-
Jann
·
I was wondering what you think of authors who want to use pens names. And whether both the pen name and real name should be included in queries?
-
·
Do you think an author should ever have their work professionally edited or coached before submitting it to agents to pursue traditional publishing?
-
Hannah
·
Hi Elana,
How would you recommend writers ask newer agents about previous book deals on the call? Especially when agents aren’t listed on Publisher’s Marketplace or have very few sales listed?
Thank you for your time!
-
Maria Arthur
·
What are some ways a female author can write a convincing male character POV? And how can a male author write a convincing female POV?
-
Hello,
Besides timely and timeless, what kind of PBs are you looking for now? Please be as specific as possible.
Thank you! -
Yes, I was wondering the same thing as Diane, and if you accept manuscripts without illustrations. I’ve got a great one about Valentine’s Day and a mother’s love.
-
What sort of story elements are instant no’s for you in a query?
-
shaqwanda
·
Many of us who are in the query trenches, revising, or on submission, have a very romanticized idea of what it means to be a published author (despite how realistic we try to be). From past experience, is there something you wish all writer’s knew before entering the publishing world? Not necessarily to temper excitement, but just to keep us from creating unrealistic expectations.
thanks for you time!
-
How much personality do you like to see in a query?
-
Hi Elana! Huge fan of Alexa Donne, so I figured I’d look into your representation as well. You mention that you don’t like anything too gory or nightmare inducing. Could you be more specific on this topic, so I can judge if what I write would be a good fit for you?
Thank you in advance! 🙂
-
Annie North
·
I’m German, live in Germany and I write all of my stories in English, set in the US or Canada. I’m worried it’s going to be an issue to be published in the US as a non-citizen. What are your thoughts on this? Is this something that might scare agents off?
Thank you for taking the time to do this Q&A. -
If you had to pick just one element – plot, voice, world building, or something else – which do you find gets you *most* interested or hooked in a query?
-
Kate
·
How would your ideal pitch session unfold? After saying hello and introducing themselves, do you recommend authors leading with the pitch, or the query?
-
Meghan Walker
·
If an author is offered representation and the author wants to work with that agent, should the author still take time to think about this decision?
-
Lisa
·
When a book is on submission, do you typically hear back from an Editor before they take it to a team/acquisitions meeting or after? Will they say, “Hey I really love this book. I’m going to present it at our next meeting?”
-
·
Do you have a preferred format for a query letter? Metadata first or last?
-
Martha
·
Do you and your clients discuss what books they might work on next, or do they just tell you that they have a book ready to go? What happens if you don’t agree on what to pursue?
-
Janie
·
If the guidelines don’t forbid it, can I query another agent at the same agency after the first agent says no?
-
Cassandra Newbould
·
Hi Elana! When you sign a new client do you take an editorial approach with them while getting ready for sub? And would you sign someone where you love the concept but feel the story might need heavy revisions, or does that turn in r&rs or end up just being a pass?
-
Cynthia
·
Where do you think it’s best to reveal what your character wants – in the first paragraph? What about what they really need?
-
Hannah
·
Do you have any advice on first chapters?
-
Laurie
·
How do you feel about illustrator notes in picture books?
Also, if you like the first pitch, how important is it to have three or more finished manuscripts ready?
Thanks! -
Do you have advice for chronically ill authors? I’m mostly homebound due to my illness, and I worry about how it will affect my career.
-
Ryan
·
Are mascot or cute characters something that’s overexplored in YA or NA? Would you like to see more of them?
-
Chloe
·
Hi! I was wondering if it is possible for a YA novel without any sort of romance, not even a crush, to be professionally published? And if so, what are some good ways to go about writing it so that it still stands out and is a book that will grab people’s attention? Thanks!
-
·
What are the common qualities and habits in the clients you’ve most enjoyed working with?
-
·
If I include non-english words or sentences in my MS, do I have to translate them? Do I need to provide a glossary?
-
Ana
·
My story is about a topic a lot of authors wrote about – monsters and nightmares. How can I grasp agents interest on this topic?
-
Nicole
·
If an agent has rejected a query or a full and then later requested the same manuscript in a twitter pitch contest, what’s the polite way to respond, if at all?
-
what are your thoughts on indie authors? If someone is approaching you with new work and they’ve previously self-published, how would a situation like that generally go? Good, bad, indifferent?
-
Scheduling events for authors such as school visits, signings, readings, launch party, etc. Does the agent, author or combo of both set these events up? If the agents don’t, do they pass along information to the author about upcoming events?
-
If I submit to an agent or a list of agents and they say no to my submission,then I submit to publishers and one of them take it, can I then go back the agents saying a publisher wants it, would the agent then reconsider taking it?
-
Kate
·
Would you ever sign a manuscript that had already been shared online (Fictionpress, Wattpad, AO3, etc)?
-
Tamara
·
What is the take away when multiple agents say positive things about your pages, but then say, “but I just didn’t connect enough to make an offer”? How would you encourage an author to proceed from there? Change things or just keep sending? Thanks.
-
·
Do you think mentioning a degree in screenwriting or creative writing helps or hurts in a query or agent conversation?
-
How is the process different for works with more than one author?
-
Deborah
·
Hi! What are two or three middle grade books coming out this year that you are excited about? Thank you for taking the time to do this!
-
·
Thanks Elana, very informative.
38 Comments
Leave your reply.