If the agent loved a work and can see how it can be fixed, if they have time, they may take the book on. But given the volume, if there is something seemingly simple that the agent can’t envision and isn’t already in love with, it’s not the right time

Absolutely! Not the way that authors do, because our skills are different. Writers vet business skills and advocacy, while agents vet writing. Calls with authors are a good gauge of that — I talk about my editing and feedback style, priorities, how I envision the relationship.

This is *very* individual. But here are some thoughts:

I think across the board, it has to be a book an agent wants to read again and again and again. Books go through lots of rounds of edits, and if you don’t want to keep reading it, that won’t work. But what does that mean?

I haven’t gone through this yet! But as a contract manager, my impression is many authors have a “right of consultation” — meaning pubs get to decide, but the author gets to give input and see options before the decision is made. Anything more specific has to be built in

I’d say it wouldn’t change much for me, tbh. The query & writing have to stand on their own. if your cover provides something more intriguing, consider why it doesn’t come through in your query. But feel free to share that you do illustration, esp for agents seeking illustrators

Hybrid meaning self published and seeking to be trad published? I think it depends on the agent! A lot of authors are self publishing to massive success and as agents we never discourage that. If you have good numbers from self pub share in your query-proof of concept can’t hurt

Sigh. This is a tough one. As the PRH trial showed, publishers often don’t have marketing plans for most authors with standard advances. A lot of author marketing is social media and online: networking with authors, sharing bits on your website, online giveaways. ½

Being new, please take with a grain of salt. But my understanding is that the site has all the ones submitted to it (which can be all), while the emails do not. When I do my research, I go into Pub Marketplace with the understanding that it’s all the editors’ deals

Personally? Not at all! I’ll certainly share my tips for social media if you want them because I find that it can be an amazing resource. But lots of people don’t use social media for their own reasons.

The only thing I care about is writing and our ability to work together.

No. The rejection is always just for the project and not for the writer. Plus, I get about/over 12,000 queries a year. My memory is not that good.

Publishing history plays a role, yes, but it depends on the specifics. But, YES.

I personally don't care about "trends," so I am not the best responder to the question. However, if certain things are popular, it is reasonable to assume people will want to ride the respective wave.

I can't speak for others. Holidays and/or simply being overwhelmed are good reasons to close for queries.

Query letter-
Get too personal - “I saw your recent vaca pics and you in the bikini! Looking hot!”
Put down other writers
Forget to tell the agent what the book is about
Be self deprecating
Demand a response

This would be a great conversation for you to have with your agent ❤️

Some will some won’t
Some will just follow because they like their content
I wouldn’t read too much into a social media follow ❤️

Yes you let everyone who has a query or full know.
You just do your best in notifying them, you cannot control their inbox.

I can only answer for me, and one bad sentence won’t deter me in the least.

You can

If they are open send it if it’s ready