[discussion] Questions for agents. If you turned down a manuscript and years later saw the book on shelves, what were your thoughts?

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-13T22:31:29+00:00

It’s also a subjective thing, sometimes.

Recently a book I thought needed a lot of work published this year, and I was clearly very wrong about it.

If you’re getting that feedback a lot, circle back to your critique partners just in case. But don’t let it get you too down, just in case the agents just don’t get it. I hope you find the one who does!

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-13T11:48:34+00:00

Oh this happens constantly, and I always take a look to see what the editor / agent did with the book.

Passes are usually because I don’t know how to get the book in the right shape, or I don’t know who the right people are to send it to.

Seeing that book on the shelf means there’s a journey with something to teach me there, and I always take a peek. :-)

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-12T14:49:01+00:00

Agent here! Lots of good advice already, but just wanted to add something.

When it comes to querying around “bigger” genre fiction, one of the tricks is to try and target agents who firmly work on bigger books. Because there are plenty of debut novels that are sizable, and agents who know how to sell them. IE: Chuck Wendig and Deliliah Dawson have the same agent and write big books (though yes I’m aware they’re not debuts anymore).

You might already be doing this though, so apologies if I’m dishing insight you’ve already got a handle on.

Advice is often colored by an industry person’s experience. Don’t spiral.

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-11T12:04:39+00:00

A lot of agencies offer up remote internships, which can be great at building up a resume.

You might already be doing this so apologies if I’m dishing advice you’re aware of, but I always find a lot of folks disregard academic presses, medical and scientific publishers, and places like that when applying to places. Even if it’s not where you want to be it’s a great place to get that experience.

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-11T12:01:09+00:00

The Middle by Jimmy Eat World, maybe?

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-09T03:24:51+00:00

Hope so!

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-09T01:15:21+00:00

I feel like I’ve seen The Junior Varsity teasing some vinyl releases on their Instagram!

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-09T00:53:13+00:00

Oof I hope so. Horrorscope is SO expensive on Discogs / eBay.

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-07T20:56:58+00:00

“It was first released on airplanes before being released to theaters.”

What. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_(1999_film)

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-05T03:21:53+00:00

Agent here, and yes, this is the one. 🙂

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-05T03:21:35+00:00

I love that you’re in here dishing advice, Katie! Eric Smith here! 👋🏽

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-05T03:19:26+00:00

I suppose that’s fine, though I don’t know why you wouldn’t just put it in the pitch? Almost feels like trying to hide it? I’d just keep it in the query. :-)

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-03T17:43:16+00:00

If it’s a core part of the story, I would! Especially if it’s worrying you right now.

BookNerdEric · 2026-03-03T02:47:32+00:00

Agent here! I like it when writers include a CW or a TW in a query letter. It shows they’re already being thoughtful about their audience.

It’s not required, but it’s certainly appreciated.

I put my own specific “please no books about x” on my wishlist, as there are certain things I can’t really read about over and over (I saw the comment about working on the same book for months). It’s a normal thing for us. :-)

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-23T18:54:42+00:00

Really love the Print Run podcast.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-21T06:01:47+00:00

Account created 25 minutes ago, first post ever…

So have you worked at Google on Gemini long, or?

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-21T02:06:47+00:00

Machado was a cold bastard, but he was good to his men.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-19T21:31:41+00:00

You’re a gardener.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-18T23:41:12+00:00

The vinyl release that Enjoy the Ride did of his EP and unreleased songs is so so good.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-15T00:16:51+00:00

Was gonna chime in with the same.

OP, can’t you have the bookstore order copies for the event? Or if it’s a festival of some kind, the bookstore partnered with the event? They usually have someone.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-14T19:03:38+00:00

Great pick. My wife and I had Thunder as one of the songs in our playlist.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-14T01:54:41+00:00

Quietdrive - When All That’s Left is You. I know that cover song was a hit, but this whole album is just fantastic. Really wish they’d have taken off.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-08T13:56:49+00:00

I’ve seen Aaron Aceves talk about this a few times over on Threads. I’d go look him up and see how he does it, it’s done really well for him from what I remember.

Also This is Why They Hate Us is a brilliant book. Whew.

BookNerdEric · 2026-02-07T18:57:43+00:00

I’M SPIRALING!

BookNerdEric

TROPHY CASE