Thread by @SwatiHWrites

📚Questions to ask a literary agent on The Call: a 🧵 for #amquerying authors with tips from an agented author & book editor [not an exhaustive list] (1/10)

#writingcommunity #querytip #amwriting

First up: the mere fact that you’re #amquerying is something to be proud of. Rejection is normal in this industry but know that the right agent for you is out there, whether it’s for this book, the next one, or all of them! (2/10)

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersoftwitter

THE BASICS
1) Do you use a written contract/agreement? (I personally think this is a must)
2) Are you signing me for this one book or are you a career agent? What if you don’t like the next book?
3) Will I be working with any interns/assistants/co-agents? (3/10)

#amquerying

THE BOOK
4) At what point while reading did you feel like you wanted to offer? (This is just a fun question to see when/how the agent really fell for your book!)
5) What is your editorial vision for my book? What changes do you foresee being made? (4/10)

#amquerying #querytip

GOING ON SUB
6) What is your submission strategy for my book? When do you hope to go on sub with it?
7) How often do you communicate on sub & how will you communicate?
8) Do I get a say in the sub list? (especially if you've been on sub/engaged with editors before) (5/10)

CLIENT STUFF
9) What is your avg turnaround for reading/sending notes on client manuscripts?
10) What is your avg response time for client emails: general vs. urgent emails?
11) Have you ever parted ways w/ a client? Why? (6/10)

#amquerying #querytip

NEXT BOOK
12) When would we start discussing my next book?
13) Would you want to see the pitch/partial/full?
14) What do you think of my future ideas? (if you have any, list them!) (7/10)

#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

SALES
15) What is the commission % at your agency for domestic/film/subrights?
16) Does your agency handle subrights/film rights or is it outsourced?
17) Have you sold books in my genre before? To which imprints/publishers? (8/10)

MISC
18) What if I someday decide to write in a genre you don’t rep as of now?
19) What happens to me if you leave agenting or move agencies?
20) Can you connect me to 1-2 of your clients via email?
21) Can I have a blank copy of the agency contract/agreement? (9/10)

Hope this thread was useful! What other Qs would you ask? Leave 'em below.

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PS: You've got this! (10/10) 💛

More Qs from the replies:

Another great Q from an agent!