Literary Agent
Renea Wrights @ReneaWrights
@annmrose If an author had an amazing plot, characters, settings, etc, but their writing skill was just ok. Do you sign them & work w/then or tell them 2 invest in an editor?I think there is more nuance here than can just be answered by a blanketed yes or no. I’ve signed books that have needed little work, I’ve also signed books that needed heavy revision and have been able to sell both kinds. Each situation is different.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Sara Naveed @SaraNaveed
@annmrose Are you open to accepting manuscripts falling in the romance genre? Especially South Asian romance?Absolutely open to this.
Hot tip: I especially like it when the MCs have larger goals than just the romance but the romance still finds a way to happen ❤️
Literary Agent
Rebecca Minelga @RebeccaMinelga
@annmrose Given publishing right now, do you think there’s any wisdom in waiting to query until things settle down? Do you think they will settle down or is this a new normal?I think things are constantly changing and evolving and if you were to try to wait you’d be waiting forever.
Literary Agent
Cam Poston @CamPostonwrites
@annmrose Top 3 query-writing tips!1-keep it simple
2-keep it short and too the point
3-make me NEED to read your pages
Simple right? 😬
Literary Agent
Mehr Husain @mfhusayn
@annmrose Why won't more agents take on South Asian writers? We write well. What's the problem? #AskAgentBreaking down the systematic issues within publishing is absolutely something that should be discussed.
I can’t speak for other agents but I myself am very open to South Asian stories and would be happy to find them in my inbox.
Literary Agent
Darianne | DVMentee ‘22⚡️ @DarianneSchramm
@annmrose @carlywatters Hi! What do you consider a reasonable amount of time for a query nudge these days?First I would check what the response time is on the agents website and if they respond at all. If it past the time frame stated you can nudge. If there is none specified 3 months would be reasonable IMO
Literary Agent
Dotti Enderle/Dax Varley ✍🏻 @dottienderle
@annmrose How do I overcome ageism in the publishing industry?May I suggest lying about your age then getting hired by a publisher where you get to start your own imprint—oh wait that is the plot line of a TV show
On a more serious note, I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. It shouldn’t be a thing. One way would be to…
Literary Agent
Amy Nelder @AmyNelder
@annmrose When an agent responds to a query with a request for a full, is it all right to ask for a few days to do a final proof to make sure you are sending them your MS at its best?You don’t have to ask, just send it in a couple days. But don’t wait too long. ❤️ (and by this I mean months-years)
Literary Agent
William Michael (writer) @WMichael4078
@annmrose Should I restrict my adult SFF novel to less than 100k?I know traditionally 90-120 k was cool for for debut SFF novels, but I heard that changed post-Covid (along with everything else)
I don’t think it’s necessary, unless there are elements that don’t serve the plot that can be cut. It’s when you get outside of this range that things get sticky
Literary Agent
Scott P. Harris @THEScottPHarris
@annmrose I'm not sure if I should call my MS memoir or NF. It's divided into three sections: a look back at my own failed love stories, a breakdown of romcoms, and a journalistic dive into multiple school shootings. If an agent is interested in NF but not memoir is a worth querying?This sounds like 3 different books —so I guess it would all depend on how you are pitching it and how these aspects work together
Literary Agent
Dr. Sara Kapadia 🐅🐉🐿 @sarakapadia
@annmrose #Askagent if a manuscript has only had 4 editor responses on sub, and the author left that agent, can another agent resub it when they take on that client?Most likely not to those same four imprints but there are still lots of opportunities.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Rebecca Minelga @RebeccaMinelga
@annmrose On the topic of previously published: if you’ve self-pubbed but there are special circumstances, should you address in the query? I did, but it specifically goes with speaking events I do, so low numbers, but also never marketed. I want to be honest, but worried how it looks.I don’t think you need to, but if it would make you feel better mentioning that you had a brief stint with self publishing for personal speaking engagement materials I don’t think it would hurt either. Just keep it short.
Literary Agent
Carrie Henderson @GirlPersists
@annmrose Hi Ann, thank you for doing this! Bit of a basic question: do agents discard manuscripts as a matter of course if the wordcount is too long (as generally understood for the genre, ie, 80,000 for YA)? I'm editing down my ms after some feedback and it is haaaaaaard!The short answer is yes. If a MS is WAY outside of WC standards it likely will get rejected for that.
Literary Agent
Nadeem Akram @nadeemakr
@annmrose @Losbennett Why the agents in US judge every book from the perspective of American readers, don't they realize that there are over 20 million people in US & Europe from sub-continent, who are well versed and yearn for tales from their place of birth, especially the boomers?We are selling mostly to American publishers and that is what they want to buy. Not saying it’s “right” just that is what we are dealing with.
Literary Agent
CeCe is writing @ccsancarlos
@annmrose What would you say is the biggest mistake made by (potential) authors when querying you?And thank you for taking time while you wait to field questions!
Querying too soon—meaning before the project is actually ready.
Literary Agent
Madyn Rose @writermadynrose
@annmrose Do pitch events really work?They are just one way, they aren’t the ONLY way.
I’ve signed authors from pitch contests, conferences, and just the plain old query box ❤️
Literary Agent
Keesha Beckford @WisdomIsADancer
@annmrose Do you (or other agents) have a set quotient of clients or titles you can handle at a time? If you love something and it's outside this amount will you still take it on?I can only speak for myself, and I haven’t hit that number yet so I can’t really answer it. I’m still taking on clients.
The thing is no matter the number on our list there are always active and inactive clients.