Things to know about me as an agent:
1. I reply to all queries.
2. I do not accept queries via email.
3. Updates are posted here, my blog, and publishers marketplace
Happy to announce a few things today!
I am now at
@FinePrintLit
as an associate literary agent.
I am so excited for this next step in my agenting career!
Don’t let anyone question your worth as a writer. Just because you don’t have an agent, or a publishing deal, says NOTHING about how amazing you are. Keep at it ✨
#amquerying
authors: agents do their best to provide actionable feedback most times (not all) with their query or full response. A few things about this 🧵
I will be participating in
#pitdark
today. Please upload your query, synopsis and first 3 chapters if I like your tweet by using this link:
Good luck to all today!
Surprise!
I’m open to queries again!
I don’t plan to close in 48 like last time, so please don’t rush. Be sure your pages are polished and your query is ready.
So many recent passes have been because the writing isn’t *quite* where it needs to be for me to take it on. What do I mean by that? Is your writing strong on a line level.
#amquerying
folk and those who are even agented… can you please let me know what you find hardest about finding comps? I’m trying to think of ways to help since it seems to be a *hot topic*
Bad things have happened to good people in the industry and I’m frustrated.
Things to keep in mind:
Bigger isn’t always better.
There is ALWAYS more to the story.
The publishing community is small.
There are amazing agents out there 🫶
I am so so so excited to have signed
@Virginia_Brasch
. I requested because of her opening pages and comp *Mr Right*, and kept turning pages for my love of Shep and Chloe 💕
I will looking at
#pitdark
pitches today. If I like your pitch, please submit your full using my QM page. Where it says referred by, please say
#PitDark
Email dinged. Just got a query. It's almost 11. But it might not be almost 11 where the querying author is. So, not an issue. Remember that, authors. I remember someone shaming an author for sending a late email. It's on me when I decide to open and respond. Not you. ♥️
A pass from me isn’t a pass forever and always. Keep me in mind for future queries if you still think we’re a good fit, or even after your manuscript initially submitted has gone through revisions. ✨
As someone whose crafts has improved over time. Writing is a journey, especially for those who are determined&willing to learn.Just because I pass once&cite certain things, I hope you still consider me in the future. We all have room to grow & learn.I want to see the growth!
I’ll be at the
@Tpurcellagency
retreat today but I will be sure to check out your
#JoyPit
pitches. If I like your pitch please send me your query, first 3 chapters and synopsis to the below link:
Had a great time at
@Tpurcellagency
retreat! Here are some key takeaways 🧵
- Kelly Barrales-Saylor (Sourcebooks) spoke about green and red flags in publishing… biggest takeaway, publishers look for at least 1 comp that is 2 years old at the MOST.
Here are some suggested edits based on what I see in manuscripts:
1. Check for passive language (search for words like “was”)
2. Info dumping in first pages
3. Echoes
4. Do a pass for showing versus telling
#WritingCommunity
I'm still closed to queries but will reopen in early May. Until then, feel free to take a look at my
#MSWL
and edit-edit-edit those manuscripts! The majority of my passes are NOT due to a bad concept but writing that still needs work.
Can I just say… I really like the people I’m meeting in this industry. Everyone seems so genuinely kind and giving of their (limited) time.
There are amazing editors and agents out there. And especially MANY amazing authors 💕✨💕
Deleted my old post because I got the hashtag wrong- I’m sorry!
If I like your
#luckypit
pitch, please query me with query, synopsis and first 3 chapters.
Link:
I’m creating a new author sheet for my authors when they sign with me. I want to cover a range of topics of what to expect, etiquette, timelines etc. I’m reading BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL for great info.
I also want to crowd source.
(1/2)
I want to restate that agents truly want to help. Vicky is one of the best & I’ve seen what she says in her passes- they are actionable, uplifting, & provide good resources. I’m proud of her setting this boundary. Authors, please know we’re doing our best, but we’re human too. 💞
For my own mental health, I’m pausing on giving specific reasons for my query responses and switching to forms for a bit. I hate to do that but my attempt to be helpful has led to harassment from multiple authors this week and I need a break.
One more thing as I prepare to open to queries again:
A gentle reminder that many agents (myself included) have another job. We only get paid on commission and need a day job to sustain ourselves/our families. I have 2 jobs, 3 if you count the labor of running a household 👇
Yesterday I devoted to reading full manuscripts. There were so many I love that I passed on. I wish I had the time and bandwidth to take on more, but I’m an editorial agent and that will play a role in how much I take on and how I connect with a project.
