Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
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
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
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
Literary Agent
🎃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
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
Literary Agent
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
Literary Agent
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
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
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
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
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