Agent Chat #1: Kathleen Ortiz

Live chat with Kathleen Ortiz 8-9pm EST.

It was an amazing first chat experience! Unfortunately the (dumb) chatbox right here on the forums doesn't save every word. We only have the chat beginning with a discussion on voice-- those first helpful answers were lost somewhere!

Next time we'll be using a different chatroom, and I promise you'll have every word. Huge thanks to Kathleen!

[19:44:14] megwashere138 : voice is to make the reader feel the same emiotions as the mc?
[19:44:51] KOrtizzle : Your voice as an author is your way / style of writing. I.e. Holly Black's voice is very different from Melissa Marr's voice even though they both wrote fairy books
[19:45:16] KOrtizzle : A character's voice is their persona -- so you as a person are good friends w/ your BFF but you guys have different emotions, thoughts, feelings, reactions to situations
[19:45:21] Sarah : oooh I get it
[19:45:24] KOrtizzle : If that doesn't make sense let me know
[19:45:35] @ Authoress : *applause*
[19:45:41] @ Lizzy : I wasn't sure how you'd word it but that was impressive!
[19:45:45] @ Lizzy : xD
[19:45:48] megwashere138 : it makes TOTAL sense
[19:45:53] KOrtizzle : lol um thanks ? Lol
[19:45:58] Sarah : what they said!
[19:46:10] @ Lizzy : Ok, next question! And it's mine
[19:46:20] @ Authoress : lol
[19:46:25] KOrtizzle : Ok -- I think Lizzy or Brent was next but I've lost track lol
[19:47:03] @ Lizzy : How does age effect whether a book is YA vs. MG?
[19:47:03] Sarah : thats easy to do *glad I'm not the one keeping track*
[19:47:09] @ Lizzy : (I was next )
[19:47:11] megwashere138 : me 2
[19:47:28] @ Lizzy : Like, does the character's age make all the difference or is it more of a feel /voice thing?
[19:47:38] Mayaah : Good question, Lizzy.
[19:47:44] @ Lizzy : Or what if you have a slightly younger protag (almost MG age) but your novel has content that's more YA?
[19:47:58] @ Lizzy : (If all that made sense...)
[19:48:01] KOrtizzle : It's a combination -- so example. LOVELY BONES is about a teen but it's an adult book
[19:48:03] Sarah : good question
[19:48:17] megwashere138 : good question
[19:48:23] KOrtizzle : But that's an 'exception'
[19:48:36] Sarah : I read the first 2 chapters of that book, it gave me the creeps
[19:48:41] KOrtizzle : Usually it's if the MC (main character) is between 14-18, it's YA, between 11-13, it's MG
[19:48:52] @ Lizzy : So age does make that much of a difference?
[19:48:52] Sarah : not aw bad as the movie though
[19:48:53] KOrtizzle : But it depends on the plot / situations throughout .
[19:49:01] AWriterGoneMad : I thought the age of your protag determined whether it was adult or YA.
[19:49:10] AWriterGoneMad : Mine's in his 30's.
[19:49:20] Rosalyn Kae : !
[19:49:44] Sarah : I think its the situation and what readers can relate to it, but thats my opinion
[19:49:55] Sarah : or well, thought
[19:49:58] @ Lizzy : Yeah, me too Sarah
[19:50:05] @ Lizzy : LOL, same!
[19:50:07] KOrtizzle : Well, if the MC is in his 30s, it's safe to say it's def NOT a YA
[19:50:43] dearekstasis has been disconnected the Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 19:50 (session timeout)
[19:50:52] @ Lizzy : Next Q or are you still typing?
[19:50:54] KOrtizzle : But age + situation determines age group. It doesn't make sense to have a book about prom night aimed at the MG crowd, you know?
[19:50:58] @ Lizzy : *wonders where the little so-and-so-is-typing feature is*
[19:50:58] Brent Taylor : Um, why does the chat thingy say I'm away? Omg, did I break it???
