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LIVE: Pitching for a Win! How to Make Sure Your Query Package is Getting You Noticed in the Right Way

LIVE: Pitching for a Win! How to Make Sure Your Query Package is Getting You Noticed in the Right Way

February 19, 2021 Conference 2021, Live 2021 73 Comments

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Tessa_Hall
Tessa_Hall
11 days ago

How important is it to have social media pages? Is that only relevant if you have lots of followers already?

1
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  Tessa_Hall
11 days ago

If you enjoy using social media and feel comfortable and confident with it then by all means do so, but it’s not vital. If you already have a huge following on Twitter or Insta, for example, then that can be useful for publishers, but it’s not the be all and end all so don’t worry about it too much. Also, remember that everything you put on social media is public, so be careful what you post and if you can’t be nice then better not to say anything! 🙂

0
Reply
Tessa_Hall
Tessa_Hall
Reply to  Amber Caraveo
10 days ago

Thank you so much!

0
Reply
jennadevillier
jennadevillier
11 days ago

How do you prefer to see books with multiple POV characters pitched? (Mine has 3)

0
Reply
CharLeighWrites
CharLeighWrites
11 days ago

How do you show your interest in an agent in the query letter without seeming like you have been stalking them? Do agents like it when we mention other projects they have worked on?

5
Reply
Inkdancer
Inkdancer
11 days ago

If you’re querying a fantasy novel that has a prologue, should you send that as your first page (if the agent’s guidelines ask for a first page), or should you skip to the beginning of your first chapter?

0
Reply
sidra_sheikh
sidra_sheikh
11 days ago

Are writers based outside the UK at a disadvantage during the querying process?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  sidra_sheikh
11 days ago

Hi there, no, we accept manuscripts from all over the world. Life has moved online so much since Covid that it’s even easier to connect. It is slightly easier if you’re in the same country as your publisher as they may wish to set up meetings face to face but it isn’t a significant obstacle these days.

0
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amaretdoe
amaretdoe
11 days ago

What tips, if any, do you have for those trying to pitch their first novels?

1
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  amaretdoe
11 days ago

Make sure you’ve read widely in the age-group you’re writing for so that you really know the market and know what’s doing well and what the appropriate tone is for your readership. After that, all the points and tips we discussed in the Q&A apply for new authors and seasoned authors alike! Try to avoid cliches and make sure your pitch is as exciting and engaging as possible, but in the end don’t get hung up on it. It’s your manuscript that will really do the talking for you and which agents and publishers will focus on!

0
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sidra_sheikh
sidra_sheikh
11 days ago

My latest ms is a ya fantasy with a central love story – the story ends on a positive note but the love story – tragically – how acceptable is that in ya writing?

0
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Nadine_Holland
Nadine_Holland
11 days ago

What makes a query really stand out to you?

3
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Nadine_Holland
Nadine_Holland
11 days ago

Would you still consider signing someone if the query is bad but the MS is good?

0
Reply
Nicholefw
Nicholefw
11 days ago

Is there one mistake you see new authors make the most when reading queries?

2
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  Nicholefw
11 days ago

I think the most important thing is that you’ve read recently published books and that you know the market you are trying to break into. When the comparisons or inspirations are Enid Blyton or Jennings etc then it suggests that the writer hasn’t read anything published for today’s generation – which is a little worrying!

0
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carolineboxall@hotmail.co.uk
[email protected]
11 days ago

Caroline: UK . What is your most memorable query letter? I hope it’s mine – I sent it this week! 🙂

0
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Nicholefw
Nicholefw
11 days ago

How important are comp titles?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  Nicholefw
11 days ago

Not vital but they can be useful to summarise what you are aiming for with your novel.

0
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caitlinpeakcoons
caitlinpeakcoons
11 days ago

How important is it to have a catchy query / pitch? I feel like these books are sometimes in a category all their own (ex, something like “HARRY POTTER! IN SPACE! WITH ZOMBIES!!!!!!”) and get a lot of traction on social media, but don’t always mean there’s a great book to follow.

2
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KatrinaS
KatrinaS
11 days ago

How important is getting the right word count to you? I.e. would it be off putting if someone queried one too short/long. And if so, what are your suggestions for YA and MG brackets? Thanks 🙂

0
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Wendy
Wendy
11 days ago

What makes a strong synopsis? Any do’s or don’ts?

1
Reply
gawritergirl
gawritergirl
11 days ago

What are your thoughts on working with a writer who has self-published successfully but is interested in moving more into traditional publishing?

0
Reply
DesireeRose
DesireeRose
11 days ago

What is the best way to pitch multiple PB MS; I have been trying to tailor the query to each agent with one MS submission- but how do I know it’s the ‘right’ one for them?

