Ask Kathleen Ortiz! Ask the Agent Summer Spree!

[MacAllister]

Please join me in offering a great big Absolute Write welcome to Agent Kathleen Ortiz, who has graciously agreed to drop in and answer your questions for a Summer Spree of Agent information!

Kathleen is an agent with Lowenstein Associates (http://www.lowensteinassociates.com/), who've helpfully posted a bio from which to cut-n-paste (http://www.lowensteinassociates.com/agent_2.html):
Kathleen is currently Associate Agent and Foreign Rights Manager at Lowenstein Associates. She is seeking children's books (chapter, middle grade, and young adult) and young adult non-fiction. While Kathleen enjoys everything from light-hearted and humorous to dark and edgy, she'd love to find an amazing romance from a male point of view or a steampunk with fantastic world building.

Lowenstein Associates believes with the continued demand for online marketing in publishing, a strong online platform is essential for today's authors. Kathleen uses her background in interactive media design to assist Lowenstein Associates’ clients with branding themselves.

You can follow Kathleen's blog, Neverending Page Turner (http://kortizzle.blogspot.com/)
And you can find her on Twitter as @KOrtizzle (http://twitter.com/KOrtizzle)

Thank you so very much, Kathleen! And with that, we'll open the floodgates for everyone's questions. :D

[charlotte49ers]

I don't have a question yet, but just wanted to say welcome to the best ninja agent evah.

:-)

[Dawn Schaefer]

::Waves:: Hi KO! Welcome.

[PoppysInARow]

I've got a question! Or several! Oh! So excited! Pick me!

This may have been answered in your blog, in which case I am sorry for the repeat.

Is there something in a full that will cause an auto-reject for you? About how long into a request do you need to read to find if it's not right for you?


EDIT: Also, so excited to hear you're interested in steampunk fantasy. I'm currently working on a romance in a steampunk/fantasy world with a male MC. :D Can't wait to query you!

[Sandy Shin]

Thank you so much for doing this! I've learned so much from following your Twitter and blog. :)

Mine is a rather specific question that I hope is all right: I have a YA manuscript set in a future earth with post-apocalyptic/dystopian society. However, there are also magic and fantastical elements. Should I classify this as YA Dystopian or just plain YA Fantasy in queries?

Thank you!

[cscarlet]

*waves*

Welcome to AW! :)

[rebobinar]

*waving* Thank you so much for the thread!!

My question: I'm writing a YA (I think) with a 15 year old MC. I'm intending it to be YA with some romance (although it's pretty tame) and it's set at wartime so the kid has to deal with a lot. But I've noticed lots of MG novels with a 15 or 16 year old main character. How do you know where the line is? I feel like I need to write intentionally for a particular age group and it makes me nervous to straddle the line.

Thank you!
Robin

[Cyia]

Welcome! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.

:)

[kaitiepaige17]

Thank you so much for joining us!!!

Question that has been hounding me: I know that when partials and fulls are sent out they're expected to be extremely clean/free of errors. However, how clean do agents expect partials and fulls to be exactly? Obviously major grammar mistakes would make a MS a no-go, but what about little things like comma errors? Just curious! Thank you so much!!! :)

[Regan Leigh]

Oh, yay! Welcome. :) I'm sure I'll be back with loads of questions. ;)

[CACTUSWENDY]

Welcome to AW. Thank you for your graciousness and extra time involved being a part of this board. My hat is off to you.

[KOrtizzle]

::waves:: Hello all! Thanks for the warm welcome and quick jump to action with starting the round of questions :) I'm going to let the thread sit for a few days before I start answering questions, because I have a couple client and office items to attend to; however, be assured that once Sunday hits, I'll be back to answer them. In the meantime you can find me on Twitter or my Blog (see my signature).

Looking forward to a great Summer Spree of questions and answers!

~K

[Shady Lane]

hey gorgeous

[Kitty27]

Hi!

Thanks so much for coming to AW!

[Wayne K]

I don't have a question, but I'll be reading this thread. Thank you for your time Kathleen--It's very generous of you

[Leanan-Sidhe]

:welcome:
I don't have a question yet, but I'll definitely be lurking. Thanks for doing this!

[Forsaken]

Welcome on AW! :D

[JamieB]

Hey it's Kortizzle on AW! Welcome!!!

[Art Wright]

Welcome and good tidings!

[~*Kate*~]

I keep misreading this thread title as "summer squee!"

Thanks for answering questions! http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/kdhart226/web%20stuff/smileys/485a55fc.gif

[jasonguinn78]

Welcome Kathleen...always cool to see an agent take a moment out of their busy lives to help and answer questions. I don't have one now, but I'll be reading with interest what you say on the boards. Love your blog by the way!

[Jennifer Robins]

Thank you for coming here, Kathleen,
I've been published by smaller presses and have had great reviews. Will this help me or open doors for me to get in with one of the big houses or with a good agent? Seems both are like winning the lottery.

Jennifer Robins

www.jenniferrobins.com (http://www.jenniferrobins.com)

[Monlette]

Welcome Kathleen!

My questions involve revisions that are requested from an agent as a result of the submission process:

How much attention do revised manuscripts get in the grand scheme of the agent's daily tasks? What is a reasonable timeframe to expect to hear back on revisions? And if an agent doesn't get back a client in that timeframe is that a VERY BAD sign? If it isn't, what is the best approach for requesting a status update?

[popmuze]

How long after you've signed up a new client do you try to deliver the notes you promised him on his novel?

[Cyia]

What's the shortest time after signing a novel that you've turned around and pitched it to editors? (Has anyone ever been "good to go" from the start?)

[KOrtizzle]

I always request to see a partial first. If I choose to read a full, then several things can cause me to reject such as voice, pacing, the plot falls apart, etc.

Something I've been seeing a lot of recently are fabulous opening chapters (typically the first 3 or first 30 pages) and then after I request the full, it feels as though someone else wrote it. I have a hunch this is typically from those writers who enter and win partial critiques. If this is the case, you must apply the revisions to the entire manuscript - not just the first section that was critiqued.

Can't wait to see the steampunk query! :)

~K

I've got a question! Or several! Oh! So excited! Pick me!

This may have been answered in your blog, in which case I am sorry for the repeat.

Is there something in a full that will cause an auto-reject for you? About how long into a request do you need to read to find if it's not right for you?


EDIT: Also, so excited to hear you're interested in steampunk fantasy. I'm currently working on a romance in a steampunk/fantasy world with a male MC. :D Can't wait to query you!

[KOrtizzle]

::waves back at one of the members of the KOrtizzle army::

::Waves:: Hi KO! Welcome.

[Dawn Schaefer]

::waves back at one of the members of the KOrtizzle army::

have you noticed your avi has crosshairs on it? Just saying...

[KOrtizzle]

The trick is to see if your manuscript answers two main questions:

1. Does it really take place in a dystopian society? (Don't know? Check out this FABULOUS post I found on Presenting Lenore's Blog (http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/02/guest-rhiannon-hart-on-ya-dystopias.html).

2. Does the world itself affect the plot.


If not, then you can just classify it as straight fantasy. I find that it's easiest to classify your works when you're well read in several genres. The more dystopian, fantasies, paranormals, etc you read, the easier it will be for you to classify your own work.

~K



Thank you so much for doing this! I've learned so much from following your Twitter and blog. :)

Mine is a rather specific question that I hope is all right: I have a YA manuscript set in a future earth with post-apocalyptic/dystopian society. However, there are also magic and fantastical elements. Should I classify this as YA Dystopian or just plain YA Fantasy in queries?

Thank you!

[KOrtizzle]

The tween age is definitely difficult to target; however it comes down to the age and the situation of the character.

For instance, you can have a "young" young adult book, but if it's about high school kids gearing up for prom, then a sixth/seventh grader won't be able to relate to it. They might know what prom is but I doubt most will grasp the significance of what gears up to be a pretty important night for most high school kids (I say most because I was one of those few who went but didn't really care too much either way).

So focus on the overall plot - is it a topic/situation a MG reader will be able to grasp?

~K

*waving* Thank you so much for the thread!!

My question: I'm writing a YA (I think) with a 15 year old MC. I'm intending it to be YA with some romance (although it's pretty tame) and it's set at wartime so the kid has to deal with a lot. But I've noticed lots of MG novels with a 15 or 16 year old main character. How do you know where the line is? I feel like I need to write intentionally for a particular age group and it makes me nervous to straddle the line.

Thank you!
Robin

[KOrtizzle]

I personally don't look at the little details when considering an MS for representation. I can't speak for all agents, but I'm fairly certain there isn't an agent who has received an MS free of errors.

Just make sure it's as polished as possible - this is where the rule of thumb of "sticking the MS in a drawer, forgetting about it, and coming back a few weeks/months later" comes in handy. You'll be surprised how many things you find in the later review that you didn't catch the first few times.

~K

Thank you so much for joining us!!!

Question that has been hounding me: I know that when partials and fulls are sent out they're expected to be extremely clean/free of errors. However, how clean do agents expect partials and fulls to be exactly? Obviously major grammar mistakes would make a MS a no-go, but what about little things like comma errors? Just curious! Thank you so much!!! :)

[KOrtizzle]

::whistles::

hey gorgeous

[KOrtizzle]

There are several web sites with information on reputable agents. I suggest checking them out to see if the agents are listed and go from there. There are several forums here on Absolute Write (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22), Preditors and Editors (http://pred-ed.com/), Publishers Marketplace (http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/), Agent Query (http://www.agentquery.com) and more. Research is the key.

Please note that some agents are fairly new to the scene and may not be listed individually on these sites; however, if the agency is listed, then it's pretty easy to check out said agency's web site to ensure they're an active employee.

~K

As a life long Sci Fi reader, I am positive that my novel(s) contain one of a kind time travel treatment. How do I submit my already written query letter to agents without giving away my ideas? I mean, just because said person has hung out a shingle saying Agent: Query's Wanted - what if the person is data mining for story ideas to steal?

[KOrtizzle]

Define "smaller presses."

If you mean an independent press and you had great sales, then yes, mention it. If your book was reviewed by a reputable, well-known source like Publisher's Weekly, the New York Times, or Kirkus, then yes.

Otherwise, don't mention it.

~K

Thank you for coming here, Kathleen,
I've been published by smaller presses and have had great reviews. Will this help me or open doors for me to get in with one of the big houses or with a good agent? Seems both are like winning the lottery.

Jennifer Robins

www.jenniferrobins.com (http://www.jenniferrobins.com)

[KOrtizzle]

If I request a manuscript revision BEFORE signing, then it goes to the top of my 'to read' pile, since I already know it's something I've invested time into reading.

As for reasonable time frame? Totally depends on the agent, and I believe most will let you know. It's not uncommon to have to wait anywhere from a month to six months - more depending on the agent. If I request revisions, then they'll hear from me within a month. But then again, that's just me.

If they didn't tell you how long it would be until you hear back from them, then I would politely follow up about eight weeks after. I don't think it's unreasonable at all - again, this is just for requested revisions.

I do think, however, it's ok to ask for a confirmation to ensure they received your revised manuscript. Because it would really bite to wait 8 weeks to nudge just to find they never received it.

~K

Welcome Kathleen!

My questions involve revisions that are requested from an agent as a result of the submission process:

How much attention do revised manuscripts get in the grand scheme of the agent's daily tasks? What is a reasonable timeframe to expect to hear back on revisions? And if an agent doesn't get back a client in that timeframe is that a VERY BAD sign? If it isn't, what is the best approach for requesting a status update?

[KOrtizzle]

I have notes prepared and ready to go after I get off the phone; however, I wait until they A) accept my offer and B) confirm via e-mail. Longest it's taken? 48 hours.

~K

How long after you've signed up a new client do you try to deliver the notes you promised him on his novel?

[KOrtizzle]

Shortest time was about a week, week and a half tops (don't remember the exact turnaround)- but they were mad crazy fast with the requested revisions and did them pretty much exactly the way I envisioned it.

I've never signed, or seen for that matter, an MS that is ready to go from the start. I don't believe a manuscript like that will ever cross my inbox, and that's ok. It's a really subjective business and even if it's something as minor as a few comma issues, everyone's going to read it differently and have input.

~K

What's the shortest time after signing a novel that you've turned around and pitched it to editors? (Has anyone ever been "good to go" from the start?)

[KOrtizzle]

Yea. It doesn't show on Twitter, but it still annoys me here...:sigh: Rar rar.

have you noticed your avi has crosshairs on it? Just saying...

[Wayne K]

I have a question. The amazing romance from a male point of view that you mention. I've been hearing a lot of that. Why is that? Is it rare, or are more people reading it?

[KOrtizzle]

I rarely see a YA romance from a male POV.

I'm honestly not sure if more people are reading them, but I just personally have this thing where I'd love, love, LOVE a YA romance from a male POV. Contemporary, urban fantasy, paranormal (::cringes at incoming surge of paranormal queries::), fantasy, whatever. If it's a YA romance from a male POV, I really want to see it :)

I think it would help give some diversity to what's already out there and also would appeal to teen girls. What teen girl DOESN'T want to know how a guy thinks when it comes to love? Seriously. it's a secret they want to unlock.

I have a question. The amazing romance from a male point of view that you mention. I've been hearing a lot of that. Why is that? Is it rare, or are more people reading it?

[Wayne K]

Thank you. I saw Donald Maas and someone else (can't remember the name) recently say the same thing about the male POV. I'm not sure if they were referring to YA or not.

Nice to have you here :)

[Monlette]

Thanks for answering my questions, Kathleen. You're amazing. :D

[rebobinar]

Thank you, Kathleen!

[PoppysInARow]

Your answers are wonderful. Thanks, Kathleen.

[kaitiepaige17]

Thank you for answering my question! Reading what you said about a romance in a male POV brings another question: I'm working on just that right now, and it's a paranormal romance. I know that there's a lot of paranormal romances out there, so what paranormal aspects/creatures are you sick of seeing? What types would you like to see more of? Thanks again!

[Cyia]

Ha! I've always suspected "writers who get it right the first time" were a literary myth.

:-)

[KOrtizzle]

There are SO MANY paranormal creatures - both already written about and those yet to be written about. I'm not going to make a list of what I'm looking for/not looking for, because in the long run, if the writing is strong and the plot is unique, then I'm sold :)

Thank you for answering my question! Reading what you said about a romance in a male POV brings another question: I'm working on just that right now, and it's a paranormal romance. I know that there's a lot of paranormal romances out there, so what paranormal aspects/creatures are you sick of seeing? What types would you like to see more of? Thanks again!

[popmuze]

KO,
So I guess waiting for three months would make my agent kind of on the slow side. (And guess what, it's a YA romance from the male POV--and the first time he read it he said he loved loved loved it).

[steve chicoine]

Do MacBook Pro users ever submit manuscripts to your agency in iPages?
Does anyone accept that format versus the obvious Microsoft Word?
Am just curious.

Thanks for sharing

Steve

[KOrtizzle]

When I request partials, I include specific instructions, including to please send either a .doc or .rtf; so I've not received a document in iPages. While I do have both a Mac and an iPad, I still prefer to have an .rtf or .doc so I can also open it on my Windows computer at the office.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who accepts it.

~k

Do MacBook Pro users ever submit manuscripts to your agency in iPages?
Does anyone accept that format versus the obvious Microsoft Word?
Am just curious.

Thanks for sharing

Steve

[KOrtizzle]

Waiting three months....for notes on your MS? AFTER signing? I'm sure there are excruciating circumstances and I can't speak for that agent. I'll just leave it at that... :)

~K


KO,
So I guess waiting for three months would make my agent kind of on the slow side. (And guess what, it's a YA romance from the male POV--and the first time he read it he said he loved loved loved it).

[KOrtizzle]

I just realized my links in the signature were all messed up. Fixed now :)

[Monlette]

Waiting three months....for notes on your MS? AFTER signing? I'm sure there are excruciating circumstances and I can't speak for that agent. I'll just leave it at that... :)

~K


What would be a less *ahem* excruciated timeframe for a signed client? ;)

[tinapickles]

Hi Kathleen--it's wonderful that you have offered your services here on Absolute Write! Its much appreciated.

Here's my question.

I have a story underway--its still in the very rough stages--and am starting to suspect what I thought was originally an "adult" story, might actually be a YA story. Which is cool with me, it just means I will revise accordingly. WHICH is why I'm interested in knowing is where is the line drawn in terms of YA vs. adult content? My story, currently, has a bit of violence (gun fights, a riot), a bit of sex (some of the characters are prostitutes), and a bit of foul language INCLUDING the use of the word "pussy" in reference to an offer of sex (a pimp making an offer of one of his girls services). There are racists remarks and actions as well (tho I suspect this isn't as big a problem these days?).

