61 episodes

A podcast made to help writers find the best literary agent for their writing and business career.

Lit Match Abigail K. Perry

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 49 Ratings

A podcast made to help writers find the best literary agent for their writing and business career.

    First Chapters: Remarkably Bright Creatures (with Savannah Gilbo)

    First Chapters: Remarkably Bright Creatures (with Savannah Gilbo)

    Abigail and Savannah analyze the first chapter of the bestselling and award-winning novel REMARKABLY BRIGHt CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt. This was one of Abigail's favorite reads in 2023, and there are great reasons it received (and continues to receive) such hype!

    Together, Abigail and Savannah discuss why these opening pages hook readers and set up big picture expectations for the story. Some key elements they take deep dives on include:


    7 Key questions to analyze that set up big picture expectations
    Voice and "attitude" in POV and narratives 
    Character development and relationships
    Small details that work as great set ups for big pay offs
    Plus, more!

    Come study this popular book club fiction novel with Savannah and Abigail and let us know why you think the opening pages hook readers. 

    P.S. Do you enjoy analyzing stories and the writing craft? Learn more about Savannah and Abigail's virtual book club, Book Notes. Sign up for their next meeting or purchase a recording of a past meeting >>  

      

    Follow Abigail and Savannah: 

    www.abigailkperry.com | www.savannahgilbo.com 

    @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo 

    P.S. Don't miss Savannah's podcast, FICTION WRITING MADE EASY! 

     

    Resources mentioned in this episode:• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt• The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings: How to Craft Story Openings That Sell by Paula Munier

    • 55 min
    Kate McKean ON: Demystifying Book Publishing Contracts

    Kate McKean ON: Demystifying Book Publishing Contracts

    Take out your notepads!

    Abigail sits down with literary agent Kate McKean for a very special conversation about book publishing contracts. This is a topic that intimidated Abigail early in her career—as it does many writers who are interested in traditional publishing. It's also extremely important for writers to understand what makes a good deal, and who better to learn from than an expert agent with over 17 years experience. 

    Kate has worked as a literary agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency since 2006, where she's built a diverse client list from New York Times best selling internet sensations like I Can Has Cheezburger to beloved humorist and short story writer Daniel M. Lavery to New York Times best selling YA horror writer Madeleine Roux. 

    Kate is also an adjunct professor at New York University in the School of Professional Studies and a writer herself (rep. by Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret).

    Her ability to talk about complicated topics like publishing contracts in layman's terms is a testament to her teaching abilities and strong communication skills. Some of the key topics in this discussion include: 


    Contract misconceptions and what to really expect
    What makes a good deal and what are red flags in contracts
    Money, rights, and what happens if something goes wrong
    Payout structures (how writers get paid)
    General thought process about negotiations
    Why you should always ask for more
    Plus, more! 

    Does Kate sound like the ideal literary agent for you? Send her your query! 


    Kate's Full MSWL: Review it here
    Learn more about HML: Visit their website  
    Read Kate's article on Catapult: "Book Contracts: Let's Talk Rights" 

    Sign up for Kate's informative email list! >> Enroll here

      

    Follow Abigail and Kate:

    Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.katemckean.com/  

    IG: @abigailkperry | @kate_mckean

    X: @abigailkperry | @kate_mckean

    • 1 hr 17 min
    First Chapters: Fourth Wing (with Savannah Gilbo)

    First Chapters: Fourth Wing (with Savannah Gilbo)

    Abigail is back with book coach and editor Savannah Gilbo!

    Today, Abigail and Savannah analyze the first chapter of the bestselling fantasy novel FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros. Together, they discuss why these opening pages hook readers and set up big picture expectations for the story. Some key elements they take deep dives on include:


    How to raise the stakes (and why they're so important)
    Structuring multiple scenes in a single chapter
    Romantasy as a genre and New Adult as a category
    Character development and relationships
    Plus, more!

    Come study this popular fantasy novel with Savannah and Abigail and let us know why you think the opening pages hook readers. 