0
Reply
DesireeRose
DesireeRose
Reply to  DesireeRose
11 days ago

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the advice! Enjoy the conference

0
Reply
JENGarrett
JENGarrett
Reply to  DesireeRose
11 days ago

Hey, I’m a fellow PB writer in the query trenches and I feel you! Joanna and Amber have great advice on this. I, too, try to match the manuscript with each agent, and I look for what they say they are looking for so I can put in a personalization (e.g. “I’m submitting this manuscript because I saw in your blog interview that you are looking for…”), but beyond that, I don’t worry too much if it’s the right one. Usually if they like your voice and see potential in the manuscript, they will ask to see more.

0
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sidra_sheikh
sidra_sheikh
11 days ago

I really wish this live had been last week, before I’d sent off my query to you. Fingers crossed …

0
Reply
LIzDale
LIzDale
11 days ago

What types of books are you really wanting to receive pitches about right now?

0
Reply
amberjlane
amberjlane
11 days ago

Very much looking forward to your discussion today!

0
Reply
Dmpsyras@yahoo.com
[email protected]
11 days ago

Amber & Joanna, Thank you so very much for your time today! Diana Psyras

0
Reply
KatieBennett
KatieBennett
11 days ago

When using comps, how similar must they be to your own book? Do they have to be similar in almost every way, or is it okay to just mention that you are comping to a particular element of said book?

0
Reply
NadineAvola
NadineAvola
11 days ago

Is it annoying to mention a book that the agent represents as one of the reasons why you’re seeking their representation? Or is that overdone? Agents think it’s brown-nosing?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  NadineAvola
11 days ago

If it’s genuine I think it’s fine, but don’t force it!

0
Reply
tangentpoints
tangentpoints
11 days ago

If your log line is in a foreign language, do you provide a translation in the query or pitch?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  tangentpoints
11 days ago

If you are submitting to English-speaking agents and publishers, then yes, your log line should be in English.

0
Reply
Jamesdgish
Jamesdgish
11 days ago

How many submissions would you say you receive in a week v. how many fulls you request? Interested in hearing a ballpark ratio. Thanks!

0
Reply
isabella
isabella
11 days ago

At what stage in the writing process do we submit queries and manuscripts? Obviously after a lot of edits, but how many?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  isabella
11 days ago

There is no set number because it will be different for every author, but you must remember that most agents will not reconsider a manuscript they’ve already seen and turned down, even if you’ve then revised it. You generally only get one chance to impress, so make sure your manuscript is as good as you feel it can be before you send it out.

0
Reply
KatrinaS
KatrinaS
11 days ago

If you could name one thing you look out for when reading the first pages of the extract submission, what would it be?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  KatrinaS
11 days ago

Beautiful, brilliant writing!

0
Reply
Cinderella2021
Cinderella2021
11 days ago

What does it mean when a rejection says “it doesn’t fit our list”? Thank you!

1
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  Cinderella2021
11 days ago

It can mean that they are seeking to establish a particular balance of genres or ages on their list and your manuscript doesn’t fit into that balance. But in all honesty I think more commonly it means that that particular person just didn’t love the manuscript quite enough to want to take it further.

0
Reply
sdpeters
sdpeters
11 days ago

Amber and Joanna, what if I’m writing a story and I can’t tell if it’s older MG or younger YA? Is summarizing the story in the query enough and leave this industry reading category out?
I understand what is MG and what is YA, after doing a Childrens Book Writing Certificate, but I’m not conforming to those norms.

Last edited 11 days ago by sdpeters
1
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  sdpeters
11 days ago

We need to know where you feel it sits in the market so you do need to decide which readership you are targetting. It can be difficult if your work falls between MG and YA so if you want to give your novel the best possible shot, it’s probably best to commit fully to one or the other.

0
Reply
Dawn
Dawn
11 days ago

If a writer queries you with an MG project that you think would fit better in YA, are you likely to consider them for YA or suggest for them to revise it as YA? Or would you just dismiss it as the author not knowing their market and not consider them as clients?

1
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  Dawn
11 days ago

Most likely we’d give them feedback and let them take that and run with it. If we really adored the manuscript, though, but just felt it was slightly out on target age group, then we might offer an R&R (Revise & Resubmit)

0
Reply
Scott R
Scott R
11 days ago

Do you consider entering one of your competitions to be a query submission?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  Scott R
11 days ago

No, we don’t so if you have sent it in for a competition, you’re still fine to submit it through the usual channels. Probably best to mention that you entered the competition though – so if we recognise it, we aren’t racking our brains to work out where we have seen it before!

0
Reply
MNgirlUK
MNgirlUK
11 days ago

If a book is off on word count, say 10-15k under, is that an automatic deletion or do you read the pitch/synopsis/first chapters first? Do publishers ever look for shorter books?