Thank you for your time!

[x_Kathy_x]

Welcome Kathleen! :D

I am working on a male POV YA fantasy romance -- Yeey! :)

Does Australian slang turn American agents off a manuscript, even if the story is set in Australia? I am trying to decide how much to include/cut. Cheers!

[HistorySleuth]

Greetings Kathleen and :welcome:

I've looked at different agent sites and I am wondering if anyone is interested in non-fiction Native American Issues any more? I see your agency does non-fiction too so I hoped you would have the skinny on that.

I wrote a weekly column in a Native American newspaper for 2 1/2 years (now out of print) based out of the Mohawk Reservation. I did two long series of articles on treaties and land title from a different perspective. Since I still get a lot of requests for the info I thought I would compile (and expand) it in book form.

I pick apart the treaties as land contracts, since 90% are about land. Plus people don't know there are deeds, which would make a difference in land claim cases. I analyze it like a persons property, and point out when viewed under standard land transfer rules could the Six Nations foreclose on the State of New York for non-payment? (Among other things.)

So do you think that is too much of a niche for an agent or publisher to be interested in?
Would it be a problem if the majority of it was already printed in a newspaper? (They're very good friends of mine if it required any kind of release. They want me to do it actually.)

Thanks for being here and any insight you can provide.

[dgaughran]

Hi Kathleen,

I have a question about procedure/etiquette.

I sent a requested full to an agent a few months back, and then nudged a couple of weeks ago. Since the nudge, I got a couple of rejections on fulls that had been out for a while. The feedback was consistent with what needed to be changed, and I agreed. I started the edits straight away, and they should take another 4 to 6 weeks.

Today I received a response on the one outstanding full I had out, the one I sent the nudge on two weeks ago. They have misplaced my manuscript, and asked me to email again for prompt review.

I don't want to send what I now know is a flawed manuscript. Is it okay to tell an agent that you are working through some new revisions and will send the full in six weeks? How should I handle this situation?

Thanks

Dave

[Aubie]

Hi Kathleen,

In your opinion, if a query was sent that didn't follow your submission guidelines (banging my head against the wall) would you reply to the author and ask them to requery the proper way (with sample pages pasted in), or would it be an automatic R? I got an e-mail back from an agent's reader today asking that I submit properly. I'm hoping that meant she liked the query, but maybe she was just taking pity on my speed reading forgets to look at details sometimes idiot self.

Thanks!

[Bella D'Ball]

Hello and Welcome!
Is it ill advised to query as a first time writer for a literary fiction novel that is not complete?

Also, I have been querying for over two years and have not had much interest in a chick lit I wrote. I have posted and polished with the help of absolute write's members my query and sample chapters. Could it be that chick lit is a dying genre, or is it that what I've written could just be not that original enough?
Thank you so much!

[Kmarshall]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks so much for volunteering! I posted this question in the general discussion but thought it best to 'ask the agent' :)

A major publisher asked me for a full in January '10. I was wondering, since I haven't heard and know it will take time, just how long is appropriate before I send a polite follow up?

Fortunately, I have a full in with an agency too--figured I should be ready :)

Thank you
Kmarshall

[KOrtizzle]

There's no defining line.

For instance, have you read HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins? Dozens of teens, placed in a 'unique' arena and told to fight to the death. Neck snapping, stabbing, killed by being stung to death - violent, no? Yet a NYT bestseller and quite a good read.

Bad language? Is it authentic in voice? Does it add or take away from the story? Is it there because it's supposed to be or is it dropped in just for the sake of being a curse word?

Teens will totally call you out if they think you're 'trying' to sound like a teen or trying to force morals and values on them. In the long run, it's all about voice and ensuring it's genuine to that audience.



Hi Kathleen--it's wonderful that you have offered your services here on Absolute Write! Its much appreciated.

Here's my question.

I have a story underway--its still in the very rough stages--and am starting to suspect what I thought was originally an "adult" story, might actually be a YA story. Which is cool with me, it just means I will revise accordingly. WHICH is why I'm interested in knowing is where is the line drawn in terms of YA vs. adult content? My story, currently, has a bit of violence (gun fights, a riot), a bit of sex (some of the characters are prostitutes), and a bit of foul language INCLUDING the use of the word "pussy" in reference to an offer of sex (a pimp making an offer of one of his girls services). There are racists remarks and actions as well (tho I suspect this isn't as big a problem these days?).

Thank you for your time!

[KOrtizzle]

Yay for male POV YA :hooray:

As for Australian slang, that's a tricky one. I took a class with one of Scholastic's acquiring editors for the first couple of HARRY POTTER books and she told us they actually had to go in and comb through every. single. phrase or word. of slang.

Why?

Because most American kids won't know what trainers are. American kids see "torch" and think of a stick with fire at the end - in the UK, it's slang for flashlight. "Got into a row" in the UK is "got into a fight." A middle grade kid would read that and go "Um, like a boat?"

Once the movies came out, it wasn't quite as necessary to replace as much slang, since US kids saw it played out on screen and understood that "do his nut" means to "go crazy" or that "he's mad" means "he's insane" as opposed to "he's pissed off."

I believe there were more than 200 words/slang phrases they replaced, yet they still were able to keep somewhat of an authentic British feel to the American version of the text.

So, in essence, I think it's good for you to find a way to keep the authentic feel while also keeping in mind who the target audience is. If the phrase or word is something that you KNOW will be taken out of context, find another way to say it.

Remember, when you're offered representation (yes, I like to be optimistic) you can always consult your agent as to whether or not you should add more slang.

~K

Welcome Kathleen! :D

I am working on a male POV YA fantasy romance -- Yeey! :)

Does Australian slang turn American agents off a manuscript, even if the story is set in Australia? I am trying to decide how much to include/cut. Cheers!

[KOrtizzle]

In regard to your Q re: niche market, it does sound like quite a niche market. I personally don't rep non-fiction, but I do help Barbara with slush and acquiring clients for her list. My best advice would be to see who has repped writers in this market and submit to them. I'm sorry I can't be of much more help.

Q re: majority printed in a newspaper - what's majority? 75%? 60%? 99%? You have to ask yourself this - why would someone buy your book if they can get the majority of the information for free?

We receive a lot of NF queries, and I'd say at least 90% are from people who have written articles or have a web site they want to turn into a book. But editors will definitely ask why they should publish and sell something people can get for free. So if you feel you can add enough information to make it stand out from just a series of articles, definitely go ahead with it. Otherwise, it might be a tough sell.

~K

Greetings Kathleen and :welcome:

I've looked at different agent sites and I am wondering if anyone is interested in non-fiction Native American Issues any more? I see your agency does non-fiction too so I hoped you would have the skinny on that.

I wrote a weekly column in a Native American newspaper for 2 1/2 years (now out of print) based out of the Mohawk Reservation. I did two long series of articles on treaties and land title from a different perspective. Since I still get a lot of requests for the info I thought I would compile (and expand) it in book form.

I pick apart the treaties as land contracts, since 90% are about land. Plus people don't know there are deeds, which would make a difference in land claim cases. I analyze it like a persons property, and point out when viewed under standard land transfer rules could the Six Nations foreclose on the State of New York for non-payment? (Among other things.)

So do you think that is too much of a niche for an agent or publisher to be interested in?
Would it be a problem if the majority of it was already printed in a newspaper? (They're very good friends of mine if it required any kind of release. They want me to do it actually.)

Thanks for being here and any insight you can provide.

[KOrtizzle]

Each agency is different; however, I'm one for just being up front rather than setting yourself on a path for failure.

If someone was honest and up front and said they've received feedback recently that they feel will strengthen the manuscript, I would be ok with it. It's MUCH BETTER than just ignoring the e-mail and sending the MS weeks later.

Good luck!

~K



Hi Kathleen,

I have a question about procedure/etiquette.

I sent a requested full to an agent a few months back, and then nudged a couple of weeks ago. Since the nudge, I got a couple of rejections on fulls that had been out for a while. The feedback was consistent with what needed to be changed, and I agreed. I started the edits straight away, and they should take another 4 to 6 weeks.

Today I received a response on the one outstanding full I had out, the one I sent the nudge on two weeks ago. They have misplaced my manuscript, and asked me to email again for prompt review.

I don't want to send what I now know is a flawed manuscript. Is it okay to tell an agent that you are working through some new revisions and will send the full in six weeks? How should I handle this situation?

Thanks

Dave

[KOrtizzle]

I used to reply to all queries that came through my inbox (instead of the form on our web site like they're supposed to) with a form reply: We do not accept unsolicited submissions via email, please check our web site.

Quite frankly, that gets old. Really fast. Especially when I get at least 20 a week.

So now, if someone doesn't use the form, I just delete it.

If you received an email asking you to submit properly, then definitely do it - but I wouldn't take it as a sign of they want to see your work. They probably didn't read the query at all, since you didn't follow sub guidelines.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

In your opinion, if a query was sent that didn't follow your submission guidelines (banging my head against the wall) would you reply to the author and ask them to requery the proper way (with sample pages pasted in), or would it be an automatic R? I got an e-mail back from an agent's reader today asking that I submit properly. I'm hoping that meant she liked the query, but maybe she was just taking pity on my speed reading forgets to look at details sometimes idiot self.

Thanks!

[KOrtizzle]

Never query a fiction manuscript that is not completed and polished.

Never.

:rant:<--This is what the agent will look like when they discover they requested to see said MS and it's not completed and polished.

:Soapbox:<--This is me saying again, Do. Not. Ever. Query. A. Fiction. Manuscript. That. Is. Not. Completed. Or. Polished.


:)

As for the chick lit, some say it's dying out, others still sell it. However it may the topic. I don't know because I haven't read it. Perhaps it's the MS that needs to see the drawer while you work on a new one? :)

~K

Hello and Welcome!
Is it ill advised to query as a first time writer for a literary fiction novel that is not complete?

Also, I have been querying for over two years and have not had much interest in a chick lit I wrote. I have posted and polished with the help of absolute write's members my query and sample chapters. Could it be that chick lit is a dying genre, or is it that what I've written could just be not that original enough?
Thank you so much!

[KOrtizzle]

Hello!

Did they request it from the slush pile? Did the editor say how long it would take for them to get back to you?

Very few 'major' publishers take unsolicited submissions, so kudos to you. I'd say after 6 months it's safe to follow up.

But in the meantime, you can send me a query :D

~K

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks so much for volunteering! I posted this question in the general discussion but thought it best to 'ask the agent' :)

A major publisher asked me for a full in January '10. I was wondering, since I haven't heard and know it will take time, just how long is appropriate before I send a polite follow up?

Fortunately, I have a full in with an agency too--figured I should be ready :)

Thank you
Kmarshall

[HistorySleuth]

I

Q re: majority printed in a newspaper - what's majority? 75%? 60%? 99%? You have to ask yourself this - why would someone buy your book if they can get the majority of the information for free?

~K
The newspaper went out of print in 2006, plus never digitized or microfilmed. Their readership at that time was about 1000.

I thank you :e2flowersso much for answering and giving me some things to think about. You're really great for taking time to do this at AW.

[Kmarshall]

[QUOTE=KOrtizzle;4967363]Hello!

Thanks for the reply!

It was unsolicited...sort of. I met them at BEA and out of the blue asked if I could submit. They said sure, send the first chapter. I did, and then they asked for the full.


But in the meantime, you can send me a query :D

Would be happy to. It's a contemporary fantasy. Is your email here? What are your guidelines, and what would like for sample chapters?

It hasn't been six months yet either. The silence is tough :)

[IdiotsRUs]

Quick question (because it's bugging me!)

My query highlights one character, yet the novel starts with another ( I have alternating POVs, both each others antag till the end of act 2)

So when they ask for the first five pages (POV mentioned in query starts on page six! though he is mentioned in the first 5 pages), is this a problem?


Or is it really just the writing? (keeping my fingers crossed on that cos I keep getting 'I love your writing but...')

PS: great that you're taking over and helping us out. It's always nice to see the other side. Makes it all seem less, well, impersonal. Obviously it' a business, but the hint that there are real people on the other side really helps!

[toryminus@yahoo.com]

Hi, KOrtizzle! Thank you so much for taking time away from your busy schedule to answer our questions. I've got a quick one regarding response times to query letters: If you come across a query letter that peaks your interest, how soon do you respond?

Can you provide an example?

Thanks again! TMinus

[Drachen Jager]

I'm in a similar situation. Only I haven't been told my manuscript was lost.

Is it acceptable, under any circumstances, to re-submit a manuscript after it's been sitting with an agent for several months. I feel that, incorporating the feedback I've had, the new version is so much better than the one that did the rounds three months ago.

Each agency is different; however, I'm one for just being up front rather than setting yourself on a path for failure.

If someone was honest and up front and said they've received feedback recently that they feel will strengthen the manuscript, I would be ok with it. It's MUCH BETTER than just ignoring the e-mail and sending the MS weeks later.

Good luck!

~K

[Sandy Shin]

The trick is to see if your manuscript answers two main questions:

1. Does it really take place in a dystopian society? (Don't know? Check out this FABULOUS post I found on Presenting Lenore's Blog (http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/02/guest-rhiannon-hart-on-ya-dystopias.html).

2. Does the world itself affect the plot.


If not, then you can just classify it as straight fantasy. I find that it's easiest to classify your works when you're well read in several genres. The more dystopian, fantasies, paranormals, etc you read, the easier it will be for you to classify your own work.

~K

Thank you so much for your answer! It is very much helpful! :)

[dgaughran]

Each agency is different; however, I'm one for just being up front rather than setting yourself on a path for failure.

If someone was honest and up front and said they've received feedback recently that they feel will strengthen the manuscript, I would be ok with it. It's MUCH BETTER than just ignoring the e-mail and sending the MS weeks later.

Good luck!

~K


Thanks Kathleen, I did just that and the agent was fine.

Dave

[x_Kathy_x]

Because most American kids won't know what trainers are. American kids see "torch" and think of a stick with fire at the end - in the UK, it's slang for flashlight. "Got into a row" in the UK is "got into a fight." A middle grade kid would read that and go "Um, like a boat?"

Thanks for the speedy reply! :) Very interesting points!
I do try and cut slang to the bare minimum, but sometimes I don't know that it *is* slang. LOL. Psssst... I didn't realise that a "torch" wasn't a "flashlight" in the US! *jaw drop*

[Drachen Jager]

x Kathy x

There's a Harry Potter "American" translation. If that gives you an idea how important it is.

[Aubie]

Thanks for responding so quickly! :)

I used to reply to all queries that came through my inbox (instead of the form on our web site like they're supposed to) with a form reply: We do not accept unsolicited submissions via email, please check our web site.

Quite frankly, that gets old. Really fast. Especially when I get at least 20 a week.

So now, if someone doesn't use the form, I just delete it.

If you received an email asking you to submit properly, then definitely do it - but I wouldn't take it as a sign of they want to see your work. They probably didn't read the query at all, since you didn't follow sub guidelines.

~K

[KOrtizzle]

Go to my signature and click on the links to learn more about sub guidelines and such.

You'll still have to go via the form on our web site, but if the pitch catches my eye I'll definitely request to see it :D

[QUOTE=KOrtizzle;4967363]Hello!

Thanks for the reply!

It was unsolicited...sort of. I met them at BEA and out of the blue asked if I could submit. They said sure, send the first chapter. I did, and then they asked for the full.


But in the meantime, you can send me a query :D

Would be happy to. It's a contemporary fantasy. Is your email here? What are your guidelines, and what would like for sample chapters?

It hasn't been six months yet either. The silence is tough :)

[KOrtizzle]

In this case, I would mention in the query that it's in alternating POVs. Normally I wouldn't suggest that but if they want just the first 5 pages, then yea it's going to throw them off.

~K

P.S. Thanks :)

Quick question (because it's bugging me!)

My query highlights one character, yet the novel starts with another ( I have alternating POVs, both each others antag till the end of act 2)

So when they ask for the first five pages (POV mentioned in query starts on page six! though he is mentioned in the first 5 pages), is this a problem?


Or is it really just the writing? (keeping my fingers crossed on that cos I keep getting 'I love your writing but...')

PS: great that you're taking over and helping us out. It's always nice to see the other side. Makes it all seem less, well, impersonal. Obviously it' a business, but the hint that there are real people on the other side really helps!

[KOrtizzle]

It just depends on my schedule with clients and foreign rights sales. I really try to get back to queries within two weeks of receiving it but stuff happens. I read all queries in order received. I don't skim and go back to them later.

