Posted by: Kathy Temean | February 12, 2021

February Agent of the Month – Analieze Cervantes- Interview Part One

ANALIEZE CERVANTES from Harvey Klinger Literary Agency is February’s Agent of the Month!

If you would like to get in the running for a chance to win a critique with Analieze, if read the submission guidelines at the bottom of the page.

Analieze is a graduate from Cal State San Bernardino where she studied English: Creative Writing along with a minor in Screenwriting. She has also worked as an Editorial Freelancer for Independent Authors. She started her career as an intern at a New York Literary Agency and was mentored by Saritza Hernandez. She then joined the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2020. Analieze is currently building her own list and is looking for stories in YA and Adult Fiction. She specializes in Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, and Mystery. Analieze is especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices in the mentioned categories. She currently resides in Southern California with her five dogs.

As an Agent for The Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. I am looking for character-driven books that grip me from the first page until the very end. I want fantastic world-building, a clear plot, and want to know your main character’s desire by the time I get to page ten. Time shouldn’t exist when I read your manuscript. I want to be hooked and pulled into your world. Great writing is awesome, but your characters matter most to me. I want books that make me cry, laugh, and to feel connected to your main character. For thrillers, I want to be on the edge of my seat and have no clue on how your book is going to end. I want to vouch for your main character and cheer them on by the end of your story. I’m especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices.

Interview with Analieze Cervantes – February 2021 Featured Agent

What made you decide to become an agent?

I love books and I’ve always wanted to be in publishing in some capacity. I finally made the decision to be one when I went to a Writer’s Digest Conference in NY.

How did you get the job with Harvey Klinger Literary Agency?

I applied back in June when my former boss at a NY Agency posted a controversial tweet which pushed me to apply to Harvey and many other agencies.

Do you think your English studies at Cal State San Bernardino have helped you as an agent?

Most definitely.

What are your thoughts about prologues?

I am not a big fan of prologues unless they are executed well.

Any tips on how to best use them?

Start with a strong hook and it needs to tie into the rest of the story. If it doesn’t tie in then just begin with chapter 1 in a middle of an action scene—something that propels me into the story and the characters.

What would you like to see from a writer sending you a query letter?

I want to see their passion and who they are. I want to know what the story is about but I also want to know why they are querying specifically me. I care more about the story rather than their list of publications.

How important is the query letter? 

It’s very important, it’s like a cover letter for a job. A writer should put their all into their letter, talk about their story, and show me who they are as a writer and potential client.

Should the writer try to be funny in their query to you or is it alright to be more business like?

Yeah I love comedic flare to their letters just as long as it’s appropriate and professional. I tend to connect more to the author when the query letter shows me their personality and connection to me as an agent. Do you prefer short? I prefer 3 paragraphs (Hook—pitch, Book—what the book is about, Cook—publications/bio).

Do writers need to mention some comps in their query letter?

Yes, it’s definitely helpful.

Would you have an example of a query letter that got your attention that you could share?

I do from one of my clients and with their permission I’d love to share.

Have you ever read something that is not for you, but you feel another agent at your agency might like and pass it on?

Yes, we are always sharing manuscripts.

Do you feel it is better for an author to focus on one age group and genre?

For one specific book (the one that they are querying). If they are a client, I am open for them to write in different genres/audiences.

Would you be interested in representing a writer/illustrator?

Yes, farther down the road.

How far do you normally read before you reject a submission?

At least 100 pages. I am a fast reader so if I feel like I’m dragging to get through the first 100 pages then I pass.

Do you let people know if you are not interested?

Many times, I say I am not the right fit, but also share that they have good writing/voice.

CHECK BACK NEXT FRIDAY FOR PART TWO OF MY INTERVIEW WITH ANALIEZE.

