Blogger: Wendy Lawton
When I sit down to write a blog post I usually start with some of the questions I’ve been asked. Questions about books, representation, publishing or marketing. You’ve heard us advise authors to write to the reader’sĀ felt need, right? We try to do the very same thing with our blog by addressing the needs of our blog community.
I figured I’d come right out and ask about your felt needs. What is it would like to ask an agent? What questions have we missed answering? Is there something about writing you’d like to discuss? About your book? About getting published? About marketing? About your brand?
Today’s the day. Use the comment section to ask away. I’ll do my best to answer. Others in our blog community may want to jump in with their answers as well. Because some of the questions may take far more space than I can devote in a comment, I may tuck those away for a full blog post at a future date.
So. . . I’m at your service. What’s on your mind?
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Thanks!!!
Here’s one – to what degree do ‘hot trends’, either in subject or style, dominate acquisition editors’ thinking?
Should we all be chasing Amish vampires dressed in multiple shades of grey in a post-apocalyptic world?
Oh come ON, old boy!! It’s “ALIEN Amish vampires dressed in multiple shades of grey in a post-apocalyptic world?”
Details, Andrew, DETAILS.
By the time a hot trend is identified by a writer, it’s probably too late to begin the process of writing a book. Trends by their very nature are quick to wane. (Just try to sell a chick lit novel right now.)
But, though you are being funny with your example, you’ve hit on one way of taking advantage of trends. You look at the current trend and you find a new way to morph it, knowing that by the time your book is written and sold, readers will be looking for the next new wrinkle.
All in all, it’s dangerous to try to piggyback on a trend. Much safer to write tried-and-true classic genres.
If I wanted to see if an agent would take on my self-published book, how would I go about submitting it? The normal one page letter? Or send in my book with details of sales, etc?
Along those lines, what makes your agency decide that a client’s book is best served by going the self-publishing route?
So far, the only books I’ve helped clients self-publish have been out-of-print books for which the rights have reverted.
At some point, if a book just couldn’t find a traditional home, I might steer a client toward self-publishing if that client had a way to market the book. The self-publishing options we work with at Books & Such are all free to the client*, however, much like traditional publishing, so the process to get in is not a slam dunk.
*Free in the sense of publishing/distribution costs. If it’s a new book and edits have not been done, the author has to cover the cost of those.
Once a book is self-published most agents are not interested in it unless it is selling with the kinds of numbers that make everyone realize some kind of a literary miracle is taking place. (We’re probably talking about five-figure numbers in a relatively short span of time.)
By self-pubbing your book you have already “tested the waters” and if your numbers are just average you’ve tipped your hand to publishers that there may be nothing special about this book or about you as a marketer.
The reason a debut author is easier to sell than a mid list author is that if an editor loves the book he dreams that this one could be “the one.” Self publishing first gives a track record.
You’ve already used up the most important right we sell to a publisher– first rights, so it’s important to know that self-publishing is not a good way to get a foot in the door of traditional publishing. It’s a viable alternative way of publishing.
To answer your question, for me, I wouldn’t be interested in seeing a self-published book. I’d want to wait and see a fresh book.
Wendy, I self-published for my girls … didn’t think about much interest in the book really. I have recently published over summer and have no idea how many have sold. I should find out soon. But now, I’m wishing I had a little marketing help. Grin. Thank you for the advice.
This clarification is wonderful. So glad Shelli asked.
This is going to sound like a silly question, but I’m curious, so I’m throwing it out there. What is the most memorable or creative thank you you’ve ever received from a client or potential client?
I’m looking forward to reading your answers to the more serious questions here.
Oh goodness! I do receive some wonderful thank you gifts from time to time. I have a lovely hand-blown glass ornament hanging in my office from the Appalachian setting of one client’s book. Another client has knit me wonderful gifts– socks, scarves, even a purse. So many gifts. . .
It sounds sappy but the perfect gift is the relationship. I’m a terrible gift-giver and an awkward gift recipient. Many of my clients have become good, good friends. That’s the best gift.
