Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office, CA
You thought I was going to say that in order to get my attention you need to write an outstanding book, didn’t you?
That almost goes without saying but we use that caveat so often I thought it important to clarify it. When I say I’m looking for a stunning novel it does not necessarily mean literary fiction. And when I say I’m looking for outstanding nonfiction I do not necessarily mean artful prose or an intellectual, erudite theological treatise.
So what am I looking for?
FICTION: I look for great storytellers who write the kinds of books readers devour. We call this commercial fiction. Does that sound crass? It’s not. Too many writers take a strange pride in the fact that they write books only an elite few will “get.” There’s almost an antisocial, self-congratulatory aspect to it. “My books are not for the unwashed masses.” I will admit I enjoy literary fiction every once in a while but too often I find so-called literary writing to be self-important– showing off the skill of the author at the expense of the storytelling. For the most part I will leave it to other agents to find the next Pulitzer Prize winner.
I want to represent writers who write the books publishers want to buy and readers want to read. That’s the formula for success. Yes we want to create fine books but we are also in the entertainment business. Commercial fiction doesn’t neglect that aspect.
More specifically, a book has to be in a genre I understand and enjoy to pique my interest. That’s why generally no Sci-Fi or Fantasy for me even though young readers gobble the genre up.
I’m always looking for writers who can make the past come alive in Historical Fiction, Historical Suspense and Historical Romance. Because this is what I often read for fun, I’m a tough critic. The historical detail must be carefully researched and serve the characters and the plot– no random detail dumps. And another personal aside— I am an historical costume expert. I can look at a costume in a photo and date the photo by it. I know textiles, laces and fabrics by era. I know which years ladies wore puce and when cotton was preferred over silk. I have an entire library of historical costume books. Does that scare you? It shouldn’t. If you write historical fiction these details give flavor and texture and you probably love the research as much as the writing.
And I’m not too proud to admit that I enjoy Prairie Romance. There’s just something about the struggles and challenges of carving a life out of the harsh realities of pioneer living. And I like Amish Fiction along with fiction featuring other cloistered people groups. Living in community has a distinctive cultural element that leaves us curious and wanting more. They’re like closed room mysteries– it all takes place in a unique microcosym– fascinating. And I keep looking for the rebirth of a Victoria-Holt-type Gothic Romantic Suspense.
When it comes to contemporary fiction I can’t seem to get enough good–really good–southern fiction and coming-of-age fiction. I’m not fond of “sassy” fiction– like chick lit– but I do love richly layered love stories. Do you see a pattern here? I tend to like the very things the core CBA reader likes. What we call commercial fiction.
NONFICTION: When I’m looking at nonfiction I’m trying to find the book that a reader is going to head into the bookstore and request. Not because they heard it was a good read but because they need it– sometimes desperately. We call that a book that meets a “felt need.” Unfortunately that means that the personal experience book is usually out. And I look for the book that has the potential to become the classic on a certain subject– the book that a bookseller would pick up and say, “If you can only buy one book on the subject, this is the one to get.” I look for the writer who, as my colleague Janet Grant says, can “put the cookies on the bottom shelf” because too many writers can’t put their ideas into an accessible form. I’m always looking for the writer who can present classic truth in a bright new way. In short, I’m looking for commercial nonfiction.
So do those specifics help you with every agent? No, of course not. We are all different. Some of my agent friends will likely make gagging and retching sounds as they read the things I like to see. And I might turn my nose up at their preferences. That’s why a writer has to do his homework.
Space is limited and I only covered a few preferences. They certainly do not cover everything I’d love to see. Do you have any specific questions? Do you hate the word “commercial” applied to your art? Do you want to make a case for literary fiction or erudite nonfiction? Discussion is good– please feel free to comment or to take me to task.
This post had me nodding all the way through. While I enjoy reading the occasional literary novel, the books that stay in my mind are all commercial fiction. I’m your typical romance reader. I pick books up at Walmart and the library. And frankly, I write books for women just like me.
By the way, yes, I am scared of your costume knowledge! Wow!! Impressive!
I am on my last edit of a MS others have told me is considered a YA Dystopian adventure. It started out as a YA adventure with some dystopian elements.
I’ve seen a lot more dystopian novels for young adults. Is it considered mainstream?
I actually tried to remove some of the dystopian elements from the MS because I wanted the story to be more mainstream. But, the story works better with the dystopian elements, so I am putting them back in.