There's been ONE instance where I read a query, and it was because I accidentally opened it instead of clicking to file it into my "Queries" folder. I did read it before a bunch of others, did love, and did request the partial within minutes of receiving said query.

Said person is now my client :D

Hi, KOrtizzle! Thank you so much for taking time away from your busy schedule to answer our questions. I've got a quick one regarding response times to query letters: If you come across a query letter that peaks your interest, how soon do you respond?

Can you provide an example?

Thanks again! TMinus

[KOrtizzle]

Hello Trogdor (I couldn't resist),

By resubmit, do you mean to the same agent or to other people? If you mean to the same agent, I wouldn't. I would instead just nudge. No point in resending unless they ask you to.

If you mean resubmit as in continue to query other agents, then YES. Unless you've agreed to an exclusive, you should always continue to query other agents.

"Burninate" yourself to a great manuscript!

~K

I'm in a similar situation. Only I haven't been told my manuscript was lost.

Is it acceptable, under any circumstances, to re-submit a manuscript after it's been sitting with an agent for several months. I feel that, incorporating the feedback I've had, the new version is so much better than the one that did the rounds three months ago.

[Kmarshall]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for the response. I went to your website and filled out the query form. I pasted in the relevant book description I'm using in my query letters. Hope you like it. It'll come from Keith Yatsuhashi :)

[toryminus@yahoo.com]

Thanks, KOrtizzle for answering my question regarding response time with query letters. Two weeks is very impressive! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

One final question: Do you have a preference of narrative voice in a story, or are you open to anything as long as it's well-written? It seems most YA authors use first person point of view. The main characters in my story are fraternal boy and girl twins, therefore, I found it difficult using first person. What's your personal preference?

I look forward to hearing back from you (rejection or request) in regards to my YA submission. Thanks! TMinus http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Drachen Jager]

Hello Trogdor (I couldn't resist),

By resubmit, do you mean to the same agent or to other people? If you mean to the same agent, I wouldn't. I would instead just nudge. No point in resending unless they ask you to.

If you mean resubmit as in continue to query other agents, then YES. Unless you've agreed to an exclusive, you should always continue to query other agents.

"Burninate" yourself to a great manuscript!

~K

Hi Kathleen,

I mean I've submitted the manuscript on request. The problem is it was three months ago and I've received and acted on some very useful feedback since then. I think the current version of my manuscript is much stronger than the one I sent them and I'm afraid that it will be rejected if I don't send the newer version.

I guess it really depends on the agent and whether they're looking at the potential at the flaws when they make a decision.

Thanks for the quick response by the way. I'll try not to burninate any more of your time as though it was a village of peasants and thatch roofed cottages.

[KOrtizzle]

I actually don't have a preference, though all of my clients had queried me w/ YA's in the first person POV. I'm really not opposed to third person, as clearly plenty of people write in it very well (Melissa Marr, being one of my absolute favorites!). Just happens that it worked out that my current list are first person POV.

In a nutshell - really no preference. If the writing is good, the plot is engaging, and you 'wow' me somehow, we're good to go ;)

Thanks, KOrtizzle for answering my question regarding response time with query letters. Two weeks is very impressive! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

One final question: Do you have a preference of narrative voice in a story, or are you open to anything as long as it's well-written? It seems most YA authors use first person point of view. The main characters in my story are fraternal boy and girl twins, therefore, I found it difficult using first person. What's your personal preference?

I look forward to hearing back from you (rejection or request) in regards to my YA submission. Thanks! TMinus http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[KOrtizzle]

I answered this a few posts back, if you want to take a look? If it doesn't answer your Q let me know :)

~K

Hi Kathleen,

I mean I've submitted the manuscript on request. The problem is it was three months ago and I've received and acted on some very useful feedback since then. I think the current version of my manuscript is much stronger than the one I sent them and I'm afraid that it will be rejected if I don't send the newer version.

I guess it really depends on the agent and whether they're looking at the potential at the flaws when they make a decision.

Thanks for the quick response by the way. I'll try not to burninate any more of your time as though it was a village of peasants and thatch roofed cottages.

[KOrtizzle]

I'm a little behind on queries at the moment, but I'll be in touch before mid-June :)

~K

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for the response. I went to your website and filled out the query form. I pasted in the relevant book description I'm using in my query letters. Hope you like it. It'll come from Keith Yatsuhashi :)

[Regan Leigh]

Hi! Good to see you on the AW boards. :)

I have a YA WIP that I'm editing. I'm a little concerned about the age of the MC. Is 18 too old for a MC in YA lit? I do have a specific reason for them to be that age, but if I felt it was a big enough issue I would re-arrange things to lower the age. It just wouldn't be ideal for the story. Would this be a red flag to you as an agent that it would be a hard sell?

Thanks for your time!

[toryminus@yahoo.com]

Outstanding! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif I'm so glad you are open to third person POV, and I agree, Melissa Marr does it extremely well. Thanks for responding so quickly...you are the bomb! TMinus

[Kmarshall]

Thanks for letting me know, Kathleen. I think I'll take that time and send a snail mail query. That way, you'll have a writing sample as well! Please be on the look out for something early next week. Which reminds me, if you're at BEA, please drop by our booth! (4666)

BTW--LOVE your avatar. Plain old dinosaur or Godzilla?

Keith

[NivianBlanche]

:hooray:Hi KOrtizzle!! I have a question. I am currently working on a YA fantasy set in medi-evil like times but I'm worried it might be getting too long. I don't want to finish the book without ending the story...Advice?

[JSSchley]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for taking the time to help us out here on the AW forums. I know I'll be reading here and learning a lot from what you have to say.

I've had trouble finding the answer to this question/have read wildly different responses from folks (I'm working my way slowly through the thousands of questions and answers in the "ask the agent" threads so far as well as blogs--stayed up until dawn this morning reading Jennifer Laughran's posts), so I'm curious what your opinion is on pen names at the query stage. I've seen some people say "absolutely not, it makes you look way too presumptive that you'll be published" (which, frankly, I agree with) and yet other agents, like Janet Reid on Query Shark, say to have a dedicated e-mail for your writing and a web presence before you query, which implies that if you'll need a pen name, you need it then.

I'm an academic (doctoral candidate at the moment), and I'm working hard to make sure that I establish my research "niche" and that "Firstname Lastname" leads to publications in Obscure Journal of Uninteresting Things and the like. While my fiction isn't salacious or embarrassing, it doesn't have anything to do with my academic work, and I'll need to separate the two for professional reasons.

I feel that I should be querying under my real name, using my regular "firstname.lastname" e-mail address, and letting agents trip on me via google as "so-and-so, doctoral candidate" until I have a deal in hand, and THEN broaching the issue of my need for a pen name, but it seems some reputable people feel otherwise. I'd love to know your opinion.

Thanks in advance.

[Vince524]

Hi Kathleen,

I wrote a YA/Paranormal romance MS. It's been read by a couple of people I know into that type of story and gotten really good feedback. My question is this. The word count is 120k. Is this unreasonably long for this type of MS? It doesn't feel that way to me.

Thanks

[Dot Hutchison]

Hi, Kathleen! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the slew of questions; we here in the trenches really appreciate it.

I was actually curious about a really random point- when you say you're jonesin' for steampunk, is that just in its traditional form? Or would you be open to- for example- a clockwork world?

Cheers!
Dot Hutchison

[E. S. Lark]

As far as I can tell, it should be below 100k, if not under the 80k marker. The longer works would be for fantasy - but KO may have some new news I'm not aware of.

Also, who exactly has read your book? Family and friends? Not to sound harsh, but if they aren't writers, you may want to get a few beta readers on AW. If the plot is solid, they'll tell you - but there are always ways to tighten.

Check for passive voice, dialogue/dialogue tags, and words such as: that, was, were, toward - and any other crutch words you might use, especially purple prose and -ly words.

Hi Kathleen,

I wrote a YA/Paranormal romance MS. It's been read by a couple of people I know into that type of story and gotten really good feedback. My question is this. The word count is 120k. Is this unreasonably long for this type of MS? It doesn't feel that way to me.

Thanks

[Vince524]

As far as I can tell, it should be below 100k, if not under the 80k marker. The longer works would be for fantasy - but KO may have some new news I'm not aware of.

Also, who exactly has read your book? Family and friends? Not to sound harsh, but if they aren't writers, you may want to get a few beta readers on AW. If the plot is solid, they'll tell you - but there are always ways to tighten.

Check for passive voice, dialogue/dialogue tags, and words such as: that, was, were, toward - and any other crutch words you might use, especially purple prose and -ly words.


I put in a request for a beta reader but I havent gotten any takers yet. Yes, its been read only by family and friends, and I know I can;t totally rely on them although they do read stuff like this and it got a very positive reaction which is encouaging. But I know I need someone else to read it. I did have a someone who is a professional read the first few chapters and she her thoughts were positive as well.

Also what is purple prose?

Thanks

[thothguard51]

Vince,

Not to discourage you, but if you don't understand what crutch words are, or what purple prose is, then more than likely you are not ready to submit. Remember, when you submit, you want your work to be the best it can be and in purple prose is a big turn off to many agents.

Google Purple Prose or go to Wikipedia...

[E. S. Lark]

Purple prose is when you use lots of sparkly words to describe something. Generally only one word is necessary when describing an object. Do a search in your word program for "ly."

Find these and delete them: softly, gently, gingerly, quietly, tartly, slowly, eagerly - you get the idea. All ly words can be replaced or ignored completely/entirely/wholely - see, there it is again ;)

Really tighten your work. It will help out in the end.

[Vince524]

Vince,

Not to discourage you, but if you don't understand what crutch words are, or what purple prose is, then more than likely you are not ready to submit. Remember, when you submit, you want your work to be the best it can be and in purple prose is a big turn off to many agents.

Google Purple Prose or go to Wikipedia...

I know about crutch words and I had looked for stuff like the purple prose as well. I had just never heard the term b4.

[toryminus@yahoo.com]

Hi, KOrtizzle! I've got another question for you http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif. Given that the main characters in my YA story are fraternal boy and girl twins, is it a terrible idea to mention in my query that I'm the mother to fraternal boy/girl twins? http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif or http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif

Thanks again for answering our questions! TMinus

[KOrtizzle]

Popping in to say "hi" and let you guys know I've been MIA and will be MIA for a few days because A) I was this month's Secret Agent over at the Authoress Anonymous' blog (http://www.misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/). and B) This week is BEA and both clients and foreign sales come first.

Keep the questions coming, and I'll try to sneak in and answer them whenever I have a few spare moments. Otherwise, I plan on being back on track with regular answers and updates after June 1! :)

Speaking of June 1st (because I'm a T-Rex machine), Query Tracker is hosting a pretty amazing contest (http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2010/05/agent-judged-contest-announced.html)over on their blog, which I happen to be co-hosting. Check it out.

Thanks!

~K

[Kmarshall]

Hey Kathleen,

I'm at BEA too! Stop by our booth (4666) Would love to do a rapid meet and greet :)

BTW sending that snail mail query along!

Keith

[The Grump]

A question came up on my blog: "Can you have more than one agent?" Context was the writer wrote both women's fiction and YA/MG.

[gothicfictionfan]

Hey Kathleen,

Thank you so much for your time on AW, and I really appreciate all the help you've offered us.

I actually started a thread in the Newbie section, and my new friends suggested that I ask you my question for some direct agent feedback.

I was offered representation from an agent at the beginning of 2010. We spent some time discussing my manuscript (a YA/romance), and she began submitting it to several editors a few weeks later.

All in all, I believe it's been shopped to around approximately eight different editors, and we've heard back from four with positive feedback, but no official takers yet. We had already begun formulating a plan for the next round of submissions when I received a very strange email from my agent -- she said that she was "stepping away from her work at the firm for many personal reasons", and that she would not be able to continue submitting my work to editors following the first round of submissions. Of course, she apologized and remarked that she was "bummed".

It goes without saying to state that I'm extremely disappointed, but I won't let it prevent me from trying to move forward.

What rights, if any, do I have in this situation? Can I ask her to refer me to another agent, either in her firm or outside of it? What would a reputable agent do in this situation?

Thank you so much, again.

[x_Kathy_x]

Hi Kathleen,
In your experience, why does an agent request a second R&R? Is this common? And, is it common to reject after making second revisions?
Cheers!

[adam smith]

Let's say you have a story where the main character is a girl in the mid-teen range ( i.e. 14 to 17) who has a consensual affair with a much older man, gets pregnant, and then has to raise the baby alone after the father is sent to prison for 'raping' her (i.e. statutory rape).

Could that be considered Young Adult fiction? Would it make a difference depending on whether the POV was that of the girl, or the man, or some other character?

[KOrtizzle]

It has more to do with the situations/environment which determine whether or not it's right for YA. Always remember that most kids "read up."

For instance, if it's about a teen's first year of college, it will be difficult for YA because not most 14 yr olds can relate to something like that. However if it's an 18 yr old in the last year of high school, then yea at least the environment is still familiar enough for the reader.

There's no 'magic' number :)

~K

Hi! Good to see you on the AW boards. :)

I have a YA WIP that I'm editing. I'm a little concerned about the age of the MC. Is 18 too old for a MC in YA lit? I do have a specific reason for them to be that age, but if I felt it was a big enough issue I would re-arrange things to lower the age. It just wouldn't be ideal for the story. Would this be a red flag to you as an agent that it would be a hard sell?

Thanks for your time!

[KOrtizzle]

Sorry I didn't drop by - lots of foreign agent appointments and barely had enough time to grab swag and meet up with Kody :)

~K

Thanks for letting me know, Kathleen. I think I'll take that time and send a snail mail query. That way, you'll have a writing sample as well! Please be on the look out for something early next week. Which reminds me, if you're at BEA, please drop by our booth! (4666)

BTW--LOVE your avatar. Plain old dinosaur or Godzilla?

Keith

[KOrtizzle]

Hi! ::waves::

Find a way to trim the excess and make it a reasonable length.

Probably not the answer you were looking for, but that's the 'real' answer. Most people find they can trim excess scenes that slow the pacing, eliminate minor and unnecessary characters and even take out some unnecessary sub plots.

Tough to say without knowing word count or anything :)

~K

:hooray:Hi KOrtizzle!! I have a question. I am currently working on a YA fantasy set in medi-evil like times but I'm worried it might be getting too long. I don't want to finish the book without ending the story...Advice?

[KOrtizzle]

My opinion, and the one that I find most others share, is to use your real name. Always.

If you have a pen name that is associated with some previous publications that sold well, then by all means mention that you've been published under that name in the past. But definitely query using your real name.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for taking the time to help us out here on the AW forums. I know I'll be reading here and learning a lot from what you have to say.

I've had trouble finding the answer to this question/have read wildly different responses from folks (I'm working my way slowly through the thousands of questions and answers in the "ask the agent" threads so far as well as blogs--stayed up until dawn this morning reading Jennifer Laughran's posts), so I'm curious what your opinion is on pen names at the query stage. I've seen some people say "absolutely not, it makes you look way too presumptive that you'll be published" (which, frankly, I agree with) and yet other agents, like Janet Reid on Query Shark, say to have a dedicated e-mail for your writing and a web presence before you query, which implies that if you'll need a pen name, you need it then.

I'm an academic (doctoral candidate at the moment), and I'm working hard to make sure that I establish my research "niche" and that "Firstname Lastname" leads to publications in Obscure Journal of Uninteresting Things and the like. While my fiction isn't salacious or embarrassing, it doesn't have anything to do with my academic work, and I'll need to separate the two for professional reasons.

I feel that I should be querying under my real name, using my regular "firstname.lastname" e-mail address, and letting agents trip on me via google as "so-and-so, doctoral candidate" until I have a deal in hand, and THEN broaching the issue of my need for a pen name, but it seems some reputable people feel otherwise. I'd love to know your opinion.

Thanks in advance.

[KOrtizzle]

It's quite long. Most agents won't read a YA over 100K.

I would definitely make it under 100K, but under 90K would be even better for the sake of at least signing with an agent and selling it to a publisher. Definitely look to see if there's any fluff, scenes that slow the plot, etc that can be cut out.

~K


Hi Kathleen,

I wrote a YA/Paranormal romance MS. It's been read by a couple of people I know into that type of story and gotten really good feedback. My question is this. The word count is 120k. Is this unreasonably long for this type of MS? It doesn't feel that way to me.

Thanks

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

No prob. I'm enjoying it :)

Anytype of steampunk + good writing + good plot = Happy Agent

:)

~K


Hi, Kathleen! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the slew of questions; we here in the trenches really appreciate it.

