Taking my second bite at this apple...because I am a masochist!
ETA (Oct. 18, 2016): I withdrew my query to accept an offer of rep elsewhere.
ETA (Oct. 18, 2016): I withdrew my query to accept an offer of rep elsewhere.
Last edited:
-
Guest please check The Index before starting a thread.
Inklings Literary Agency, LLC
- Thread starter Tromboli
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2014
- Messages
- 104
- Reaction score
- 7
I was curious as well, considering she requested material from me during a pitch party on Twitter recently. I have did my own research, but I'm curious of any clients, sales, etc.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2017
- Messages
- 59
- Reaction score
- 10
I saw their #OwnVoices Initiative on their website and they openly request fulls on every #OwnVoices manuscript/writer. They say that it only counts as #OwnVoices if the writer and character share at least one aspect of a marginalised identity, and that if we're not sure if it fits we should shoot them a message. That's what I did, asking if it still counts as #OwnVoices for them if I'm gay but my MC is ace/aro. They replied by telling me that I should share at least one aspect of a marginalised identity with my character. Like, yeah, thanks, that I know.
I don't know, I'm not feeling this agency.
I don't know, I'm not feeling this agency.
Hi captaincrow,
Someone forwarded me a screenshot of your comment so I wanted to come on and clarify the #OV Initiative for you, since that feedback you got didn't seem terribly clear.
I think that since both you and your MC are in the LGBTQ spectrum, and would likely be facing at least some similar issues in dealing with society in general, then yes, I would accept your manuscript into the #OVI.
The OVI is set up so that you are still querying looking for representation, but you do so with a full manuscript, and even if you are passed over for representation, you receive a full report on the issues we felt were holding the manuscript back. This is in hopes of giving marginalized voices a higher chance at success in breaking down that traditional publishing house door.
Of course, it is still querying looking for representation, so if you're not interested in being represented by the agency, it would be worth considering not submitting your project for consideration.
I hope this helps, and whatever you decide I wish you all the best with your journey, and thank you for bringing a voice to a very much marginalized segment of our society.
~Michelle
Thank you for clarifying, Michelle! I would never have guessed that I would qualify for anything #ownvoices with my m/m romance, even though I am on the LGBTQ+ spectrum myself. We appreciate it here at AW 
Hi all,
I queried Whitley Abell on April 6th, after she liked my AdPit pitch. No reply so far. Others have posted a similar lack of feedback. There is no time frame posted on Bond's submission guidelines or anywhere else on their site. I'm new to querying. When is it considered appropriate to nudge?
Thanks!
Fab
I queried Whitley Abell on April 6th, after she liked my AdPit pitch. No reply so far. Others have posted a similar lack of feedback. There is no time frame posted on Bond's submission guidelines or anywhere else on their site. I'm new to querying. When is it considered appropriate to nudge?
Thanks!
Fab
The agency recently closed to queries, I assume to catch up on the ones they have.
*almost never nudges on queries*
The website says:
*almost never nudges on queries*
The website says:
I queried Whitley Abel with a YA Historical on 29.06, just before they closed to unsolicited subs. I'll report back if I hear back.
I've had pitches favorited by Whitney. But I'm very skeptical of this agency. An agent is not an overnight job. You spend two -five years as an apprentice before you are allowed to start taking on a few clients. I have yet to see several commercial sale from this agency. So far Whitley made sales to Entangled Teen in which the author does not need an agent they could have approached the publisher herself. It baffles me when I see writers sign with little known agents. Look at where they interned. Look at their sales records. I do think it is worth the wait holding off on these agents until we see they have a more reputable sales record.
I think it's a 'Pass' from Whitley Abel for my query of June 29th (right before she closed to subs). She tweeted yesterday that she'd 'Requested. All. The. Things.' and that she had tons of fulls to read. I think she said something like 43. No form rejection but I'm marking it off my spreadsheet.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2017
- Messages
- 59
- Reaction score
- 10
This has nothing to do with the agency itself and it's probably just in the way and not at all helpfu, but I just wanted to apologise that I just kinda vanished and never got back to this. I was in a very bad place at that time and everything in my life went downhill--I'm dang fine right now, so that's all cool, just wanted to say that I very much appreciate that someone replied to this and gave an explanation, though it's probably a little too late now. The novel got trunked anyway, which is okay, because I truly love what I'm working on right now and it's even more diverse than the project I originally queried. (And this time it's really Own Voices, LOL.)
Their website is suspended. Anyone have any news about the agency? Are they in trouble or just having website issues?
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2016
- Messages
- 692
- Reaction score
- 242
- Location
- California (Bay Area)
- Website
- mpepperlanglinais.com
I noticed this today, too. I don't want to speculate, but one of their agents had requested some chapters from me, and she emailed to tell me she really enjoyed them but was moving to another agency, so she would keep me on file. Don't know if that says anything about the agency as a whole or just the one agent. Thought it was interesting that the site was down at the same time, though.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2016
- Messages
- 692
- Reaction score
- 242
- Location
- California (Bay Area)
- Website
- mpepperlanglinais.com
Since it was relayed to me in a private email, I'm not sure it's okay to say publicly? (Though I do notice her Twitter bio no longer mentions Inklings, though she hasn't yet tweeted about leaving.) I'll PM you.
CristinaRoswell
Registered
Queried Colleen a few minutes ago with the first 10 pages of my ms and just got a polite (but guessing form) rejection.
And that has been my quickest rejection ever.
And that has been my quickest rejection ever.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2016
- Messages
- 692
- Reaction score
- 242
- Location
- California (Bay Area)
- Website
- mpepperlanglinais.com
Okay, it's announced: Whitley Abell, Alex Barba, and Colleen Oefelein have moved to Jennifer De Chiara Lit: https://twitter.com/4writers/status/966316146638155776
Associates bailed, PM page gone, no activity on site or TW/FB since '17 ... anyone have recent contact?
Queried Michelle Johnson last September. CNR. At some point last fall I made a note that they looked sketchy but did not provide details to myself about it. It could simply be that they seemed inactive on FB/TW and their agents moving elsewhere, as said above.
I sent to the #OwnVoicesInitiative right after Michelle Johnson posted about it here back in 2017. IIRC, it was for feedback, not an actual submission, and they promised to get back to everybody, but they never did for me.
I note that their website was suspended back in Feb 2018. Don't know if that ever was resolved.
I note that their website was suspended back in Feb 2018. Don't know if that ever was resolved.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2016
- Messages
- 1,210
- Reaction score
- 192
I don't want to say too much because it isn't my place, but Michelle Johnson (the owner/founder) became very seriously ill in 2017 and still isn't recovered. The associates kept things going for a while but eventually had to move on for the good of their clients. So the agency is effectively closed.