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Do you check a writer’s querying history with you/your agency, and how much do previous rejections matter? #AskDV

Hello! What are some advantages that querying authors can put in the bio portion of their query to help them stand out? Or should we keep it slim to ensure the story shines? #AskDV

For a DvPit pitch, it’s important for me to know the stakes and the character from the pitch. Interesting comps are a bonus, but also very helpful for an agent to later pitch to an editor. #AskDv

What are the common reasons you see a promising query fail to translate into a compelling manuscript and a request?

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If the story wraps up satisfyingly in Book 1 but could continue, saying “standalone with series potential” conveys that succinctly. While series are getting shorter many genres still thrive on series publishing and I wouldn’t consider it a problem if a manuscript I loved kicked off a series. #askDV

Will the agents and editors take someone who is not from their country? #AskDV

How much do you care whether an author's next books stay in the same genre as the debut? Is moving between Southern Gothic, horror, and contemporary supernatural a plus or a risk? #askdv

I can’t speak for every agent, but I’d consider a project that is longer if I have a clear vision on how to help revise and maybe make the manuscript shorter. I actually just answered another question on how to trim word count, so if you check out my quote tweets, I hope that helps as well! #AskDv

Are you hoping to see comps in #DVPit pitches? I'm finding them difficult to fit in the character limit. #AskDV

Agents may read one or the other first depending on their preference. The query and the pages serve different purposes, and one isn’t more important than the other. The query gives me a sense of the story engine and the plot skeleton. The pages give me a sense of voice. Both have to excite! #askDV

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What are some overdone elements in YA Fantasy that will make you stop reading the pitch, query and/or the opening pages?

Thank you so much for answering our questions!

I really think this depends on execution and individual preference; you can't account for every editor or agent's taste! #AskDV

How do we go about drafting attention grabbing stakes for contemporary upmarket when it’s either internalized stakes or at most a change in MCs relationships? Unlike fantasy where stakes are higher risk or time bound? #AskDV

Thanks for the info! If a query says an upper MG fantasy is (slightly) longer than that but you’re intrigued by the concept, would you still consider it? Or is it an automatic rejection? I’m trying to figure out what to do if I make my book as short as I can, but it’s still in the upper 60s #AskDV

Yes, there can definitely be an adult mystery with speculative/paranormal elements. A lot of agents and editors are looking for twists on genre. #AskDv

It's definitely helpful to update an agent on big revisions if they already have your book. For new subs, it's not necessary to mention in the query. If a previous agent expressed interest while passing, it could be worth reaching out to let them know, unless their guidelines say otherwise #AskDV

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How would you position a political epic fantasy with a strong romantic thread when romance isn’t the main plot? Is “adult epic fantasy” enough, or should the romantic element be highlighted more clearly in the query?

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For a debut author, how much of a concern is it if Book 1 is the start of a larger planned series? If the first book completes its main arc, is saying “planned series” still seen as a risk?