[19:50:59] @ Lizzy : O.O
[19:51:04] @ Lizzy : No, Brent, LOL
[19:51:06] Sarah : lol
[19:51:09] @ Lizzy : Because you weren't typing
[19:51:18] Sarah : it means you haven't typed anything in a while
[19:51:28] @ Lizzy : Totally, Kathleen
[19:51:31] @ Lizzy : Thank you
[19:51:39] KOrtizzle : I don't know if i missed the next Q or not so just let me know
[19:51:44] Dragontamer has been disconnected the Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 19:51 (session timeout)
[19:51:48] @ Lizzy : Nope, you didn't!
[19:51:51] @ Authoress : (10 minute warning)
[19:51:51] @ Lizzy : Next question! Brent
[19:51:54] Dragontamer has joined the chat on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 19:51
[19:52:01] Brent Taylor : You're a foreign rights manager, correct? Are the markets in other countries the same as the one in the US? (Like, is Europe just as hot on paranormal YA as the US? Does Spain buy a lot of contemporary?)
[19:52:06] Sarah : no, the hour went by so fast!
[19:52:14] @ Lizzy : I know, right!?
[19:52:17] @ Lizzy : *stares at the clock*
[19:52:20] Brent Taylor : My question is confusing as hell. Tell me if you need me to explain! :-)
[19:52:30] megwashere138 : i agree
[19:52:34] Sarah : lol, I got it
[19:52:39] Mayaah : Interesting q, Brent.
[19:52:44] KOrtizzle : No no--totally makes sense
[19:53:11] Sarah : do you write contemarary Ya (sorry if spelled that wrong, no spell check on chat)
[19:53:20] KOrtizzle : So the market overseas depends on the territory. For example, UK is pretty spot on with US but sometimes they shelve YAs in the adult section and vice versa
[19:53:24] KOrtizzle : However
[19:53:28] Sarah : contemporary*
[19:53:46] KOrtizzle : If a book is HUGE here, it's gonna sell overseas. Period. They tend to buy the big books when it comes to YA.
[19:54:03] megwashere138 : wow!
[19:54:06] Sarah : like harry potter, and twilight
[19:54:11] KOrtizzle : If it's an 'ok' sell, then the major territories will buy it (i.e. UK, Spain and Germany) while smaller territories will wait
[19:54:42] megwashere138 : hmmmmm...
[19:54:42] KOrtizzle : Then there are some who just flat out are a B to sell to --- Greece, Israel, Arab nations, etc --- they're great to work with but the publishing industry there is SO small that they don't want to take risks
[19:55:20] @ Lizzy : Interesting.
[19:55:34] Brent Taylor : Oh, wow. That's interesting.
[19:55:37] @ Authoress : (We're going to extend the chat an extra 10 min. to accommodate remaining questions)
[19:55:41] megwashere138 : i agree
[19:55:44] Brent Taylor : Thanks for answering, Kathleen!
[19:55:47] @ Lizzy : Woohoo!
[19:55:50] KOrtizzle : No prob!
[19:55:54] Sarah : yay, thank you authoress
[19:55:55] KOrtizzle : Next?
[19:55:57] @ Authoress : (thank you Kathleen for your graciousness)
[19:55:58] Brent Taylor : Ladiez, I'm off. This chat has been fun! Xoxo
[19:56:03] megwashere138 : yay! 10 more mins!
[19:56:04] KOrtizzle : See ya Brent!
[19:56:06] Rosalyn Kae : How much would you be willing to overlook in while reading a manuscript. I mean like grammar and spelling wise?
[19:56:09] Sarah : byee Brent!
[19:56:09] Mayaah : Bye!
[19:56:11] @ Lizzy : Thanks for stopping by!
[19:56:33] Dragontamer : Bye!
[19:56:43] @ Authoress : bye!!
[19:56:46] @ Lizzy : Bye Brent!
[19:56:50] megwashere138 : bye!
[19:56:53] @ Lizzy : (Was that your question Rosalyn?)