    P.S. Do you enjoy analyzing stories and the writing craft? Learn more about Savannah and Abigail's virtual book club, Book Notes. Sign up for their next meeting or purchase a recording of a past meeting >>  

      

    Follow Abigail and Savannah: 

    www.abigailkperry.com | www.savannahgilbo.com 

    @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo 

     

    Resources mentioned in this episode: • Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros • The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings: How to Craft Story Openings That Sell by Paula Munier

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Megan Tady ON: Resiliency and How She Turned Rejections into a Published Debut

    Megan Tady ON: Resiliency and How She Turned Rejections into a Published Debut

    Abigail sits down with Megan Tady (Super Bloom, May 2023) to discuss her debut and path to publishing. Humble and resilient, Megan shares her experience and knowledge about a wide range of writing tips from the importance of accountability partners and writing strategies to game-changing mindset tips and what to expect as a published author. Some of Abigail's favorite takeaways include:  


     How Megan became a story of resiliency 
     Ways to turn fear and a scarcity mindset into confidence
     Why querying is a humbling experience and how to crack a query letter
     The publishing gauntlet and what to expect after you publish
     Zibby Books and their creative and supportive approach to publishing 
    Super Boom! (And Megan's next book)
    More! 

    What are your favorite takeaways from Megan's interview? 

    P.S. Buy SUPER BLOOM here >>

     

    Follow Abigail and Megan:

    Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.megantady.com/ 

    IG: @abigailkperry | @megtady

    • 56 min
    Meghan Stevenson ON: Her Literary Agent Matchmaking Strategy, the Pitfalls of Traditional Publishing, and Publishing Myths that Need to be Busted

    Meghan Stevenson ON: Her Literary Agent Matchmaking Strategy, the Pitfalls of Traditional Publishing, and Publishing Myths that Need to be Busted

    Abigail sits down with Meghan Stevenson (Meghan Stevenson Books) to talk about all things traditional publishing. After an editing career at a traditional publisher, Meghan left her job and started Meghan Stevenson Books (2012). Meghan and her team have helped their clients earn over $5,000,000 in advances from top publishers. In total, their books have sold millions of copies and helped thousands of people. 

    Packed with experience and knowledge, Abigail discusses big topics with Meghan that can help a multitude of writers interested in traditional publishing, especially nonfiction writers. Some of these include:  


    3 “P” factors Meghan considers when looking at a literary agent
    Her agent matchmaking strategy
    The “Barcelona Rule” and thoughts on the agent-author power dynamic
    Why Meghan left her role at a traditional publisher but still believes in traditional publishing
    Main pitfalls of publishing (and what authors can do about them)
    Traditional publishing myths that need to be busted

    Does Meghan sound like someone you want to work with? Reach out to her! 


    Learn more at Meghan Stevenson Books
    Not sure if you need help? Take Meghan's quiz! 

     

    Follow Abigail and Meghan:

    Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.meghanstevenson.com/ 

    IG: @abigailkperry | @megstevenson

    Twitter: @abigailkperry | 

    • 1 hr 3 min
    First Chapters: The Magicians (with Savannah Gilbo)

    First Chapters: The Magicians (with Savannah Gilbo)

     Abigail sits down with certified editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of Lev Grossman's THE MAGICIANS (and it's a doozy of a first chapter!).

    Both fantasy lovers, Savannah and Abigail come to this first chapter with a unique approach: Savannah is a super fan of this book and Abigail has only read it once—and several years ago. With these different perspectives, Savannah and Abigail compare their notes to see how this impacts their first chapter analysis and how the opening pages sets up big picture expectations and structures scenes. To do this, they use the 7 key first chapter questions (Paula Munier's THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS) and Story Grid's five commandments. Plus, Savannah and Abigail dig into other valuable topics like new adult fiction (is it still a thing?), genre, and how/when to break up multiple scenes in a chapter. 

    Why do you think the first chapter in THE MAGICIANS hooks readers? We'd love to hear your perspective!

    P.S. If you enjoyed these first chapter episodes, you might love Abigail and Savannah's virtual book club, Book Notes. Come join us for our next meeting on November 16, 2023. We are studying the mega-popular fantasy book, THE FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros. Learn all about it (and join us!) here! 

    Connect with us:

    Twitter: @abigailkperry | @savannahgilbo

    Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

    Website: www.abigailkperry.com  | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

    • 1 hr 23 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
49 Ratings

49 Ratings

Tacoosh ,

Abigail Perry is an exceptional resource for writers!

Abby is a pro - talented, experienced and smart. She knows the book business and is the perfect partner or resource for writers building their career. The podcasts are well organized, and deal with important topics in practical ways. However you connect with Abby, you will be glad you did.
Highly, highly recommended!

Tanya Brooking ,

Love these in-depth agent interviews

What a great find this podcast is! Nobody deep dives with literary agents like Abigail does!

Fostering English ,

Check out the query letter episodes :)

A great writing resource! I especially loved the query letter episodes! They break down each section of an effective query letter and have practical, actionable advice. Working through the back catalogue of episodes now.

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