Kate Nash
@katenashagent
Literary Agent
Literary agent.
19 MSWL
223 AskAgent
33 Queries
15 Tips

7 questions you might not have thought to ask before you sign with a literary agency.

Q: Are client monies kept in a separate bank account?

A: The literary agency should keep client monies in a separate bank account to their general business.

#AskAgent 1/7

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Kathleen Foxx | Author | Editor | Podcast Host @kfoxx_writes

@C_H_Armstrong @hannahdsharpe2 One more: If you’re excited about a premise from the query, ask for pages, and then it’s not working for you, do you find it’s more often because the story falls flat/doesn’t live up to the promise of the query or because the writing just isn’t there yet?
Replying to @kfoxx_writes

Rereading this, I'd like to add one more thought. Sometimes it's neither the story falling flat or the writing not being there yet. Sometimes it's simply "chemistry" between me and the story. Sometimes I expect to love something & there's nothing at all wrong with it except ME.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Swati Hegde is offering editorial services @SwatiTheGeek

@C_H_Armstrong What's your favorite romance trope?
Replying to @SwatiTheGeek

Oh easy! Enemies to lovers. It’s like chocolate for me. I can’t get enough. I also love fake dating and the big secret romance. And best friends older sibling. Love that one too. I just love them all.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Christina Fitz-Gallant🔮🌖 @fitzthestory

@C_H_Armstrong what’s the best trick to writing a synopsis?
Replying to @fitzthestory

Ugh! The dreaded synopsis! I hate them too!

After every chapter, keep a notebook with a few sentences about what was important in that chapter. Then when you write your synopsis, you have a guide to work from.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Kathleen Foxx | Author | Editor | Podcast Host @kfoxx_writes

@C_H_Armstrong @hannahdsharpe2 Do you prefer character-driven or plot-driven stories and why?
Replying to @kfoxx_writes

Ooh…good question. I’m not sure I have a strong preference. I need to feel a kinship with the main character, but that’s not enough to keep me reading if the plat is bland.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Suzy England @suzy_england

@C_H_Armstrong How many MS pages/chapters do you ask querying authors to submit?
Replying to @suzy_england

I can’t remember what I had it set at last time I was open to queries, but about 10 pages. It’s usually enough for me to get a good idea if I want to read more. If I’m not sure but still intrigued at the end of 10 pages, I’ll always ask for more.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Tammy Blakley @tammy_blakley

@C_H_Armstrong What grabs you when you read a manuscript?
Replying to @tammy_blakley

Anything that evokes a reaction—excitement, fear, tears, laughter, intrigue. I need something that makes me want to turn the page.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

@C_H_Armstrong When would you consider a R&R rather than a rejection?
Replying to @hannahdsharpe2

I’ll usually consider an R&R if the premise appeals to me. The only time I wouldn’t is if I just wasn’t overly excited about the premise.

Catherine Hedrick Armstrong
@C_H_Armstrong
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
54 MSWL
17 AskAgent
3 Tips

Hannah Sharpe @hannahdsharpe2

@C_H_Armstrong What is your unicorn on your wishlist?
Replying to @hannahdsharpe2

Oh gosh. My unicorn…probably the contemporary romcom version of DREAMING by Jill Barnett. I sooo want one like it in contemp.

Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips
Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips

Amanda Spell @StonesofMoss

@laurenspieller What are your top questions for querying authors to ask if they get "the call"?

Ask about our editorial vision, our communion methods, and our plans for sub. Also ask to speak to clients. There are other good ones but this will get you going. #askagent

Leonicka Valcius
@leonicka
Literary Agent
she/her 🇭🇹. Christian ✝️. JD Candidate 2024. Literary Agent @TransLitAgency . Closed to queries.
87 MSWL
51 AskAgent
5 Tips

D. Hawkins 🌈 @DHawkinsAuthor

@leonicka How many words should we shoot for in a query to you?
Replying to @DHawkinsAuthor

I don’t really have a word count limit for queries but it shouldn’t take more than 3 - 4 paragraphs. About the book, where it fits in the market, about the author. #askagent #amquerying

Leonicka Valcius
@leonicka
Literary Agent
she/her 🇭🇹. Christian ✝️. JD Candidate 2024. Literary Agent @TransLitAgency . Closed to queries.
87 MSWL
51 AskAgent
5 Tips

Diane Farrugia @DianeFarrugia3

@leonicka Would a YA/Adult crossover fantasy romance with chronic illness rep. interest you?
Replying to @DianeFarrugia3

Fantasy romance is tricky right now! Contemporary romance is king, despite my best efforts. I see some signs that this is changing (Katee Robert! Ruby Dixon!) but I’m not ready to add it to my #mswl yet. #askagent

Jennifer Laughran
@literaticat
Literary Agent
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️‍🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
31 MSWL
259 AskAgent
11 Queries
4 Tips

Because of this question, I updated my #AskAgent FAQ - so now the "encouragement" section is "encouragement / reality checks" :-) If you have a question about publishing, it may just be answered here:

literaticat.tumblr.com/post/620480199…

Jennifer Laughran
@literaticat
Literary Agent
I’m a literary agent for children’s books. Also a life-long bookseller. Also there’s a podcast in the mix. she/her 🏳️‍🌈😘 header art by @cuddlefishpress
31 MSWL
259 AskAgent
11 Queries
4 Tips

Somebody on #AskAgent asked if it is true what they read on Twitter, that Traditional Publishing is in its death throes and everyone should just stop bothering to query and self-publish instead. My answer:

literaticat.tumblr.com/post/681173651…

Sarah N Fisk
@Sarah_Nicolas
Literary Agent
Agent @TheTobiasAgency as Sarah N. Fisk. YA Author as Sarah Nicolas. @qqqpodcast host, event planner, programs lead @disabilityinpub 💛🤍💜🖤
50 MSWL
99 AskAgent
2 Tips

Video #askagent starting in 2 minutes! Come ask me your querying and publishing questions! youtu.be/qY8pZP5hfHs

Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips
Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips
Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips
Lauren Spieller
@laurenspieller
Literary Agent
LitAgent @FolioLiterary + @FolioJr - Full Adult + Kidlit wishlist on Pub Marketplace! ~ Author w/ S&S ~ I love dogs like it's my job ~ She/Her
631 MSWL
98 AskAgent
2 Queries
91 Tips