Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Traveling home from the Pacific Northwest
Disclaimer: These observations are based largely on my own practices and those I’ve observed from the many agents I know and admire. But each agent is different (just like each writer) and has different strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to your experience with agents YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.)
This week we’ve been trying to decode the sometimes mystifying communication, or non-communication, with agents. But what about informal contact with agents? Does it mean anything when an agent intentionally “friends” a writer on Facebook? How about when an agent seeks a writer out at a writer’s conference and knows that writer’s name or something about what he’s writing? How about if an agent is following you on Twitter? What about if he leaves comments on your blog?
Agents are human beings as well as professionals, and most of us love interacting with people both in personand in our online social networks. Those contacts may mean different things to different people, but here’s a rule of thumb: our business is highly relational. I won’t represent someone I don’t like. It doesn’t matter how successful they are, if we don’t connect, it won’t work. So part of being in this community is getting to know other writers and editors via social media.
If an agent calls you by name at writer’s conferences or seems to seek you out, it’s a very good thing. We meet a lot of people. When an agent remembers names and even what the writer is working on, it means you’ve made an impression. It probably signals an initial interest.
If an agent asks to friend you on Facebook, that’s intentional. They are interested in you. If you are already agented, it may be because they have found your books and have become a fan. It may be that they don’t know you’re agented or it may be just because they think you are interesting. Maybe you post the best recipes or great photos. Regardless, it’s a relationship.
If you ask to friend an agent on Facebook and they accept, it can mean something or it can mean nothing. They may just accept everyone whose name they recognize or who shows connections to the writing community. It doesn’t matter. As they begin to follow you, relationship can grow. And relationship is the key, right?
What about Twitter? It’s the same thing. It’s a place to connect. It can mean something or mean nothing. But it offers the possibility to get to know one another. Don’t forget, as you retweet, those tweets are highlighted for the one you are retweeting–a nice little shout-out. Being busy, I have to admit to not being as engaged on Twitter as I’d like to be, but I still notice the people who interact with me or retweet.
Do blog comments mean anything? If an agent goes to your blog, reads it and comments, it certainly does mean something. None of the agents I know has time to be idly surfing the ‘Net. If an agent has gone to your blog, that’s intentional. He’s interested in you for one reason or another. If he’s commented, that’s even more intentional since his name is linked with yours. Does this mean something more? There’s no way to know, but it’s a definite sign you’re on the radar.
And speaking of blog comments, it never hurts for you to leave comments on the blogs of agents and editors who interest you. Blog comments are a way of entering into the conversation. We’ve said it before, but here at Books & Such, we do pay attention to writers who read our blog. To us it’s a sign of engagement– a sign that the writer is not afraid of due diligence and he’s learning as much as he can about us and about the industry. We notice.
Comment: What subtle communication have we missed? Does it make you crazy how relational this industry really is? Is it unfair to shy writers or literary hermits? How does one communicate well with agents without losing all pride and looking like a sychophant?
You know what I’ve learned by social networking with agents…I’ve learned that they’re human with full lives, folks interested in engaging with people. It’s rewarding and I’m grateful for agents and editors who take the time to interact.
Even though it’s tempting, I try not to read into anything. It just makes it easier that way. Instead of wigging myself out trying to wonder what this means or that means, I try to simply be thankful for the connection.
I’m not exactly sure how God wired me, but somehow I ended up a relational introvert, so I do enjoy how relational this industry is.
Sycophant (fun word)…not my thing. I say it if I mean it, otherwise I stay quiet.
~ Wendy
Wendy, I’m especially enjoying your series of posts this week. You’re touching on subjects with a fresh angle, which can be tough to do with so many publishing blogs out there.
I used to avoid friending editors on Facebook for fear of looking too eager. But then I realized, “Hey, these are people I like. Why not befriend them, regardless of whether they buy my work?”
At ACFW’s national conference last year, I was privileged to drive several editors and agents from the airport to the hotel. Imagine my pleasant surprise when an editor I had never met before delivered personal greetings from one of her colleagues (a man who had declined a novel proposal a few years back, but still gave me great advice, which led to its eventual sale). I was pleased to receive that personal hello, and even more pleased when she added, “_____ tells me you’re a great guy!” Regardless of sales, there are some wonderful people in this business. It’s fun to know some of them.
Wendy, I love connecting and making new friends! While maintaining professionalism is important, it’s also fun to learn fascinating tidbits about the folks we’re connecting with–not necessarily if one prefers Charmin over Northern, but things like: What’s your favorite meal? Color? What are you reading/writing? Do your kids like artichokes?
