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#AskDV Does 'standalone with series potential' work for adult epic fantasy when it's actually a planned trilogy?

#AskDV I've read that using overly successful comps or comps older than 3 years is not good practice in querying. What's your opinion for both queries and for pitch events like this one? Thank you for doing this!

I want to have a clear understanding of the setting and the character's place in it from the first page. If an opening does that, the next thing I'm looking for is some kind of interesting action to happen right away. #askDV

Yes there’s a great amount of info online about query letters! I personally feel the format is helpful to get the information I need to set my expectations for reading the pages.
Sometimes people want to get jazzy with it and write form the characters POV but that is just confusing to me!
#AskDV

What is some of the best ways to stand out to agents/ publishers as a first time writer? #AskDV #F #MG #YA

Absolutely! There are readers mg/ya who prefer grounded fantasy and there are readers who prefer second-world fantasy and there are readers who enjoy both equally. I'm not seeing more difficulty in one category vs. the other. #askDV

I don't rep adult contemporary fiction so apologies for going off-topic, Ruth, but you reminded me of one comp I HAVE been seeing over and over for adult high fantasy, which is The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. #askDV

#AskDV
I’ve never queried before, (probably far from that point) but I am curious to know if there’s a standard formula to writing a query? Or is formulaic something that is not in the best interest of a query?

I’ve had several SFF editors ask me for shorter, accessible genre fiction, cozy genre fiction, and (gasp) novellas. #AskDV

And before folks ask, look at books like Automatic Noodle or the astonishing Chaotic Orbits series from @bethrevis.bsky.social for amazing novella examples. 🚀

I think you’ll find the most folks in the tried and true locations. I personally don’t intend to get a litconnect account because that becomes yet another thing I need to remember to manage.

Email queries still work amazingly well! Query manager is great too! Pitch events like this are fab!
#AskDV

How do agents view a writer who wants to build a career across picture books, middle grade, and YA? Is that range appealing, or do they usually prefer a writer to establish themselves in one category first? #AskDV

Hi #AskDV, any suggestions for querying a novel that doesn't exactly fit the kinda standard publishing genres? E.g., many agents specify SFF or such, but I have a literary sports (🏀) novel not seeming to fit well in any categorical "bucket," so to speak. How limiting is that to my querying?

For me sometimes I reach out after reading a great short story or an amazing essay a writer has published someplace. Otherwise… it’s just the ol’ query box. #AskDV

Popular with readers! It feels hard to sell to publishers.

#AskDV

This gets at the commercial/literary divide. A good hook/plot can mean the book is high concept and more commercial. Strong voice tends to mean the book is more literary. Different agents have different preferences. Which is "better" depends on your goals for your project. #askDV

As someone who also writes, I find that when I’m re-reading a project, and come upon scenes that I’m hurrying by and skirting over… that’s the sign they gotta go. 😔 #AskDV

Are there any unconventional places agents look at in addition to querytracker? For example, I've had one agent reach out to me after posting my query on r/pubtips, and litconnect has been a popular new platform. #AskDV

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