Hey people! I was on my blog and realized I hadn't posted in a while. I was thinking of something I could help my readers or authors with and came up short. So, I thought why not let the people ask questions and me answer them? Kind of like a Q&A post for anyone who has questions for literary agents, literary information or any kind of dealings with books. So, I'm leaving this post open for anyone who wants to ask me a question!
Hugs,
Brittany Booker
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that some agents ask for a sypnosis as part of the query letter and I was wondering what it was exactly. Could you please explain it to me? Also, any tips on how to write it would be helpful too.
Thanks a lot for doing this!
Hubert Vasquez.
Hubert,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question. To me, a synopsis is rather hard to write. It is about 2-3 pages describing your work. It goes into more detail than your pitch/query. You have to be careful with a synopsis, because you think you have enough space in 2-3 pages that you can get a lot down. You do have more room, but you don't want to make it out like an outline. You want to make sure the agent knows a quick rough draft on what happens in your novel. It basically gives the agent a overview of what your book is about, the major points and how the books ends. That is another thing that agents need to know. Is it a happy ending? Does the hero live or die in the end. I hoped this helped you, if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask! Thanks for reading my blog! :)
Hugs,
Brittany
Thank you for responding, I really appreciate it! This really helped me out :)
DeleteHubert,
DeleteYou're welcome! I'm glad to help! :)
I'm pubbed with a small publishing house and I'm happy there...it's really a family sort of atmosphere. But I still wonder if I should have an agent, especially when it comes to publicity and marketing (or if I'd want to present a work to a bigger house). Is an agent beneficial at this level?
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany! :)
ReplyDeleteJust a question: I know you represent various genres, but is there anything specific with respect to plot that you're currently seeking?
And congratulations on your book!
-Joe
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteSmaller publishers are good with one on one help and contact. An agent is going to get you a bigger publisher (which means more publicity and more sells) that wouldn't look at your work any other way. Most publishing houses do not look at unsolicited work. The thing about agents and already published books, is that you would have to had sold 5,000 (estimated amount every agency is different) or more for them to consider it. I don't know your numbers, but if you have sold that many, it wouldn't hurt to look for an agent to get your work out there. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!
Hugs,
Brittany
Thanks Brittany! I never thought about moving works already published; I was thinking more of those projects not yet under contract. I guess there's quite a bit I hadn't considered or even thought of!
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DeleteElizabeth,
DeleteElizabeth,
It depends on the contract. But, there are always options! When your contract ends is when you would think about these things! :) Other projects, new projects, would be best to go through an agent! They get you bigger publishers! :)
Joe,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question. I am currently looking for YA Contemporary Romances. I want something funny at the moment. I have a few paranormal works I've signed with, but I'm changing it up a bit. Also, I will get to your query soon! I haven't forgotten about you, I swear!
Hello Brittany! :) Thank you very much! And thank you for answering my question! :)
DeleteBy the way- do you have a favorite author?
I've asked a few writer friends this question, and no one seems to know the answer. I've entered a few pitch contests for agents or editors I was already thinking of querying, and haven't had any material requested as a result of the contest. Do I take that as a no, and cross the agent or editor in question off my list (at least for that particular project) or can I still query them separately, apart from the contest?
ReplyDeletePlease describe author platform and its importance to you as an agent in marketing a manuscript. Also, do you have suggestions on how aspiring authors can enhance their platforms to help with selling their story to publishers?
ReplyDeleteDean,
DeleteI should have known you would be the one to give a harder question! ;) But, I'd be happy to try and answer it the best way I can. (Thank you for sharing my blog, also!) An author platform, to me, is all the ways the author is trying to connect to their readers. This means how many people you've reached through your Facebook Fan Page, or your blog. How many tweets and Facebook status updates you have talking and encouraging people about your book. In other words, it's about visibility the author has to their readers. The author should have some effort put towards encouraging readers to read their book. To me, this is something I can put along with my pitch to the publishers, so they can check them out, so show them people are interested in reading this author's work. This shows me and the publisher that the author is really determined and focused on getting their book published. I hope this answer your question! :)
Hugs,
Brittany
Hey, new follower. ;0) Congrats on your book! Thank you for doing this Q&A. It's really nice for authors to have someone to answer their questions. I don't have a specific question at the moment.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteIf you sent your query through a contest and you didn't win, that doesn't mean that paticular agent said no. That just means that the agency picked another query over yours for the contest. You can send your query to them normally, just not through the contest! :)
Hugs,
Brittany
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ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I just wanted to give authors somewhere to go and ask questions! I appreciate your support! :)
In your opinion, what type of story/book would fit into the dark fantasy sub-genre? After doing some research, I decided my YA paranormal, was more of a dark fantasy. But I haven't seen any agents mention this sub-genre, and I worry they'll peg it for something it's not. Thanks for your help!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question. Some genres are hard to place. Have you ever seen Snow White and the Huntsman? If this was a novel it would be considered a dark fantasy. A vampire stalking his victims, because he is not real, would be dark fantasy. A normal guy stalking his victims would be horror. Dark fantasy is fantasy but with horror thrown into the mix. It is swords, mythical creatures, mythical lands, but it is scary (horror). As for agents, I'm not sure who represents what, but I'm sure there are a few that take fantasy and even more that take dark fiction. When submitting your query be sure to stress that it is a dark fantasy. If you can fit it into the query...try your best to show them why it's a dark fantasy in your query. I hope this has answered your question.