I’m just now seeing the light through the Covid fog. I haven’t been able to do too much, and I know I owe many authors a response. Thanks your patience as I work through my queries and full.
🌈
#QueerPit
is TOMORROW!!🌈
❤️ 8am-8pm EST
🧡 Schedule your pitches
💛 NO moodboards or attachments
💚 Up to 4 pitches per manuscript, 1 per hour
💙 Rules on our website:
💜 Don't forget the hashtag!!
Ok totally didn’t expect to cry so much this morning. I know I’m tired but omg my heart is full. There are a lot of hard parts of this industry and my goal is to help and uplift. 💕✨ the writing community is a magically wonderful place. The dark doesn’t outdo the BRIGHT
In 2024 I hope you leave behind:
- Echoes & crutch words
- what u should read versus what you want to read
- relationships that don’t support ur dreams
In 2024 I hope you have:
- many reasons to manifest ✨🕯️✨
- constructive & thoughtful feedback
- success (to u not others)
Authors have their book babies.
Agents of their… book god babies? Step-babies?
They’re babes of some form because my author’s books have imprinted on my soul.
Wait… so does that mean the books are my soulmates?
I was thinking I’d open up this month, but between the Writer Day Workshops and the Twitter pitch event, I think I will hold off until April or May. Everyone has amazing pitches and I am so excited seeing what is landing in my QM!
To people waiting for a response from me: I am sorry! This week especially set me behind as we had many family activities surrounding the 4th and travel time.
I really want to open to queries but I don’t want to until I have all my fulls and queries responded too.
I am officially closed to queries.
Over the next few weeks I aim to answer most queries.
For fulls, it’s going to take me a few months ( if not more). I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
I plan to reopen once I know my response times will not be too long.
TLDR:at the end of the day, most agents are trying to help in many ways. Classes, online threads, blogs, newsletters, and even their passes. It can be frustrating, but take a night to sleep on it and maybe it will resonate more. (Or maybe it won’t- so toss it out!)
My gaggle of Goss-ling authors are truly the best. Reading through a MS, preparing for another (2!) while starting to matching them with editors. One almost ready for sub. Manifesting good things for the second half of the year ✨
My queries are creeping higher and higher (yay! Keep sending them!)
Between pitch events, conferences and cold queries my QM is SO GOOD!
My plan is to remain open for BIPOC authors until May. In May (tbd exact date), I will be closing queries until September.
My least favorite part of this job is sending passes. You work tirelessly on your craft, creating a story from the depths of your mind, and especially since it takes so much effort to put your story out there— I respect you. This is a tough industry.
Ok- so I have 6 fulls, 30 submissions, and two r&rs that have landed. I don’t have the bandwidth to open up completely (as I don’t want to have authors wait long) but as I build my list I want to be intentional about what I’m championing and taking on… so all that to say…
QM is down still. I know it’s not ideal for authors… and even stressful. But know it is SO STRESSFUL on my end too. It’s holding up my progress with fulls and I want to respect your time with how long I have your material.
Happy Friday!
NaNo check in- how are you all doing?
✨Reminder, it’s ok if this year it isn’t working out. There are still many other months, weeks and days you can write. Writing takes time✨
#amqueryingausthors
: if I have your full, it may take me longer than I noted with my requests. You all are so talented so I requested many. I am working hard on applying time to each to give myself fully to each story. I appreciate your patience.
Update: All queries have been answered. Any remaining “queries” are fulls from pitch events. I will try to do my best to work on fulls chronologically. I have A LOT so please be patient with me.
While publishing is different from most industries, professional boundaries are no different here. Be respectful. Be kind. And find your community, they’ll be your sounding board.
Trust me when I say, despite some of the bad players in recent years, we are trying to help. We want you to succeed. We want to see you on our bookshelf. I want to see your book deal announced and say “oh hey I remember that query!”. We want all the good things for you!
A few notes I’m making as I hope to open to queries in the next month (tbd)
1. My response times will be longer for both queries and fulls. While I know I still have fulls out from November, I’m trying to work through them all thoughtfully and quickly.
🧵
Our feedback is subjective— take it or leave it! But I’d suggest if you get the same feedback from multiple agents it’s likely something you may want to fix.
I also am so excited to welcome
@esdianacarolina
to the team of Goss-thors (working on a team name still, but I think it flows?!)
I absolutely fell in love with Diana’s writing and her story has a clutch hold on my heart 💞
I’m getting to the point where I love a lot of what I have but I can’t take everyone on. So many times my responses may just be a *not for me* as I’m not sure any of my feedback would be useful- it’s subjective. I don’t want to say something when it’s opinion vs necessary change.
