LIVE Q&A: Ask Anything with Elana Roth Parker

LIVE Q&A: Ask Anything with Elana Roth Parker

Conference 2019, Live 2019 38 Comments

This post will go live 30 minutes before the session begins. To participate in the Q&A, post your questions below!

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​Elana Roth Parker has specialized in children’s publishing from the beginning of her career, from her very first internship at Nickelodeon Magazine followed by 5 years as an editor at packager Parachute Publishing. She’s been an agent since 2008, and joined the Laura Dail Literary Agency in 2016, after running her own agency (Red Tree Literary) for several years. She represents picture book, middle-grade and young adult authors, such as Kiera Cass, Andy Marino, Vern Kousky, and Alexa Donne.

Elana is a graduate of Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, with degrees in English literature and Bible. It’s the second degree which makes for more interesting conversation at cocktail parties.

More About Elana Roth Parker

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38 Comments

38 Comments

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  • Jann
    · Reply

    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?

  • Jann
    · Reply

    Do you think an author should ever have their work professionally edited or coached before submitting it to agents to pursue traditional publishing?

  • Hannah
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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?

  • Diane Landy
    · Reply

    Hello,
    Besides timely and timeless, what kind of PBs are you looking for now? Please be as specific as possible.
    Thank you!

  • Tammi Truax
    · Reply

    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.

  • Crystal
    · Reply

    What sort of story elements are instant no’s for you in a query?

  • shaqwanda
    · Reply

    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!

  • Elza
    · Reply

    How much personality do you like to see in a query?

  • [email protected]
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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.

  • Crystal
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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?”

  • Kate
    · Reply

    Do you have a preferred format for a query letter? Metadata first or last?

  • Martha
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    If the guidelines don’t forbid it, can I query another agent at the same agency after the first agent says no?

  • Cassandra Newbould
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    Where do you think it’s best to reveal what your character wants – in the first paragraph? What about what they really need?

  • Hannah
    · Reply

    Do you have any advice on first chapters?

  • Laurie
    · Reply

    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!

  • Kira
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    Are mascot or cute characters something that’s overexplored in YA or NA? Would you like to see more of them?

  • Chloe
    · Reply

    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!

  • Jann
    · Reply

    What are the common qualities and habits in the clients you’ve most enjoyed working with?

  • Ryan
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    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?

  • Marquess
    · Reply

    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?

  • [email protected]
    · Reply

    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?

  • [email protected]
    · Reply

    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
    · Reply

    Would you ever sign a manuscript that had already been shared online (Fictionpress, Wattpad, AO3, etc)?

  • Tamara
    · Reply

    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.

  • Jann
    · Reply

    Do you think mentioning a degree in screenwriting or creative writing helps or hurts in a query or agent conversation?

  • [email protected]
    · Reply

    How is the process different for works with more than one author?

  • Deborah
    · Reply

    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!

  • Martha
    · Reply

    Thanks Elana, very informative.

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