Hugs,
Brittany
Brittany-I thought of a question. Haha. If your book is from 2 different POV's should the synopsis be that way as well, or should it stay in one POV like the query?
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Jenny. It should stay in one POV. You shouldn't confuse the agent with another POV. It will keep it smooth and easy to read. Although, you should let the agent know that your book is in two different POV's in the query, this is important to know. In your query and your synopsis it is you telling the agent what your book is about, so it should just be in one POV's yours. I hope this has helped.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Brittany
Thanks Brittany!
DeleteHi Brittany,
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing a lot of agents post that they are absolutely against "portal fantasy" stories. Commonly, I hear that the reason for this anti portal sentiment is that the characters are usually boring until they get the power ring/find the tunnel to wonderland etc. Are there cases where portal stories are okay, or have they been absolutely overdone to the point of no return? And do you consider portal stories?
Thanks for taking questions (I hope I'm not too late).
Rena, (you're not late, I don't have a time limit for this)
DeleteI don't think they are boring. But, that is me. I've never gotten a Portal Fantasy queried to me. But, I've read one before. I don't think agents should judge a novel just because they have received other queries that were boring containing to this genre.It's up to the author to show a personality before they go through the portal etc. I would consider portal stories myself. I can't speak for other agents, though. If agents say that they are normally boring, so the author should work hard to make sure before the portal it isn't boring. I hope this has helped.
Hugs,
Brittany
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ReplyDeleteBrittany,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to congratulate you on signing Cassie Mae. I love her blog and can't wait to read her books.
Robin,
DeleteThank you! I'm so happy to have her. She is very talented!
Hi Brittany, and thank you so much for putting this post up and taking the time to answer so many questions.I'm your 50th follower! (I love those even numbers and always point that out. I guess it's a silly quirk of mine...)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how a new writer has billions of questions, but when the opportunity finally shows it's face, the questions fly out the door...Hopefully my mind will clear and I'll come back with a question or two.
Thanks:)
Ink in the Book!
DeleteYay! I didn't realize I had so many new followers! That is great news, and you are number 50, what a great number! Questions are like that, never there when you need them! Feel free to come back and ask anything you like. I will do my best to answer them!
Hugs,
Brittany
Oh, oh... I have a question. *raises hand*
ReplyDeleteI just got a full request, but there was no mention of formatting in the email or on the website. So what is the 'common' choice? I've heard Times New Roman, size 12 font, but should I double space, or single? Indent, or no? And should there be page numbers?
Amber! Great! I'm glad you got a request! Times New Roman size 12 is great. I personally like page numbers, and I think that would be the best choice. Double space for sure! And yes, indent on paragraphs! :)
DeleteI hope this helped!
Hugs,
Brittany Booker
Thanks for this opportunity. It's such a great help.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your opinion on having a story with an 18 year old main character at college and calling it young adult? Would the query be an instant rejection because of marketability issues, or would you consider it?
Do you think most agents would avoid a project like such?
Thank you.
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DeleteSuzi,
DeleteI do not think that at all. I know if the character is 20 that it would be considered new adult. I don't see what a young adult novel would have marketability issues because they are in college. Me personally, would like to see a character not in high school, because that has been played out, in my opinion.
I wouldn't avoid it and I don't think anyone in the agency I work for would cross it out because of this, either. I can't speak for other agents, but I don't see the problem.
I hope this has helped.
Hugs,
Brittany
I hope I'm not too late for this. It's such a great opportunity!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, congratulations on your book! I'll definitely keep an eye out for it next year!
Now for my question, I know you take fantasy novels but I was wondering, more specifically, would you consider High or Epic fantasy? Or do you only prefer Urban fantasy? What are some of your preferences for fantasy?
Krysten,
DeleteI think I got this late. I believe you commented on Cassie Mae's blog with this question. I take all kinds of fantasy. I give all fantasy novels a chance if the query is sent correctly! :)
Hi Brittany! Thanks for fielding all these questions! It's been very helpful to read through these answers!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, after an agent requests either a partial or full, is it acceptable to wait a few days before sending it? I typically like to reread it (yet again) before sending it off. Also, when an agent offers an R&R, what is a reasonable time frame to complete that in?
Thanks so much Brittany!
Kimberly! You're welcome! I always like to help out! :) Yes! We would rather you wait and get it as perfect as you can before you send it. It's perfectly fine! Now time wise, it's different for every agent. Because, some agents only do this and others have tons more to do. So, it could be two days to a month. For myself, since classes started back it takes me a week to two weeks, depending on the work load! Hope this has helped! :)
DeleteThanks so much! Congrats on signing Cassie Mae - she's fabulous. I also love the name of your blog. ;)
DeleteThank you! :)
DeleteYes, Cassie Mae is awesome! :)
DeleteI wanted to know how important it is to agents that the author has a blog. I've been hearing it's pretty much a necessity to get accepted now. And now Twitter, too. Does it reflect poorly to not have these things?
ReplyDeleteLaura,
DeleteI don't feel if an author's work is really great that an agent would decline the author because they do not have these things. However, it may give the agent an extra push to look at an author's work. This gives an author a platform. When they have followers on a blog or so many people following them, because of their book, on Twitter. I don't think it would hurt to have one! :)
Okay, thanks!
Delete