iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Paula Weiman

Gwen C. Katz @gwenckatz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Fuck ChatGPT flyers. The future is broadsheets.

A crowded broadsheet with way too many fonts. It says:
Forget ChatGPT Flyers
Say it with
Broadsheets
Unlimited fonts
Stretch them
Or cram a really long sentence into one line for no good reason
No whitespace
Mix capital and lowercase
Pointing hands
(They're called manicules!)
Don't be left behind
Broadsheets are the future

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

jimmccarthydgb.bsky.social @jimmccarthydgb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

This is a bit of a cop out, but I would say pick the books whose readers you think would be MOST excited to read yours. It's less about capturing the perfect spectrum and more about showing that you know your intended readership. #AskDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Sarah is very good at this! Every virtual event I've worked has run very smoothly when Sarah is involved.

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

To not pitch those agencies. That’s absurd. #AskDV “But I’m an agent who does that!” Great. This is for you then, buddy.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

WHEW that's the end of the hour. Thanks to all who participated with thoughtful questions. I believe there's another #AskDV event with another group of agents next week, so if your questioned wasn't answered tonight, you can ask again then.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My big dialogue tips are 1) Say the lines out loud while you revise. You'll see what sounds awkward and what sounds like people actually talking. 2) Break it up with breaths and pauses and digressions and fidgets. Overly perfect dialogue will sound stilted, like a rehearsed speech. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Napkin math*: If it takes 1 yr to write a book, 6 mos to query, 3 mos for your agent to get the book on submission, 6 mos for a publisher to offer, and 2 yrs for the book to be released, that's 4.5 years (*optimistic timeline). Trends will change by then so don't worry about writing to trend. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The rules are a little looser for pitch events because you have so little space. I'd say for pitch events, go for specific vibe match and striking combos with your comps. In your query letter, use comps in your genre that are recently published and from newer authors. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If the story arc could feel complete at the end of Book 1 even if Book 2 is never published, use "standalone with series potential." If not, misrepresenting a trilogy as a standalone will hurt your chances because agents will see the unfinished narrative arc as a craft issue. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This will depend on the agent. I like working with authors across multiple genres when those are all genres I have experience with. I recommend researching agents who represent all the genres you write, not just the genre of the project you're currently querying. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Series are still popular, but it can be hard to get a publisher to invest in multiple books for an unknown author. That's why I recommend querying standalone projects the majority of the time. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I think it's always helpful to think about what purpose a scene is serving. For example, is it moving along a main plotline, subplot, character development? If it's not serving multiple purposes, it's a good candidate for being combined with another scene. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

There are industry-wide efforts via groups like @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social and @litagentsofchange.bsky.social. Several individual agents who prioritize submissions from specific marginalized groups. There are a lot of efforts in action right now! #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I want to have a clear understanding of the setting and the character's place in it from the first page. If an opening does that, the next thing I'm looking for is some kind of interesting action to happen right away. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Absolutely! There are readers mg/ya who prefer grounded fantasy and there are readers who prefer second-world fantasy and there are readers who enjoy both equally. I'm not seeing more difficulty in one category vs. the other. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I don't rep adult contemporary fiction so apologies for going off-topic, Ruth, but you reminded me of one comp I HAVE been seeing over and over for adult high fantasy, which is The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This gets at the commercial/literary divide. A good hook/plot can mean the book is high concept and more commercial. Strong voice tends to mean the book is more literary. Different agents have different preferences. Which is "better" depends on your goals for your project. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Because picture book texts are so short, I ask to see additional manuscripts to get a better sense of the author's writing style. I'm more likely to request this for text-only PBs because I get some of that information about storytelling style from an illustrator's portfolio. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If you anticipate questions about intentional choices you've made with the narrative voice, I recommend flagging it with a one-sentence explanation in your query letter. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This will depend on the individual agent. Check each agent's submission guidelines to see their preferences for updates and nudges. When agents ask to be updated on "movement," they usually mean offers or calls from another agent/indie publisher. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

MG romance often tends to be first-crush storylines, and more often as a subplot. #AskDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I recommend waiting until you have a complete, polished draft. Most agents won't offer rep on a partial for several reasons (unless someone is an established author). One is that drafting, finishing a book, and revising are 3 different skills. Prove you can do all 3 in your query! #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The thing that makes a pitch stand out to me is specificity--comps tailored to aspects of the work, a synopsis that establishes character/setting/stakes right away (loglines are a bonus), and a concept that's different from other queries in that subgenre. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Not at all! To be honest, I don't think much about the author's name until I'm copying it over in a message to schedule an offer call, and even then my main priority is avoiding typos. #AskDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I think this is actually two different questions. There are so many ways to approach story structure, but a pitch serves a different purpose. Pitches should convey information as efficiently as possible in order to attract industry attention, so being formulaic helps. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I wish I knew! I'm seeing a lot of interest in interactive and gameified formats for kidlit and adult genre fiction. Editors seem tired of stories about AI gone wrong. Maybe 2027 is the resurgence of YA sick lit? #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Not the maximum, but I do need extra convincing when a MG fantasy query has a word count above 50k. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I've seen publishers requesting shorter and shorter word counts. The guidelines I give my clients are 45k or under for MG fantasy, 60k or under for upper MG fantasy, and 95k or under for YA fantasy, which is on the conservative side so nothing is rejected on word count alone. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The industry as a whole is still figuring out best practices regarding AI. I understand being wary of AI detection software; one thing authors can do is research the agencies you choose to query, and avoid any that disclose AI detection practices you're not comfortable with. #askDV

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'll be answering questions tagged with #AskDV for the next hour. If you have questions about writing, about the industry, about querying, about pitch contests--ask away! (If you saw my initial post where I used the wrong tag... don't worry about it)

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The Trader Joe's cashier complimented the bag I brought to carry my groceries (it was my Frog and Toad bag (my frog and tote))

Arnold Lobel's characters, Frog and Toad, dancing in front of a rainbow underneath the words GAY RIGHTS.