*******

Analieze Cervantes is ACTIVELY SEEKING PROJECTS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

FICTION:

  • Commercial
  • Literary
  • Sci-Fi
  • Romance
  • Thriller
  • Suspense
  • Mystery
  • Crime

Favorite sub-genres: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary YA, Cozy Mystery, Domestic Suspense, Psychological Thrillers, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

What I’m Looking For:

I am looking to represent Writers for Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult Fiction and am actively building my list in the following categories:

Middle Grade:

  • Contemporary (something really cute, out of the box, character desire that molds the MC)
  • Mystery (twists & turns, young detective who has a desire to solve the case, something out of the box, cute voice)
  • Sci-fi (cute voice, a young scientist/inventor on the brink of discovering something that shapes the MC and is meaningful to the MC, think Meet the Robinsons)

Young Adult:

  • Sci-Fi (a Dystopian feel, think Divergent, hacking, neurolinks, AI blend with reality)
  • Contemporary Romance (think If He Had Been With Me and To All the Boys)
  • RomCom (a love story that provides comedic elements, meeting in a unique moment/setting)
  • Mystery (think Riverdale, twists & turns, should not give me any hints)
  • Paranormal (vampires, werewolves, blend of reality & fiction with a love story) No Zombies.
  • Crime Fiction (thorough investigation for murders and other cases, strong MC with a desire)
  • LGBTQ (a love story that progresses over time, no triangles)
  • Thriller/Suspense (cliffhangers, want to be on the edge of my seat)

Adult:

  • Physiological Thriller/Suspense (think Karin Slaughter’s The Good Daughter)
  • Mystery (twists & turns, want a surprise ending, should not give me hints on who “dun” it)
  • Contemporary Romance (a love story that conquers all, no love at first sight)
  • Romantic Suspense (a love story with suspense elements webbed in)
  • RomCom (a love story that provides comedic elements, meeting in a unique moment/setting)
  • Paranormal (vampires, witches, etc. blend of reality & fiction with a love story) No Zombies.
  • Sci-Fi (soft sci-fi, blending the two worlds)
  • Crime Fiction (want to feel connected to the MC and clearly shows MC’s desire to solve a case)

What I’m NOT looking for:

  • Fantasy (anything Fantasy, might be interested in Magical Realism)
  • Short story collections
  • Inspirational works including religious overtones
  • Picture/Chapter Books
  • Erotica
  • Non-Fiction
  • Memoir
  • Graphic Novels
  • Horror (please nothing with Zombies)
  • Westerns
  • Novellas
  • Anything Political
  • Poetry
  • Screenplays

I’d like the next…

  • The Good Daughter
  • The Gravity of Us
  • Upload
  • If He Had Been With Me
  • To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
  • One of Us is Lying

My favorites include…
Books:

  • Come Back To Me by Mila Gray
  • Everyday by David Levithan
  • Sunday’s at Tiffany’s & First Love by James Patterson
  • Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
  • The Last Thing You Said by Sara Biren.
  • The Good Daughter by Karen Slaughter
  • Don’t Go by Lisa Scottoline
  • If He Had Been with Me by Lauren Knowles
  • The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
  • Rewrite by Gregory Benford
  • Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer

SUBMISSION INFO

Direct queries through QueryManager: QueryManager.com/AnaliezeCervantes

To query me, please be sure to follow this link and fill out all mandatory blanks. Submission Guidelines: Please submit a query, 1-2 synopsis, 1-sentence pitch, and a 5-page sample of your manuscript.

*I am not accepting emailed submissions, if you email me your query. They will be unopened and deleted.*

Guidelines & Details

analieze@harveyklinger.com@author_analiezeFacebookLinkedinWebsite

HERE ARE THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR January 2021 FIRST PAGE CRITIQUES:

In the subject line, please write “FEBRUARY 2020 FIRST PAGE CRITIQUE” Example: Paste the text in the email, plus attached it as a Word document to the email. Please make sure you put your name, the title of the piece, and genre: a picture book, chapter book, middle grade, or young adult, Non-fiction, contemporary, historical, Sci-fi, fantasy, etc. at the top on both the email and the Word document (Make sure you include your name with the title of your book, when you save the first page).

PLEASE name the Word document file by putting 2021 February  – Your Name – Title of first page. Thank you.

REMEMBER: ATTACH THE WORD DOCUMENT AND NOT GET ELIMINATED! Your First Page Word document should be formatted using one inch margins and 12 point New Times Roman font – double space – no more than 23 lines – only one page.

Send to: kathy(dot)temean(at)gmail(dot)com. Sending it to my hotmail account will probably keep me from seeing it and including you  in the running.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES: Your submission will be passed over if you do not follow the directions for both the pasted email and the attached Word doc. This is where most people mess up.

DEADLINE: February 19th. – noon EST

RESULTS: February 26th.

*******

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy


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