Wendy, you may not consider yourself a great gift-giver, but you once lent me a good looking pin for a photo shoot. You ARE a good lender. š
How did you determine what you are comfortable representing? Is it more based on your personal tastes when you read for pleasure or more what the market handling now? Is is a combination of both?
If a potential book comes accross your desk that is not something you normally would not represent but has great writing and great potential to do well in the market, would you consider representing it?
Wendy, I saw your tweet about your dog. My heart goes out to you. Dogs are such a wonderful part of our lives. I know my Blithe was. I hope all will be well.
Thank you, Lori. We’re watching and praying that we’ll know the right time.
I usually go with my gut. I have to be really excited about a book or about a client to be willing to take them “out there.” We agents always realize that we are being judged by the projects we present editors. We love it when editors say, “you always bring me the most intriguing projects.”
I don’t take on a client or a project that makes me uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s “pushing the envelope” right past my comfort zone that does it. One project I knew would be a big, big seller– straight from the headlines–but in probing deeper I discovered the writer came from a tradition outside of orthodoxy. I passed.
As for representing what I like to read for pleasure– not necessarily. One of my favorite fun reads is historical cozy mystery. Currently it’s a hard sell. Most of the favorite authors are already in place.
Thank you! I was just thinking that I’d love to read about how an agent goes about selling a manuscript. I really appreciate all the advice for writers, but I’m also very curious about the other end of the process – what happens once a client is accepted, and the manuscript is polished?
thank you for any insight into this
When a client comes onboard, it is a time of getting to know each other. I have a number of forms they fill out to help me get a handle on them and on their hopes and dreams. Once all that is gathered, we usually have a first planning session.
Then comes the book. When the manuscript (for a first time novel) or the first three chapters (for nonfiction) are polished, it is time to go to work on the proposal– the business plan for the book.
We work very hard on the proposal, getting it into shape for the editors we determine to be good fits for the book. It may go back and forth to the author a number of times. We have a special format we use at Books & Such and we pay special attention to competitive titles– which allow us to help the editors see why we think this book may do very well without comparing it to grandiose bestsellers.
If an author has previously published we also have to add all those books, their ISBN numbers and the sales numbers. If these are lackluster, we have to put the numbers in context so that editors will see why we feel this new book may break out.
Once a proposal is ready to go, I shop it simultaneously to my first choice editors. If I’ve met with the editors first, I’ve pitched the book verbally so they are waiting for it. If not the proposal lands on their desk and ,Hopefully, they are excited to see something new from me since I’ve brought them such successful projects in the past. š
If two or more editors are interested, I start to ramp up for some completive bidding and perhaps even *hope, hope* an auction.
When the project sells we go to the contract process. this may be relatively painless or it may take much back-and-forth. When the contract is signed, sealed and delivered we hand the client over to the editor. From that point on we are copied on the details and step in things get complicated.
If the project doesn’t sell to our first choice houses we may take it out further. Still no sale? We may put this one away for time and get started on a new project with our client.
Thank you very much for this detailed answer!
Was there a submission that broke your heart in its beauty and you dove to the phone to offer representation without blinking?
And…what was the most awkward and tacky submission you ever got? (Other than mine…)
To your first question, yes. I have even had to fight to represent a project when a number of other agents were vying for it.
And when it comes to tacky, you have no idea. I have a whole file of queries that are outrageous– totally cringeworthy. I generally don’t share them publicly because an agent has to be a safe place for authors and because we were all a little clueless and a little crazy in the beginning.
But I do take them out from time to time when I need a good laugh.
I bet that person felt like a million bucks, knowing there was a skirmish involved.
If someone showed me a query I wrote way back, I’d turn 50 shades of crimson!
I have 2 questions.
1. Should I look for an agent that is geographically close to me?
2. I’m finishing up my novel, hoping to pitch in April, by emails and at Mount Hermon. I’ve got a small platform: Blog, FB page, Twitter, Newsletter, and I’m speaking at a homeschool convention this year. I have around 1900 subscribers.
My question is this: Should I be spending previous writing time trying to increase my platform? I’m focusing on the novel right now but there’s the fear that it won’t matter how good the book is if I don’t have a big enough platform for an agent to consider me. Is there a rule of thumb, numbers-wise, for what a fiction author needs? Should I be concerned with upping my numbers before April or can I focus more on the novel? Right now, I’m maintaining my relationship w/readers mostly through FB and a few blog posts each month.