[19:57:10] KOrtizzle : @ Rosalyn: If it's an error here or there I'm ok with it. I have a client who's dyslexic and so I can overlook stuff like that. But if it's going to be something that shows you just DIDN'T even bother to run spellcheck or read again for edits, it's gonna be annoying. Laziness doesn't work for me.
[19:57:16] AWriterGoneMad : I'm still alive.
[19:57:27] Rosalyn Kae : Oh, yes, LOL! Sorry.
[19:57:56] @ Authoress : what about all-out bad grammar?
[19:58:27] KOrtizzle : If it's to tthe point that I can't read it because I keep rereading to adjust the grammar in my head, it's a no for me.
[19:58:36] @ Authoress : *nods*
[19:58:53] @ Lizzy : Interesting!
[19:59:05] Rosalyn Kae : THANKS! Ms. Ortiz.
[19:59:15] @ Lizzy : Anyone else have questions? Now's the time to speak up!
[19:59:17] Sarah : in other words, make authoress read your MS before submitting it lol
[19:59:18] Brittany has joined the chat on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 19:59
[19:59:21] KOrtizzle : Eek -- Kathleen! I'm not old *wails*
[19:59:25] @ Lizzy : LOL!
[19:59:25] Sarah : hi Brittany!
[19:59:27] Brittany : Hi everyone!
[19:59:27] @ Authoress : hi Brittany!
[19:59:28] Mayaah : !
[19:59:29] @ Authoress : LOL
[19:59:31] @ Lizzy : Hi Brittany!
[19:59:34] Mayaah : Hi Brittany!
[19:59:34] @ Lizzy : So glad you made it!
[19:59:36] Brittany : I forgot about the chat but I have a few questions for Kathleen.
[19:59:38] @ Authoress : I was just going to commend her for her good manners, Kathleen
[19:59:46] megwashere138 : (sorry it might be of-topic)do you like cat books?
[19:59:51] @ Lizzy : Go for it, Maya
[19:59:54] Brittany : Luckily you tweeted about it, Authoress.
[20:00:00] @ Lizzy : (type a ! when you want to ask a question, Brittany)
[20:00:03] @ Authoress :
[20:00:09] @ Lizzy : (I'll put you on the list xD)
[20:00:17] @ Authoress : (we've extended the meeting 10 extra minutes)
[20:00:24] megwashere138 : Hi Brittany!
[20:00:26] @ Authoress : (erm, chat. not meeting)
[20:00:33] @ Lizzy : LOL
[20:00:35] Sarah : lol
[20:00:39] Brittany : a! If I query agents when I'm still a teenager, would you prefer that I leave my age on or off query letters?
[20:00:47] Mayaah : Thanks! Okay, so I am interested in being a literary agent later in life also. Do you have any advice such as interning, etc?
[20:00:58] megwashere138 : good question
[20:01:01] @ Lizzy : (SO cool, Maya!)
[20:01:09] KOrtizzle : Ack! lol Wait. It won't let me scroll up and I know someone asked before Brittany >.<
[20:01:23] @ Authoress : who's first, lizzy?
[20:01:29] @ Lizzy : I don't think anyone did.
[20:01:32] @ Lizzy : Maya comes first.
[20:01:38] @ Lizzy : Then Brittany, your question will come next.
[20:01:38] megwashere138 : i agree
[20:01:49] Brittany : ok
[20:02:16] KOrtizzle : Someone asked about cat books but maybe i just didn't read it right lol
[20:02:16] @ Authoress : :00:47] Mayaah : Thanks! Okay, so I am interested in being a literary agent later in life also. Do you have any advice such as interning, etc?
[20:02:18] KOrtizzle : Ok Maya!
[20:02:31] megwashere138 : that was me!!!
[20:02:41] @ Lizzy : You're right, Kathleen. Meg, you can re-ask after Meg
[20:02:48] KOrtizzle : Yes -- definitely intern. The publishing industry is VERY apprentice heavy -- i.e. you learn by doing not by sitting in a classroom.
[20:02:50] @ Lizzy : I didn't have you on the list
[20:02:53] Mayaah : Thanks, Authoress for the repeat.
[20:02:55] megwashere138 : what!?
[20:02:58] @ Lizzy : *re-ask after Brittany
[20:02:58] KOrtizzle : However -- a few things to consider (my list of 3 -- lol)
[20:03:00] @ Lizzy : Sorry
[20:03:04] megwashere138 : its ok