I’m working through queries slowly- with the last pitch events I have seen an influx. I really want to open soon but I’m trying to manage my own bandwidth to be fair to everyone in my queue. Thanks for your patience as I continue to work through my QM!
Reminder:I’m closing to queries tomorrow.
Status: I’m not looking at queries until I close only because my goal is to get through fulls (but that takes time).
The plan:once I close, I will go through my queries to request fulls, my plan is to have you wait long to hear from me
Just listened to
@TSNOTYAW
October Bonus so and whoever wrote the early motherhood speculative fiction… omg please query me when you’re ready if you think we’re a good fit.
If I offer representation and we don’t end up together, I want you to know I loved your book.
I’m grateful I got to be an early reader. I watch for your success.
I want you to choose what’s best for you.
I’m a sampling of the fans you’ll gain. And I am always cheering you on.
Reminder I do not accept queries via email. If I like your pitches on X, please let me know if you don’t have a link to submit and I’ll provide! My DMs are always open!
Why do I prioritize reading published books as an agent?
- to get an idea about the imprint and its editors
- for comps
- understanding of the market
- MSWL updates
I have to wonder if this is done as a joke, & the librarians have sarcastic notes written. Like “can you believe there was dragons in this? Ugh, and pining. So much tension. This made me hot and bothered!
At least I’m hoping…Otherwise, very unfortunate choice.
I really don’t want to do super specific MSWL but I can’t help it but call attention to this…I want books about women going through menopause, perimenopause, all aspect of it- NF too. Please, when I open (one day soo hopefully), think of me!!!
I love my authors so much I’m scared I’ll let them down. So when a Titanic exhibition opens in Chicago, I know I need to go.
@BeccaACarter
I’ll take so many photos
If it seems like a form,which many agents try to personalize in *some* way, it’s because it came down to compatibility. Nothing is wrong, it just isn’t for them OR they don’t know how to sell it/have editing vision. These may seem like small things but in fact are v important.
I know I have to get back to people (😫I’m sorry!!!) But please know my dog hasn’t gotten a walk in three days too. Im really trying to do ALL the things as quick as I can. Thank you for your patience!
Hi all! Just a reminder, be careful who or what you hear on here. Especially if it is not from the horses mouth. There are good people here trying to help. Let’s not lose sight 💕💕
Reminder:I’m closing to queries tomorrow.
Status: I’m not looking at queries until I close only because my goal is to get through fulls (but that takes time).
The plan:once I close, I will go through my queries to request fulls, my plan is to have you wait long to hear from me
I promise you will remember you spelled the agents name wrong longer than an agent will even notice it. We get it!!
I once queried Laura Zats and call her Lauren. (Sorry!!)… but I’m sure she doesn’t even remember.
There’s so much to stress about while querying, don’t sweat it
Things we don't mind at ArtHouse, a 🧵
1. You misspelled a name (I, for one, am v used to it. Once, a barista announced my name as "S-7" because she couldn't read "S-T" on the cup. Neither are my name.)
2. Your query is addressed to
@AmyNielsen06
or
@cgossagent
at another agency.
Most agents have gone through extensive training with the craft of writing and story telling, so this feedback isn’t coming from a place of malicious intent. And we see 1000s of query’s so quickly we can spot the common habits that need adjusting.
My episode with
@demimschwartz
is live at 12n! We discuss line level writing, & I jump all over 🫣🤣.
In honor of this episode, I’m offering to review one persons query package! Comment on what you liked from the episode & I will select a winner!
✨I’M AGENTED✨
Ecstatic to announce that I’m officially repped by the wonderful
@cgossagent
at
@FinePrintLit
! So ready to work on my bi4bi enemies to lovers rom com about a time traveling figure skater with someone who loves it as much as me 💜🇻🇪
#amagented
#writingcommunity
What does strong “line level” writing mean? It means that you understand the power of a good verb, a strong sentence, not using dialogue tags and elevating action beats. Metaphors, similes, un-word, unite!
This is something I had to learn too, so it’s not a given skill we sleep & wake up having. You can learn by:
- reading your favorite books
- reading books awarded for their writing
- Matt Bell’s REFUSE TO BE DONE (must read!)
-
@ceciliaclyra
hacking writing on a line level class
So I have some BIG NEWS to share! I have made the move to the fabulous
@FinePrintLit
! I am so excited and can't wait to get started with this new path in my agenting career. (short thread)