Knowing the seemingly mundane about our favorite people can establish an immediate bond quicker than anything else sometimes.
When I first started going to writers converences I looked at every conversation as possible discovery and was all keyed up and stressed over every little thing I or the person talking to me said. Now I’ve been to 7 and I just enjoy meeting people and try to forget that I’m unpublished and pitiful. I have a lot more fun that way and I think that agents and editors would probably wrather be treated like people than magic carpets anyway.
Wendy, Great advice. Even though I’m happily represented by an excellent agent, I love reading your blog as well, and sometimes I can’t help but comment. It’s good to know that no hidden meaning will be attributed to that action. I just want to thank you sometimes for your posts. And this is one of them.
I think relationships make things easier for the writer/agent even the writer/publisher interaction. We’re all here to bring glory to God and if anything that is our underlying link.
I love that publishing is relational–and I think if you really look at them, most industries are. I do fundraising and it’s all about getting to know people and helping them connect to the ministry in a personal way.
As for being unfair to shy writers–it probably is. But in this day when writers have to do so much of their own marketing, being able to build relationships is part of the job description. That’s where blogs like this one really pay off–helping us know what we’re getting into!
Hi, Wendy. Thank you for your insightful and encouraging comments. I’m looking forward to saying hello at ACFW. Sending a Kentucky hug across the miles!
I’ve enjoyed the blog posts this week. No, I am not a sychophant! I really have. 🙂
“Is it unfair to shy writers or literary hermits?”
Connecting through writing and not in person might be a more relaxed environment and a way for shy writers to be more social with those in the industry.
I know I’m much more at ease when meeting someone face to face, after having built a relationship with them online–and I’m not shy. I am an occasional hermit.
I bet you get re-tweeted a LOT today! 🙂
I am one of those shy writers who held back for a long time on friending editors and agents. I’m glad that I changed that policy, because it is really helping me to view these professionals as real people. It’s hard to be terrified of someone when you realize that they play Frontierville, post photos of adorable grandkids or complain about flight delays…etc.
What a wonderful world we live in when we have such easy ways to communicate with each other. I wonder what Mark Twain would have thought of social media.
All business is about building relationships, so why would writing be any different? I do feel shy writers have a harder time of it than the outgoing ones; but I also feel if a writer wants it badly enough, he’ll find a way to get over his shyness to some extent.
I’m much more confident communicating via the written word than face-to-face because I don’t always think before I speak. It’s something I’ve been working on. Writing something out gives me time to consider my words more carefully. I feel that way even if I’ve known a person for some time. Attending conferences gives me a chance to practice thinking first and speaking after.
Thanks for this insightful post. I appreciate you taking the time while you’re traveling to interact with us.
I’ve very much enjoyed reading this series about how agents see things. It’s helped me have a better perspective about how things work.
I have to admit I don’t participate in social media very much. Facebook is too loose with personal information to make me feel comfortable. I do tweet from time to time, but even though I follow just a few people, the sheer volume of information overwhelms me.
I recently joined a writers’ blog where I post 2- 3 times per month. We have new content every day and many more readers than my own blog was getting, so I think that will be helpful.
I just don’t know how to keep up with all the social media and still get books written. I won’t even mention including personal relationships, housekeeping or hobbies in that mix.
It is my own privately held opinion that in the process of attaining an agent, it’s all too easy to forget that agents are human beings throughout the applies-to-every-writer rejection phase. Because agents don’t have time to personalize every rejection, some writers tend to forget there is often a friendly, engaging person copying and pasting that rejection out…which in and of itself is a considerate gesture in a time where some agencies will only respond if interested.
Reading blogs, or perusing facebook, and twitter feeds does a great service to literary agents willing to spend a little time on them; it reminds writers they have hearts, minds, and souls…just like the rest of us.
I can be shy in person sometimes and I love that I’m able to connect with other people who love the publishing industry as much as I do.
I love reaching out to others and it’s amazing how many contacts I have made. I am very grateful. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to get to know other writer and agents.
How does one communicate well with agents without losing all pride and looking like a sychophant?
I’m the type of person if I like something I will give the person a compliment. If not then I just keep my mouth shut:) You shared an excellent question. I hope agents can sense when people are genuine and sincere.
How does one secure a position as a literary hermit? Is there an online application I can fill out? My children have now been home for 52 days, 17 hours and…7 minutes. A little hermit time is most welcome!(Lord, please grant me patience!) Great post, Wendy! And yes, we should all be a little more relational – reach out and touch someone, most of us don’t bite!
It doesn’t bother me how relational the writing idustry is; frankly ever industry is similar in this regard. Even getting a minimum wage job in this economy requires someone to have something which sets them apart from other applicants; knowing the manager would probably help.