[20:03:10] KOrtizzle : 1. Agenting takes at LEAST 5 years of solid sales before you make money.
[20:03:12] @ Authoress : lol
[20:03:41] Sarah : wow
[20:03:46] KOrtizzle : 2. Just because the agency gets 15% of sales, doesn't mean YOU get the entire 15%. There's a cut to the agency and there's a cut to you. ALL agents in the begnning have a 2nd job whether it's as an assistant, selling foreign rights (me) or working night jobs
[20:04:10] KOrtizzle : 3. It's NOT a 9-5 job. You always read at home b/c in the office you work on other tasks
[20:04:25] KOrtizzle : NOT saying this to discourage you -- just the reality. I LOVE my job. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
[20:04:31] Mayaah : Great info! Thanks! I plan on being a pharmacist before being a literary agent, but this is good to know.
[20:04:33] @ Lizzy : LOL
[20:04:36] KOrtizzle : But it's the info in 1-3 that most people DON'T hear about
[20:04:38] megwashere138 : thats good
[20:04:43] Mayaah : I think I'd love the job, too.
[20:04:50] @ Lizzy : Moving quickly, Brittany's turn
[20:04:51] @ Authoress : I think I'd hate it.
[20:04:52] @ Authoress :
[20:04:53] KOrtizzle :
[20:04:55] @ Lizzy : What was your question?
[20:04:57] @ Lizzy : LOL Authoress
[20:04:57] KOrtizzle : Next!
[20:05:25] megwashere138 : was it my question?
[20:05:27] Mayaah : lol
[20:05:37] @ Lizzy : Nope, Brittany's next
[20:05:40] @ Lizzy : You still there Brittany?
[20:05:47] megwashere138 : ok
[20:05:49] Brittany : Okay
[20:06:08] @ Authoress : (5 minute warning0
[20:06:19] Brittany : My question was: (hypothetically) if I queried you while I'm still a teenager, would you prefer that I leave my age on or off the query letter?
[20:06:33] @ Lizzy : Awesome question.
[20:06:53] KOrtizzle : I vote leave age out of it. because age won't sway me one way or another. Read Kody Keplinger's blog for her story on how she found an agent -- her agent didn't know her age until she asked 'so does my mom need to sign the contract?'
[20:07:07] @ Lizzy : Wow!
[20:07:14] Brittany : Okay, thanks! I've heard a lot of different opinions from agents, but most say to leave it off.
[20:07:16] KOrtizzle : If you tell your age, it shows you didn't really do research on how to query.
[20:07:20] KOrtizzle : Yup!
[20:07:28] @ Lizzy : Interesting
[20:07:28] KOrtizzle : Any other Qs? I'll type fast!
[20:07:32] @ Lizzy : One more!
[20:07:33] @ Lizzy : Meg, your turn
[20:07:34] Mayaah : Yes! I read Kody's story also. I agree with you, Kathleen. But I've heard other agents say they prefer to know the age on the query.
[20:07:44] Brittany : Nathan Bransford said that.
[20:07:49] KOrtizzle : Whaaaaaaaaat?
[20:07:58] Brittany : In an FAQ, I think.
[20:07:59] Mayaah : Yeah, it was Nathan Bransford.
[20:08:08] @ Lizzy : You there, megwashere?
[20:08:09] @ Authoress : well, he's not an agent anymore
[20:08:09] KOrtizzle : I look at it this way -- at the end of the day am I gonna buy a book because of your age or because it's a kickass story?
[20:08:12] @ Authoress : ONE MORE QUESTION!
[20:08:14] KOrtizzle : Kickass story FTW
[20:08:24] @ Lizzy : LOL-- very true!
[20:08:26] Sarah : lol
[20:08:29] KOrtizzle : (can I say a**? oops)
[20:08:38] @ Lizzy : LOL
[20:08:40] KOrtizzle : *readjusts filter*
[20:08:42] @ Authoress : (now she asks)
[20:08:43] @ Authoress :
[20:08:44] Sarah : lol
[20:08:49] Mayaah : lol xP
[20:08:57] @ Lizzy : *wonders where Meg went*
[20:08:59] megwashere138 : a! do you like MSs about cats?
[20:09:03] KOrtizzle : This isn't like the Academy Awards where I'm gonna get fined or something right?