I was actually curious about a really random point- when you say you're jonesin' for steampunk, is that just in its traditional form? Or would you be open to- for example- a clockwork world?

Cheers!
Dot Hutchison

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

Tough one, because each agent is different. I wouldn't mind either way; however, just play it safe and leave it out.
:)

~K

Hi, KOrtizzle! I've got another question for you http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif. Given that the main characters in my YA story are fraternal boy and girl twins, is it a terrible idea to mention in my query that I'm the mother to fraternal boy/girl twins? http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif or http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif

Thanks again for answering our questions! TMinus

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

There are people with more than one agent, but in most cases they have a screenplay agent and a literary agent - since most agencies do one or the other.

My advice? Try to query agencies who have agents within the agency who represent other types of books. That way, if you do have a romance-only agent (rare) who tells you they just can't do the YA/MG, you can at least stay within the agency for your YA/MG. Just makes your life and the agency's life much easier as far as keeping track of paperwork and such. :)

~K


A question came up on my blog: "Can you have more than one agent?" Context was the writer wrote both women's fiction and YA/MG.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about this. First and foremost, look at your agency agreement / agent-author contract. See what it says (if it says) about this type of situation.

Definitely speak to your agent re: what her advice is and go from there. You can definitely ask her to refer you to another agent within the agency - most agencies would WANT to retain their clients. If they don't want to, then unfortunately you're back to square one of the query stage; however you can certainly mention this in your query so they know you were previously represented.

Let me know if you have any other Qs/how it goes...

~K

Hey Kathleen,

Thank you so much for your time on AW, and I really appreciate all the help you've offered us.

I actually started a thread in the Newbie section, and my new friends suggested that I ask you my question for some direct agent feedback.

I was offered representation from an agent at the beginning of 2010. We spent some time discussing my manuscript (a YA/romance), and she began submitting it to several editors a few weeks later.

All in all, I believe it's been shopped to around approximately eight different editors, and we've heard back from four with positive feedback, but no official takers yet. We had already begun formulating a plan for the next round of submissions when I received a very strange email from my agent -- she said that she was "stepping away from her work at the firm for many personal reasons", and that she would not be able to continue submitting my work to editors following the first round of submissions. Of course, she apologized and remarked that she was "bummed".

It goes without saying to state that I'm extremely disappointed, but I won't let it prevent me from trying to move forward.

What rights, if any, do I have in this situation? Can I ask her to refer me to another agent, either in her firm or outside of it? What would a reputable agent do in this situation?

Thank you so much, again.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

I'm not sure how common that is, actually. I know I won't ask for a second unless I offer representation first. Because if the writer can't complete the bulk of the revisions the first time, then it's probably not something I'm going to be comfortable working on further.

It's common to be rejected at any stage. There's no 'guarantee' of having an agent until you are offered representation AND accept.


~K


Hi Kathleen,
In your experience, why does an agent request a second R&R? Is this common? And, is it common to reject after making second revisions?
Cheers!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

It would definitely make a HUGE difference as to the point of view of the main character. The main thing with YA is can the audience relate to the main character. If the POV is from that of a 40-some year old man, a teen definitely won't be able to relate.

~K

Let's say you have a story where the main character is a girl in the mid-teen range ( i.e. 14 to 17) who has a consensual affair with a much older man, gets pregnant, and then has to raise the baby alone after the father is sent to prison for 'raping' her (i.e. statutory rape).

Could that be considered Young Adult fiction? Would it make a difference depending on whether the POV was that of the girl, or the man, or some other character?

[The Grump]

Thanks much for your answer on multiple agents. Hope you don't mind if I blab it on my blog to all two of my readers.

[MyFirstMystery]

Hi Kathleen,

I'm a business consultant and I often self-publish and sell my nonfiction business writing independently. (eBooks, training manuals, etc)

I am also writing a mystery novel, which is unrelated to my "day job" as a business consultant.

When I seek out an agent, will it be a problem if I seek representation for my fiction work only? I'm not interested in getting an agent for my non-fiction work at this time, but I'm not sure if requesting that kind of limitation would make me less desireable as a client.

Thanks!

MyFirstMystery
Seattle, WA

[jeseymour]

My first novel is coming out this fall through a small press. Can I still look for an agent for my next one? Will agents want to see how the first one does before taking a look at the next one? (These are part of a series.) How about if the book is not part of a series, completely different characters, would that be different? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Cyia]

You said on Twitter that none of your Backspace pitches were YA paranormal, so I was wondering what you saw the most of instead.

[ElizaFaith13]

Hiya kortizzle!

I just finished my book and I'm confused about something. Do I query an agent and send in my manuscript to publishing houses? Or is it one or the other?

[HistorySleuth]

Hi Kathleen,

I didn't realize it until recently, but I think I'm writing a cozy. That is my question, cozy or not cozy?

(Edited out pitchy paragraph for being a blockhead)

So I think it's a cozy because my reporter is my amateur sleuth, I have no sex (just some flirting with a female CSI), two other murders occur off scene, it's set in the country, and the only cussing really is the MC's dad who says things like, "For Christ's sake!"

HOWEVER the subject of the cold case is children who were murdered 15 years ago by a mentally abuse local foster person. So no violence (except for the murders which aren't given in detail.) I read, however, cozy readers don't like anything dealing with children in that context. So is it a cozy or not? Just so when I'm ready to pitch I know if I should pitch it as one or not.

Thank you in advance!

[Mharvey]

Hello Kathleen,

First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions here. I've learned so much about the market from such threads.

My question to you, especially being that you specialize in novels for young adult/children: is it a mistake to pitch a novel in a specialized genre of a specialized genre? In another words, does "YA Fantasy" or "YA Historical Fiction" really exist? Does labeling your novel in that way instantly regulate you to a niche agent/audience?

I've been hitting a roadblock trying to pitch a "YA Fantasy," and I really don't understand why. I've endured the scathing scourges of Query Letter Hell on these forums with *many* drafts, and finally posted a version of a letter that most people found very intriguing. After months and literally 30+ drafts, I can say it's the best letter I'm capable of writing for the novel, yet no agent seems to wanna go near it with a 10 foot pole. I've queried about 25 with this Query Letter Hell Approved Draft, and got 21 outright rejections and 4 ignores. I need to figure out how to make this pitch more sexy, and if being YA Fantasy is already starting with an arm tied behind my back, I gotta fix that... because I *need* both arms badly. :D

In case you are really bored, this is the letter I'm using. It's probably not your cup of tea (definitely not YANF), but any general advice would be welcome. Feel free not to read it, however, as even I think posting it in this thread is a wee bit shameless. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177646

Thanks again.

Best,
Matt

[Kmarshall]

Not a problem Kathleen. I was busy too. Great show though. Met a couple of agents and pitched on the floor! One good one interested in 50 pages. Swoon.

[CheyElizabeth]

Hi Kathleen!

Suppose an author spent hours and hours perfecting their query, then after copy and pasting it into the submission form on your agency's website, realized they might have forgotten to include the book's title.

Would this be an insta-rejection, or does the query still have a chance?

:) Thanks for all of your helpfull advice!

[Miss Plum]

Hey, Kathleen!

Thanks for coming by.

I'm curious, do agents ever have non-buyer's remorse over passing on projects that went on to great success? We've all seen those stories about how many rejections were racked up by authors who are now earning their agents and publishers huge fortunes.

I know you love to see writers prosper, but what else? Anyone ever say, "Her query letter was garbage! But who knew?" Or what?

[True]

Nice to meet you, Kathleen! Thanks for helping us out!

I have a question about pen names. I've searched this thread and found only one other question about them, but it didn't really help. Anyway, what do you think about using a pen name before you start querying? In other words, if on the internet you're only known by your pen name, would it be a problem when it comes time to query and then publish your book? I would use my real name when querying agents, but if I decided to not use the name I'm known by on the internet when it's time for the book to be published, could that cause any problems? Or would I just have to explain this to the people who only know me by my pen name? And do you consider it being dishonest if you refrain from using your real name (of course, without the intention of misguiding people)?

Thanks again!

[Epiphany]

Hi Kathleen!

How important do you find maintaining stylistics and genre when it comes to author platform in the world of YA? Like, if your fluffy romantic comedy client who just came out with a first person/past YA novel decided to write a dark third person/present scifi YA novel for their second book, would you be concerned, or submit to editors nonetheless? (assuming you love both books)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

I can't imagine it would make you "less desirable" if you wanted an agent for just your fiction work; however, a lot of agents don't look highly upon someone who has self-published especially if they have low numbers.

This is different from training manuals and ebooks that were published for corporate use, of course.

Just make sure that when the time comes to discuss your writing career with an agent (when they call to offer representation), you are open and honest about this so they at least know you also write non-fiction on the side. You don't want to blind side them.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

I'm a business consultant and I often self-publish and sell my nonfiction business writing independently. (eBooks, training manuals, etc)

I am also writing a mystery novel, which is unrelated to my "day job" as a business consultant.

When I seek out an agent, will it be a problem if I seek representation for my fiction work only? I'm not interested in getting an agent for my non-fiction work at this time, but I'm not sure if requesting that kind of limitation would make me less desireable as a client.

Thanks!

MyFirstMystery
Seattle, WA

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

You can definitely still look for an agent for the next one; however they'll want to know who published your previous book and how many copies it sold - because that's what a future publisher will want to know.

You also want to check your current publisher's contract to ensure they don't have the first option to any other books you write. Because in that case, you can't go to another publisher without their rejecting your work.

~K

My first novel is coming out this fall through a small press. Can I still look for an agent for my next one? Will agents want to see how the first one does before taking a look at the next one? (These are part of a series.) How about if the book is not part of a series, completely different characters, would that be different? Thanks for any suggestions.

[KOrtizzle]

Hello!

I did two sessions: YA and Memoir.

In the YA session, I saw quite a unique mix of genres: contemporary, sci-fi, mystery, and historical.

~K

You said on Twitter that none of your Backspace pitches were YA paranormal, so I was wondering what you saw the most of instead.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

You look for an agent. If you go to publishing houses, get rejected, and then go to an agent and get representation, the agent won't be able to go to the imprints who rejected your project.

By the sound of your question, I think you need to hold off on querying until you fully understand the publication process. Browse these boards, check out some agent blogs *cough, mine, cough* and definitely ensure you have a strong grasp on how the process works.

~K


Hiya kortizzle!

I just finished my book and I'm confused about something. Do I query an agent and send in my manuscript to publishing houses? Or is it one or the other?

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

To be honest, I skipped the part that's slashed out below. I feel that if I answer a question based on a pitch, then everyone will start pitching their projects to me on here and that's not the point of this thread.

However, based on what you said regarding the following that is NOT slashed out, this is my response.

It sounds like a cozy mystery. Cozy mysteries can be defined as a story that has a bloodless crime and nothing graphic in terms of violence, sex or language. We actually have a client who's quite famous for her cozy mysteries: MC Beaton - Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth mysteries.

From what you say about the children, it sounds borderline because you're right - cozy readers are uncomfortable with children's deaths. I would play it safe and NOT pitch it as cozy, because you don't want to mislead the agent.

It's a tough question and I think you'll get a different answer depending on who you ask.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

I didn't realize it until recently, but I think I'm writing a cozy. That is my question, cozy or not cozy? So here is this first:

When three small coffins slide out from the bank of the Wiscoy Creek during a dredging operation, it was the last thing Dave Robertson of the Lamont Weekly Times expected to be reporting on. Pinned to the tattered clothing hanging off the skeletons were pieces of old Wiscoy Dairy milk cartons, each displaying a photo of a missing child. He zoomed in with his camera to discover a familiar face from his childhood---Sally, one of the many foster children his parents had cared for over the years―--one his father said had been "placed elsewhere." Could Dave report on the biggest story of his career knowing his father could be a murderer?

So I think it's a cozy because my reporter is my amateur sleuth, I have no sex (just some flirting with a female CSI), two other murders occur off scene, it's set in the country, and the only cussing really is the MC's dad who says things like, "For Christ's sake!"

HOWEVER the subject of the cold case is children who were murdered 15 years ago by a mentally abuse local foster person. So no violence (except for the murders which aren't given in detail.) I read, however, cozy readers don't like anything dealing with children in that context. So is it a cozy or not? Just so when I'm ready to pitch I know if I should pitch it as one or not.

Thank you in advance!

[Cyia]

Cool! Sounds like there's some diverse ideas out there :)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

First off, can I just say I LOVE the little Chainsaw Dude next to one of your project titles? HILARIOUS!!!!

As for pitching novels, you HAVE to choose a niche/audience. Have to. Agents have to pitch it to editors that way so they know who the intended audience is. So yea, there is such a thing as YA fantasy, YA paranormal, YA paranormal romance, YA historical, etc.

When you start getting into YA historical-thriller-fantasy-with-paranormal-twists-in-space-and-aliens-oh-yea-there's-a-cowboy-so-it's-also-western, you run into problems.

You must be able to identify the audience. It's not that you're cornering yourself, it's more so showing you know your market and your audience.

As for your query, sometimes (and I hate to say this) it's not how the query is written. Maybe the topic itself just isn't for the agent? Maybe the story has been done before? Maybe it's just not grabbing the agent's attention?

There are literally a hundred reasons for an agent not to request a partial or full, so please don't think it's simply the way your query is written.

FYI - I didn't read the query you linked me to because I feel as though the moment I do that, everyone will start posting their queries here and I just wouldn't be able to get to all the questions. So my comments are based on not reading that link.

~K
Hello Kathleen,

First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions here. I've learned so much about the market from such threads.

My question to you, especially being that you specialize in novels for young adult/children: is it a mistake to pitch a novel in a specialized genre of a specialized genre? In another words, does "YA Fantasy" or "YA Historical Fiction" really exist? Does labeling your novel in that way instantly regulate you to a niche agent/audience?

I've been hitting a roadblock trying to pitch a "YA Fantasy," and I really don't understand why. I've endured the scathing scourges of Query Letter Hell on these forums with *many* drafts, and finally posted a version of a letter that most people found very intriguing. After months and literally 30+ drafts, I can say it's the best letter I'm capable of writing for the novel, yet no agent seems to wanna go near it with a 10 foot pole. I've queried about 25 with this Query Letter Hell Approved Draft, and got 21 outright rejections and 4 ignores. I need to figure out how to make this pitch more sexy, and if being YA Fantasy is already starting with an arm tied behind my back, I gotta fix that... because I *need* both arms badly. :D

In case you are really bored, this is the letter I'm using. It's probably not your cup of tea (definitely not YANF), but any general advice would be welcome. Feel free not to read it, however, as even I think posting it in this thread is a wee bit shameless. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177646

Thanks again.

Best,
Matt

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

Oh, you're lucky! LoL. There are some places that I feel are not the time/place to pitch and BEA is one of them. It's a trade show - not a writer's conference. But good for you! :)

~K

Not a problem Kathleen. I was busy too. Great show though. Met a couple of agents and pitched on the floor! One good one interested in 50 pages. Swoon.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

If said author did it to said agent who happens to be answering this question, then said agent wouldn't have a problem with it :) If the pitch caught said agent's attention, said agent would totally request a partial still.

However, if it's not said agent, then said agent can't promise others would do the same. But can assume that if pitch is good, another agent would be lenient enough to request based on a good pitch rather than the fact a title was omitted ;-)

~K

Hi Kathleen!

Suppose an author spent hours and hours perfecting their query, then after copy and pasting it into the submission form on your agency's website, realized they might have forgotten to include the book's title.

Would this be an insta-rejection, or does the query still have a chance?

:) Thanks for all of your helpfull advice!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

I'm not sure; however from those whom I've spoken to, they don't have remorse over passing on projects.

In order for a book to be successful, you have to have the right team - right agent, right editor, right publishing house. If you don't have a team who loves your work enough to work with it day-by-day to make it the BEST POSSIBLE work, then it's never going to get the justice it deserves.

Ergo, why sign something you aren't in love with? And if by passing on it, it goes to someone else who works wonders with it then yea, we're happy for them. Because we know we didn't have that passion for that work to get it to that point.

~K
Hey, Kathleen!

Thanks for coming by.

I'm curious, do agents ever have non-buyer's remorse over passing on projects that went on to great success? We've all seen those stories about how many rejections were racked up by authors who are now earning their agents and publishers huge fortunes.

I know you love to see writers prosper, but what else? Anyone ever say, "Her query letter was garbage! But who knew?" Or what?

[MMcP]

Hi Kathleen! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions!