I have a degree in History and my love of all things Historical is what started this MS, how Historical events affect the future.
Thanks Wendy.
Thank you. You are very clear in your preferences. If writers would read this before querying they could save their time (and yours) if not a good fit. Unfortunately, as a writer of cozy mysteries I find myself in that category, but that doesn’t meant I can’t continue to garner knowledge from your posts. I wish all agents would be so open and honest about what their points of view.
Again, thank you for all of your tips.
This is a fabulous post! I love how straight and to the point it is—and I agree with it all!
I was in the sixth grade when I discovered Lisa Tawn Bergren, Linda Chaikin, Beverly Lewis and Francine Rivers—these authors shaped the writer I am today and ever since that first book it has been about the story.
I agree with your comment on literary fiction feeling too self-important. I just want an enjoyable read without the author getting in the way, accurate historical details and characters that touch me—so that is what I aim to write.
Shannon, I’m not an expert on the YA market and I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking when you ask if dystopian YA fiction is mainstream. It certainly is viable in the ABA market these days–reference Hunger Games.
Kay, my list of genre interests is by no means exhaustive. I’m a huge fan of cozy mysteries in my own reading and DVD viewing (Marple and Poirot). They are not so easy to place right now in the CBA market for a number of reasons but those trends change all the time.
A cozy, like any other fiction, is a great vehicle for an interesting interplay of characters and plot.
Yes, that answers my question. Thank you Wendy.
Wendy, I’m so enjoying this series.
Two questions:
1. Can you give some examples of nonfiction books you have represented, or would be proud to say you did if you had the chance?
2. In the area of got-to-have nonfiction, what part does the education and expertise of the author play? It seems that unless you’re an educated theologian or a trained psychologist or an expert in whatever area you’re writing in – with initials behind your name to prove it – you don’t really stand a chance of publishing a book on the subject, or do you? Can you talk a bit about education, credentials, and the part self-study and research play in non-fiction.
Thanks!
Wendy, you are “putting the cookies on the bottom shelf” with these blog posts–and Janet did the same last week. Thanks for being clear and for being real.
Good question, Violet. A few of the nonfiction books I’ve represented: Knit Together, One Simple Act, God’s Guest List, all by Debbie Macomber. The Live Free series by Jan Kern (Scars that Wound, Scars that Heal; Seduced by Sex, Saved by Love, etc.) Sistahfaith by Marilynn Griffith. The Daily God Book by Erin Healy Marshall. Good Intentions by North & Smietana.
Credentials play a huge role in prescriptive nonfiction but there are ways around it. For instance, if you were a foster mother, but not a social worker or a psychologist, and wanted to write a book about foster care you would exploit your experience in place of credentials to create something like The Real Foster Parent’s Guide to Caring for Hurting Children. Whatever your subject, see if you can find the “every man” equivalent. Let’s say you wanted to write a book about grammar but you have no educational background. You could propose The High School Dropout’s Guide to (Re)Learning Grammar. Sounds like fun, right? Accessible.
“Whatever your subject, see if you can find the “every man” equivalent.”
…the wheels are turning already. Thank you!!
I love that you are so into history. I too am facinated by the clothing worn during the periods in which I am writing. Can you recommend some good books or websites that have good “Visuals”?
Great list Wendy. I wish more agents/editors could be as thorough about exactly what they are looking for instead of just “a great book”.
I really appreciate all the detail you put into this post about your specific likes and what you look to represent. I agree with other commenters here that it seems it would be to both the agent’s and the writer’s benefit for agent to share this much detail in their wants. This openness might help create the best working relationships.
Your answer to Violet’s question is superb! That’s great information to this aspiring nonfiction writer, as well.
Going off on that information and the accessibility comment, what do you prefer in nonfiction – books to a very general audience (like a book on God’s grace, for example) or books geared more towards a specific demographic (like “The Real Foster Parent’s Guide” example you gave)?
While I personally lean more towards writing to a broader audience, I can see the benefits of gearing a book to a smaller, but interested, group.
Wendy,
You and Janet will have to keep baking cookies. These are yummy.
Good question, Caroline. The broader the book, the broader the potential audience but the challenge is finding something new and unique to say about a big topic. To use your example– God’s grace– perhaps the go-to book is What’s So Amazing About Grace? How could you come up with a new wrinkle that would capture everyone’s imagination? And then, if you do, the question publishers will ask us is, “Who is this writer?” “What kind of platform does she have on this subject?”