Thank you for this blog, it daily answers questions for me!
Not “previous” writing time, “precious” writing time. š
1. Geography no longer matters in this world. Used to be you wanted an agent in New York so they could be power lunching with editors every day. These days publishers are located far and wide as are agents. We still travel to meet publishers regularly but we are all connected online. Even with our agency– we have three in the wine country of California, I’m about three hours away in the central valley, Mary is in Chicago and Rachelle in Colorado Springs. And yet, we meet face-to-face via online meeting every single week.
And we are connected to our clients in the same way. Some we see in the flesh at conferences or lunch. All of our clients and all the agents are connected in a group together online so we can keep in touch daily. Plus every other year we have a retreat where we all gather to play and learn together.
2.Platform is important but not as much for novelists. With fiction it’s primarily about the writing and storytelling. 1900 is an impressive size newsletter list for a debut novelist. Good work.
See you at Mount Hermon.
Thank you so much, you have no idea how happy your answers made me! I can chill out and write fiction, my first love, and not stress about not being important enough š Thank you!
I really like your website, Angela. I homeschool, too. Congrats on your platform! Sounds very promising.
Thanks, Shelli! Nice to see another homeschool mom here š
You do have a nice website, Angela. I like how friendly and open you sound! š
Thank you, Addy š
What an awesome opportunity, Wendy! I feel like you ladies have done such a stellar job answering questions (some I didn’t even know I had!) over the last several years that I can’t think of anything to ask. I’m looking forward to reading your responses to others, though. š
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give a short answer. (I can get windy!)
Is there any specific thing you hate to see in queries? Anything that “turns you off” of being interested in the book right away?
Grandiose pronouncements like, “No other book has ever. . .” or “This book comes straight from the Holy Spirit. . .”
Sometimes there are little things that feel like fingernails on a blackboard. Like when someone calls their story a “fiction novel.” (A novel is by definition fiction.) But those things wouldn’t turn me off from a fabulous idea by an extraordinary writer.
Thank you for being so open and available, Wendy.
What are you reading right now, other than submissions?
What are you writing right now, other than fabulous blog posts and business correspondence?
Reading: On audio– The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. On my iPad– I just finished reading SUNRISE ON THE BATTERY by Beth Webb Hart (about Charleston, where I just toured) and LOVE’S AWAKENING by Laura Franz (loved) and INVISABLE by Ginny Yttrup. (loved)
Writing: Need to write last book in the Daughters of Faith series– INDIAN PAINTBRUSH– but instead I’m writing blogs, reading manuscripts and. . .
I’m a reader and this is the first I have heard about your books, Wendy. I had no idea that you were an author as well as an agent. It appears on Amazon that your books are young adult. They look very interesting, especially the book about the pilgrims. Do you have any novels for adults?
Speaking of pilgrims, do any of your authors have any novels about the pilgrims/puritans? Other than Jody Hedlund’s The Preacher’s Bride, a few Gilbert Morris novels, and one by Jack Cavanagh, I cannot think of any in the CBA on this subject.
Silvia, I can’t think of any offhand. Wouldn’t you love to bust some of the stereotypes about Puritans? they have become little more than caricatures to most these days and yet, what bold and adventuresome pioneers they were.
Some writers I love who write or have written about early colonial days are Laura Franz and Lori Benton.
And no, I’ve never done novels for big people. (I love middle grade– voracious little readers there. My books keep selling because there’s always a new crop of kids. Especially home schoolers.)
Wendy, your Daughters of the Faith will be appearing under our tree this Christmas, but don’t tell anybody. š Homeschoolers and voracious readers here.
To piggyback on what Meghan asked, do you plan on writing more Daughters of the Faith books? Just read Almost Home, and it made me want to take a return trip to Cape Cod.
I posted this before I saw your statement above. So glad you plan on writing another.
It’s difficult to find subjects for this series. They have to be real girls from history who made a difference while they were still girls– not those who grew up to do great things or married someone famous. History tended not to record the stories of girls.
