soon & searching for general advice to help prepare. What wld you want prospective clients to know/be prepared for before pitching to you? Thank you for your time.No I’m late lol so no worries I will answer
In a pitch, keep it short. MC obstacles stakes done and don’t use the MCs name give us a way to describe them it’s not Mary it’s bubbly assassin
And have questions. We are here to answer them ❤️
Best of luck
Literary Agent
Ashley Bray @crumblebumbray
@annmrose What is the tipping point for you between a form rejection and taking the time to write a personal rejection?If it’s really really close. Like if I see something that I really wish was changed I might mention it with a note to send it back if they make the change but I never want to tell writers what to write. So if my notes click awesome.
Literary Agent
Lola Karns rarely tweets anymore @LolaKarns
@annmrose What does the phrase “I didn’t connect with this as much I’d hoped” mean? Is it the concept? The style? Marketability?I think it’s just a way of saying this isn’t the right fit for me but it’s not that it won’t be the right fit for someone so keep trying
Literary Agent
The Scribbling Dragon 🐉 @ScribblingDrake
@annmrose Do agents want to hear about potential offers of pub if the author has one or in the works for one is that more problematic?Yes you should notify agents of offers of publication
Literary Agent
Vanessa Grossmann @vcgrossmann
@annmrose Are you more likely to consider the work of someone who already has traditionally published books?Makes no difference to me. I just want to love the project
Literary Agent
David Darling, author 📚🖋 @DavidDarlingCA
@annmrose How long from one query submission rejection (but since have done more rounds of edits and revisions) before resubmitting again to an agent? Do you let them know it's been revamped?If I understand you want to know if you can resubmit a project to an agent if they already passed and you would have to check their guidelines. For me if it’s been completely reworked and at least 6 months have passed I’m okay with a another try
Literary Agent
A.G. Briar ☆ Writer of questionable commitment @OTownWriter
@annmrose I definitely get that. My WIP is Harry Potteresque. The problem this is creating (I think) is that I tell the fun part, but then I get to the dark part, and the dark part overshadows the fun part which is tough for MG.Sigh.
It’s hard to say without seeing the query but remember the query only needs to tell us
Who is the MC?
What do they want? Goals
What stands in their way? Obstacles
What happens if they fail? Stakes
Literary Agent
May Zullino @WaywardCelestia
@annmrose What would be the determiner between a pass and a R&R for you? And maybe more generally, if possible?If I really love the concept and I sooooo want it to work I will offer an R&R
Does that answer your question?
Literary Agent
A.G. Briar ☆ Writer of questionable commitment @OTownWriter
@annmrose What % of queries do you read the sample pages of?I'm at odds with my rejections from agents vs feedback from CP's and betas to the point that I genuinely can't understand why I've never gotten so much as a partial. I know that sounds entitled, but the disconnect is jarring. ☹
I usually always look at pages. The exception would be if the query is overtly problematic (sexist, racist, homophobic, etc)
If you aren’t getting asks it could be either the query isn’t working for you or the opening isn’t grabbing enough or a little of both.