UK literary agency Curtis Brown has a shiny new submissions portal and is embracing the e-slush pile with open arms! I will be putting some questions to their children’s agent Stephanie Thwaites in the next week or two, so if you have a question you have always wanted to ask a literary agent, pass it on to me via the comments box below. I’ll use as many as I can, but if there are too many I’ll select the ones I think will be of most interest to others.
So what would you like to ask Stephanie?
Lou Treleaven 
Hello Lou, you do great stuff with this blog, really. Anyhow, my question, before I wrestle this poor damsel to floor and beg her to read my opus, is this; what “stops” you reading a query letter from the get go? I.E .what puts you off the most, topic, length of mss?
Cheers
Denis
Good morning- I have a series of childrens books that I just finished. What are the steps to take to find an agent and illustrator. Thank you Paula
This is a little odd, but I’ll ask. I have a middle grade fantasy in the works. I’ve been invited to submit to an editor and an agent once it is ready. Should I give it to the agent first? Or is it kosher to send it to both at the same time in this case? These invitations derived from the same contest win for SCBWI. Thank you! Kate
What a lovely dilemma to have, Kate!
True! But I just have my toe in the door. The foot is not guaranteed.
Hi Lou, your website has been really helpful, thank you. I have written and self published a children’s book with a difference; ‘In Search of Indalia’ is a fantasy adventure story that helps children believe in themselves. It comes with a series of bracelets they can collect that serve as a physical reminder to be happy etc. Book 2, ‘Indalia Through the Looking Glass’ is nearly finished and a series is in the works. How do I go about promoting this as it is not a standard story book? I have already been into about 20 schools with fabulous reception and one school is even using it as a discussion tool? Any help and advice is sincerely appreciated, THANK YOU!
I’ve written a
– Stand alone story with a twist for 10-12s, fast paced and with adventure sort of coming of age novel. I have been working with TLC for two years and had it menored by them
Would you be intersted in me sending the first three chapters?
–
Hi Lou
I’d like to ask whether it’s ok to send more than one story at a time to a literary agent (to demonstrate the scope of one’s ideas) or is it best just to send one thing at a time for consideration?
Thanks and best wishes
Andrea
Great questions. Keep them coming!
Thank you for the useful update – I love the new submission system! Looking forward to reading your Q&A with Stephanie.
Jenny
Hi Lou
I’d like to ask if I can submit my series to Stephanie please. I am currently writing a series of 35 books for 5-8 yr olds. There are 5 subsets each containing 7 books making the total of 35. I have had a small and newish publishing house interested since May last year and their MD acted somewhat as a mentor to me. However they have decided that the investment needed for my series is too great for them at this stage (as they felt colour illustrations were needed, although I picture black and white line drawings for my books when I am writing), so I am back to submitting my work to literary agents.
Many thanks for your help in my plight!
Best wishes
Sarah
I have a contract with a publisher and we are in discussion to make my book into an ebook. It is already published in a paper form. What re-negotiation do I need to do. She also wants to publish a series of books with me next year. Would I be better having an agent or continue to deal with my publisher myself?
Hi Lou!
I’m excited about submitting my work as well, but my question to Stephanie Thwaites would be whether a picture book for kids aged 3-12 with words and including a CD of music to sing along to is still ‘done’ these days… I’m wondering if e-books and apps might be taking over the scene as far as interactive, musical activities for children go.
My question: “Is it still true that boys will not read YA SF & Fantasy written by us girls, or have recent successes such as the Harry Potter Series, The Hunger Games Trilogy and others changed the old prejudice?” Thank you, Lou, for a great opportunity and I am looking forward to reading Stephanie’s advice.
Couple more questions from others that I’m adding here so I don’t forget!
How important is it for agents and authors to have face to face meetings, how often are these and is representation for life?
and
For those who write across genres, is it accepted practice to take on representation by several different agents?
Thanks for your questions everyone; I’ll be putting them to Stephanie shortly.
Hi Lou, if you haven’t already submitted your questions; wondering if Curtis Brown UK still accept international clients, and if they do, what they think the downsides of a relationship over the seas are? Thanks! Love your blog 🙂
Sorry, it’s a bit late to send any more now – good question, though! I’ll bear it in mind for another time!