What does bother me is how subjective it is. I often hear how great talent gets noticed no what, but after looking at the new releases shelf at my local library….
Also, does an agent fill the last slot on their roster with a literary talent, or do they go for a vampire-book author to do their part to keep their agency solvent?
“How does one communicate well with agents without losing all pride and looking like a sychophant?”
I can understand how daunting it can be. Here is why:
There are only two industry blogs I comment on. There are a few others I read, but I only comment on these two (Books and Such and a certain other one) because I find the feedback by both agents and other writers to be most helpful and insightful.
Now, when an agent asks a question about how the industry looks from the perspective of us writers I assume they expect us to respect them enough to give our real opinion. I figure that since they give us the view from their side of the industry it is in the best interest of all parties to give them ours, as the subject of Wendys’ topic this week, communication, can flow freely and openly (plus it’s the decent thing to do, and quite fun).
Of course, when the agent asks a controversial question it can be quite daunting to scroll down post after post of writers whose sole purpose seems to be avoiding any suggestion that they have any thoughts independent of the agents’. Some of it could be they just don’t know how to answer without thinking they might cause potential offense. But it seems that sometimes the questions asked by agents don’t take into consideration any potential offense that writers might get.
Nor should they, really. If they have a question which they truly want an answer to, and truly want to know what a diverse assembly of writers think, then they should ask it. Because what is in question is something dear to us. But neither should they be offended if a heart-felt response is given which doesn’t seek to offend, but merely relate how deeply that question affects those they ask.
And so I think I am now on her list of authors to never, ever, ever, never ever represent.
Still like her blog, though 🙂
Once again the posts this week are relevant to my needs. I appreciate your sharing your observations, Wendy, and suggesting the steps required to stay the course. It’s gratifying to know the majority of those in the Christian publishing industry are willing to share their time and expertise.I’m trying to do more social networking and leaving an occasional comment on blogs that I’ve been following as a lurker. I feel I have so little to contribute to the discussions most of the time. But I do gain a wealth of info from reading the posts and the comments.
Thanks to each of you for your comments. Wendy had planned to respond to everyone’s remarks, but she unexpectedly had to rearrange her schedule today; so let me respond on her behalf.
Larry, I personally would fill my “last” client slot not with the vampire thingamagig (which I have no personal interest in) OR the literary novel (which I would be unlikely to find a home for) but a project I felt passionate about putting into the hands of readers–and that I believed I would be highly likely to sell to a publisher.
For me, I have to look at the practical question of what I can sell to a publishing house, but long ago I learned that representing a project because I thought I would make significant money for the agency never turned out the way I thought it would–never. So I’ve learned the hard way that, if I’m not passionate about, I should let another agent rep that author/project. That way, when problems arise with the project or author, I won’t resent dealing with solving them. Instead, I’ll be able to be steadfast and–hopefully–smart for that author.
Publishing is a complex business, and it can be easy for all of us to try to wedge it into a certain size box. But the truth of the matter is that the industry keeps morphing or showing us a side we hadn’t realized always was there.
And Larry, if you could manage to be charming when you meet Wendy face-to-face, she’d be very open to seeing your work. 🙂
It’s good to hear that the more human face editors and agents show through social media really does help you all to realize we’re not magic carpets (love that image) but real people who love books, publishing, our grandkids and a meal.
Ha! I meant to write “a good meal,” but in actuality, I’m all for not starving as well.
I admit that sometimes I read blog comments and think that people are sycophants. But then I remind myself that some people who are very gentle judge me, wrongly, I think, to be mean and judgmental.
So I try to cut people slack. We have different personalities and some people are just gentle and encouraging and can’t bring themselves to argue with anyone, ever.
But the way to not be a sycophant would be to set your heart on serving others. Flattering people never does them a service. It’s damaging to the person being flattered and it takes glory that belongs to God and puts it on a person who doesn’t deserve it and can’t handle it.
I’m absolutely enjoying this series. And learning a great deal. Thank you. Thank you.
I love the relational part of this industry. I am in the process of looking for an agent. While I value professionalism, I want an agent I can connect with past that point. Ideally, I would love to find someone who shares my vision and my heart for stories and the audience.
When communicating with agents(in my limited yet growing experience), I work hard to be professional but make sure that my voice and personality are evident and part of that communication.
Thank you for your post!
What I’ve enjoyed about this series is how you’ve answered questions that I never thought to actually ask, but were lurking at the bottom of my consciousness, and as soon as I saw them, thought – yes, I’ve always wondered about that…especially the subject of this post – the ‘body language’ of social media. Thanks!