Miss Alexa, yours was the first channel I landed on while dipping my toe into AuthorTube and with every video I see I feel I've landed in a safe place. One filled with terrifying honesty and heartfelt encouragement. You're a classy lady and a good mentor that kicks my sorry butt into gear to FINISH THE DANG BOOK. So thank you. (P.S. I'm buying your book tomorrow as a romantic Valentine's treat for myself along with wine and a box of dark chocolate :D You are well worth the book buy and I am excited to dive in.) Go you!
I just received an R&R from a great agent, and after feeling a bit bummed out, this tutorial makes me feel much more optimistic and prepared to tackle the suggested changes (which I agree with). Thanks, Alexa!
If you receive a R&R (not exclusive) that makes sense to you from an agent followed by an offer from another agent, would you notify the R&R agent of that offer?
Hi! quick question and super helpful video! If the agent says "take a month"... but i was able to make the change asked (picture book) within 3 weeks, should i still wait another week, or is three acceptable? I want her to know that I did take the time to make the change. Thanks so much!
Thanks, this was great! I'm in the middle of this process right now, and one question I currently have is when I'm done revising, do I simply re-submit to the same prior email thread I had with the agent the first time... AND, do you have to resubmit with a new revised query letter? Also, would you attach the MS to the email right away if re-querying, or wait for the agent response first? Thanks for the very informative video!
what advise would you give for someone like me who's writing a synopsis of their debut novel that is written from multiple POVs. Do I have to include what happens in the first three chapters if the agent has already read them or just start the synopsis from where the three chapters end?
If I do a non-exclusive R&R, how long (if at all) do you think I should wait to hear back from the agent who requested it before sending out new queries to other agents? (Also note it was more of a 'I like elements of this query, this is what didn't work for me, if you do make changes like this in a new edit, I'd be open to receiving it.')
I have a question. I watched your video on retellings and I’m currently writing a retelling, but it’s a lesser known Victorian book that I’m sure no one has read (Aurora Floyd). Do I still say that it was inspired by Aurora Floyd in my query?
I've never heard of that? Not that I'm the barometer, but it sounds pretty obscure. You could say "inspired by Victorian novels" or something... or honestly just leave it and if an agent offers, tell them? Or not at all. Inspiration isn't the same as retelling so it's fine :)
Every agent I know only accepts digital. There are a rare few old school agents who still do paper, but the odds of encountering them are low. All agencies are now digital :)
I am far from querying, but that phone-call stuff stresses me out a bit. I write in English, but live in Austria. If I ever had an agent from the US that would be hella expensive. There would be other accepted means of communication, right?
Yes, you need a title. You can't query Untitled. It doesn't have to be a publication ready title--most book titles change. But it should be something that you've researched (isn't the name of an already published or forthcoming book in your genre), and fits your category/genre reasonably well. You don't have to reinvent the wheel but you do need something. A great title can make an agent click into a query faster, and stick in their mind to make you memorable.
6:03 No, not a phone call! Please, anything but a phone call! DX
Miss Alexa, yours was the first channel I landed on while dipping my toe into AuthorTube and with every video I see I feel I've landed in a safe place. One filled with terrifying honesty and heartfelt encouragement. You're a classy lady and a good mentor that kicks my sorry butt into gear to FINISH THE DANG BOOK. So thank you. (P.S. I'm buying your book tomorrow as a romantic Valentine's treat for myself along with wine and a box of dark chocolate :D You are well worth the book buy and I am excited to dive in.) Go you!
I just received an R&R from a great agent, and after feeling a bit bummed out, this tutorial makes me feel much more optimistic and prepared to tackle the suggested changes (which I agree with). Thanks, Alexa!
Now I feel more confident with my exclusive!! What a fantastic video. Can’t wait to see the one about nudging. Could this be any more timely??
This maybe common sense but when an agent asks for a full, do we also send the pages they already have?
Yes, you send the complete manuscript as if they'd never asked for other pages :)
Love this, thanks for all the great advice!
You're a Godsend
I resubmitted my R&R at the end of January! I wish I'd seen this then!
Alexa, your videos are always exactly what I’m looking for in my process!! Thank you for all you do!
Great video as always. Excuse me while I'm in desprit need of a dictionary, BADLY!
If you receive a R&R (not exclusive) that makes sense to you from an agent followed by an offer from another agent, would you notify the R&R agent of that offer?
Hello. I was wondering what you suggest the timeline be for a picture book. If 2-6 months is the timeframe for an editor, what is it for a PB?
Hi! quick question and super helpful video! If the agent says "take a month"... but i was able to make the change asked (picture book) within 3 weeks, should i still wait another week, or is three acceptable? I want her to know that I did take the time to make the change. Thanks so much!
Thanks, this was great! I'm in the middle of this process right now, and one question I currently have is when I'm done revising, do I simply re-submit to the same prior email thread I had with the agent the first time... AND, do you have to resubmit with a new revised query letter? Also, would you attach the MS to the email right away if re-querying, or wait for the agent response first? Thanks for the very informative video!
Thank you.
thanks for all the info!
what advise would you give for someone like me who's writing a synopsis of their debut novel that is written from multiple POVs. Do I have to include what happens in the first three chapters if the agent has already read them or just start the synopsis from where the three chapters end?
If I do a non-exclusive R&R, how long (if at all) do you think I should wait to hear back from the agent who requested it before sending out new queries to other agents? (Also note it was more of a 'I like elements of this query, this is what didn't work for me, if you do make changes like this in a new edit, I'd be open to receiving it.')
I have a question. I watched your video on retellings and I’m currently writing a retelling, but it’s a lesser known Victorian book that I’m sure no one has read (Aurora Floyd). Do I still say that it was inspired by Aurora Floyd in my query?
I've never heard of that? Not that I'm the barometer, but it sounds pretty obscure. You could say "inspired by Victorian novels" or something... or honestly just leave it and if an agent offers, tell them? Or not at all. Inspiration isn't the same as retelling so it's fine :)
I apologize if you answered this earlier but when submitting a manuscript do agents prefer digital or paper?
Every agent I know only accepts digital. There are a rare few old school agents who still do paper, but the odds of encountering them are low. All agencies are now digital :)
@@AlexaDonne That was my instinct but I figured I would ask to clear up my confusion. Thanks!
When you’re querying if on the agents website they ask for the full manuscript should you send it or is that a sign of a shamagent?
This is a guideline for some agents--doesn't automatically denote schmagent, no.
If I’m uncomfortable sending a full manuscript to someone I’ve never talked to before should I just cross them off my list?
I am far from querying, but that phone-call stuff stresses me out a bit. I write in English, but live in Austria. If I ever had an agent from the US that would be hella expensive. There would be other accepted means of communication, right?
They're going to want to speak to you. If you're international, they will likely ask to Skype.
@@AlexaDonne Thanks a lot! 😊
Are titles necessary when you query? I can't come up with a title to save my life.
Yes, you need a title. You can't query Untitled. It doesn't have to be a publication ready title--most book titles change. But it should be something that you've researched (isn't the name of an already published or forthcoming book in your genre), and fits your category/genre reasonably well. You don't have to reinvent the wheel but you do need something. A great title can make an agent click into a query faster, and stick in their mind to make you memorable.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA