FIRST FIVE FRENZY with Whitley Abell!

"While the first line has (almost) never broken a pitch for me, the first line has definitely made a pitch. For a couple of my clients, it was their first line that made me root for them from the get-go, hoping I’d be just as in love when I reached the end. Once I’m hooked like that, I’m definitely going to keep reading."

In this 2015 interview, Whitley gave a lot of advice on making your first pages stand out!

SATURDAY SIT-DOWN with Whitley Abell

"I’d love to see a good geeky YA thriller; something like Chuck or Ally Carter’s Heist Society series—only Simon’s P.O.V., and preferably with an awesome female protagonist with a great voice. The thrill of the heist, the hidden identities, the espionage… ah!"

Last year, Whitley chatted with 'Coffee Cups and Post-It Notes' about common query mistakes and how to grab her attention fast!

Whitley Abell talks about MG!

"Middle grade is where the morality line really begins to blur. There’s more grey area between right and wrong in MG than in children's chapter books…especially in upper MG. Protagonists are much more subversive and the adults are no longer portrayed as perfect pillars of society."

In 2014, Whitley spoke to 'Middle Grade Minded' about her love of magical realism and how to nail that Middle Grade voice!

Whitley speaks to 'Adventures in YA Publishing'!

"If I recognize a story is marketable but I'm not emotionally invested, then I'm guaranteed to pass. But if I'm in love with a manuscript, I will fight tooth and nail to get it the deal it deserves."

In 2014, Whitley Abell gave 'Adventures in YA Publishing' a peek at her wishlist. Check it out and see if your manuscript is a good fit!

Whitley Abell: Writer's Digest

"She likes characters who are relatable yet flawed, hooks that offer new points of view and exciting adventures, vibrant settings that become active characters in their own right, and a story that sticks with the reader long after turning the last page, be it contemporary or historical, realistic or supernatural, tragic or quirky."

In 2014, Writer's Digest did a profile of Whitley for their New Literary Agent Alerts feature. Read it here!