If an agent asked for a partial or full at a conference, is it safe to assume you can send it to them as an attachment? I know a lot of agencies prohibit sending attachments but I don’t think she’d want me to paste a whole novel into the body of an email right? I just don’t want to get stuck in spam, never to see the light of day!
I think it would be. For any of us at Books & Such it certainly would be. YOu are talking about requested work not something from a stranger.
I’m not sure what advice you can give on this, but my biggest problem at the moment is that I’ve written a lot of books, a few of which are ready to be sent out, and I don’t know which one to query with. I always start second-guessing my choice as soon as I get over 10 rejections, which isn’t even that many. How do I choose? What am I most likely to be able to break in with?
This is a tough question. What do your critique partners say? I’d advise to look at the market and try to choose the best book you’ve written that would have a place on the bookstore shelf. In other words, if contemporary romantic women’s fiction were your genre, there is plenty of shelf space devoted to this so you know it’s popular at the time.
This is a nice problem to have, Kira. There’s no trying to convince someone you are a writer when you have a whole stack of books written. and if you get contracted, it will be nice for a publishing house to know there is more than one book already ready to go.
Another possibility is to go to a writer’s conference and when you sit down with agents and editors, instead of pitching a book, give them quick pitches of a number of books, explaining that you’d like their input on which is the strongest idea.
Thank you. =)
Dear Wendy: Thank you for all your advice. I write in my tea room in-between my guests and always have ideas and projects. Like your writer above, I do have many books and am always uncertain what to query. I am starting a new series set in Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel and wonder if being regional will help or hurt my chances of finding representation? I am encouraged though, that a publisher will one day be happy I have a back log. Thank you again. Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild
What happens when you you get to the BIO part of your query and you have zero professional writing experience? However, you do have a large following (Facebook, Twitter, and review count) through derivative fiction you used to post on the internet bwfore you began writing original pieces? Do you carefully word this information to let the agent know you come with a substantial fanbase and are highly active in social media? Or would they rather see nothing in the bio section, than anything referring to the fact that you used to write fanfiction.
Thank you so much. I’ve asked this before, and received mixed answers.
Just make it interesting, MarySue, highlighting your connectedness. Plus I wouldn’t shy away from telling about the fanfic– to me that’s a huge plus. What better way to hone your skills and find potential readers. One of my multi-published writers did fan fiction first.
Realistically, how long should I wait for a response to a query sent to your company, before I assume you are not interested? I realize that it is impossible to respond to everyone.
We actually give you the time frame in our reply to your query. By then it has been looked at at least once and possibly circulated. I believe it is 30 days.
it always helps to mention on your query that you are a member of our blog community. Interestingly, we are signing many of our new clients from those we first got to know here.
Thank you for your quick reply. I wish I would have known to add that I follow this blog. I love it! I have already sent one in. Oh well. I will be patient.
If you wouldn’t mind me asking another question, is it wise to send more than one query to the same agent at the same time? (On different ideas, of course)
BTW: I caught a glimpse of you at Allume a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoyed your time!
Wendy, do the agents at B & S have a variety of readers that they filter queries or proposals through?
I don’t know about a “variety” of first readers, Jenni. Some of us use first readers. I use one very discerning reader who is a millennial when the audience for the book is young and hip. (Does that admission label me as old and stodgy?)
Lauren, I wish you had come up and introduced yourself at allume. It was difficult to connect there unless we happened to end up at table with someone.
You most certainly can query more than one agent at a time, even with the same book. Not more than one at an agency though.
Why not resubmit your query to Books & Such, mentioning that you are part of our blog community and you almost talked to us at Allume. Two great points of contact. š
Wendy, what would a pre-published author put in a newsletter to garner a 1900-strong mailing list? How is this different than a blog or website?
Thanks for your time!!
Blessings,
Voni
I almost said, “Happy Monday, Wendy.” š When my girls are off from school my whole week gets tossed upside down.
What are some of the challenges when representing a co-authored project? Do some agencies try to steer clear of them unless the authors are well-known?
