🍋 what to ask a literary agent on “the call“ // querying tips

[@paperwattle9493]

not me watching this when i've not even finished my first draft ✌😭✨

[@paperwattle9493]

i'm gonna be SO prepped when the time comes lmao

[@lynndjung]

@@paperwattle9493😂 that's the goal!!

[@ilyas_elouchihi]

@@paperwattle9493 real 😭

[@michelle-ev3me]

SAME

[@EmmaRuzicka-jc9un]

I feel you- I’m still plotting T-T

[@Jeanalexandre_]

I have been querying for the past month, no lucky in any agent requesting full manuscript yet, but I had no idea I'd have to ask things like these omg.

[@KrisMF]

your list of questions is so comprehensive!! there are so many things that writers don't even think about when querying/getting on the offer call because the process itself is so gruelling 😭 this is such a good resource !! :D

[@lynndjung]

thank you kris!! There are definitely a bunch of questions on here I missed the first time around.

[@apocalypso3427]

As I get closer to finally finishing my novel, I've been stressing about the process of finding an agent. Not really the querying, but not knowing anything about what comes after that lol. This video is SUCH a life saver for me! I wouldn't have thought to ask half of the questions on this list. Thank you so much!

[@lynndjung]

It can be such a mysterious process, and so frustratingly opaque at times! Of course, I just want to make sure that writers on the path of tradpub go into it armed with as much knowledge as possible!

[@apocalypso3427]

@@lynndjung I absolutely appreciate you! This is definitely a part of the process that I haven't seen talked about much at all. Thanks so much!

[@Just999Me]

Good to know. Still writing and nowhere near the query stage. But good to have a list written down for the future. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!

[@lynndjung]

You'll get there

[@briellewrites]

This was sooo interesting!! Love hearing about trad pub from ur perspective it’s fascinating

[@lynndjung]

ty brielle!! i hope to make a ton more trad pub vids soon

[@AutumnMack09]

Even though I plan to self-publish I have to show up and support my girl Lynn!❤

[@kelleyiswriting]

I’ll definitely keep these tips in mind whenever I start querying!! Hopefully I’ll even get a call back from a literary agent 😂

[@lynndjung]

you 1000% will kelley!!!

[@mhjmakes3631]

It's interesting watching this as someone who has never gone down the traditional publishing route before (and doesn't have any immediate plans to do so.) It feels like you're in an interview for a regular job, only you're the employer, yet somehow you hold less power than the person being interviewed, because...they're the child of the CEO or something, idk. Tangent aside, these all sound like very good questions. You've got me thinking about things that I never even thought would be important, but they definitely are. Haha

[@Lara_Ameen]

Excellent video and perfect timing! I wrote down all these questions in my Notes app, so I have them now. Thank you so much! 🤗 I started querying my PhD dissertation novel (Adult contemporary fantasy that’s more like New Adult) on July 1st. Sent 14 queries and received 4 rejections so far. Definitely a smoother/better process than when I queried my novella, though. So this is my second time querying. I was lucky in that I got a lot of feedback on my opening pages (even from a literary agent when I did Futurescapes in March), the whole manuscript, as well as the query and synopsis from beta readers and critique partners. Also, another AuthorTube friend helped me put together my agent list (I have my own Do Not Query list, too), so that was super helpful! I know I’m lucky in that regard. 🥰 I will say it’s weird already being traditionally published (short story in an anthology), and having been nominated for a BIG AWARD, and yet I’ve still never had an agent, but I can find the anthology I’m in in bookstores. Wild. I hope your querying journey is going okay! I’d love for you to make a video about your journey querying MOTHS when you can and how it differed from the first experience with your agent.

[@lynndjung]

YAY I had no idea you'd begun querying, that's so exciting! I'm glad you had a lot of support. I hope your prior experience lands you an agent QUICK! It's been quite the ride, an update video is definitely on its way soon!

[@bewareofraccoons4266]

It is so helpful! I feel this also helps me think about what answers I want to those questions. I was under the impression you just had to accept whoever accepted you.

[@lynndjung]

I'm so glad you found this video helpful! You definitely can be more discerning, especially if something seems like a weak fit after the call. ty for watching!

[@paytonjletko]

this is so informative! thank you!

[@Zombie7spidey3]

Ok, I'm working on a story, one I'm so far pretty serious about, not rushing or anything, I'll be the one to say it. As i get the story together i watch u

[@Fiction_N_Reality]

Good luck on your publishing journey! Awesome video!

[@Borderlineescapist]

this was so informative and helpful! Thank you 🫶🏽🫶🏽

[@ChancellorMarko]

Thanks for the advice. I'm still not going to be prepared and panic if an agent calls😆

[@ilyas_elouchihi]

Hey Lynn, can you please give tips in writing psychological horror? I'd really appreciate it, thank you in advance. ❤

[@lynndjung]

I'll add this to my list of videos to make!

[@ilyas_elouchihi]

@@lynndjung thank you sooooooo much 🙏😭😭

[@akes292]

Basically getting a literary agent is the same thing as looking for a master thesis supervisor XD

[@ezekiellyngdoh6210]

Lord of the mysteries is a peak web novel do read it

[@meesh555]

I’m currently in the stage of still writing my first draft but this was super interesting and helpful! I love these videos! I am curious though from your perspective why you wouldn’t be interested in a literary agent who has a list of mostly adult fantasy writers in a similar stage. Is it an experience sort of concern?

[@anandaferraresi]

Lynn, I know it's a bit delusional to even think about this, but can we ask how involved the author can get in the book cover design if they have an idea for the art, or is it a completely out of mind question? Lol PS: Love your videos! They're very helpful, thanks for making them! 💙

[@lynndjung]

Hey! So full disclosure, I've never gotten this far myself, but from my understanding authorial input varies depending on the publisher. Big 5/larger trad pub houses probably won't take much input, but a smaller or indie house might! ty for watching

[@funfunshop03]

Did they ask you anything?

[@lynndjung]

Yes! I was asked about the inspiration behind Project Moths, my goal for the project and for publishing as a whole, my writing pace, future ideas, and what I was looking for in an agent/author relationship. Since I've been agented before, I was also asked about my prior experiences working with an agent.

[@WritingWithMS]

"you probably have multiple agents who want to call you" no I just love to bre prepared. Haha...ha ...an awkward silence follows. BTW just an opinion I had, but this "agents signs with you for your whole career" thing actually makes the query process that much more daunting and stuff. Like, what do you mean someone will judge my entire career based on this one book? Like c'mon. Honestly, when I first started learning about agents, I thought they would just choose a book for a book, and not a book for the whole author attahced to it. I hate this business honestly

[@jaswriting]

This is so insightful! Thank you for making these kinds of videos for us, Lynn! 🫶🏼

[@lynndjung]

ty for watching them!

[@lexiewritesfortheLord]

not even querying but I'm gonna watch anyways, thanks, lynn, for the video!! 🫶🏽

[@lynndjung]

Ty for watching!! 🫶