Literary Agent
Korinne M. Mortensen @KMMortyWriting
@annmrose I’ve had multiple agents say it’s important to include your writing credentials/recognitions/awards AND a blurb from a published author. How would you suggest going about this if you have no credentials and is it appropriate to reach out to an author to get a blurb? Thank you!😊You do NOT need blurbs from other authors at the querying stage! And if you don’t have credentials that’s fine. Tell us about you! Tell us what inspired you to write the story, or how it’s connected to you. Tell us about your other hobbies or your day job. …
Literary Agent
Laura Bower is drafting ✨ @LauraMB2
@annmrose I always enjoy these, thank you!Do you find value when an author mentions the *why* behind writing their book? I know this is another subjective opinion but I have left this out in my query letters in fear of clogging up space. #askaagent
I LOVE the why! Not all agents agree or do but for me I am interested in you the author and why this novel was important for you to write. The intention behind it feels so relevant to me so I always enjoy reading those tidbits
Literary Agent
Matt Overend (Matthaeus Superfine - Ln) @matt_overend
@annmrose Hi, Ann, I recently sent some query letters - before I had some advice on the subject - which were a little leftfield, to say the least. Would an agent automatically discount a letter like this, because it isn't standard, or would they actually read it to get to the point?If they are really out of left field it MAY put an agent off so it would be hard to give you a solid answer. I would say do try to make the letter as standard as possible. There are ways to insert voice and make it interesting.
Literary Agent
Nathan Wilson @natewilson0218
@annmrose Hi Ann! Thanks so much for these threads. Quick question: is it smart to mention your novel’s themes when querying, or is theme something the agent should be able to infer from your characters / plot pitch, therefore wasting words?You will not get one answer on this that is the same I’m warning you now. I personally don’t mind seeing themes and the intention of the story from the author POV I personally find it interesting but some agents will say “I don’t need it” …
Literary Agent
Demi Michelle 🦋 @demimschwartz
@annmrose Hi :) do you have advice for a query letter for a book that has dual POV, where both characters get equal page time, alternating every other chapter?It’s basically the same but you answer these questions for both MCs and show us how the stories hook together. Query Shark is an amazing reference if you are looking for examples.
Literary Assistant
Rebecca Anderson @Rebecca_A_T_A
@saskialeach_ Me again, I see the submissions is a general inbox and subs are discussed between the agency, but is it still okay to personalise to an agent based on their wishlist? It feels strange to not personalise my query!Absolutely okay to personalise and by all means address it to the agent whose #mswl your submission fits in with 😊
Literary Agent
Kate Nash @katenashagent
Many writers we have met at our Open Days have gone on to have great success & their books commercially published.I have two author clients whom I first met at @KNLitAgency Open Days. Both have gone on to secure brilliant publishers. One has become a bestseller. #amwriting /5
If you are a writer at the start of your career and would like to find out more about our Birmingham Open Day on Sat 26th Nov, the info, including how to book your free place is here: katenashlit.co.uk/bookcamp-cours…
#askagent /6
Literary Agent
Kristen @KEHawley
@annmrose Awesome thread. Thanks for your time! Question: any advice on working with freelance editors before querying agents? Too many cooks in the kitchen? Any great freelancers to recommend? Thanks!Deciding to work with an editor prior is a personal choice and I do believe that with a solid critque group (partner) no author needs to spend money to get an agent.
Literary Agent
Megan Lind Persinger @meganthebookwrm
@annmrose What happens if an agent doesn't like the next book you write?For me. My clients and I have already talked about next projects so this isn't an issue.
No need for them to spin their wheels IMO
Literary Agent
elizabeth is not real @whenbethwrite
@annmrose What does “It’s not a fit for me” mean?It can mean anything from - I didn't connect to the voice to I already have something like this - it's really a catch all phrase, so not super helpful I know.
Literary Agent
Carolyn D. Cowen @cdcowen
@annmrose Can you address whether word counts have been dropping during the pandemic? During COVID’s early days, I learned #HF was 100-120k, with debuts being on the shorter side. But I’m now getting passes on my 114k ms saying 100k is the standard.Thoughts? True? A new development?
I wouldn't say they have been dropping necessarily, but I think with people's bandwidths and supply chain it is making those "bigger" books a little tougher these days
Literary Agent
Savy Guthrie @SavyGuthrie
@annmrose I’m probably spending too much time analyzing query tracker, but why do agents skip around in their inbox? Are they looking for a particular genre? Does a title intrigue them?There could be a lot of reasons. They are looking for certain things. They are holding on to look more closely at your project when they have more time to consider. There are some "easy" no's (like way out of word count my 300K word novel) to clear out.
Literary Agent
H.W. Johnston is revising @hwjohnston7
@annmrose How precise does formatting have to be?I do 12pt font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins. For some reason page numbers don't copy and paste to emails. Are they needed?
page numbers aren't needed if it's pasted into an email
Literary Agent
Victor Drax @Victor_Drax
@annmrose Is it okay for your manuscript to start with a prologue? Should you query with the first chapter or the prologue?If you can query the book without the prologue and the story itself makes sense, I would question if you need the prologue at all
Literary Agent
Russell Epp-Leppel 💜💀 @leppeppel
@annmrose In my (admittedly limited) experience, creators and consumers alike love genre-blending, so why are the middlemen of producers and distributors so loathe to touch it!? 😮💨At the end of the day agents sell to publishers and if pubs aren't sure how to sell something that sits in the middle of things that makes it really hard for agents
Bookstores (the primary customer to publishers) only have so much shelf space. So it needs to firmly sit somewhere
Literary Agent
Amy Nelder @AmyNelder
@annmrose How often do you go past the query letter itself self and read the sample pages? Do a high/low percentage of query letters inspire you to read the sample pages?I honestly try to give each project a chance unless it's something I absolutely do not rep. Queries can be hard.
Literary Agent
Alexandra J King @FractalOfLoops
@annmrose What indicators are there for a querying author that they have a problem with their query letter, rather than their manuscript/agent fit? I know its not reasonable to expect feedback from most rejections, but this keeps me up at night.The short answer. If you are getting form rejections at the query stage there could be something not working with your query and or opening pages.
Literary Agent
elizabeth is not real @whenbethwrite
@annmrose And also, are agents looking for potential or perfection in a manuscript? Thanks!Perfection isn't required. But it should be as perfect as you can make it 😊
Literary Agent
Varsha Seshan @VarshaSeshan
@annmrose How long would you say it's appropriate to wait before following up on a full request?3 months and then in 3 month increments there after
Don’t be surprised though if after 3 months they haven’t gotten to it
Literary Agent
Sophie Bradley @5235Bradleys
@annmrose Are agents open to requeries? My query letter was a mess for a significant amount of agents and is now better. Are they just wasted? Or can you ever requery? (It’s been six + months for most).Check with their respective websites as agents have different views on this. I’m open to a requery just ask that you mention in the query that it is one