[20:09:11] @ Authoress : nope; we love you!
[20:09:14] @ Lizzy : LOL
[20:09:14] Sarah : lol
[20:09:20] @ Authoress : well, I do , anyway
[20:09:23] Mayaah : I think we're all teens and adults here, we can handle it.
[20:09:39] Sarah : whatever is typed on the chat, stays on the chat hahah
[20:09:40] @ Lizzy : lol
[20:09:44] @ Lizzy : LOL Sarah
[20:09:45] KOrtizzle : @Meg -- I'm actually not big on animal stories. I LOVE animals, don't get me wrong. But they're just not for me right now. They tend to do better as picture books and young readers (i.e. earlier than middle grade)
[20:10:05] megwashere138 : ok thanks
[20:10:09] KOrtizzle : Pssh -- we're all teens and adults which means the filter SHOULD be removed but once it's on the INterwebz, it stays on the Interwebz. Ergo. Filter must be used.
[20:10:16] @ Lizzy : And that wraps things up!
[20:10:18] KOrtizzle : No prob, Meg!
[20:10:22] @ Authoress : DING DING DING DING
[20:10:24] KOrtizzle : Just ONE thing --->
[20:10:32] @ Authoress : THANK YOU SO MUCH, Kathleen Ortiz!
[20:10:35] KOrtizzle : If ANYONE has Qs over the next 24 hrs
[20:10:47] KOrtizzle : You can @ me on Twitter if you use the hash tag #WriteOn
[20:10:52] Mayaah : THANK YOU KATHLEEN ORTIZ!!!! You're awesome.
[20:10:54] KOrtizzle : And I'll answer by Monday
[20:10:57] @ Lizzy : Eee! You're awesome!!
[20:10:59] @ Lizzy : THANK YOU!
[20:10:59] @ Authoress : Awesome!
[20:10:59] Brent Taylor has been disconnected the Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:10 (session timeout)
[20:11:01] Sarah : Thank you SOOOOO much!!!
[20:11:03] megwashere138 : bye!
[20:11:09] Sarah : you really are awesome!
[20:11:12] KOrtizzle : Have a good weekend!
[20:11:18] KOrtizzle : Thanks Authoress & Lizzy!!
[20:11:19] @ Lizzy : You too!
[20:11:19] Dragontamer : Thank you Kathleen! by everyone!
[20:11:20] Brittany : Bye!
[20:11:22] megwashere138 : u 2!
[20:11:23] Sarah : bye everyone!
[20:11:29] @ Authoress : I'll send you my address for the caramel then
[20:11:30] Mayaah : You, too! I'll keep the twitter thing in mind.
[20:11:32] Dragontamer : *bye
[20:11:32] Sarah : thank you Kathleen!
[20:11:34] @ Authoress :
[20:11:35] KOrtizzle : LOL
[20:11:36] megwashere138 : bye everyone!
[20:11:37] Mayaah : Lol Authoress!
[20:11:38] KOrtizzle :
[20:11:42] megwashere138 is Disconnected on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:11
[20:11:44] Dragontamer is Disconnected on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:11
[20:11:48] @ Authoress : and guys, your questions were AWESOME
[20:11:48] KOrtizzle : Eww...that :- p is creepy.
[20:11:49] Sarah is Disconnected on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:11
[20:11:52] @ Authoress : good night!
[20:11:55] @ Authoress : LOL
[20:11:56] KOrtizzle : Ok. See ya. Thanks again
[20:11:59] KOrtizzle is Disconnected on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:11
[20:12:08] Mayaah is Disconnected on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:12
[20:12:10] Mayaah has joined the chat on Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:12
[20:12:17] AWriterGoneMad has been disconnected the Fri 4 Mar 2011 - 20:12 (session timeout)

Thanks for copy-pasting it! I wasn't at home when the festivities were going on.

Aww, maybe next time? Sorry there isn't the whole thing. There were some valuable answers earlier that were cut off.

It's alright! I'll try to resist the allure of Megamind* next time.

*Which was mega-awesome, btw.

LOL! I totally understand. xD I guess I need to watch it then, hmm?

YES.