Ok, here goes. Is it really the kiss of death to mention a series in a query letter? I read somewhere that 90% of queries mention series, and while I assume (hope?) this is an overstatement, I can't help but think that this must be an agent pet peeve. But on the flip side, I know of authors who pitched and sold their books as a three-book series (or more). I completely understand that any book in a series needs to stand alone in terms of plot and conflict/resolution, but I'm just not sure about the specific situation where an author has conceived a multi-volume arc. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks!!

[Kmarshall]

You're absolutely right about when to pitch and when not to. I made sure I asked first to give the person the right to say no. AND I also held back when I knew it wasn't appropriate :) This one though, it was either go for it or lose the opportunity. I've been a sales, marketing, and promotion professional for twenty one years now. Most of it has been dealing with company presidents, CEO's, CFO's, diplomats, and the occasional U.S. Ambassador. Admittedly, the large share of those were smaller companies, but I did work with some larger ones. The long and the short of it, for the purposes of this discussion, is that I have a good deal of experience here and really know when to go for it and when not to :) Before that, I was on the U.S. Figure Skating team--lots of PR there, plus press events, meets and greets and protocol stuff. Yesterday, I pitched to the owner of a MAJOR company. He said he put me in touch with the person who does their Intellectual Property Development. So we'll see what happens there--maybe something, maybe nothing. I'll see him again two weeks at a conference, and then after for a working group.

I've done up a full marketing promotion for the book, complete with market analysis, demographics, launch strategy--hey, I'm a marketing guy. I'll need to update it, but it's pretty snazzy! Shoot, I should have sent it with my query :(

[HistorySleuth]

Thanks KOrtizzle! I'll try pitching it straight.
Sorry about the pitch by the way. Bad form. :Ssh: I wasn't thinking. I'll keep that in mind to explain it differently without that in the future in a thread of this type.

[RuthD]

Thanks so much for doing this, Kathleen!

The situation: I pitched to an agent at a conference and she asked for a partial. The next day, I took a workshop which gave me new insights and made me realize more revision was needed. Long story short: 7 weeks later I'm still mired in revisions, and haven't sent anything yet. Another agent said there is no rush to submit after a conference--even if 6 months or a year goes by she will still look at it. (But she may have been talking about queries, not requested work.)

My question: Have I made a huge faux pas in not contacting the agent and explaining the delay? I thought I wouldn't bother her until the ms was ready, but it's taking longer than anticipated. Do you think I should email now & explain, or just plod on through my revisions and then submit?

[adam smith]

This is probably a "dumb newbie" question that's already been answered a million times, but I can't find it:

Say you have queried a bunch of agents, and gotten the standard "Dear author: We are sooo sorry for using a form letter ..." form letters; and then six months or a year later, you have made major revisions to your manuscript and/or to your query letter.

Is it ethical to re-submit to the same agent(s), and if so, do you mention that you had submitted previously, or do you just do it de novo? Is anybody actually going to remember one query out of thousands, 6 or 12 months later? Would it make a difference if the working title of the manuscript has changed?

TIA, a.s.

[Ken]

... Hi Kathleen.

Out of curiosity, I was wondering how agents get paid. Do agents get to keep the entire 15% commission on books they sell for their clients or do they have to split some of that commission with the agency they work for? And since they do get commissions, do agencies take that into account when paying salaries? And lastly, do agents get paid when money they make off royalties and advances comes in or is that money portioned out throughout the year?

Thanks very much!
And like others have said, very cool of your being here :-)

[NewThought]

Hi Kathleen! Glad to see you here.

Just curious: I've read somewhere recently that authors should not wait until they have finished writing their manuscript before finding an agent. That, well, they could end up 'wasting time' on an idea without valuable agent feedback during the process. The most that should be written, according to this person, is four chapters and a query letter before heading off and contacting potential agents.

What do you think?

Please note: I'm still writing my book. Also, I've never been published before.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for any and all assistance in advance, Kathleen.

-NT

[WetWilly69]

Hi Kathleen!

I’ve completed my YA book at 98,000 words but can’t figure out the genre. It’s a multi-racial romance paranormal, set in a post-apocalyptic future, about a drug-dealing, old soul who is in love with an evil dark witch. All my beta’s think I should be querying it as erotica because of the hot smex scenes.

So my question is, is there such a thing as YA Erotica? Because my characters are both 17.

Thanks!

PS - I hope you had fun on vacation :)

[KOrtizzle]

Dear Willy,

The answer you seek lies within this link (http://kortizzle.blogspot.com/2010/06/ya-erotica.html).

Thanks for visiting me at AW!

~K

Hi Kathleen!

I’ve completed my YA book at 98,000 words but can’t figure out the genre. It’s a multi-racial romance paranormal, set in a post-apocalyptic future, about a drug-dealing, old soul who is in love with an evil dark witch. All my beta’s think I should be querying it as erotica because of the hot smex scenes.

So my question is, is there such a thing as YA Erotica? Because my characters are both 17.

Thanks!

PS - I hope you had fun on vacation :)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

When you first query, don't mention other projects; however, if you're offered representation, chat it up with the agent. Let them know you have interests in other genres.

Assuming it's well written with a strong plot, then sure, why not?

~K

Hi Kathleen!

How important do you find maintaining stylistics and genre when it comes to author platform in the world of YA? Like, if your fluffy romantic comedy client who just came out with a first person/past YA novel decided to write a dark third person/present scifi YA novel for their second book, would you be concerned, or submit to editors nonetheless? (assuming you love both books)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

It's not the kiss if death if you use the right wording.

Let's say the query is for a Zombie Western On Mars. Which of the following sounds good?

Example A: "I currently have ZWOM's books two and three completed and ready to send upon request."

Example B: "In ZWOM 2, the Zombies travel to Pluto; the title is ZWOP. In ZWOM 3, the Zomies travel to Venus; the title is ZWOV."

Example C: "ZWOM is a stand alone novel, with series potential."


I hope you picked C :)

It's ok to say there's "series potential" but we also really need to know that it's a stand alone book. It's the same thing we tell editors. But first and foremost the book must stand alone.

~K

Hi Kathleen! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions!

Ok, here goes. Is it really the kiss of death to mention a series in a query letter? I read somewhere that 90% of queries mention series, and while I assume (hope?) this is an overstatement, I can't help but think that this must be an agent pet peeve. But on the flip side, I know of authors who pitched and sold their books as a three-book series (or more). I completely understand that any book in a series needs to stand alone in terms of plot and conflict/resolution, but I'm just not sure about the specific situation where an author has conceived a multi-volume arc. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks!!

[KOrtizzle]

No worries :D

Thanks KOrtizzle! I'll try pitching it straight.
Sorry about the pitch by the way. Bad form. :Ssh: I wasn't thinking. I'll keep that in mind to explain it differently without that in the future in a thread of this type.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

Hmm. To be honest, if I request a partial and they don't send it, I'll never know. I only cross-check my list of requested submissions once I receive them (to make sure no one has snuck in). If people end up not sending it, I assume it was either not complete or they just didn't want to pitch to me anymore ::sob::

It never hurts to be honest; you could just shoot an email explaining the situation - but keep it short and sweet. If it's a long email of apologies, they might just skim it. Stick to the facts: which conference, one line hook with title, genre, (to refresh their memory), and then let them know that you went to the workshop. Explain that you expect to finish by ___ and that you hope they'll still be interested in replying.

If they don't reply, no biggie. You still have the OK to send it to them. If they do, then go by what they say.

However, again, they may get the impression the MS was incomplete when you pitched it.

Also be sure they didn't give a cut off date. I've not given any in the past; however, after a few unfortunate experiences, I fully intend to stick to a "you have two weeks from the conference end date to email me" rule.

~K
Thanks so much for doing this, Kathleen!

The situation: I pitched to an agent at a conference and she asked for a partial. The next day, I took a workshop which gave me new insights and made me realize more revision was needed. Long story short: 7 weeks later I'm still mired in revisions, and haven't sent anything yet. Another agent said there is no rush to submit after a conference--even if 6 months or a year goes by she will still look at it. (But she may have been talking about queries, not requested work.)

My question: Have I made a huge faux pas in not contacting the agent and explaining the delay? I thought I wouldn't bother her until the ms was ready, but it's taking longer than anticipated. Do you think I should email now & explain, or just plod on through my revisions and then submit?

[mtrenteseau]

Kathleen,

Thanks for answering all these questions - I've found it fascinating.

I've written a murder mystery that has a male-POV romance as a major subplot. I've been pitching it as a mystery, with no mention of the romance. Should I try pitching it as a romance that happens to be a mystery, or somewhere in between?

(The characters are professionals in their late 20s/early 30s, so it's definitely not YA.)

[RainyDayNinja]

Kathleen,

I'm currently finishing up a story of mine which was intended to be a novel, but came out as a novella (~40k words). There aren't a lot of markets for novellas that I can find (especially ones that offer more than just a token payment). Would an agent be able to help me out at all, or am I on my own?

Thanks

[KarlaErikaCal]

Hi Kathleen!

I open each of my chapters with non-traditional writing media like blog posts, articles, notes, emails, letters, etc. How do I refer to that in the query?

Thanks so much for answering our questions!

[Mharvey]

Hi!

First off, can I just say I LOVE the little Chainsaw Dude next to one of your project titles? HILARIOUS!!!!

As for pitching novels, you HAVE to choose a niche/audience. Have to. Agents have to pitch it to editors that way so they know who the intended audience is. So yea, there is such a thing as YA fantasy, YA paranormal, YA paranormal romance, YA historical, etc.

When you start getting into YA historical-thriller-fantasy-with-paranormal-twists-in-space-and-aliens-oh-yea-there's-a-cowboy-so-it's-also-western, you run into problems.

You must be able to identify the audience. It's not that you're cornering yourself, it's more so showing you know your market and your audience.

As for your query, sometimes (and I hate to say this) it's not how the query is written. Maybe the topic itself just isn't for the agent? Maybe the story has been done before? Maybe it's just not grabbing the agent's attention?

There are literally a hundred reasons for an agent not to request a partial or full, so please don't think it's simply the way your query is written.

FYI - I didn't read the query you linked me to because I feel as though the moment I do that, everyone will start posting their queries here and I just wouldn't be able to get to all the questions. So my comments are based on not reading that link.

~K

I understand completely - even posting the link was riding a fine line between shameless and bad taste. No worries at all. :)

Thanks again for all the info. Maybe it is just I have not queried the right agent yet for the project. I really believe in this manuscript, and I don't want it to just sit in my drawer like the other 7 I've written.

I'll continue trying, and see if the right combination of good fortune and right agent come together.

Best,
Matt

[MrSteve]

Dear Ms. Ortiz,
I've had a little feeback from two queries on a MG fantasy, on the order of "The second chapter was idling," and "Not enough action." So I've completed another revision, reducing word count to cure sluggish prose. However, there is a courtroom scene at the end, where my villain is brought to justice, containing a lot of dialogue. Now I'm second guessing myself, wondering if I should move pieces of that conversation to earlier parts of the story. (This would be a little tricky.)

The question is: If you read a novel, it pulls you in, then you get to some slow chapters near the end, would you pass on it? Or would you (rather, would most agents), choose to work with the author and tell them what they'd like to see changed?

[MGBooks]

First off thank you so much for your wonderful comments and suggestions. It is so helpful!
My question is that I have a middle grade historical fiction book and I have just begun to query. I just got a rejection from an agent who said that there is currently not a market for historical fiction for middle grade. (that made me sad-it is my favorite genre!) I really feel strongly about this book and love the story and the characters but I am wondering how I can market it so that the focus is not only on it being a historical fiction book but also mystery and an adventure? Also is it true that there is not a market for middle grade historical fiction? Thank you so much! I really appreciate your time!

[NewThought]

Hi Kathleen! Glad to see you here.

Just curious: I've read somewhere recently that authors should not wait until they have finished writing their manuscript before finding an agent. That, well, they could end up 'wasting time' on an idea without valuable agent feedback during the process. The most that should be written, according to this person, is four chapters and a query letter before heading off and contacting potential agents.

What do you think?

Please note: I'm still writing my book. Also, I've never been published before.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for any and all assistance in advance, Kathleen.

-NT


Kathleen, I don't believe the genre would make any difference here, but the genre happens to fall somewhere between black comedy and science fiction.

Thanks again for any and all feedback in advance! I know your time is valuable, and I appreciate that you are answering all of these questions for free, mine included. Have a great day!

[NivianBlanche]

Thank you for answering my previous question KOrtizzle! ::hugs::

I have another one. I have a fantasy story that consists of a vampire and his man servant. However, with the recent uprising of vampire stories again- I'm a little skiddish to query it. My question is, would it be better to wait until the fad cools down? I don't want my query to be 'slushed' because the word vampire is there.

[Wayne K]

Kathleen, you are so cool.

Considering what you have to do on a normal day, your time is very generous. Thank you.

[Miranda Lois]

Kathleen,

It it good or bad idea to mention other authors/other books the agent represents in the query letter? I've heard that it's good to show you've done your research on what types of books the agent represents, but I've also read it can be a bad idea.

Thanks for answering all these questions - much appreciated!

[Amberly]

Hi Kathleen

Thankyou so much for a lend of your knowledge and expertise my question is driving me mad so i hope you can enlighten me.

I've been working on a series for some time (it did not start out as a series) and have been slightly procrastinating on getting it just right. I wrote books one, two and most of three then turned a short character exploration into a whole manuscript (again my imagination on overdrive)... Which is set pre-book one - its a subcharacter as a grandmother retelling how it all began for her.

So now i have book 1 and a pre-book 1 and they're both in that 'almost ready just a few more re-reads for spelling and grammar' stage.

They both feel like good starting points only thing is they have slightly different writing styles. Book 1 being first person present tense and tween, book pre-one being first person past tense and slightly more mature because it's grandma telling it not the tween.

How do i pitch that to an agent without sounding slightly nutty?

Am i better off pitching one book, either one, then if an agent likes it describing the other book etc.

Or would that be rude because an agent might like to have all the details straight up?

Thankyou again for your time, i'm eager to have some clarity on this one.

Cheers

Amberly

[rmgil04]

Hi Kathleen,

I've got a few ideas for my next project. Some science fiction and others fantasy. I've also been reading lately about the rapid growth of fantasy (particularly urban fantasy) marketshare, and that it could overtake science fiction.

If I'm trying to make my decision what to work on next based on the business end, would you recommend I focus on the sci-fi stories or the urban fantasy?

I've asked a similar question on other threads and the typical response is that it doesn't matter if it's written well. I completely disagree. I know people who've written excellent stories, but can't sell them due to lack of interest in the market. Writing may be an art, but publishing is a business.

[Bufty]

And nobody has crystal ball.

Hi Kathleen,

I've got a few ideas for my next project. Some science fiction and others fantasy. I've also been reading lately about the rapid growth of fantasy (particularly urban fantasy) marketshare, and that it could overtake science fiction.

If I'm trying to make my decision what to work on next based on the business end, would you recommend I focus on the sci-fi stories or the urban fantasy?

I've asked a similar question on other threads and the typical response is that it doesn't matter if it's written well. I completely disagree. I know people who've written excellent stories, but can't sell them due to lack of interest in the market. Writing may be an art, but publishing is a business.

[rmgil04]

And nobody has crystal ball.
That's true, but I've heard many stories from people getting pseudo-rejections from agents who said they liked what they read, but didn't see a market for it.

Agents are business people and part of the business is market forecasts. It's not a crystal ball, but it's critical for survival in the business.

[egoodlett]

Hi Kathleen,

First, thanks for answering all these questions! I've been reading over other answers, they're really helpful :) I have a kind of specific question...
I submitted a full to an agent last year on a referral (without a query letter). She passed (and offered some nice feedback), but she asked me to please send her any new work I did in the future. Over the last year, I wrote another novel, which I'm in the process of querying. I sent her a query letter a couple months ago, but I haven't heard back. Her website says that if she doesn't respond in 6 weeks, assume she isn't interested -- but I wasn't sure if I should contact her to make sure my query sent? Since she specifically asked me to query her when I had a new project...
I don't want to be annoying, but I also don't want to miss out on an opportunity because of a spam trap or something...

~Ellen~

[Bufty]

When you think of the time lag between your deciding what to write and it being written, edited, agented and published, it's not critical at all from your point of view. All anyone can do is write the best story one can and hope there's a market for it when it's time to submit it.

Agents don't make forecasts - I believe knowing the market enables them hopefully to accept finished manuscripts they think they can sell now, not three years hence.