By narrowing the subject matter to your area of expertise, there is less heady competition and we have a better chance of answering why you are the person to write this book.
I devour the same kinds of books that you do (fiction genres) but what I’m discovering this week is that my voice is in a different genre than what I mostly like to read! (And also what I seem to click into easily when I write, if that makes sense.)
It has been a God-moment for me in the last few days and much of what you and the others here at Books & Such are saying in this blog have gelled for me this week. What you say in this entry is just so true.
Really good entries from you all so far in 2011. Keep ’em coming. And thanks for being so honest because if we’re listening it will save a lot of time.
We have similiar tastes. About ten years ago,when chick-lit was born and booming, it was all anyone wanted. I have always preferred a good prairie romance. Must have been my mother’s reading of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books when I was little.
I’m so glad to see the trend come around. I’m guessing you’ve figured out my genre by now. Grin!
I am in awe of your ability with costumes and fabrics. Any good internet resources or excellent titles concerning clothes in Texas and California in 1849?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, Wendy! I sincerely appreciate your advice.
Salena and Melissa, here’s a round-up type page that offers several top costume websites http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/maincostumesites.htm.
It’s nice to hear that credentials are not a must in non-fiction. I have thought about going back to school to get the “expertise” I’m writing about, but I think my strength lies in my ability to relate honestly with my reader as a friend vs a teacher. I would rather use my story as a regular mom overcoming generations of destructive behavior to pass on healthy living to my kids than give my readers the ten steps to change the course of their families future. As a matter of fact, I can’t stand it when an author throws everyone into a cookie cutter mold and gives them a recipe for living. I love how God works with the uniqueness of each one of us. And I think readers are more receptive to being “shown” how to do something than “told” how to do it.
Thank you, Wendy. I appreciate that! 🙂
Another great post and helpful tidbits into the world of writting. Both your blog and the associated comments are very helpful.
I’m glad you like commercial fiction Wendy, because I sincerely believe there are only a few out there who like “pedantic” books. Like you said the key word is “entertaining” which should be interpreted as a synonymous of “frivolous”. And to me, this is where I see the problem arise because “successful commercial” fiction follows more or less a template where the love story is more or less boy meets girl, boy loses girl or vice-versa and then against all odds boy gets girl back with the inevitable “happy ending” guaranteed. Should an author not follow a similar pattern, publishers shy off as such being too risky, and we are back to square one.
OOOps that second sentence should read…”Like you said the key word is “entertaining” which should NOT be interpreted as a synonymous of “frivolous”.
Sorry!
Excellent article. I am also a huge fan of historical fiction. Thanks for the link to the costume website because this is one area where I feel I truly struggle in my own writing. I’m not sure what to call certain types of clothing, how much I should describe what the characters are wearing or when it becomes just too much info.
I have some books that briefly touch upon fashion in the pioneering era, but I really need to find additional resources that will help me add those details to my fiction.
Thanks for another great installment.
Cheryl
Thanks for the website, Wendy. Your helpfulness is appreciated!
Wendy,
I’d love to hear your thoughts on women’s fiction. What do you look for in the contemporary story that is not a romance? Do you look for it? What elements do you find in women’s fiction that make it “commercial?”
Eva, I think you are confusing “category romance” with “commercial fiction.” Yes, category romance has certain expected patterns but it’s just one part of commercial fiction. Almost all the books on the bestseller lists are commercial fiction. Think Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Nora Roberts, Stieg Larrson, Nicholas Sparks, Charlaine Harris, Jennifer Weiner, James Patterson, Sue Grafton, Steven King, Ken Follett– all very different, right? All write commercial fiction. Definition of commercial fiction: fiction that sells.
Jennifer, that’s a tough question. And I’m trying so hard not to give you the stock answer, “I know it when I see it.” I love good women’s fiction.
Some of my favorite recent books: The Help, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Saving of CeeCee Honeycutt, The Kitchen House and Little Bee.
Or check out some of my clients’ work, They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti, The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry, Lying on Sunday by Sharon Souza, Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Thomas, or Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent. Those are just a few.
I guess if I was going to sum up what I like to see in women’s fiction it’s a book I can’t stop thinking about, let alone put down. A book that addresses big truths in a way that puts flesh on them. Characters you’ll never forget.
I don’t know. . . that’s just the beginning. But I know it when I see it. 🙂