0
Reply
isabella
isabella
11 days ago

How much do agents typically cost?

1
Reply
StephanieS
StephanieS
11 days ago

How do you feel about previously shopped materials (as in represented before and sent out to a handful of editors)? Can these books be shopped again eventually?

1
Reply
animek22x@gmail.com
[email protected]
11 days ago

How do you feel about queries without comp titles? About comps to authors?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  [email protected]
11 days ago

It’s fine. You don’t have to use comp titles. They can just be a useful way of giving someone a sense of your novel. But it’s fine not to use them. You can certainly comp to authors, but that’s quite a claim! I’d probably try to make sure others would agree with the comp before you go down that route…

0
Reply
CharLeighWrites
CharLeighWrites
11 days ago

My writing group was recently discussing if white writers should or should not Comp Bipoc authored books. The intention was to comp a certain theme or plot that matched the writers MS, regardless of the author. But an agents recent tweet about this topic has us wondering what to do. What are your thoughts?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  CharLeighWrites
11 days ago

I would avoid it. That way you don’t risk causing offence to anyone.

0
Reply
gawritergirl
gawritergirl
11 days ago

What are your tips for pitching a picture book?

0
Reply
carolineboxall@hotmail.co.uk
[email protected]
11 days ago

Oh dear, Amber doesn’t like bullies at the start! But Joanna mentioned one of her favourite pitches included bullies. Which is it?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  [email protected]
11 days ago

Well, the book I described didn’t have a bully scene, I was just giving you context for the main character. That is very different from a scene where a character is running away from bullies. Bullies exist in many different ways in the real world but the old cliches in books have become a bit tired. I hope that clarifies things for you, Caroline.

0
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BrieannaWilkoff
BrieannaWilkoff
11 days ago

I have a novel with three POVs. Do you recommend trying to address them all in the query, or is it better to focus on just one in order to give more detail? And if just one, should I mention that it’s a multiple-POV book, or does that just make you wonder why I didn’t talk about the other characters?

0
Reply
Carol
Carol
11 days ago

Any genre you don’t want? I’m writing historical fiction YA. From the 50’s.

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  Carol
11 days ago

We are open to all genres. However, I personally do not like animal stories. I usually find them too upsetting unless all the animals are blissfully happy throughout! 🙂 But historical YA is a big plus for me!

0
Reply
sapestka@gmail.com
[email protected]
11 days ago

Using an older comp like the movie “All the Right Moves” staring Tom Cruse, would that be okay to use. Or, does it need to be a newer movie/show/book.

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  [email protected]
11 days ago

It’s OK to use a comp that’s older like this, but make sure that you also use one that’s more contemporary/current so it’s clear to agents that you are also familiar with the modern marketplace.

Last edited 11 days ago by Amber Caraveo
0
Reply
betsyb
betsyb
11 days ago

You’ve said that most agents, if they’ve already rejected a book, won’t consider it again, even if it’s been revised. But is it okay to query a different book to an agent who has already rejected a previous manuscript of yours?

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  betsyb
11 days ago

Yes, we are happy to see new material from an author who has queried us previously.

0
Reply
Cinderella2021
Cinderella2021
11 days ago

Would you consider a French American writer traditionally published in France (in French, also writing in English)? Thank you!

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  Cinderella2021
11 days ago

Yes, being published previously isn’t an obstacle for us but we would need to see new material that hasn’t previously been published going forward.

0
Reply
Ruizium
Ruizium
11 days ago

Does it make a difference to you whether an author has published something previously (like a short story etc.)? How do you recommend someone pitch a novel manuscript if they don’t have this prior experience?

0
Reply
Dmpsyras@yahoo.com
[email protected]
11 days ago

Would it be helpful for a prospective agent to know if we have more than one manuscript written if the manuscripts would flow into a series?

0
Reply
Amber Caraveo
Amber Caraveo
Reply to  [email protected]
11 days ago

Yes, absolutely! Share this info in your covering email.

0
Reply
HabonJama
HabonJama
11 days ago

Should the synopsis be in the characters voice? or make it very formal?

Last edited 11 days ago by HabonJama
0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Reply to  HabonJama
11 days ago

There are no hard and fast rules on this. If you can make it work in the character’s voice then feel free to do that. I would try and make it as engaging as possible so perhaps not too formal in tone so as to keep it interesting! Don’t over-think it too much – we aren’t evaluating your writing here, just trying to get a sense of what you are doing with the story.

0
Reply
Denise Lehman
Denise Lehman
11 days ago

Thank you very much!

0
Reply
Cinderella2021
Cinderella2021
11 days ago

Would you consider signing a French American writer traditionally published in France, who also writes in English?

0
Reply

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