If an Agent knows there's no present market for a manuscript of course it will be rejected.



That's true, but I've heard many stories from people getting pseudo-rejections from agents who said they liked what they read, but didn't see a market for it.

Agents are business people and part of the business is market forecasts. It's not a crystal ball, but it's critical for survival in the business.

[rmgil04]

Agents don't make forecasts - I believe knowing the market enables them hopefully to accept finished manuscripts they think they can sell now, not three years hence.

There I disagree. The non-weather definition of forecast is "To calculate or estimate something in advance; predict the future." For agents that is looking at today what they think will sell next year and beyond.

Don't forget. Writing is an art, but publishing is a business.

From what I've read, urban fantasy has quickly eaten into the marketshare once dominated by sci-fi. If that trend has continued, it should be considered in prioritizing projects. I would like an agent's perspective on this business trend.

[kellion92]

Urban fantasy and sci-fi are incredibly broad genres. How marketable any particular book is depends more on the specific idea and execution than whatever giant bucket it fits into.

[Monlette]

Dilemma: A friend has been offered a contract by a good agent. The trouble is that the agent has limited contacts in the book's genre, and has told my friend up front that she will only try to place the book with two houses before terminating the contract.

My friend was unsure if she should sign. Her other friends all urged her to take the contract, since a lukewarm agent is better than none at all. I disagreed.

My friend signed and it has gotten me thinking: It seems to me that the odds of getting an offer from only two submissions are slight and I worry that she will be regarded as "damaged goods" when it comes time to query the book to agents again. However, I know less than nothing about this so maybe I'm making too many bad assumptions?

1) How fatal is such a history when querying future agents? (Is this common enough to where it doesn't even phaze agents? Or uncommon enough to be an immediate red flag?)

2) When should such a prior history be disclosed to prospective agents, and how such an author broach the topic with a future agent?

3) If the current agent shows it to two houses and both pass, can and should she convince the agent to give it another shot?

[Ghost Writer]

Hi Kathleen! Many thanks for doing this. It's a big help.

I received a full request from a great agent who wanted to know who else had the MS. Since then, I've received another full request. Do I let Great Agent know I've had another request? Splitting hairs on this, Great Agent didn't specifically ask me to let her know of any future requests.

[EagerReader]

Hi Kathleen!
Many thanks for taking the time, here and at the QT dealy (That was fun to watch). From your perspective as an agent: if you opened the door for a revise and resubmit, would you expect the writer to continue querying elsewhere? Or would you expect them to wait for your verdict. Or does it even matter?
Thank you, some more.

[EnnaEnoch]

Hi Kathleen! Thank you for fielding some questions.

I'm in the process of querying agents about my project. If I keep getting rejections, what is the correct way of re-querying agents a totally different project? Is there a specific length of time to wait? And if I do so, do I make mention that I had querying them before, but this time I'm submitting a new project I have?

If you query an agent once and they reject that project, do they prefer you don't contact them again with another?

[KOrtizzle]

Hello!

Do you read romantic mysteries? If so, do you feel it falls into that category?

It's difficult to tell without reading it myself, but if the romance is a major subplot and you're well read in the genre, then yes it's probably best to pitch it as a romantic mystery.

~K

Kathleen,

Thanks for answering all these questions - I've found it fascinating.

I've written a murder mystery that has a male-POV romance as a major subplot. I've been pitching it as a mystery, with no mention of the romance. Should I try pitching it as a romance that happens to be a mystery, or somewhere in between?

(The characters are professionals in their late 20s/early 30s, so it's definitely not YA.)

[KOrtizzle]

I always urge writers to seek representation rather than going the self-publishing route; however, novellas are definitely a tough sell.

Have you tried expanding the story?

~K

Kathleen,

I'm currently finishing up a story of mine which was intended to be a novel, but came out as a novella (~40k words). There aren't a lot of markets for novellas that I can find (especially ones that offer more than just a token payment). Would an agent be able to help me out at all, or am I on my own?

Thanks

[KOrtizzle]

I don't think that's really required information for a query. I rather just have information on the plot and read it for myself when I receive opening pages.

~K

Hi Kathleen!

I open each of my chapters with non-traditional writing media like blog posts, articles, notes, emails, letters, etc. How do I refer to that in the query?

Thanks so much for answering our questions!

[KOrtizzle]

If I see strong writing and a strong plot with easy 'fixes' then I'll still offer representation; however, I'll certainly discuss major changes on the phone first to ensure the author is on the same page as I am.

Each agent is different. Unfortunately I can't speak for others on this one.

~K

Dear Ms. Ortiz,
I've had a little feeback from two queries on a MG fantasy, on the order of "The second chapter was idling," and "Not enough action." So I've completed another revision, reducing word count to cure sluggish prose. However, there is a courtroom scene at the end, where my villain is brought to justice, containing a lot of dialogue. Now I'm second guessing myself, wondering if I should move pieces of that conversation to earlier parts of the story. (This would be a little tricky.)

The question is: If you read a novel, it pulls you in, then you get to some slow chapters near the end, would you pass on it? Or would you (rather, would most agents), choose to work with the author and tell them what they'd like to see changed?

[KOrtizzle]

There isn't a market for 'a lot' of things (oy). It's all about the commercial hook. Historicals sell (YA or MG) if there's a strong commercial hook, such as romance, fantasy, paranormal, etc.

Focus on that commercial hook in your query to grab the agent's attention, but also make sure it's prominent in your manuscript.

~K

First off thank you so much for your wonderful comments and suggestions. It is so helpful!
My question is that I have a middle grade historical fiction book and I have just begun to query. I just got a rejection from an agent who said that there is currently not a market for historical fiction for middle grade. (that made me sad-it is my favorite genre!) I really feel strongly about this book and love the story and the characters but I am wondering how I can market it so that the focus is not only on it being a historical fiction book but also mystery and an adventure? Also is it true that there is not a market for middle grade historical fiction? Thank you so much! I really appreciate your time!

[KOrtizzle]

If it's non-fiction, then it's advised you query before you finish the book; however, a strong proposal and first 3-5 chapters is required.

If it's fiction, you must have a finished, polished manuscript before submitting. You'll really just annoy agents and possibly turn them away from you if you do otherwise.

~K

Kathleen, I don't believe the genre would make any difference here, but the genre happens to fall somewhere between black comedy and science fiction.

Thanks again for any and all feedback in advance! I know your time is valuable, and I appreciate that you are answering all of these questions for free, mine included. Have a great day!

Originally Posted by NewThought http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5027990#post5027990)
Hi Kathleen! Glad to see you here.

Just curious: I've read somewhere recently that authors should not wait until they have finished writing their manuscript before finding an agent. That, well, they could end up 'wasting time' on an idea without valuable agent feedback during the process. The most that should be written, according to this person, is four chapters and a query letter before heading off and contacting potential agents.

What do you think?

Please note: I'm still writing my book. Also, I've never been published before.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for any and all assistance in advance, Kathleen.

-NT

[KOrtizzle]

The vampire fad has really never cooled down - it just comes in waves.

Dracula...Lost Boys...Anne Rice....Vampire Diaries....Buffy....Twilight....Vampire Diaries again...

It's never left us.

If you're storyline is unique enough and the writing is strong, then you'll find an agent. If you feel more comfortable waiting, then do so.

It's about your writing career and what you feel comfortable doing with it.

~K

Thank you for answering my previous question KOrtizzle! ::hugs::

I have another one. I have a fantasy story that consists of a vampire and his man servant. However, with the recent uprising of vampire stories again- I'm a little skiddish to query it. My question is, would it be better to wait until the fad cools down? I don't want my query to be 'slushed' because the word vampire is there.

[KOrtizzle]

Thanks! :)

Kathleen, you are so cool.

Considering what you have to do on a normal day, your time is very generous. Thank you.

[KOrtizzle]

Some agent's ask for it in their submission guidelines - in that case, do it.

Otherwise, I find it just odd. If you phrase it in a way that says you're querying them because of their experience in <genre> that's one thing; but if you start saying what a huge fan you are of certain clients, they may take it as a fan-girl/fan-boy query.

Besides, your query should focus on your pitch. If you're going to mention anything else about research you've done on them, it should be limited to a sentence at most.

~K

Kathleen,

It it good or bad idea to mention other authors/other books the agent represents in the query letter? I've heard that it's good to show you've done your research on what types of books the agent represents, but I've also read it can be a bad idea.

Thanks for answering all these questions - much appreciated!

[KOrtizzle]

As a rule of thumb, you should write one book and then query it. Writing an entire series can be a waste of time, because there are usually several revisions and edits that can alter the rest of the books, if you land representation.

I would query one book, mention it has the potential to be a series, and go from there. If an agent reaches out to offer representation, THEN you can discuss your other books. However, in the query, just stick to mentioning book one.

~K

Hi Kathleen

Thankyou so much for a lend of your knowledge and expertise my question is driving me mad so i hope you can enlighten me.

I've been working on a series for some time (it did not start out as a series) and have been slightly procrastinating on getting it just right. I wrote books one, two and most of three then turned a short character exploration into a whole manuscript (again my imagination on overdrive)... Which is set pre-book one - its a subcharacter as a grandmother retelling how it all began for her.

So now i have book 1 and a pre-book 1 and they're both in that 'almost ready just a few more re-reads for spelling and grammar' stage.

They both feel like good starting points only thing is they have slightly different writing styles. Book 1 being first person present tense and tween, book pre-one being first person past tense and slightly more mature because it's grandma telling it not the tween.

How do i pitch that to an agent without sounding slightly nutty?

Am i better off pitching one book, either one, then if an agent likes it describing the other book etc.

Or would that be rude because an agent might like to have all the details straight up?

Thankyou again for your time, i'm eager to have some clarity on this one.

Cheers

Amberly

[KOrtizzle]

Publishing is definitely a business; however, I'm afraid they're right - good writing and a strong, commercial plot are what sell.

There's no 'magic 8 ball' to target current trends. If there was, we'd all be billionaires (ok...millionaires). Everyone complains about paranormal and how it's a saturated market, but if the writing is good and the plot is unique then it still sells.

I'm afraid I can't tell you which genre to write - only to focus in on the story you wish to tell and to ensure it's the most unique, captivating plot possible with strong writing.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

I've got a few ideas for my next project. Some science fiction and others fantasy. I've also been reading lately about the rapid growth of fantasy (particularly urban fantasy) marketshare, and that it could overtake science fiction.

If I'm trying to make my decision what to work on next based on the business end, would you recommend I focus on the sci-fi stories or the urban fantasy?

I've asked a similar question on other threads and the typical response is that it doesn't matter if it's written well. I completely disagree. I know people who've written excellent stories, but can't sell them due to lack of interest in the market. Writing may be an art, but publishing is a business.

[KOrtizzle]

Their projects may have been focused in on TOO much of a 'niche' audience. There are several reasons for rejections.

~K

That's true, but I've heard many stories from people getting pseudo-rejections from agents who said they liked what they read, but didn't see a market for it.

Agents are business people and part of the business is market forecasts. It's not a crystal ball, but it's critical for survival in the business.

[KOrtizzle]

If she specifically asked you to email her again on a new project, then I would forward that email with your query to her. However, if it was just a generic, "please feel free to query me in the future," then it's probably a pass on her part.

~K

Hi Kathleen,

First, thanks for answering all these questions! I've been reading over other answers, they're really helpful :) I have a kind of specific question...
I submitted a full to an agent last year on a referral (without a query letter). She passed (and offered some nice feedback), but she asked me to please send her any new work I did in the future. Over the last year, I wrote another novel, which I'm in the process of querying. I sent her a query letter a couple months ago, but I haven't heard back. Her website says that if she doesn't respond in 6 weeks, assume she isn't interested -- but I wasn't sure if I should contact her to make sure my query sent? Since she specifically asked me to query her when I had a new project...
I don't want to be annoying, but I also don't want to miss out on an opportunity because of a spam trap or something...

~Ellen~

[KOrtizzle]

What's the genre/age group? I'm kinda surprised they would have only two contacts....

If your friend were to break the agent-author agreement and seek representation elsewhere, then she would have to check her contract to be sure she's allowed to take that manuscript to another agency. If so, then in the query she should state she previously had representation and they broke on good terms. Once an agent asks for a partial/full, they'll most likely ask if the manuscript was shopped around and she should be honest and tell them which publishers saw it.

I imagine if both houses reject it, she should definitely speak with the agent about sending it elsewhere. Again, this is my opinion based on limited information.

~K

Dilemma: A friend has been offered a contract by a good agent. The trouble is that the agent has limited contacts in the book's genre, and has told my friend up front that she will only try to place the book with two houses before terminating the contract.

My friend was unsure if she should sign. Her other friends all urged her to take the contract, since a lukewarm agent is better than none at all. I disagreed.

My friend signed and it has gotten me thinking: It seems to me that the odds of getting an offer from only two submissions are slight and I worry that she will be regarded as "damaged goods" when it comes time to query the book to agents again. However, I know less than nothing about this so maybe I'm making too many bad assumptions?

1) How fatal is such a history when querying future agents? (Is this common enough to where it doesn't even phaze agents? Or uncommon enough to be an immediate red flag?)

2) When should such a prior history be disclosed to prospective agents, and how such an author broach the topic with a future agent?

3) If the current agent shows it to two houses and both pass, can and should she convince the agent to give it another shot?

[KOrtizzle]

I'd say no. If you receive an offer of representation, I'd definitely let them know and give them time to counter-offer, though.

~K

Hi Kathleen! Many thanks for doing this. It's a big help.

I received a full request from a great agent who wanted to know who else had the MS. Since then, I've received another full request. Do I let Great Agent know I've had another request? Splitting hairs on this, Great Agent didn't specifically ask me to let her know of any future requests.

[KOrtizzle]

I would assume they're querying elsewhere - some agents request an exclusive revise/resubmit for this reason.

I never assume/expect an author to send me something on an exclusive basis, no would I ask for it.

~K

Hi Kathleen!
Many thanks for taking the time, here and at the QT dealy (That was fun to watch). From your perspective as an agent: if you opened the door for a revise and resubmit, would you expect the writer to continue querying elsewhere? Or would you expect them to wait for your verdict. Or does it even matter?
Thank you, some more.

[KOrtizzle]

You're certainly allowed/expected to query an agent with a different project. it's the same as the first round - send a query, follow submission guidelines and go from there.

You should NOT mention that they rejected a previous project/query.

There's no length of time between queries; however, it's usually best to focus on one project at a time when querying.

~K

Hi Kathleen! Thank you for fielding some questions.

I'm in the process of querying agents about my project. If I keep getting rejections, what is the correct way of re-querying agents a totally different project? Is there a specific length of time to wait? And if I do so, do I make mention that I had querying them before, but this time I'm submitting a new project I have?

If you query an agent once and they reject that project, do they prefer you don't contact them again with another?

[Sakura-chan]

Hi Kathleen! Thank you for fielding some questions.

I'm in the process of querying agents about my project. If I keep getting rejections, what is the correct way of re-querying agents a totally different project? Is there a specific length of time to wait? And if I do so, do I make mention that I had querying them before, but this time I'm submitting a new project I have?

If you query an agent once and they reject that project, do they prefer you don't contact them again with another?

Sorry, I couldn't resist replying to this because I was in a similar situation. When an agent rejected me personally (not a form rejection), I immediately wrote back to thank them and also said something along the lines of, "should I have another project in the future, I hope I can submit to you again..."
Two agents actually wrote back to me and said it would be all right, which could possibly be the reason why I got a partial request on a second project from one of the agents who initially rejected me.
However, that's just how I approached it and I definitely want to hear what Kathleen has to say.:)

[True]

I'm re-asking this.

I have a question about pen names. I've searched this thread and found only one other question about them, but it didn't really help. Anyway, what do you think about using a pen name before you start querying? In other words, if on the internet you're only known by your pen name, would it be a problem when it comes time to query and then publish your book? I would use my real name when querying agents, but if I decided to not use the name I'm known by on the internet when it's time for the book to be published, could that cause any problems? Or would I just have to explain this to the people who only know me by my pen name? And do you consider it being dishonest if you refrain from using your real name (of course, without the intention of misguiding people)?

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions! It's been very helpful reading the answers because I had some of the same questions.

[KOrtizzle]

I don't know how I overlooked this question. Sorry about that!

I think it's always best to query with your legal name. If you have a very strong online presence under a pen name, then you can mention it in the query; however, if you're not previously published and don't have a strong online presence, I wouldn't even bring up the pen name until an agent offers representation.

~K

I'm re-asking this.

