28 Comments
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Ginny Albert's avatar

We fully understand Kesia. We're glad you're such a sought-after agent! That we should be so fortunate! I also pre-ordered Caroline's book "The Marriage Vendetta," and thirstily await its arrival. It was Caroline who recommended that I pitch to you. Being a writer is tough enough; I can't imagine having a workload like yours!

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Thanks SO much for pre-ordering - and for the lovely comment :)

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Ginny Albert's avatar

You're deservedly welcome.

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Laura C. Rader's avatar

The number one reason I queried you is your complete honesty and transparency. You have a hectic job, and I also understand that you need your bookstore job to pay the rent:) I submitted my query for my historical biographical fiction, Echoes, to you in late February through Query Tracker, and you are still within the ballpark of response times compared to other agents. I've learned to be very patient and very optimistic. Hang in there.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Thanks so much Laura - this means a lot!!

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Marilyn Petrokubi's avatar

Hi Kesia: I'm glad to hear your clients take priority. Getting subs out and dealing with contracts keeps the lights on for everyone. I appreciate you sharing your stats.

Among that 1000+ query slush pile from February is ORANGEWORLD--a good way to escape reality when you need a break from it all.

https://substack.com/@marilynpetrokubi

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Sarah Warren's avatar

I was at a writers conference last year and they had a speaker who was a mindset coach to talk about rejection from agents. I was so surprised when the agents - most of them speakers - talked about how meaningful the session was because of how much rejection they face trying to get deals for their authors. The experience gave me a new perspective on what you agents do. Keep up the good work!

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Amy's avatar

I love hearing about how other people are human!! Thank you. As someone who is trying to figure out their own capacity vs burn out line, this was validating to read.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

I love that, I’m so glad. Take it easy (so much easier to say that to other people than yourself!).

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Amy's avatar

Totally— definitely advice I have dispensed as a midwife-turned-therapist, but something I am learning personally.

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Daniel Rodrigues-Martin's avatar

I don't envy the Sisyphian stack of queries you guys have.

Speaking purely for myself, I realized a couple years ago that my work is too important to wait on recognition from working literary professionals (it's been over 10 years). That's not a dig or a middle finger—I believe in my work enough to say that I'm not willing to wait any longer. Sometimes writers, especially indie and self-published, can get angry at the literary establishment. What I remind myself and others of is that as much as you guys would love to find the "next big thing" or only represent stories/authors you're absolutely in love with, you have bills like everyone else, and plenty of agents have second jobs or side hustles.

Here's to getting through as much of that pile as you can :)

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

I really respect that realization! And thank you. :)

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Izzy Barry's avatar

Thank you for sharing, it’s essential to understand that agents have more on their plate than finding a new client.

Of course, it’s part of the process but there’s only so much time and I believe most use what they consider off-hours to respond to queries though it’s very much still work.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

That’s very true - and thank YOU for reading!

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Kimberly's avatar

Thank you, Kesia. Your transparency as editor, author, and agent is part of what keeps me going! I look forward to your newsletters and the wisdom they impart.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Thank you so much for this - and for reading!! :)

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Trishna's avatar

Thank you for sharing insightful information about the agenting process. It has helped me through my querying journey.

Also I went through Caroline’s exposition of her publishing experience. It made me want to read The Marriage Vendetta. Curious to see how Eliza ultimately turned out. When will it be available in India?

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Thank you SO much! And that’s a very good question. Normally you should be able to get an export edition but I had a look on Bookswagon and couldn’t find it… I might have to get back to you on this one!

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Rishika Jhamb's avatar

This was great to read. The transparency makes it easier to understand that there's more at play than preferences, which helps not take rejection or ghosting personally.

Also helps set a more realistic timeline for querying.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and I’m glad the insight is helpful!

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Greg L's avatar

I love reading about agents' day-to-day for that exact reason. Whenever I get a rejection I consider that they might be overworked and oversaturated with too many emails. Because really, why else would they reject me? lol

Good read, thanks. I suspect I'll think back to this when you reject me one day!

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

Ha! Well - who knows? ;) Thanks so much for reading and you are so right to avoid taking rejection personally.

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Elizabeth Prats's avatar

This is really fascinating. Appreciate the full blown transparency.

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Kesia Lupo's avatar

I'm all about it. Thanks for reading!

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Mikaela Kemsley Benson's avatar

Sounds like a lot to juggle! It was so lovely to meet you in Las Vegas—and I had no idea you were under so much stress. Good luck with everything!

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Harriet Kent's avatar

Echoing previous comments, I’m sure we are all very grateful for your commitment to ensuring everyone is aware of just how manic the life of an agent is. Thank you for your honesty Kezia xx

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Jennie Doyle's avatar

Hi Kesia! Thank you for the insight into your side of thr querying process. Something I've been curious about as I finish up revising my manuscript: I queried a handful of agents who I believe will be a good fit for my novel; however, in receiving several passes, I reached out to a new editor to get a second opinion on my first chapter. It turns out, she believes, there is a major concern with a religious theme that my previous editor didn't warn me about, so I'm revising to be more secular. All that to say, do you know if agents will reconsider a significantly revised manuscript? May I resubmit my query letter to agents who rejected the previous version?

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Melanie Reynard's avatar

Thanks as always for the insights. It’s hard being on the other end of the queries, wondering and waiting, but it’s always good to hear and understand the reasons why agents take their time to respond. I don’t envy you your task, but good luck with all your current clients’ projects - and huge congrats to you and Caroline Madden for her debut!

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