Laura Bennett
@Losbennett
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SFF Agent @LiverpoolLit . Queries closed. | TTRPG, board game & video game geek. | Ex-teacher. | Toddler & Bengal cat mum. | She/her. | 🏳️🌈
Southport, England
Joined February 2009
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Welcome new followers! I'm a literary agent from the north of England who loves fantasy & SF. I have a 14 month old daughter and two crazy bengal cats. I'm passionate about diversity and opportunity for writers! I try and post and RT useful advice about writing & publishing.
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New Adult needs to be an official category. Separate to YA and Adult. I am never going to stop saying it. It's for the just-leaving-home, first-sexual-relationship, university-shenanigans, changing-relationship-with-parents type of stories!
#WritingCommunity
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As we enter my favourite month, I wish to remind you all: Whether you’re writing your first or tenth novel, in the query trenches or self-publishing, signing a traditional contract or doing stories or poems for magazines, or something else!You. Are. Awesome.
#WritingCommunity
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Notes from the last year+ of speaking with editors - A 🧵.
These are some brief notes of repeated trends/requests I've had in meetings/emails. Note - these aren't all of them but the ones that I found repeated.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
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I am now CLOSED to unsolicited queries. When I open again (some time in the new year), I’m planning on opening to queries from anywhere in the UK/Ireland! I will also be accepting SOLICITED queries from anywhere in the world.
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In all honesty - a query doesn’t have to be perfect in order for me to take a look at your work. Sure, it really helps, and I at least need the genre, word-count and a decent idea on the themes. I also like to know WHY you are the one to write this book.
#writingcommmunity
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The thing is - if we want new stories and new settings and new authors, then we have to take risks and make adjustments!
#writingcommunity
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Who is your favorite character from space that isn’t in Star Wars or Star Trek?
Who is your favorite character from space that isn’t in Star Wars or Star Trek?
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Let’s talk professional wish list jargon! There are often publishing terms used in wish lists from agents and publishers. They’re not always obvious in what they mean and this can be difficult as a writer who is querying.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
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The thing is - if the only route into an industry is by being an assistant or intern then it means a whole demographic of people are blocked from entering that industry. If we want diversity, we have to embrace alternative routes.
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Can’t believe I’m having to say this but apparently people don’t do their research.
Please don’t bother querying me if you are:
Racist
Homophobic
Transphobic
Gender Critical
“Anti-woke”
Or really if you hate any sort of minority group. Just save yourself the time.
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Some quick tips for
#amquerying
#WritingCommunity
- Why might you be getting nothing but form rejections? So your work is solid and you've edited, had great feedback, etc - but just seem to get form rejections! These are some things I've seen:
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Just using a gif, what's a cartoon from your childhood that takes you back?
Just using a gif, what's a cartoon from your childhood that takes you back?
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Sci-fi is when your pointy-eared people are Vulcans and fantasy is when they’re elves.
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We re-open for submissions tomorrow. I just want to say ahead of time that I’m not looking to take on many writers this year, as I already have such an amazing group and I don’t want to take on so much work that I neglect any of them.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
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Sci-fi authors!
I've had some amazing queries sent my way but I'm still looking for more sci-fi.
Are you a traditionally underrepresented author? Do you have an adult space opera/far future book?
Just for this, I'm happy to consider authors OUTSIDE of the UK.
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I'll be peeping in at
#pitdark
when I can, although I probably won't do many likes as I don't have loads of time! Please send any queries to Laura
@liverpool
-literary.agency.
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Hey! Hey you! Yes, you. You’re awesome and unique, and no matter what setbacks and rejections you may have, that is not diminished. Keep striving and improving. The world is better for having you in it. ❤️
#writingcommunity
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#MoodPitch
If I like you, please check our submission guidelines and send your work my way if you like the sound of our agency!
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I've had about 40 submissions since we re-opened yesterday. It's not nearly as many as some agents get, but for somebody who spends most of the day with a very small person and reads them in the evening, it's a lot to get through.
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Say hello to Thor! He’s not met Merry & Pippin yet and is still spending most of the time hiding in the couch but he’s getting his confidence up.
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What will I be looking for when I re-open to queries? (On the 1st of November!)
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I consider all of my authors to be very valued & professional partners in this crazy business of publishing. I'm here to help them make their work the best it can be and get it to the right people. I want us all to make money so we can keep doing it!
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My updated
#MSWL
for when we re-open on the 30th of January! I will be accepting queries from anywhere in the UK (I may also solicit queries from outside the UK via pitching contests/121s etc.)
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@RussInCheshire
I don’t know exactly how it would work but I’ve always thought that to be in any cabinet position, you should need to have done that job. Education minister should have been a teacher, etc. would need to be something in place to encourage people to change jobs though!