I have a question about pen names. I've searched this thread and found only one other question about them, but it didn't really help. Anyway, what do you think about using a pen name before you start querying? In other words, if on the internet you're only known by your pen name, would it be a problem when it comes time to query and then publish your book? I would use my real name when querying agents, but if I decided to not use the name I'm known by on the internet when it's time for the book to be published, could that cause any problems? Or would I just have to explain this to the people who only know me by my pen name? And do you consider it being dishonest if you refrain from using your real name (of course, without the intention of misguiding people)?

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions! It's been very helpful reading the answers because I had some of the same questions.

[True]

Thanks! I'll definitely do that.

[MrSteve]

The distinction between MG and YA seems awfully blurred at times. I understand that when the main plot element is romance, it should fall squarely in the YA genre. But there are a lot of books that appeal to readers in both age-groups.

Recently, you judged a contest, and one of the reasons you gave for rejecting a query was that they couldn’t tell the difference between MG and YA. This gives me the impression that if a book spans both groups, it doesn’t stand a chance of getting past the query stage.

Am I wrong? (I'm hoping you'll say, "yes.")

[NivianBlanche]

The vampire fad has really never cooled down - it just comes in waves.

Dracula...Lost Boys...Anne Rice....Vampire Diaries....Buffy....Twilight....Vampire Diaries again...

It's never left us.

If you're storyline is unique enough and the writing is strong, then you'll find an agent. If you feel more comfortable waiting, then do so.

It's about your writing career and what you feel comfortable doing with it.

~K

Thanks! It never hurts to try and if all else fails I can revise and wait a few months/years. :)

[Solivagant]

First of all I just wanted to add another thank you for doing this for us all!

I had question that is similar to one you answered for Amberly.

I have written a fantasy trilogy, with each book following directly after the last, but each of the books can stand alone. I've thoroughly revised and polished the first manuscript, but the following two have only seen minor revisions for consistency.

I assume I should set aside the second and third manuscripts until I see how things go with the first, but should I neglect to mention them completely in my query?

I would hate to come off as being dishonest if it gets accepted and only at that point do I decide to mention it's the first part of a completed trilogy.

P.S. You've inspired me to write a YA Steampunk romance novel, featuring a first-person male p.o.v., and I'll try and keep in the that goldie-locks zone of 90k words.

So hopefully the concept will still sound good in a few months when I've finished!

[KOrtizzle]

Yes, you're wrong.

However, you're right.

:flag:


So here's the thing: the voice and plot need to speak in a clear manner to a certain group. For instance, just because a book is targeted toward the MG crowd and sounds as though it has an MG voice, doesn't mean it's for the MG audience if it's about prom. Because MG kids can't relate to that type of experience.

Look at Harry Potter - it's filed away in most bookstores (from what I've seen) as an MG book, yet clearly it's been able to capture readers spanning several age groups. However, when it was first pitched, it was pitched as a children's book.

What I suggest is to focus on where you think the voice skews more toward and pitch it as that. "Tween" isn't a genre and it's a tough sell. Much easier if you just choose MG or YA and pitch it as such.

If I stated I couldn't tell if it was MG or YA in the contest, it was because it seemed to be juvenile events with too-mature of a voice or vice versa - and it's difficult to follow the voice/plot when this is the situation.

~K



The distinction between MG and YA seems awfully blurred at times. I understand that when the main plot element is romance, it should fall squarely in the YA genre. But there are a lot of books that appeal to readers in both age-groups.

Recently, you judged a contest, and one of the reasons you gave for rejecting a query was that they couldn’t tell the difference between MG and YA. This gives me the impression that if a book spans both groups, it doesn’t stand a chance of getting past the query stage.

Am I wrong? (I'm hoping you'll say, "yes.")

[KOrtizzle]

I'd say the same thing as I told Amberly: focus on book one and be sure to say in your query that it's a stand alone book with series potential.

It's not being dishonest. It's the truth. If you're offered representation, then the agent will most likely ask if book two is outlined or completed.

~K

First of all I just wanted to add another thank you for doing this for us all!

I had question that is similar to one you answered for Amberly.

I have written a fantasy trilogy, with each book following directly after the last, but each of the books can stand alone. I've thoroughly revised and polished the first manuscript, but the following two have only seen minor revisions for consistency.

I assume I should set aside the second and third manuscripts until I see how things go with the first, but should I neglect to mention them completely in my query?

I would hate to come off as being dishonest if it gets accepted and only at that point do I decide to mention it's the first part of a completed trilogy.

P.S. You've inspired me to write a YA Steampunk romance novel, featuring a first-person male p.o.v., and I'll try and keep in the that goldie-locks zone of 90k words.

So hopefully the concept will still sound good in a few months when I've finished!

[Sakura-chan]

Hi, Kathleen.
I've written a novel that clearly has Canadian content (as I am Canadian). However, there doesn't really seem to be a market for the type of novel I've written. The closest it comes to is African-American, but substitute American for--you guessed it--Canadian. Considering the content, would it be easier to try to get Canadian representation? Would an American agent look at such a thing? If an agent has on their submissions page "African-American," should I try to squeak this through?
Thanks for whatever advice you can give and for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer.

[RainyDayNinja]

Kathleen,

The story is pretty much as expanded as it's going to get. It might gain a few thousand after some revisions I'm considering, but not enough to put it in a different category.

However, I'm working on a sequel, and plan to write a third novella after that, using the same characters. I'll probably try to get them sold separately as short fiction, but if I have 3 novellas totaling up to the novel-length range, could I pitch that to an agent? I know selling a book of unpublished short stories isn't going to happen, but might a collection of 3 closely related novellas be sell-able?

Thanks again :-)

I always urge writers to seek representation rather than going the self-publishing route; however, novellas are definitely a tough sell.

Have you tried expanding the story?

~K

Kathleen,

I'm currently finishing up a story of mine which was intended to be a novel, but came out as a novella (~40k words). There aren't a lot of markets for novellas that I can find (especially ones that offer more than just a token payment). Would an agent be able to help me out at all, or am I on my own?

Thanks

[SCR]

Kathleen,
Do agents always respond to requested material? I know some agents/agencies only respond to queries if interested but is the same true for a partial or full MS? I've noticed many agencies that have "silence=no" kinds of policies don't seem to list anything on their Websites regarding requested material and expected time frames. If an agent has material and hasn't responded, how long should a writer wait before sending a polite follow-up email or should the lack of a response be considered as a pass?

[leigh78]

Hi Kathleen. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

I have a question about book series. My initial research on the topic showed to not mention a series in the query letter. My genre is Mystery, which is heavy on series, and while I do plan for one, my completed manuscript can be a stand alone.

The last couple of days I've come across several successful query letters and agent comments showing and/or implying that it's alright to mention the "S" word the query. Obviously, this has to be a personal preference among agents. Many agents are now visible enough on the internet (blogs, twitter, ect...) that us writers can get an idea of what they want mentioned and not mentioned in the query. But there are still many agents that don't have a web presence and I don't have a clue if I'm going to trigger a pet-peeve should I write something at the conclusion of my query letter such as this:

'This is the first book in a proposed series. I have a written outline for book two.'

And that is the truth - I do only have my outline for book two and an overall concept for book three. I don't plan to write those books until book one sells.

Unless I know for a fact that an agent doesn't like for a writer to jump ahead of themselves and mention a book series, do you think that it'll be generally acceptable to put in what I've written above?

Thanks for your input.

[LovetoWrite]

Hi Leigh78,

A similar question to yours was answered previously. Below is the answer. Sorry, I don't know how to do it as a link. :)

Hi!

It's not the kiss if death if you use the right wording.

Let's say the query is for a Zombie Western On Mars. Which of the following sounds good?

Example A: "I currently have ZWOM's books two and three completed and ready to send upon request."

Example B: "In ZWOM 2, the Zombies travel to Pluto; the title is ZWOP. In ZWOM 3, the Zomies travel to Venus; the title is ZWOV."

Example C: "ZWOM is a stand alone novel, with series potential."


I hope you picked C

It's ok to say there's "series potential" but we also really need to know that it's a stand alone book. It's the same thing we tell editors. But first and foremost the book must stand alone.

~K


Quote:
Originally Posted by MMcP
Hi Kathleen! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions!

Ok, here goes. Is it really the kiss of death to mention a series in a query letter? I read somewhere that 90% of queries mention series, and while I assume (hope?) this is an overstatement, I can't help but think that this must be an agent pet peeve. But on the flip side, I know of authors who pitched and sold their books as a three-book series (or more). I completely understand that any book in a series needs to stand alone in terms of plot and conflict/resolution, but I'm just not sure about the specific situation where an author has conceived a multi-volume arc. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks!!
__________________
Kathleen Ortiz
Agent / Foreign Rights Manager at Lowenstein Associates
I blog and hold a lot of contests
I Tweet

[leigh78]

Hi Leigh78,

A similar question to yours was answered previously. Below is the answer. Sorry, I don't know how to do it as a link. :)

Thank you.

[suki]

Thank you.

Leigh78 - I'm hoping that Kathleen will still answer your original question, but just in case you are working on your query while you wait, I wanted to add a comment.

You may want to research what agents who regularly represent mysteries say about this question. Because it's my understanding that with mysteries, series are much more the norm, and therefore mentioning plans for a series might be more welcome, and maybe even a good thing. But research this question by seeing what mystery agents say since it's a specialized genre.

good luck - and hopefully Kathleen will still offer her insights.

~suki

[LovetoWrite]

I'm sorry Leigh78, I did not know this about Mystery queries. I was trying to be helpful.

Thank you suki for seeing my error and helping.

Please, excuse me Kathleen, and I hope you help Leigh78 with her question also.

[KOrtizzle]

If it just has a hint of it, I can't imagine it would be a huge deal; however, if it's filled with slang, places and festivities that aren't familiar to a US audience, then I'd go for a Canadian agent.

It's tough to say without reading it.

It's not the EXACT same thing as African-American literature - - - I'm not sure pitching to an agent who represents that genre would be wise. I imagine it would be sort of like saying "Oh, this agent represents adult books. I'll pitch them my epic fantasy."

Just because they rep one doesn't mean they'll rep the other.

~K

Hi, Kathleen.
I've written a novel that clearly has Canadian content (as I am Canadian). However, there doesn't really seem to be a market for the type of novel I've written. The closest it comes to is African-American, but substitute American for--you guessed it--Canadian. Considering the content, would it be easier to try to get Canadian representation? Would an American agent look at such a thing? If an agent has on their submissions page "African-American," should I try to squeak this through?
Thanks for whatever advice you can give and for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer.

[KOrtizzle]

Novellas are tough. Period.

I'm not even quite sure about the novella series market, to be honest. I would shoot for writing another manuscript, in this case. It's not wise to work on any other part of a series until you get representation for the first book.

~K

Kathleen,

The story is pretty much as expanded as it's going to get. It might gain a few thousand after some revisions I'm considering, but not enough to put it in a different category.

However, I'm working on a sequel, and plan to write a third novella after that, using the same characters. I'll probably try to get them sold separately as short fiction, but if I have 3 novellas totaling up to the novel-length range, could I pitch that to an agent? I know selling a book of unpublished short stories isn't going to happen, but might a collection of 3 closely related novellas be sell-able?

Thanks again :-)

[KOrtizzle]

Agents don't always respond to requested materials.

I do - always. I follow up with an email to confirm I received the requested partial and even tell them to follow up with me after a certain amount of time if I'm not in touch.

However, as you know, each agent/agency is different. I'd say that if you've checked QueryTracker, Absolute Write, agent's web site, etc, and you've still yet to hear back after 4 months, it doesn't hurt to send a follow up email.

Lots of agents are now on Twitter and Tweet about their slush status. Doesn't hurt to take a look there, either.

~K

Kathleen,
Do agents always respond to requested material? I know some agents/agencies only respond to queries if interested but is the same true for a partial or full MS? I've noticed many agencies that have "silence=no" kinds of policies don't seem to list anything on their Websites regarding requested material and expected time frames. If an agent has material and hasn't responded, how long should a writer wait before sending a polite follow-up email or should the lack of a response be considered as a pass?

[KOrtizzle]

I really feel the best way to play it safe is to use the phrase (pardon the made up name/genre) "TITLE is a completed YA contemporary that stands alone but has series potential."

Or something to that effect.

Once you get into outlines/concepts, etc, it becomes a little TMI for a query, imho.

~K

Hi Kathleen. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

I have a question about book series. My initial research on the topic showed to not mention a series in the query letter. My genre is Mystery, which is heavy on series, and while I do plan for one, my completed manuscript can be a stand alone.

The last couple of days I've come across several successful query letters and agent comments showing and/or implying that it's alright to mention the "S" word the query. Obviously, this has to be a personal preference among agents. Many agents are now visible enough on the internet (blogs, twitter, ect...) that us writers can get an idea of what they want mentioned and not mentioned in the query. But there are still many agents that don't have a web presence and I don't have a clue if I'm going to trigger a pet-peeve should I write something at the conclusion of my query letter such as this:

'This is the first book in a proposed series. I have a written outline for book two.'

And that is the truth - I do only have my outline for book two and an overall concept for book three. I don't plan to write those books until book one sells.

Unless I know for a fact that an agent doesn't like for a writer to jump ahead of themselves and mention a book series, do you think that it'll be generally acceptable to put in what I've written above?

Thanks for your input.

[KOrtizzle]

You were spot on with this one.

~K
Hi Leigh78,

A similar question to yours was answered previously. Below is the answer. Sorry, I don't know how to do it as a link. :)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Suki,

You have a point; however, it's always best to say that the first book stands alone. Definitely no problem with saying there's series potential - because obviously that tells us you've planned ahead / have other ideas.

But if for whatever reason the publisher is willing to buy only the first book, then it's best to start from square one with ensuring it can be a stand alone book.


Leigh78 - I'm hoping that Kathleen will still answer your original question, but just in case you are working on your query while you wait, I wanted to add a comment.

You may want to research what agents who regularly represent mysteries say about this question. Because it's my understanding that with mysteries, series are much more the norm, and therefore mentioning plans for a series might be more welcome, and maybe even a good thing. But research this question by seeing what mystery agents say since it's a specialized genre.

good luck - and hopefully Kathleen will still offer her insights.

~suki

[KOrtizzle]

No need to be sorry.

even if someone else answers, i'll still offer my 2 cents :)

~K

I'm sorry Leigh78, I did not know this about Mystery queries. I was trying to be helpful.

Thank you suki for seeing my error and helping.

Please, excuse me Kathleen, and I hope you help Leigh78 with her question also.

[leigh78]

I really feel the best way to play it safe is to use the phrase (pardon the made up name/genre) "TITLE is a completed YA contemporary that stands alone but has series potential."

Or something to that effect.

Once you get into outlines/concepts, etc, it becomes a little TMI for a query, imho.

~K

Thank you.

[leigh78]

Leigh78 - I'm hoping that Kathleen will still answer your original question, but just in case you are working on your query while you wait, I wanted to add a comment.

You may want to research what agents who regularly represent mysteries say about this question. Because it's my understanding that with mysteries, series are much more the norm, and therefore mentioning plans for a series might be more welcome, and maybe even a good thing. But research this question by seeing what mystery agents say since it's a specialized genre.

good luck - and hopefully Kathleen will still offer her insights.

~suki

I'm sorry Leigh78, I did not know this about Mystery queries. I was trying to be helpful.

Thank you suki for seeing my error and helping.

Please, excuse me Kathleen, and I hope you help Leigh78 with her question also.

Thanks to both of you for your input.

[razilber]

Hi,
Since I am new to the craft, I would like to ask those who have experience with attending writing conferences. I am contemplating on attending the Algonkian Writer Conferences titled " New York Pitch and Shop Conference." I saw the required online form a participant must submit and wait for an acceptance reply. But it seems that their sole criteria for acceptance is pasting a coherent synopsis into the online submission form—any advice or recommendations?
Thanks,
-raisa

[rifferaff]

I keep reading about how the publishing industry shuts down for the month of August. Is this true? Do most agents take a break from queries during this time? I'm not seeing specific messages about this on agency webpages but I've read it on enough blogs that I'm worried about submitting my ms next month (it's almost ready but not quite). I fear it will be forgotten or deleted unread. Should I wait until September (so far away!)

[Wayne K]

Kathleen. I came here to thank you because something you said a few pages ago helped me get a request from the number one agent on my list. I knew Mac deleted one of my posts , but I couldn't find it,,,till now.

