Literary Agent
Tara Ryan @TaraRyanBooks
@annmrose On QM when it asks if you previously published, do we include self-pubbed titles written under a pen name? And is this a black mark against us if the book didn’t sell well (due to lack of promotion)?First I would make sure the question is - are you previously published - or is this book you are querying previously published - because the first isn’t a black mark but the second generally can be
Literary Agent
Christina @NutshellWriter
@annmrose Enjoying reading this Q&A. What’s the best type of first para for a query. I’ve read start w hook n start w other things.The best query is a professional one that highlights your project in the best way possible.
Meaning there is no right or wrong or best or worst just what’s best for you.
Follow your gut.
Literary Agent
Anna-Roisin Ullman-Smith @ullmansmith432
@annmrose If an agent website lists no agents who are interested in NA is it a safe bet to send an NA manuscript to a YA interested agent? Thank you.YA and NA are two different audiences. So I think the better question would be, is my MS for teen or for adults? And then adjust accordingly.
Literary Agent
rick polito #amquerying COMA BOY, #TBI @thatpolitoguy
@annmrose Agents are asking for neurodiverse creators. I’m a high-functioning traumatic brain injury survivor. Do I risk offending an agent by claiming to be neurodivergent? I have a YA mystery about a #TBI survivor.No. I don’t think this would offend agents.
Literary Agent
KC Cowan is revising @KCcowanartgal
@annmrose how many queries do you get on average per week? How do you keep up?Right now I’m averaging 15 a day so I guess that means (attempts math) 105 a week.
And right now I’m woefully behind still having a few from November so as for keeping up I’m not doing well. 🫣
Literary Agent
Kelly Mangan (She/Her) 🏳️🌈 @KellyAMangan
@annmrose If one has DVPit likes from editors who accept only agented submissions, is this something we should mention in query letters to agents? Or does that seem amateurish, since it’s a guarantee of nothing?It doesn’t hurt to mention it. I don’t think it necessarily will sway an agent but having all available information is nice. ❤️
Literary Agent
Jane Pantsuit @JanePantsuit
@annmrose What is the number one thing that in a good query leads you to saying no?If I have something on my list that is too close to the concept of the pitched project.
Literary Agent
Raquel Valldeperas @RJValldeperas
@annmrose If an agent asks for a full as one is in the middle of heavy revisions, should one wait to send the full until revisions are complete, or send the pre-revised version and make the agent aware of possible revisions?I think communication is key. Let the agent know you are working on reversions and that you will send once complete. Especially if you think those revisions will strengthen the MS.
Literary Agent
@notdianahere is under renovations @_daphneemerson
@annmrose At what point is a manuscript considered over-queried?That’s kind of up to you as the writer. When you feel like there is nothing left for you to do 😔❤️
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
ECD is querying @ecoyledivers
@annmrose Thanks for your time. Is there an etiquette when an agent has had your query for 4+ months, no response, and another agent at same agency (you've been hoping would open) opens?After you check to see if they have set reply times you can either withdraw the query and try another agent or nudge the first one and see if that speeds up a response.
Literary Agent
Gab Cody @GabCody
@annmrose Good morning. If a book stands alone, but is part of a planned series, should you mention the series in your query? I’ve heard contradictory advice 1) if the first book isn’t a success no one cares if there are more 2) publishers love series. Thanks!I’m a believer in trying to sell this one book. Telling an agent that it’s part of a X book series is like saying, I need you to sell X books for the full story arc.
I am also a believer that every book can be a series if you really want it to and there’s a readership 😉
Literary Agent
Jules @julesthemayfly
@annmrose For comp titles what matter more? Genre, setting, mood or plot? For example can a space opera be a comp title for a more near future, grounded scifi book if both are a romance with and investigation plot?I think explaining how the title is the comp is key. Like in your example: the readers of (space opera) will enjoy the romance and investigative plot.
Literary Agent
Today I wrote an answer on the #askagent tumblr that was basically, “we’re all just trying our best” 😅 — then this excellent article on querying by @ericsmithrocks showed up in my news feed:
apple.news/A5XzjdW8ATdiLa…
Literary Agent
Thelma 🖊️ 📖 🖤 @ThelmaMantey
@annmrose Happy new year first of all!! Thanks for the ask-agent offer! 🤗💕I have a question: if the agent uses a form, like querytracker, and it already has dedicated fields for bio and comp titles, I assume I cut them from the query letter?
You can but if you don’t that’s fine too. You won’t get points taken off or anything 😉
Literary Agent
Eve️ (on a break) 🔥 🖊️ 🎶🍜 @Evewritesbooks
@annmrose Oh and WHAT PULLS YOU IN FOR THE OPENING PAGES? What do agents want to see? Action? Build-up? Hehesorry I got excited bcz I remembered my original question 😃
I think starting with “agency” not action is the best way to go.
Meaning you give your MC a compelling goal they are trying to achieve while you set up the world and larger conflict of the story
Literary Agent
Eve️ (on a break) 🔥 🖊️ 🎶🍜 @Evewritesbooks
@annmrose I have always been scared of comps. But what I want to know is that do agents prefer the query letter to start with book info or direct dive into the story? Any advice since I will be querying my YA action/thriller about four sisters in the deadly tournament thus March🫴💕Preferences like this vary so I wouldn’t stress too much about it. Just do what feels right to you. We can always skip to the bottom and get the meta data first if that’s were it is and if we like to lead with that.
Literary Agent
Regina Weaver should take a SM break until 2023 @ReginaWAuthor
@annmrose How much do you think similar tastes inform "fit" btwn an author and agent? If an agent's top book of 2022 was an author's most hated book of 2022 (or vis versa), is it more likely that author's work won't resonate with the agent or is it not really a factor in your experience.There could be a million reason why it was their favorite and those might not be the reasons you hated it so I don’t think this can be a determining factor.
Literary Agent
Sarah Estow @SarahEstow
@annmrose If an agent asks for info in QM that is in my std query letter in separate fields (like bio etc.) Is it better to cut from letter or be redundant? Thx!You can, but it’s not a mark against you if you don’t and repeat yourself
Literary Agent
abby | querying mer WIP @abbywrites8
@annmrose Should comps be title only, or is it helpful to make them descriptive? (“Into the Drowning Deep” vs “Scary sea monsters, diverse queer cast, and humor like Mira Grant’s Into the Drowning Deep”)I think it’s always helpful to have why they are the comp. So yes descriptive IMO is better
Also love the example ❤️