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Hey there
#MoodPitch
! Happy pitching day! I’ll be looking but I have a pretty full list and a few fulls still to read, so I’ll be looking for very specific things. I’m still closed to unsolicited queries.
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I think I can sum up my agent ethos as this: I don’t just want to represent the books that mean something to me. I want to represent the books that will mean something to everyone.
And I think this is twofold.
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Feeling sorry for myself with a stinking cold. Send animal pics!
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Even fantasy based on real-world history doesn’t have to contain the sexism, racism or homophobia thought to exist there. If you can have dragons & magic, you can have equality.
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Today I'm particuarly looking for Fantasy Romance, especially from marginalised writers in the UK! Feel free to tag me in any.
#MoodPitch
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I’m still open to queries! If you’re a writer in the UK or Ireland or born there and you have SFF, please consider me. Upper YA/crossover and adult. 1/5
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Hello, yes, can somebody hurry up and invent time travel or something so I can read five books a day, three manuscripts and still play with the baby. Thanks.
#writingcommunity
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We're closing to queries tomorrow! I'm still on the lookout for a far-future space opera type book from an author in the UK/Ireland. A diverse ensemble cast getting into shenanigans - think Firefly, Expanse, Wayfarers. If this is yours, get in touch even if we're closed.
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Doing my best to give constructive feedback to anyone coming my way from
#SFFpit
. Usually we don’t have time to give responses to every submission but I feel like it’s a special case in this instance.
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The whole discourse around this tweet has made me rethink my absolute “no piracy on books” stance. I realised I wasn’t considering the world outside of my privileged western view. We need better access to books for EVERYONE.
as someone who wants to pursue writing as a career, how readers acquire my books really won't bother me. whether they buy gold-embossed hardcover editions or download my books for free, the ONLY thing that matters is that they're reading my book. and i'll thank them for that ❤️
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I’ve put a guide to writing query letters on our website, hoping it helps people who are struggling with them! Please share!
#writingcommunity
#amquerying
#askanagent
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You know how there’s that saying about success being 1% inspiration & 99% perspiration? I’m pretty sure publishing is 1% perspiration and 99% waiting.
#writingcommunity
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Share a gif from a TV series that you've seen every episode of.
Share a gif from a TV series that you've seen every episode of.
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New office setup is almost done! We just need to get some picture wire to hang the Discworld print.
There will eventually be a sofa bed too.
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What keeps me going? “Next.” The next email could be the big offer. The next meeting could be the editor who signs a deal. The next day could bring anything! Keep going, the next thing could be brilliant.
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Updating my pinned Tweet! Take a look at my
#MSWL
if you are querying Adult or YA SFF.
At our agency, we are passionate about underrepresented writers. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to break into the industry!
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Answers to the question, “why the heck has this agent not read my full yet?”
A glimpse into my personal process and hopefully reassuring that it’s not you, it’s me.
#amquerying
#writing
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It’s official. The baby has a first word/sound. It’s “meow”. Am I doing this right? 😂
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I don’t consider myself a royalist, but no matter your views, it’s a historic moment. There won’t be another like her.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s monarch for the past 70 years, has died aged 96
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Hey, everyone. I see you all out there - you’re awesome. My life is genuinely enriched by all of the wonderful people I get to talk to in my job, and all the amazing work I get to see, even if I can’t take it on. Please keep going. Thank you.
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
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Do you think if I just pitch future books as “listen, this is totally gonna get a devoted and unhinged fan base who will do art and fan fiction!”, I’ll succeed? Because my authors’ books totally fall into this category.
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My toddler is crying because she can’t actually go into the world on the TV and honestly, I can see her point.
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Hey, writers! I am in awe of all of you who have jobs and/or kids and/or illnesses or disabilities and still manage to finish your manuscript and send it out on query. You’re all genuinely amazing no matter the result. Be proud.
#writingcommmunity
#amquerying
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So really, we’re all just inefficient sacks of meat with too many thoughts, running around the shifting surface of a planet that hurtles through an infinite void. What I’m saying is - everyone should just do their best to be kind to each other. OK?
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I will probably stick with Twitter until the bitter end as I love the writing community here, but in case you need to find me elsewhere:
I tend to use the same handle (Losbennett) pretty much everywhere.
My Tiktok is
@geeky_agent_uk
but I'm not likely to post anything -
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Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Just had a nice long shower while somebody else watched the toddler, and some friends coming over later for pizza and board games. Partner got me a new Firefly deckbuilder! Perfection. Love and hugs to you all. ❤️❤️
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My gift to you all today is a picture of the cat sitting in the toddler’s musical chair while she cuddles him.