Thanks for this great opportunity, Wendy. I’m sorry to hear about your sick pup, especially since he’s so young. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Co-authored projects are tough when they are developed by the authors– especially authors with different agents. But we still work with them.
Usually co-authored projects are developed in a publishing house or by agents and they are usually done to serve a specific purpose– sometimes to introduce a lesser known author by connecting her with a well-known author or sometimes to write the manuscript for a celebrity who is not a writer or sometimes to connect a group of well-known writers to give a book a huge boost through the pooling of names.
Wendy, I would love to know a current who’s who among the publishing houses. It’s an ever-changing landscape of which company bought out which other one, and who’s merging with whom. Although it’s difficult to keep up with, I’d love a post with all that current info.
This would take a huge blog post or two by itself and would be outdated the moment it was published.
I guess the most recent news is that Tyndale has become a publishing partner for NavPress. Just before that we heard the news about Harper Collins acquiring Thomas Nelson which melded Zondervan and TN– formerly rivals.
I’ve wondered for a while if it’s ever possible to do a long distance internship with an agency and how someone would go about looking for one.
Great question, Leah. I would love to know that too. One of the other agencies I follow posts notice about internship positions on their blog, but I’ve yet to secure one.
Internships (paid, of course) are a great way to get your foot into the door of publishing but I don’t know if it could be done long distance. Our own Rachel Kent, now a full agent with an amazing list, started at Books & Such almost a decade ago as an intern straight out of college.
As for how to go about finding one, do just what you did here– start investigating. Find out if any agents are located in your area. Write to a number of firms and see if they would consider an off-site intern– maybe a first reader.Meet agents at conferences. Network online. Just be proactive and personable.
If I might ask a second question…one that I have never seen addressed –
What is the CBA take on characters who are Catholic? Not in the sense of wearing their denomination on their sleeve, but more a product of that cultural and faith milieu?
The recent film “October Baby” had a significant and positive scene involving a Catholic priest, but Catholicism seems to be ignored in the Christian media world.
Thank you for asking this, Andrew. Although I am not writing about Catholic characters, I am a Catholic Christian, so I’m interested in the answer to your question. I have wondered whether or not the CBA would accept me. When I lived in Oklahoma, the large chain Christian bookstore in the area refused to carry books that had anything to do with Catholicism. Also, I’ve encountered some (not many, but some) Protestant Christians who have informed me that I am not a Christian. (Hmm…I wonder if my parents realized that when they gave me the name “Christine” at my christening.)
Christine, It’s a shame how we people can be. My joke isāwhen the Catholics get to heaven, they’ll be surprised God isn’t Catholicāand when the evangelicals get to heaven, they’ll be surprised how many Catholics are there! But my joke isn’t really funny.
I am curious about this as well as one of my protagonists is a psychologist Catholic priest who counsels other Catholic priests. Had someone ask if there is a Catholic community to pitch too and have found one or two leads, but curious about this answer.
I would love to hear the answer to this too.
I think the CBA is open to this. In fact, the more we see of the new pope the more evangelicals eyes are opening to the fact that Christianity is not insular, belonging to one group and one political philosophy.
I just read a great CBA novel where the characters were Catholic Christians. (Think, Wendy. What was the novel? I’ll add it when I remember it.) Addendum: It’s A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
I know one iconic editor for a CBA house who is herself a Catholic believer and is specifically looking for fiction that opens belief wider. Watch for changes in this very area.
Wendy, I agree completely – by the way the person who asked me is an executive position of one of The Big 5 – so it is out there.
Thank you for the answer, Wendy. It is encouraging.
Do you enjoy the travel aspect of your job?
Have you ever asked a client of yours to write in a specific genre or on a certain topic because you’ve heard rumblings of interest or seen a need in the publishing world?
I do love the travel aspect. Even though I’m an introvert, I connect best with editors and writers in person. Besides, we get so much done on the road without the interruption of the persistent. Janet and I laugh that most of our brilliant schemes have come about on a cross-country flight. I don’t know if it’s the extra oxygen of the rarity of six hours without interruption. The idea for our now-legendary retreats was birthed on a plane, for instance.
