GUTGAA Agents Interview: Part 3

13) Do you prefer to follow trends or set trends in publishing?

I love to try and see a future trend coming and then try to reach it or past it. I'm always looking for what has NOT already been done in a way that seems classic and fresh. I say MASHUP a lot. Tricia Lawrence

I need to know what the trends are, but I try to ignore them as much as I can. Writers should be aware of trends, but don’t go out of your way to follow them. It shows when you do. Write what you’re passionate about. If your passion happens to be what’s trendy at the moment, it’ll still be better written than something you’re less passionate about. Just be prepared for it being a little harder to get it published. Sarah LaPolla

I think everyone prefers to set trends! Hannah Bowman

Always more fun to set trends than be a follower. Linda Glaz

For this I say I follow, “Don’t mind the market, but keep the market in mind.” I will definitely look at a project with a slightly more critical eye if, for example, it is a work that includes vampires. But if I love a work, that’s it, I love it, and I’m going to do everything I can to find a place for it in the market. Jennifer Azantian

I think if something comes out and does very well and then I get something along that line but not just like it, and it’s well writing, I would take it, if I loved it. However, I am mostly open to new things that I hope will set a trend. Brittany Booker

I think a good agent enjoys doing both, so both. Sarah Younger

14) Salty?  Sweet?  Sour? Or a combination?

Salt and sweet. Especially on a road trip or on Sunday nights watching Masterpiece. ;) You know, MASHUP! Tricia Lawrence

Combination! (Mm… kettle corn…) Sarah LaPolla

Hot and sour! Hannah Bowman

SALTY/SWEET Linda Glaz

Mostly salty and sweet. Brittany Booker

Salty or Sweet. Certainly not sour! I used to wash the sour of of WarHeads when I was little, I know I know that was cheating. Sarah Younger

15) If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I wish I could make everyone perfectly okay with him- or herself. Tricia Lawrence

Teleportation. Sarah LaPolla

Shape shifting. Sara D’Emic

To fly, so I could get anywhere I need to be or want to go without traffic. Brittany Booker

Teleportation. I now live in NYC and would love to be able to visit family and travel around the globe with out waiting in the TSA line. Sarah Younger

16) I'd love to know how best to query an MS that that the writer feels could be the beginning of a series.

I hear that a lot in queries. I think it's good to mention, but don't be too firm in your conviction. The first book matters more than anything. If an agent/editor can smell a series, there will be a series. Focus on that first book and then be ready if an agent/editor asks for further ideas. Tricia Lawrence

The magic phrase: “This is a stand-alone novel but has series potential.” Sarah LaPolla

I prefer writers to be upfront about it, and just say: "This book has series potential" or "This book is the first in a proposed series." Because of the genres I work in, series are very common. Hannah Bowman

Usually, I want to see stories that come to a satisfying conclusion. I am also a fan of series, especially for the genres I work within. I would suggest something like: “XYZ is a stand-alone novel with series potential.” Jennifer Azantian

I suggest in the body of the query make sure the agent knows that the ending isn’t an ending but could have possible sequel potential. I like to read at the bottom, that this is one of so many books. So, I will know. Brittany Booker

I think the best queries for series, simply mention in one or two lines, that this is the first book in what they, the author, hope to develop into a series. Sarah Younger

17) What would be a reasonable time frame to read and make a decision on a requested partial?

In a perfect world, a month. In reality, wait a month and then gently ask and please, be kind. Don't point out how long it's been (we are well aware) and shame us because we've kept you waiting. We're keeping a lot of people waiting, but we're doing the best we can. Agents and editors are buried alive in manuscripts and reading subs often gets pushed aside because of demands on our time. Tricia Lawrence

I try to respond to requested partials within a month. Sometimes I fall behind that. I wouldn't check in with an agent for at least a month. But I know the wait is very frustrating!
Hannah Bowman

At least a month. There are usually a dozen or so going on at once, and I don’t just read, I take notes and make comments as I go (usually). Linda Glaz

A requested partial is going to be different for every agent. Because some of us have other jobs or like me that has another job, a full load of college classes and work-studies at school. My time period is around a week for a partial. The entire manuscript would be two or three weeks depending on the hectic agenda of my life at the time. Brittany Booker

I don't usually ask for a partial because our submission guidelines as for the first three chapters, so if I like them I usually am ready for a complete synopsis and the full manuscript. Sarah Younger