This is a bit of a cop out, but I would say pick the books whose readers you think would be MOST excited to read yours. It's less about capturing the perfect spectrum and more about showing that you know your intended readership. #AskDV

A climate in which publishers don't worry about book bans destroying crucial sales channels is a climate in which gatekeepers can more effectively advocate for projects by marginalized creators.
#askDV

I also want to add to this list @authorsabb.bsky.social and @pubprosabb.bsky.social, two groups organizing against book bans across the US. Book bans have shrunk the kidlit market, which relies on sales to schools and libraries (and disproportionately affects marginalized authors). #AskDV
(cont'd)

To not pitch those agencies. That’s absurd. #AskDV

“But I’m an agent who does that!”

Great. This is for you then, buddy.

WHEW that's the end of the hour. Thanks to all who participated with thoughtful questions. I believe there's another #AskDV event with another group of agents next week, so if your questioned wasn't answered tonight, you can ask again then.

My big dialogue tips are
1) Say the lines out loud while you revise. You'll see what sounds awkward and what sounds like people actually talking.

2) Break it up with breaths and pauses and digressions and fidgets. Overly perfect dialogue will sound stilted, like a rehearsed speech.

#askDV

Napkin math*: If it takes 1 yr to write a book, 6 mos to query, 3 mos for your agent to get the book on submission, 6 mos for a publisher to offer, and 2 yrs for the book to be released, that's 4.5 years (*optimistic timeline). Trends will change by then so don't worry about writing to trend. #askDV

The rules are a little looser for pitch events because you have so little space. I'd say for pitch events, go for specific vibe match and striking combos with your comps. In your query letter, use comps in your genre that are recently published and from newer authors. #askDV

If the story arc could feel complete at the end of Book 1 even if Book 2 is never published, use "standalone with series potential." If not, misrepresenting a trilogy as a standalone will hurt your chances because agents will see the unfinished narrative arc as a craft issue. #askDV

This will depend on the agent. I like working with authors across multiple genres when those are all genres I have experience with. I recommend researching agents who represent all the genres you write, not just the genre of the project you're currently querying. #askDV

Series are still popular, but it can be hard to get a publisher to invest in multiple books for an unknown author. That's why I recommend querying standalone projects the majority of the time. #askDV

I think it's always helpful to think about what purpose a scene is serving. For example, is it moving along a main plotline, subplot, character development? If it's not serving multiple purposes, it's a good candidate for being combined with another scene. #askDV

There are industry-wide efforts via groups like @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social and @litagentsofchange.bsky.social. Several individual agents who prioritize submissions from specific marginalized groups. There are a lot of efforts in action right now! #askDV