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 02/09/2026

1. So, at the Worldcon this year there was a person who was going from panel to panel, bothering panelists by trying to get them to "collaborate" with them on a project and sliding the proposed project to them on a piece of paper. Folks, I cannot stress to you how obnoxious this sort of thing is.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

DVpit is back! I'll be doing a Q&A on Bluesky on September 17 along with some stellar agents. Use the tag #AskDV. Rare that I've agreed in advance to respond to social media messages because I normally daydream about throwing my phone in the ocean if I receive more than 5 notifications in a day.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I attended one of the micro-mentorship sessions at Flame Con last year and found it really helpful!

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Lee Mandelo @leemandelo.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Once again it's August 6th, otherwise known as Summer Sons day in this household

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Isaac Feldberg @isaacfeldberg.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

“I always get asked, ‘Why do you turn around?’ And I always answer, ‘So you don’t have to.’” With HADESTOWN a box-office smash, I asked three of its original Broadway principals—Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada and Amber Gray—to discuss their experiences filming it, for @letterboxd.social: boxd.it/3hW

boxd.it

Way Down: Reeve Carney, Amber Gray and Eva Noblezada on Hadestown: The Musical’s theatrical triumph • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine

As Hadestown becomes a summer box-office sensation, original Broadway principals Reeve Carney, Amber Gray and Eva Noblezada discuss the filming of its live capture, their intertwined love stories and ...

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Reminder that my query inbox will be closing this week. I'm looking forward to catching up on the exciting stories in my inbox that I haven't had time to consider yet!

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 28/07/2026

“it crashed the LRB site” just sounds like something someone made up five replies deep on bluesky and yet

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

JuliaEdits @juliaedits.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Writers & authors, with all the nonstop scams going around, you should be aware of @victoriastrauss.com's heroic work at Writer Beware. It's sponsored by SFF by has great info for writers of all genres.

writerbeware.blog

Writer Beware

Shining a small, bright light in a wilderness of writing scams

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

William H. Devereaux @whdevreaux.cryptoanarchy.network · 12/07/2026

If you're talking more of a hard SF/space opera situation, then I'd have to go for the IT staff. (Whenever people do "what job would you have in Star Wars" threads, my response is, "I'd be writing memos to the Grand Moff explaining why we need more MS Office licenses.")

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

The Common @commonmag.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

"Anything is affordable // when temporary. What thoughts I have of God / divide themselves by expiration: agony and goldenrod." Lauren Delapnha's "Supermarketing" is a prayer for the vegetable aisle. Read it online with the link below:

buff.ly

Supermarketing

LAUREN DELAPENHA <br> For example, the last time I asked God / to kill me I was among the lemons, remembering // the preacher saying, God is a God who is able / to hunger. I wonder, // aren’t we all…

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I found this report really interesting. Most of it supports what I've been saying in conversations with authors worried about how to respond to potential accusations of AI use in their work, as well as editors who ask how I screen for AI-generated material: it becomes clear through revisions. 🧵/

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 08/07/2026

All of this, but also please remember that Laura Ingalls Wilder was edited by her daughter Rose Wilder Lane, who is regarded as one of the three mothers of libertarianism and Ayn Rand's besties, and the books have been shaped to reflect her ideology.

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Reposted by Paula Weiman

Eljay/knitmeapony @knitmeapony.com · 03/07/2026

Y'all I, uh. I seem to have accidentally bought a sword.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I'm leading a cohort with Futurescapes 100-Page Workshop this September! This is my favorite part of editing, talking craft while an author and I figure out how to bridge the gap between the story they're trying to tell and what's currently on the page. futurescapes.ink/100-page-wor...

A flyer for Futurescapes Writers' Workshop:

APPLY NOW
Sep 26-28 | Virtual
100-Page Workshop
Faculty Spotlight
Paula Weiman, AGENT
Small Cohorts. Professional Feedback. A Clear Revision Path.

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Paula Weiman @tinyfairyhunter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

#amquerying authors: I will be closing my inbox to unsolicited queries at the end of July. My plan is to read through all of the unread queries (and unread full manuscripts) in my inbox and hopefully to reopen my inbox in winter of 2027.

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Deborah Barber @hexadecibel.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Do you live in or near Queens and want to learn to read and write cursive? The Bowne House is giving a workshop for adults and teens! www.bownehouse.org/events/cursi... By the way, the Bowne House has some really great historical documents in their archives. #genealogy #queensnyhistory

bownehouse.org

Cursive Handwriting Workshop Series for Teens and Adults (4 Sessions) — Bowne House

Discover the art of cursive handwriting in this engaging workshop designed for teens and adults. Whether you are learning cursive for the first time or looking to improve your penmanship, participants...

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