#CatsOfTwitter
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Quick tips to polish your writing! Based on things I’ve seen a lot when editing and reading submissions.
#amwriting
#amquerying
#WritingCommunity
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If the hell that is driving at night with astigmatism isn’t bad enough, there seem to be more cars and vans with fancy extra lights! Grumble! (See pic for roughly what it looks like to me if you’ve not seen it before.)
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“Don’t put that there.”
“What are you eating?”
“Why are you doing that?”
“Bring me your book.”
“Don’t put that in the bin.”
Am I talking to my toddler, my cats, or one of my authors? My life is wild. 😂
#WritingCommunity
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It's me again! Back with another tip for
#amquerying
members of the
#WritingCommunity
!
Another quick one today.
Anything more than one book is a hard sell.
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Toddler likes to “read” her book while having her nappy changed. Never too early, right?
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@joelbrigham
Pages for me. I’ll always take a look even if the query letter isn’t great, because pitching is a different skill to writing! Synopsis is useful but no way a deal breaker.
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Don’t get this anywhere else. Might stay in
@BroadhurstBooks
a little while. (Also for the great company and the books.)
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Always be yourself… unless you can be a unicorn. Then be a unicorn.
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Good morning. Toddler woke me up at 6.30. Who else has an early one? What is everyone up to today? We’re going out for lunch later with friends who I’ve not seen since 2019ish. May quote the Witcher.
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I, a grown woman of almost 38, just had my first pumpkin spice latte. And it was OK!
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I’m looking forward to the first
#flippit
next week. Hmm… should I make a mood board..?
#WritingCommunity
#amquerying
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Hi all in
#SFFpit
today! Agent here! I will be reading your pitches where I can around the baby. Please note, we represent writers living or born in the NORTH of ENGLAND only.
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If you need me, I’ll be over here sobbing that my little girl is one already!
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If anyone wants to know what it’s like having bengals - these two pulled over a plastic-wrapped box of wet food, ripped open the plastic and cardboard, got the pouches out and had a feast before we noticed! And they’re still asking for food!
#CatsOfTwitter
#bengalcat
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I want to try and balance some of the recent hate by spreading some love. If you are a trans writer and you are querying and want me to check over your query letter, DM it to me. I can’t promise much if you don’t write SFF but I’ll give it a shot.
#writingcommunity
#amquerying
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Looking forward to reading
#QueerPit
posts today! I'm closed to queries and pretty swamped so I may not hit like on many, but I'm seeing some amazing pitches!
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Thinking about it even further, maybe it should be broken down into Teen, then Young Adult. Since yeah - to me, "young adult" feels like it should be 16-18. But it's become something that goes from like 13-20. Anyway, just a Friday morning ramble!
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I’ll be peeking at
#PitDark
but I have a pretty full list right now and several full manuscripts to read so unless I see something that will really fill a gap, I’m not likely to be asking to see many. Good luck everyone!
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Here is me and something I painted! I remember walking into our local store and meeting the new female manager, who quickly became a firm friend and helped me get into the hobby!
#FacesOfWarhammer
(also pictured: the reason I’ve not painted anything in a while.)
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This red velvet cake that I got in the reduced section apparently serves 14. We shall see, Tesco Finest... we shall see.
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I just read a story about a person who had a terrible experience trying to buy a tampon in Istanbul airport. And it got me thinking - we need more PERIODS in books still. Especially SFF (because that’s my Thing.)
#WritingCommunity
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If I’m known for nothing else as an agent, then I want to be known for embracing and championing diversity for real, not just paying lip-service.
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Can we just get a General Election now? Please? Seriously? They're not going to have anyone left for these jobs soon.
#GeneralElection2022
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I love this book SO MUCH.
A protagonist with ADHD and a trans love interest. Magic, alchemy and class wars. Lesbians. Enemies-to-flirty allies. Victorian London.
I mean, could it get any more perfect?
Welcome aboard,
@DrAshleyNova
!
We’re overjoyed to be adding
@DrAshleyNova
to the team. Her historical fantasy set in Victorian London combines magic and alchemy with ADHD and fantastic LGBTQ+ representation. We were hooked right from the start!
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Happy gotcha day to Merry and Pippin! Facebook reminded me that we got them two years ago today.
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Am I ready for querying? A very amateur flowchart I made while the baby napped. Please note my lack of artistic talent.
#writingcommmunity
#amquerying
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The world of publishing really does involve a lot of waiting, huh?
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Just took Loki for his annual health check & vaccines. He weighs 6.5kg and he purred so much the vet struggled to hear his heartbeat. ❤️
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