Amber Caraveo

a white cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor and saying `` bye bye '' . ALT: a white cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor and saying `` bye bye '' .

Thank you so much, lovely Emma. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your evening. Goodnight all!

Thank you so much for having us. It's been lovely and I hope you all write wonderful novels and then send them to us! #ukteenchat

That is a major occupational hazard!!!

Yes! You will ahve to do many edits and revisions so you definitely need to love your story and your characters! #ukteenchat

Double great advice over on #ukteenchat tonight! 👇

a purple background with snoopy jumping in the air and the words thank you Alt: a purple background with snoopy jumping in the air and the words thank you

Thank you!

Remember that agents need writers. We are nothing without you so we are always looking for great, talented authors. Have confidence and don't be afraid to send us your work! :-) We are friendly! #ukteenchat

Oh, and always check out the website and submission guidelines for the agents you want to approach because not all agents ask for the same things, and you might as well give them what they want and get off to a good start! :-) #ukteenchat

This is true! #ukteenchat

Don't let self-doubt get in your way. Write what you love & go for it! Never try to write for the market - it will always turn around and be completely different by the time your manuscript is ready. Write the story you're passionate about. Write it well. Let your passion & talent shine. #ukteenchat

Please do note, though, that we are open for submissions and always keen to see new projects from new authors so do keep us in mind! I am especially looking for YA romantasy a la Cruel Prince right now, but great writing is always welcome in any genre and for all ages! #ukteenchat

Yes, that's very true. Although, to be honest, agents are always busy and there's never a really 'good' time. I think authors should send their work when they feel it's ready - but, yes, avoiding late March and April this year is probably wise! #ukteenchat

Very much looking forward to the gelato!!! :)

The Bologna Book Fair is coming soon too when the publishing world descends on sunny Italy. That's always a high pressure but high-fun environment! #ukteenchat

We're also hoping to run another competition towards the end of the year, so watch this space! :-) #ukteenchat

Well, as Jo mentioned, we are thinking of doing a virtual tour later this year if there are some book groups around the country that would like to have us come and chat!? #ukteenchat

We think about it ALL the time! We know exactly what it's like for authors - the passion, the pain, the highs, the lows! The publishing journey is really tough. As agents we do understand that and try to ease that path as much as we can. #ukteenchat

It's so exciting when a fabulous new submission drops into your inbox, though. There's nothing else like it! And starting that journey with a new author and seeing them shine and succeed is the best feeling! #ukteenchat

She was such a talent and so inventive! #ukteenchat

Good question. The obvious things such as honesty and mutual trust but for me it's vitally important that I feel passionate about the author's writing and genre. I always look for the same excitement I felt when finding a new author as a young reader! #ukteenchat

I can't claim to be a writer, but if I were I would love to have written Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones which I feel is very much a 'teen' novel. #ukteenchat

Yes! Graphic novels & very highly illustrated fiction are hot right now and publishers are keen to find work in this space. #ukteenchat

I also love beautiful, lyrical writing and great atmosphere. When the setting is so strong it’s almost another character in the book, that always draws me in. #ukteenchat

Anything that feels fresh! I’d avoid themes with bullying in the opening chapters as it’s so very common. I love a really sassy, vivid main character who isn’t too sorry for themselves. #ikteenchat

Some authors that spring to mind are some of Holly Black's younger YA books and Melissa Meyer's Cinder. Obviously Geek Girl remains a huge presence in this area - and I do think it's great! - but that's largely because there's so little else! #ukteenchat

Exactly this!

Yes, I feel more teen YA should do well given the success of romantasy for YA and adult readers, but we're not seeing much of it sadly #ukteenchat

Agreed, but publishers are understandably nervous about publishing books in an arena where bookshops don't give them shelf space! #ukteenchat

Oh I love that pic! 😍 #ukteenchat

It was great fun and you were a most excellent host! :-) #ukteenchat