And yes, I have directed clients into certain genres (with fear and trembling). I tell them to fight back if its not something they want but if we are hitting a brick wall. . .
I have also gone after people in certain walks who’ve never thought of writing a book about the subject they live every day.
This is my favorite agent blog. You cover such a wide variety of subjects. Thank you! One question…when is the right time to seek an agent? I’ve published short stories and articles and will be published in a compilation with other authors in February. I have four novels written…one in the hands of an acquisition editor now. Is it time?
Sounds like it is, Jennifer. Maybe even a little late as you might have wanted to have an agent work on your contract for the novella.
Oh. I didn’t think of that. I’ve sent to agents before, some had interest but nothing concrete. Everything is happening quickly now. Thanks!
Wendy, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.
Here’s mine: If I’ve queried more than one agent at a particular agency, at different times and for different reasons (not spam), is it wise to query other agents at the agency?
My mother said I didn’t take “no” for an answer!
At Books & Such, we don’t share info on whose work we’ve looked at and passed. We are so aware that we each have very different sensibilities. We respect each others’ taste but there are very few clients who would be good fits for more than a couple of us.
all that to say, agents are individuals despite being together in an agency. Query away. Just not at the same time.
Wendy, thank you for this generous opportunity.
As Lindsay said, I feel that you all have already given me such a wonderful education, it is difficult to think of a topic that you haven’t covered. Of course, as a teacher I also realize that I might be having difficulty thinking of a question because I don’t know enough to ask a decent question. š
One thing I have wondered, though, is how long should a writer wait before asking her agent how shopping the manuscript is going. I know that it can take a long time to sell a manuscript, but you mentioned above that there comes a time when you would suggest that the writer try another project. It is great that you are willing to contact your client and tell her the hard reality, but I wonder if all agents do this. I know that you, unfortunately, will not be my agent because you don’t represent my genre. There is another agent at Books and Such who does, and I’m hoping she will want to represent my novel when I finally send it out. If she does, I know she would be in communication with her clients as well. But in case Books and Such is not interested in me and my novel, once I do acquire an agent, how long is too long to wait to hear a progress report from an agent?
Once you have an agent, the shyness will dissolve and you’ll find yourself in a more natural relationship with your agent. when you start worrying, it will be time to pick up the phone and talk.
I have a couple clients in the place now where we are going to have that “what to do now” discussions. We can get so busy putting out fires it helps to get those gentle nudges from clients.
Thank you.
Wendy – I was wondering if agents consider a book that can be stand alone but is also a continuation of a self-published series? Great post by the way with a lot of valuable information.
If the characters have already been introduced it can be a bit sticky. Contract non-competes often have wording about the use of characters. But who knows, if the book is good enough maybe there;s a way around it.
I do have a friend who e-published two or three romantic police procedural books through an e-only publisher but those were spotted and sold to a major CBA publisher along with new books. She now makes regular appearances on the bestseller list.
Thank you Wendy
So much awesome information here. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
You are welcome. It’s good to see what people are asking and thinking about. (I always have an ulterior motive.)
Hello Wendy:
I always and enjoy your blot – and to get to ask a question is a real bonus.
Do you think there would be a market for a memoir/devotional book?
Hmm. A combined memoir and devotional? I’m not sure I’ve seen something like that. Interesting concept. I wonder what that would look like?
As for straight memoir there is always a place for a stunning new memoir, but probably only one or two a year. With a memoir, the writing has to be exquisite– it’s almost more important than the story. It’s all about the authors way of looking at the world and it has to be a new way– a new opening up of ideas and images.
Narrative nonfiction, on the other hand, is the telling of a true story but without the necessity of a poetic overtone. the writing still has to be superb but it different. It is all about the story. And there is a strong market for unique narrative nonfiction.
My question is about relationships. If someone you represent is also a personal friend, how do you draw the line between the personal and business relationships? Or wouldn’t you ever take a friend as a client or become friends with someone you represent?
I do represent some friends, Janet, and happily, I’ve never felt the need to draw any lines. My friends grant me grace and and vice versa.
And I tend to get close to most of my clients. We work so closely together and since every part of their life affects their career, it just makes for a deeper relationship.
