Anyone know about this agent?

[Carakasla]

I am curious about an agent named Danielle Chiotti from Upstart Crow Literary. I have been researching her but I can't seem to get a good grasp on genres she wants. She says she is always open to a great story (me!) yet epic fantasy is a very hard sell. All she says regarding that is that she is NOT looking for vampires, werewolves, fallen angels, and pretty boys who seem otherworldly (check, check, check, and double check). I also can't seem to find any recent interviews from her, and her 'likes' on her agency's website is rather vague.

I just don't want to rule anyone out if I don't have too. Its not like my pool of agents is very big.

Should I take the plunge? Or not even bother?

[Silviar]

I'd say take the chance. At worst you'll get a form rejection. No big.

[DMcWild]

Hi Carakasla,


I think she's one of the nicest agents out there, so it can't hurt.

Cheers,
Don

[clutzattack]

I had a partial request from her a few months back. She was very classy and I would definitely recommend querying her.

If she's vague on her tastes then I'd assume it means she like a variety of things or she's one of those agents who can sniff out good writing in any genre.  Or maybe she doesn't want to say "I like..." because then that's all she'd get and nothing else.

[Carakasla]

Awesome! Thanks everyone!

I just wanted to make sure I had all my information right. I know some agents get really mad if you don't follow their likes and dislikes but if her main dislikes are vampires/werewolves/fallen angels, I am the complete antithesis to that

[KalenO]

Don't know much about her personally, but Upstart Crow is a killer agency, and two of the other agents there are amongst the highest selling agents on Publisher's Marketplace....I believe she's the only one at that agency even accepting queries at this time, so she's definitely got resources.

[Carakasla]

She sounds awesome! I already knew she was the only one open to queries right now. I only hope I will be able to grab her attention

Does anyone have any advice? Anything that can help my chances?

[ProfeJMarie]

I've sent her a query, but haven't heard anything back - so my advice may be worthless, but this is how I started my letter to her:

"I read an old interview between you and Writer’s Digest with this statement you made about authors seeking agents: “They should know their competition inside and out, and they should be able to tell me in three sentences or fewer why their book is different and better than any other book out there.” I thought I’d give it a go:"

And then I did that, before including my standard query.

In other words - yes, you're right about the the uncertainty in the genres she's seeking, but I opted to approach her through that general vibe. I've approached another agent in that same way, and even though I received a rejection from him, he personalized the response based upon this approach. So I'm thinking it can make a difference.

-Janet

[WhiteGardenia]

.
From her Twitter page (Feb 22):

"Have reached the saturation point on stories about teens with magical powers."

[Carakasla]

Thanks! But I was already aware of that.;) I'm good on that point. Still waiting!

[Mellamork]

Danielle is great. She had my full about 2 years ago, and when I received an offer from another agent, she quickly read it and had a very helpful call with me (she declined to offer, but was extremely gracious and professional). Good luck!!

[Carakasla]

I sent it out on Feburary 18th and I'm still waiting for a response. I hope I get a good response...

[lexcade]

Good luck, Cara! Fingers are crossed!