If ya didn't see the post, good, but if ya did, Mac used the word inappropriate and I agree. I was a little stoned when I posted it. But I assure you it was that, and not disrespect

At the time it seemed funny. Inappropriate though it was, it wasn't intended that way. I appreciate what you do here, and I thought it would make ya laugh.

I stink at social etiquette, but I'm usually good at that.

Sorry.

Anyway, I got the big request, and I waited on this guy because of a post you made a few pages back. I nailed it today, and I think the proposal rocks. I'm feeling confident he'll like it, whether he reps it or not. Thank you

[IGLOOGREENHOUSE]

Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for helping all of us, I've written a Post-Apocalyptic novel, which would normally place my book in science fiction as a category, but I feel there isn't much science fiction to it, its mostly a adventure/drama story. Would I be better off looking for agants that specialize in the former, or the latter two genres? Would a agent dismiss a story as not being their type of manuscript because it comes across as too science-fictioney?

[Troa]

Where can i Submit for a good Literary agent? I do mostly sci-fi.

[SCR]

Kathleen,
Query letters include a brief description of a novel's storyline but what if a query letter is accompanying a synopsis; how should the query letter be modified to avoid any repetition?

Thanks!

[litdirt]

If an agent says she is not accepting unsolicited queries but provides her email on her listing, is it still annoying and a dead-end to try?

[SarahNFisk]

Kathleen (KOrtizzle),

Thanks for answering all our questions! I know you're busy, so I appreciate it. :snoopy:

Let's say an agent asked to see "the first few chapters." Can you define 'few'? :-)

Thanks!

[~*Kate*~]

Hi Kathleen!

I have an idea that would be a YA from the perspective of a teen character in an adult book. The book is a modern classic, author still alive, published in last 25 years but taught in classrooms. I think it has serious potential, but it will be really challenging, and I hate to get started only to find it's not legal. Where's the line between "reimagining" and "glorified fanfiction"?

Thanks!

[litdirt]

Thanks much, Ms. Ortiz, for your advice.

I have questions about phone etiquette with an agent:

1) I have a toddler. I think any agent I would end up working with would need to be all right with my child in the background of unscheduled calls
(just the kind of workable personality with which I would best mesh). (Also, I could arrange for daycare for a scheduled call.) Do you think it's okay to assume an agent who calls your home for first contact would be all right with family noise in the background?

2) I have a day job as a public school English teacher. Do I put my day job phone number on an email query, or only my home phone, which would take an agent to voicemail during business hours? How do you specify that kind of thing in an emailed query? I could probably take calls at work but can't guarantee I wouldn't be out of the classroom and am not allowed to carry a cell phone on my person.

3) In a nutshell, I guess I'm wondering what a writer's phone availability is expected to be and how to indicate that in email queries.

[EagerReader]

Hi Kathleen,

When invited to "show future work" after a rejected revision, should there be an amount of time that goes by before querying on a different MS? I have several completed works, but I hate to say, here's another, oh, and another. What would you advise a writer to do?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions!

[Dancre]

Hi Kathleen,

I have a question about platforms. I've heard that a writer can use their blogs as a kind of platform. If this is true, then how does one determine if the blog is suitable as a platform? The number of hits per month, the number of subscribers? I'm also involved with a group called Karitos, a Christian based arts festival that meets each summer in Chicago. I"ve been asked to help promote the writer's section of the group with my novel once it gets published. (I've taken some writing classes through the teachers at Karitos and read part of my novel to the audience.) Can I also use this as a platform or not? Thanks so much for all your help!!

[Karen Landis]

Hi, Kathleen.
I have a dilemma. I’m wondering if looking for an agent is an exercise in futility. I’m 80 years old and I’ve written a narrative nonfiction book. Is it at all likely that an agent would consider representing me, even if he/she loved the ms? I expect to be alive and compos mentis for another 5 to 10 years, and I would like to see my work in print.

Thanks for any advice you have for me.

[SCR]

Kathleen,
I've read in a number of interviews that you love slush. (God bless you!) Are you the primary individual at Lowenstein Associates going through the slush pile or is it an assistant who filters everything first? I'm just curious as it seemed the old query method at Lowenstein allowed for messages to be sent directly to you (of course via the online form) and now there's a general email address for all queries. Thanks!

[gp101]

Hi, Kathleen. Thanks so much for all your time. I'd like to know your opinion on this:

What is the best course of action for a fledgling writer to take if s/he gets an offer of representation from Agent X, but is still waiting on (and hoping for) an offer from Agent Z? IOW, you've queried, say, twenty agents, and you get an agent you really like who wants to rep you, but you're hoping that THE agent at the top of your list--the one you would most prefer--will also offer you representation. Do you wait it out? Doesn't seem fair to Agent X, and I would guess that agent wouldn't want to wait too long on your answer.

It's not that I have the luxury of this dilemma, but I would like to know how you would handle this situation if an author hesitated after your initial offer, as well what would you do if you were that author.

Thanks again.

[Lavinia]

Hi, Kathleen. I met with an agent at a writer's conference. I understand she doesn't give out her coveted card easily. And she was somewhat reluctant to give it to me. Still---she did. But it was with a reservation of sorts. In a nutshell, my narrative nonfiction book is about a father and daughter (me and my dad) and our journey to find truth. I grew up hearing my dad's stories of WWII. He made war sound like Boy Scout camp. He sat behind a desk during the war and on liberty, he went exploring the islands (Oahu, HI) with friends. So if that was true, why did he start having flashbacks and nightmares more than 60 years later?

I tell you this because it relates to what the agent suggested. She said that I need a famous person to write the forward for the book, someone who can link WWII PTSD to the PTSD experienced by veterans returning from war today. But here's the hard part; I don't know anyone like that! Do you have any suggestions?

Right now, my approach is to mine every contact and resource I've gathered over the years, and also to look online for higher-ups in such organizations as the Veteran's Administration. I have learned that it is virtually impossible to get an author to write a forward for me. Any hints?

Thank you! ~Karen

[litdirt]

I keep reading about how the publishing industry shuts down for the month of August. Is this true? Do most agents take a break from queries during this time? I'm not seeing specific messages about this on agency webpages but I've read it on enough blogs that I'm worried about submitting my ms next month (it's almost ready but not quite). I fear it will be forgotten or deleted unread. Should I wait until September (so far away!)

Did you ever get an answer to this anywhere? I'm wondering, too :)

[KOrtizzle]

There are several wonderful conferences out there for writers. I'd start with looking up the 'official' organization for your type of book (i.e. kids = SCBWI; romance = RWA, etc) and see what they offer.

K

Hi,
Since I am new to the craft, I would like to ask those who have experience with attending writing conferences. I am contemplating on attending the Algonkian Writer Conferences titled " New York Pitch and Shop Conference." I saw the required online form a participant must submit and wait for an acceptance reply. But it seems that their sole criteria for acceptance is pasting a coherent synopsis into the online submission form—any advice or recommendations?
Thanks,
-raisa

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

It doesn't officially 'shut down'; however, many agents and editors take their vacations in July or August, typically before Labor Day Weekend.

Best thing to do is to check the agency web site, agent blog or even the agent Twitter account to double check that they ARE still accepting queries when you send yours.

K

I keep reading about how the publishing industry shuts down for the month of August. Is this true? Do most agents take a break from queries during this time? I'm not seeing specific messages about this on agency webpages but I've read it on enough blogs that I'm worried about submitting my ms next month (it's almost ready but not quite). I fear it will be forgotten or deleted unread. Should I wait until September (so far away!)

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Wayne,

I didn't see it...and after your comment below, I'm glad I didn't lol.

Good luck!

K
Kathleen. I came here to thank you because something you said a few pages ago helped me get a request from the number one agent on my list. I knew Mac deleted one of my posts , but I couldn't find it,,,till now.

If ya didn't see the post, good, but if ya did, Mac used the word inappropriate and I agree. I was a little stoned when I posted it. But I assure you it was that, and not disrespect

At the time it seemed funny. Inappropriate though it was, it wasn't intended that way. I appreciate what you do here, and I thought it would make ya laugh.

I stink at social etiquette, but I'm usually good at that.

Sorry.

Anyway, I got the big request, and I waited on this guy because of a post you made a few pages back. I nailed it today, and I think the proposal rocks. I'm feeling confident he'll like it, whether he reps it or not. Thank you

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

I'd stick to pitching it as post-apocalyptic and searching for agents who specialize in the sci-fi genre. Usually if they say adventure/drama, they aren't talking about any type of fantasy/sci-fi twist.

You can always see previous books they've repped as a guide, as well.

K

Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for helping all of us, I've written a Post-Apocalyptic novel, which would normally place my book in science fiction as a category, but I feel there isn't much science fiction to it, its mostly a adventure/drama story. Would I be better off looking for agants that specialize in the former, or the latter two genres? Would a agent dismiss a story as not being their type of manuscript because it comes across as too science-fictioney?

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

Do your research on Google: AgentQuery, QueryTracker, AAR, Predators and Editors, etc.

K

Where can i Submit for a good Literary agent? I do mostly sci-fi.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

Think of queries as a back-of-the-book blurb. The synopsis is more of a detailed summary. It's ok if information is repeated.

K

Kathleen,
Query letters include a brief description of a novel's storyline but what if a query letter is accompanying a synopsis; how should the query letter be modified to avoid any repetition?

Thanks!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

Yes. The email may be there for anyone who is interested in foreign/dramatic rights for one of her clients or a permissions request.

K

If an agent says she is not accepting unsolicited queries but provides her email on her listing, is it still annoying and a dead-end to try?

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Sarah!

I'd hope they would be more specific, but I would say whatever encompasses 50 pages or less.

K

Kathleen (KOrtizzle),

Thanks for answering all our questions! I know you're busy, so I appreciate it. :snoopy:

Let's say an agent asked to see "the first few chapters." Can you define 'few'? :-)

Thanks!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Kate!

People 'reimagine' books all the time, though they're typically older stories (usually fairy tales).

My personal opinion would be to go with a fresh idea. You don't want to come off as a copy cat or unoriginal, either.

K

Hi Kathleen!

I have an idea that would be a YA from the perspective of a teen character in an adult book. The book is a modern classic, author still alive, published in last 25 years but taught in classrooms. I think it has serious potential, but it will be really challenging, and I hate to get started only to find it's not legal. Where's the line between "reimagining" and "glorified fanfiction"?

Thanks!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

1) I imagine if you set up a time/date for a phone call, it would be to your advantage to find someone to help watch your children for you for a few minutes. As for unscheduled calls, I agree - they should understand that you have children and things come up. I doubt it would be much of an issue.

2) Home number for sure. If an agent emails to set up a time/date for a phone call, ask if it can be done after work hours. If it can't, then explain to them the situation and go from there.

3) Don't worry about indicating phone availibility in emails. Most agents will email to schedule a phone call, anyway.

Thanks much, Ms. Ortiz, for your advice.

I have questions about phone etiquette with an agent:

1) I have a toddler. I think any agent I would end up working with would need to be all right with my child in the background of unscheduled calls
(just the kind of workable personality with which I would best mesh). (Also, I could arrange for daycare for a scheduled call.) Do you think it's okay to assume an agent who calls your home for first contact would be all right with family noise in the background?

2) I have a day job as a public school English teacher. Do I put my day job phone number on an email query, or only my home phone, which would take an agent to voicemail during business hours? How do you specify that kind of thing in an emailed query? I could probably take calls at work but can't guarantee I wouldn't be out of the classroom and am not allowed to carry a cell phone on my person.

3) In a nutshell, I guess I'm wondering what a writer's phone availability is expected to be and how to indicate that in email queries.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

I'm of the opinion that once you get an R for one, feel free to send another; however, I'm also of the opinion that you should only query one project at a time. It would be awkward if you queried an MG and a YA, received an offer for both from two different agents, and then had to make that decision.

K

Hi Kathleen,

When invited to "show future work" after a rejected revision, should there be an amount of time that goes by before querying on a different MS? I have several completed works, but I hate to say, here's another, oh, and another. What would you advise a writer to do?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi,

It depends what type of platform you're talking about. If you mean a platform as in just your online presence, then yes your blog is considered one, regardless of numbers.

If you mean platform as in the type you need to be a non-fiction writer, then numbers absolutely count.

While subscribers are important, it's also not the end-all of what makes a blog successful. It's about comments (to show people read AND respond), analytics, traffic, etc.

K

Hi Kathleen,

I have a question about platforms. I've heard that a writer can use their blogs as a kind of platform. If this is true, then how does one determine if the blog is suitable as a platform? The number of hits per month, the number of subscribers? I'm also involved with a group called Karitos, a Christian based arts festival that meets each summer in Chicago. I"ve been asked to help promote the writer's section of the group with my novel once it gets published. (I've taken some writing classes through the teachers at Karitos and read part of my novel to the audience.) Can I also use this as a platform or not? Thanks so much for all your help!!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Karen!

If you write a great book that has market potential, then I don't see why an agent wouldn't work with you. We have clients in their 70s and 80s.

K

Hi, Kathleen.
I have a dilemma. I’m wondering if looking for an agent is an exercise in futility. I’m 80 years old and I’ve written a narrative nonfiction book. Is it at all likely that an agent would consider representing me, even if he/she loved the ms? I expect to be alive and compos mentis for another 5 to 10 years, and I would like to see my work in print.

Thanks for any advice you have for me.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

I do love slush (though I don't like when it gets backed up, lol).

I am the primary person who reads slush for both Barbara and myself; however, when we have an intern, they do a great deal of reading too - both when we had the form and now with our general e-mail. Interns are chosen based on similar tastes (as well as professionalism, etc) to ensure the projects we would like are not passed on.

The e-mail was set up because the form had too many issues, and I didn't want to miss out on NOT receiving people's queries.

Hope that helps :)

K


Kathleen,
I've read in a number of interviews that you love slush. (God bless you!) Are you the primary individual at Lowenstein Associates going through the slush pile or is it an assistant who filters everything first? I'm just curious as it seemed the old query method at Lowenstein allowed for messages to be sent directly to you (of course via the online form) and now there's a general email address for all queries. Thanks!

[KOrtizzle]

Hi!

I think I understand your Q, but if I answer it in a way that shows I didn't get it, please let me know :)

Let's say you query 20 agents and Agent X comes to you w/ an offer of representation. The polite (and professional) thing to do is to ask Agent X if you can get back to them by X-Date (typically a week). Then send the other agents an email letting them know you've had an offer and ask them to please let you know their decision by X-Date.

In the long run, go with the agent who you feel comfortable with. There's a whole slew of questions you should ask (on my blog - March or April, I think) and you should feel a connection with the agent before deciding to sign with them.

K

Hi, Kathleen. Thanks so much for all your time. I'd like to know your opinion on this:

What is the best course of action for a fledgling writer to take if s/he gets an offer of representation from Agent X, but is still waiting on (and hoping for) an offer from Agent Z? IOW, you've queried, say, twenty agents, and you get an agent you really like who wants to rep you, but you're hoping that THE agent at the top of your list--the one you would most prefer--will also offer you representation. Do you wait it out? Doesn't seem fair to Agent X, and I would guess that agent wouldn't want to wait too long on your answer.

It's not that I have the luxury of this dilemma, but I would like to know how you would handle this situation if an author hesitated after your initial offer, as well what would you do if you were that author.

Thanks again.

[KOrtizzle]

Hi Karen,

Unfortunately it is all about the contacts, though the book would have to have stellar writing (not just a famous forward).

I'm honestly not sure on this, since I personally don't rep narrative nonfiction. I asked one of the other people at the agency who does work with narrative NF and they said to just research and send out requests.

Sorry I can't be of much more help :cry:

K


Hi, Kathleen. I met with an agent at a writer's conference. I understand she doesn't give out her coveted card easily. And she was somewhat reluctant to give it to me. Still---she did. But it was with a reservation of sorts. In a nutshell, my narrative nonfiction book is about a father and daughter (me and my dad) and our journey to find truth. I grew up hearing my dad's stories of WWII. He made war sound like Boy Scout camp. He sat behind a desk during the war and on liberty, he went exploring the islands (Oahu, HI) with friends. So if that was true, why did he start having flashbacks and nightmares more than 60 years later?

I tell you this because it relates to what the agent suggested. She said that I need a famous person to write the forward for the book, someone who can link WWII PTSD to the PTSD experienced by veterans returning from war today. But here's the hard part; I don't know anyone like that! Do you have any suggestions?

Right now, my approach is to mine every contact and resource I've gathered over the years, and also to look online for higher-ups in such organizations as the Veteran's Administration. I have learned that it is virtually impossible to get an author to write a forward for me. Any hints?

Thank you! ~Karen