. . . really, there is only one important “need to know” question for me.
What season and episode of Downton Abbey are you currently watching.
I’m waiting for the new season– already out for the Brits. You?
. . . Ditto! sigh.
Wendy, my computer scrolling messed up and I accidentally attached my question to another question. I’ll try again: what would a pre-published author put in a newsletter to garner a 1900-strong mailing list? How is the content different than a blog or website? Thanks!
Blessings,
Voni
The author you are referring to, I believe, has a base composed of home schoolers from what I’ve gathered. That makes a very loyal base for readers BTW.
Content for a newsletter is usually more like a magazine, blog, more like an article and your website is well, a place for everything– bio, books, etc.
The thing about a list like that writer has is that she can connect with those people actively. Your blog, Facebook and website are passive connections. People have to go there. You can reach those on your reader list by mail or by email when something important occurs or when you wan them to act– like come to a signing or buy a book.
Thanks, Wendy! Food for thought as I finish my WIP. What a blessing for you to take time for us!
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
– Do most literary agents prefer queries that start with story hooks, or do they prefer facts first (such as title, word count, genre, etc.)? I’ve heard mixed things.
– If an author has a question about how an agent prefers an element of a query, and that question isn’t answered on the agent’s submission guidelines or anywhere else, is it appropriate to contact them via Twitter, their blog, etc. and ask them how they prefer something? (For example, the above question.)
Thanks again!
I don’t have any preferred format. I simply open each email and read it to “listen” to the idea, the story hook and the writer. Sometimes it’s the writer who intrigues me, sometimes the story but the tough thing is that we have so few openings on my list that without becoming intrigued by the writer in some way it can feel like a huge faceless pool of story ideas.
If I were a writer trying to break in (and I knew what I know now) I’d spend serious time connecting. Of the last four clients I’ve signed, one I met at a conference and she was introduced by another client of mine, all have been part of this blog community at one time or another, I followed all on Facebook, I met one in person at ACFW but I knew her sister first. In other words, I knew them and “stalked them” before I offered representation.
Disclaimer: That’s just me. Another agent in our agency has signed most of her clients from being intrigued by their query first. Meeting the writers is secondary to her.
As for asking questions about how to query– I think that’s just a wasted step. And many agents don’t like to be contacted outside their chosen way, so Twitter, FB contact might be an annoyance. Just do your best if preferences aren’t clear. I don’t know any agents who take delight in being sticklers for form.
Hi Wendy!
I was so excited when I realized you were doing a Q&A here š My main concern is my genre. I know the market is just gutted with paranormal romance and the like, and I believe I have determined by novel to fall under the urban fantasy category. I am worried about that as well as being written off immediately due to it’s subject nature. I feel there is something new I can bring to the table, but am nervous that it will be dismissed immediately simply by it’s genre. Any tips on bypassing that? Should I address that specifically when I query?
Thanks a bunch!!
Jessica
I don’t know a lot about paranormal or urban fantasy because those are not genres I represent and they are not big in CBA– where I specialize. But I think it’s wise that you are monitoring the market and have noticed a glut in the area of your current writing. That’s the trouble with writing what’s currently hot. by the time your book is ready to be shopped, the key writers– the ones who broke out of the pack– in that genre may already be in place.
In your query I’d emphasize why your novel is different from what’s out there (if it is). Every trend morphs to something as readers tire of the same-old. Does your book take them to a new place? Talk about that.
It’s much like a television show. You could almost graph the seasons’ popularity, maybe hitting it’s stride in the second season and by the with– ho hum, as the audience looks for the next morph of that idea.
We need to be keeping our eyes open to see what interests readers and try to imagine where they will go next if we hope to catch a trend. Of course it’s much easier to write a fabulous new story in one of the classic genres rather than try to catch the perfect wave.
Am I too late, Wendy? I’ve been in a discussion about dystopian fiction. It’s what I’m writing. However, it’s geared toward adults, not YA. I’ve been told that dystopian only sells in the YA market, especially if it’s written from a Christian world view. What are your thoughts? Would an Atlas Shrugged written for Christians sell in today’s market? Or do my protags need to be teenagers?