Q
Anonymous asked:
Hi, what genres do you believe are going to be popular? Which one do you see a lot in queries?
A
I see a lot of paranormal: Mostly reapers as well as a LOT of angels and demons. A lot of dystopian: Hunger games rip-offs and things with cities under domes. Also a lot of extremely low-stakes contemporaries that have “perfectly average” (aka super boring) protags.
I have no idea what is going to be popular. If I had this ability, I assure you, I would be too busy counting my money to bother answering questions on tumblr.
Q
Anonymous asked:
If someone has published erotica before (under a pseudonym) then are they automatically shut out from ever getting a children's book traditionally published? If there is a chance for them to still get published, then what would be the appropriate time to disclose their risque writing past to an agent/potential agent? (Before/after getting signed?)
A
I know people who write or have written both erotica/saucy romance and kids books. (In fact… I might even rep some of them). I mean, that’s what pseudonyms are for, no?
You are going to be querying agents under your real name, or under the name you want to publish your kids books under, anyway, so I don’t think you necessarily have to disclose this at all at the query stage. If it moves further, and you are actually having a conversation, just say “I published erotica in the past under a pseudonym, but there is nothing connecting that name with my real name.“ (or similar but more writerly).
This is no biggie, so don’t tie yourself up in knots over it. (HA)
Q
Anonymous asked:
How much of my story should I give away in a query letter? For instance if my story has a plot twist or a big reveal do I mention that?
A
Queries should be the “who what where and why do I care” – aka, setting up the problem/conflict, and then telling the reader how the problem GETS WORSE – but not how the problem is solved. In OTHER words, you are usually just describing the first third/half of the book, but NOT giving away the ending. So I’d HINT at a big reveal, but not lay it out explicitly.
Q
Anonymous asked:
What would you recommend for an author writing in two different genres for the same age group? Once you have a deal for a book in one genre, is best to stay writing in that genre for subsequent books to build a brand? And if the client is keen to write simultaneously in both, would you suggest writing under a pseudonym?
A
I really think this is a great question to ask your agent, when the time comes. I see no reason why you can’t do both, as long as you are strategic about it – but strategy really is important, and it really is a “case by case” situation.
Q
Anonymous asked:
Agent have told me I write well but that they are not into a rom-com set in the '90s. The '90s is a pretty critical character in this story; the clunky technology of the age is particularly central to the plot. To bring the story into the 2010s would require a massive rethink. I am torn. I know you rep kids/YA, but maybe in a global way, you would know whether people just don't want a fun nostalgia romp through the mid-90s in 2017? Thanks :)
A
Well. Historical fiction isn’t for everyone. :-)
Q
Anonymous asked:
Hi Jennifer!! I was initially categorizing my paranormal romance as NA - but if an agent doesn't like NA or think it would sell better geared toward YA, I could make a few changes. Should I leave the NA or YA out, and query as just a paranormal romance?
A
“Paranormal Romance” without the NA or YA designation implies adult.
If it is “NA” and you leave off the NA, people will assume it is adult, and that is fine – NA *is* a subsection of adult.If you want it to be considered YA, you have to say YA.Q
Anonymous asked:
Hi Jennifer, I am in the query letter process and want to give as much detail as possible in my letters. My target is MG, but wonder if I should be specific and say a lower MG.
A
It really doesn’t matter, as long as you are CORRECT. Lower MG is still MG, so saying either is correct. (Now… if you have really written a picture book or a YA novel and you call it “lower MG” – that’s a problem!)
Q
Anonymous asked:
How do you feel about regional dialects in dialogue? I think it adds authenticity but did that approach go out with Mark Twain? No comment either way from 10 beta readers.
A
I think it can easily get annoying, and should be used sparingly.
Q
Anonymous asked:
Why do agents change agencies?
A
Why does anyone change jobs? Because they want a promotion, or they want different co-workers, or they want an office in a different part of town, or they don’t like their boss, or they want to be able to work from home, or the direction of their list is growing in such a way that a change makes sense, or or or or or or or or or
Q
lcforest asked:
Is it considered rude to querie more than one agent at a time? Do I have to wait for the first to get back to me and say no before I can ask the next one? A fellow writer insists that's the rule, but it seems awfully time consuming. Thanks
A
I can only speak for agents in the US - here, we expect people to query multiple agents, and it would be silly NOT to, as agents can take a VERY long time to respond!