I wrote this blog post in 2009. Because so much of it remains true today, I thought I’d retread it with updates and take it out for another spin. After all, the quest to find an agent still goes on. So, let’s take a look at what makes an agent say yes.
I had begun the May, 2009 post this way: For those of you who despaired after reading the number of queries our office has received so far this year (almost 3,000 for those of you who missed our blog post yesterday), let’s talk about the other side of the coin. Not the number of people we have to choose not to represent but those we select to be our clients. What makes an agent say yes?
An Agent Says Yes When…
A writer shows a strong sense of what the market will respond to.
Ever sit next to someone at church who is tone deaf but utterly enthusiastic about belting out the hymn or chorus? Writers can be tone deaf as well. By that I mean some writers have no sense of what readers will buy. So they come up with idea after idea that just isn’t the right tune sung in the right way. As an agent, I’m looking for writers who can sing on key time after time. They have the ability to write about a topic in such a way that a reader wants to rush out to buy the book.
The writer understand what makes him/her unique in the marketplace.
If you’re writing romantic suspense, you are so not alone in that venture. What makes your work stand out from all the rest? As I read queries, I’m looking for what makes sense for this writer to be producing. If you have access to an investigator who specializes in gambling fraud, and you place your story at a casino, why, you have a unique angle to write from.
Personality match-up.
One of the aspects of agenting that I love is that I only work with the people I want to work with. How cool is that? So when I consider representing someone, I want to not only be enthusiastic about the writing but also about the person. When I talk about a project to an editor, I don’t discuss just the project; I sell the writer more than the project. So remember that, if you present yourself in an antagonistic way to an agent, that person is not going to fall to her knees and beg you to be her client. Nor is an agent likely to find a writer who asks fifty pugnacious questions for every answer given a good candidate because that person will be exhausting to work with. I’m looking for writers I’m sympatico with. If we weren’t relating as agent and author, we’d be friends because we’re compatible.
The writer shows he/she is realistic about the active role an author must play in marketing and publicity.
I remember reading a quote from an editor in the 1950s that an author should be heard and not seen. In other words, you should “hear” the author through his writing, with the author as a sort of Wizard of Oz, working the great mechanism of his manuscript but never visible. Today publishers want authors who are heard and seen. The author needs to be prepared to make a big marketing “fuss” when her title releases; it’s now an inherent part of a writer’s life. I’m looking for clients who get that and already have applied themselves to build a mailing list, a plan for promoting their books, and a significant online presence.
The writer understands that an agent wants to say yes when faced with stellar writing.
Remember the Pillsbury slogan, “Nothing says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven”? Well, “Nothing says represent me like irresistible writing.” Most agents are suckers for good writing. Why, we’ll be sorely tempted to take on a client based solely on the writing. We need the other qualities to be true, but that doesn’t mean fabulous writing can’t win us over.
Which of these qualities is your strength? Your weakness? Which one frustrates you the most?
TWEETABLES
What makes an agent say yes? Click to tweet.
Five qualities every literary agent looks for in a client. Click to tweet.
What is the best way to track whats popular?
Looking at best-selling lists and really studying what each book is about is one way to know what’s popular. But any system you use to track popularity has a big flaw: What’s selling well today was contracted about two years ago. So your seeing publisher’s best guesses two years ago as to what would sell well this year. That means a writer needs to be thinking, What will readers want two years from now? Will these same topics, approached the same way do well then?
Hmmm … this is tough. I think that I am probably strongest in understanding what makes me unique. I’ve really grown in this lately. Well, the understanding part. My stories have always been unique, perhaps overly unique, ha! Can you say handsome pet taxidermist running from cat thieves in Athens … . Really, I love that story, so fun! But as I focus more and more on the stories that both delight me and also seek how they will resonate with others, I’m learning so much. I’m learning to look for the place where my story joy intersects with what readers are looking for already. Such a good thing to strive for.
Yes to these wise words of yours, dear Kristen:
” .. look for the place where my story joy intersects with what readers are looking for already.” I love this.
Kristen, you are doing such important work right now, figuring out how to stay unique with your stories but make them relatable to potential readers. Kudos!
Again, dear Janet, you’ve helped us focus on what’s important if we hope to be represented by an agent.
My strength is in sensing what will capture a reader’s attention. Several years ago, you helped readers sharpen their project hooks via the comment section of one of your posts. Thanks to your suggestion, I did hook three requests to view a full manuscript.
Where I’m weak is that I struggle to believe I have a worthwhile voice to offer.
I’m improving now that I’m embracing my uniqueness instead of trying to blend in.
A writer needs to believe in what she’s writing or no one else will. I’m getting there. Slow. But. Sure. 🙂
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy, it makes me so happy to read that my critiques of hooks in a past blog post was a helpful exercise for you. So glad you were able to capture some interest in your work!
It’s so hard to find a balance in your ideas and voice between uniqueness and not being, well, a little weird. (You know I’m not saying YOU’RE weird, right? 🙂
You made me laugh because I honestly have wondered where I fit on the unique spectrum. 🙂 This is a perfect example of why it’s important to have a team behind a project/writer. The firm reins of a good editor keep the wagon on the trail.
Blessings on your weekend.
A bit late. Hard drive died, using a phone, or trying to.
Well, kiss my grits, I sure do know
and do not have to guess
what sets your agent-heart aglow
and gives my book a Yes.
The chocolate from Jacques Torres…
it got there safe and sound?
And the caviar from Flores…
enough to go around?
The case of Dom Perignon
is through customs, on the way,
and look for Cartier box ‘mong
your FedEx, any day.
Now clear space in your living room,
the Chippendales will be there soon.
Thank you, Andrew, for seeing the value of helping an agent see how great someone’s project is. 🙂