I‘m continuing to respond to various comments on my blog over the last few days.
Marcus wrote:
At some point, I’d love to hear the agent vs. no agent debate here. I get mixed messages from many writers. (Though I’m thinking I’m an agent kind of writer–if I’m any kind of writer at all.)
Randy sez: Don’t get an agent if:
* You have all the contacts with editors you need
* You can negotiate a publishing contract skillfully
* You don’t need help with proposals
* You don’t need career advice
Otherwise, get an agent. Make sense?
Tim wrote:
What if you finish your manuscript and send it to several editors and get interest from two or three. What do you do about that, also if you meet with an editor or agent and you have already sent out letters to other editors should you tell the editor or agent that you have done so?
Randy sez: If more than one editor asks to see the work, let them see it! Be sure to let them know that you have multiple interests, but don’t make a big deal about it.
If you meet with an editor or agent and they express interest in your work, then they will almost certainly ask who else has seen it and what was their response. You should tell the truth here. Telling the truth is an Xtremely good idea in the publishing world, for a number of reasons. You are always allowed to put your best foot forward, but you must not lie, period. Lies will catch up with you, and publishing is a small world.
Karen wrote:
What if you do a Ted Dekker thing and walk in with a dozen novels under your armpit? How do you handle that without looking like a geek?
Randy sez: If you do, you need to have a Ted Dekker-sized armpit. Ted is a special guy with tons of ideas and he works extremely hard. If you are also special with tons of ideas and you have the work ethic to carry it off, then do so. Otherwise, you might want to just pitch one project like the rest of us mortals.
Andra asked:
If I talk to an agent who in the end isn’t a good fit, is it appropriate to ask if he or she knows another agent who would be?
If so, would it then be appropriate to mention the recommendation in a query letter (or face-to-face meeting) to the new agent?
Randy sez: It depends on why you’re “not a good fit.” If you get the idea that the agent thinks you’re a good writer, but your action-adventure novel just isn’t a sweet romance like all her other projects, then go ahead and ask for a referral. If you get one, it is always a good idea to say, “Can I tell Agent X that you referred me?” The answer will give you some idea of how enthusiastic the agent is.
On the other hand, if you have the strong impression that the agent doesn’t like your writing, then asking for a referral is likely to get you an incredulous “No!” or a referral to the Agent From Hell. So tread carefully here.
You might imagine that no agent or editor would ever recommend a writer to their competition. The agents and editors I know sometimes do this. 10 years ago at a writing conference, my buddy John Olson pitched a Christian vampire novel around. One of the editors, Lisa Bergern, didn’t think she could use it, but she showed it to her friend, Karen Ball. Karen loved it, but she also knew she couldn’t buy it for her publishing house. Two publishing houses later, Karen bought it and that novel will come out this October under the title SHADE. So it happens.
Ann asked:
Randy, on interviews with Agents and Publishers, do you think it would be acceptable to ask if they would agree to my recording the interview, and making it clear that it’s only to be able to go over their advice and requests (if they have any requests) at a later date?
Randy sez: Yes, ask. If they say no, do NOT punch them in the nose, stalk off in disgust, or otherwise show your displeasure. Smile pleasantly, instead, and say, “Did anyone ever tell you that you look much nicer than the south end of a north-bound rhino?” Trust me, this always builds bridges. You can never have too many bridges.
Miss Skye asked:
I’m curious– did you finish reading the Harry Potter series yet? The reason I ask is I wanted to direct your attention to editor Cheryl Klein’s speech “A Few Things Writers Can Learn from Harry Potter”.
Randy sez: My girls and I are almost done reading HP aloud. We are about to begin the final battle at Hogwarts in Book 7. This is a LONG reading project, but we’re really enjoying it. Of course, all of us have read it multiple times, so there are no surprises, but every time I read the series, I notice new things. In my opinion, JK Rowling is one of the best authors on the planet. I read through the speech by Cheryl Klein and it was excellent.
I have been following the pitching/agent segments closely as I too shall be looking for the dreaded monsters soon – I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to meet Cheryl Klein tonight at a workshop here in Atlanta; her shrewd comments were dead-on! She was also very approachable – so take heart, they’re not all monsters.
I’m really seeking advice for how to go about finding the RIGHT agent/editor for your genre & someone you’re comfortable with in the on-going process of making it all happen? Especially for an unknown.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you look much nicer than the south end of a north-bound rhino?”
Wow, if my husband had said that to me while we were dating, I would have married him much sooner.
Thanks for answering my question, Randy.
I have a question regarding not finding an agent. What are your views on being an agent to oneself? For me and for many of my European colleagues finding an agent is just not an option; we have to talk to the editors first hand at all times. So, my question is, how do you become your own agent?
Randy sez: Don’t get an agent if:
* You have all the contacts with editors you need
* You can negotiate a publishing contract skillfully
* You don’t need help with proposals
* You don’t need career advice
So you’re saying the answer to, “Do you need an agent?” is pretty much “Uh, yeah…duh.”
That’s running on the assumption/delusion that our work is actually saleable.
But even if it’s not, I’m sure a literary agent could still come in handy. I hear some are very good babysitters; others aren’t afraid of dirty laundry and some are experts at picking up the mess left by an exploding helicopter or novelist.
As a well-published journalist writing for national trade pubs about food safety, foodborne illnesses, chefs, since 1990, I decided to write a book for the home cook. Apparently Prentice Hall heard about this and called and said they wanted to publish it. I was thrilled..after several years of working on the manuscript, I signed with them. And worked even harder to be sure all was correct.
Long story short, the day my printed book arrived,
I called my “editor” and said I would not promote this book that had 12 mistakes in it. As a long time journalist, all I have to offer is accurate work. I asked for my manuscript back and for PH not to have anymore rights. Everyone laughed, but since I always say “never mind the indians, call the chief”, I contacted the head guy at PH. Only a few weeks later, I got full permission and severed all ties with PH. However, I still haven’t rewritten it…Now I realize I really didn’t have a real “editor”, but someone who was in charge of sending my work on to other people who would “fix” it–one woman took something out just because she had never heard of it!!
So, yes, I think I need an agent…
Best
Ann
I have noted your excellent advice on recording interviews with agents etc Randy. Thank you! I shall have to work on the ‘pleasant smile’ though. Haven’t done that for years. I think the muscles might have atrophied. To make the most of a feeble smile perhaps I should have diamonds embedded in my two front teeth and have the rest of them sprayed: pink, I think. If only I’d kept that set of false teeth with purple gums, made specially for me by a dental student when I was at university, as a token of his deep affection for me. I couldn’t decide whether he was enamoured or enameled with me. I know I put them in the tank with my goldfish, but after that …?
Hmmm all very interesting. Knowing that the ideal situation is probably to develop relationships at conferences, can email also work if you are on different continents? I’m not at that stage yet (realistic expectations!), but assuming that when I am ready, I don’t make it over the ocean, is it likely that I would have any luck via email? I’m guessing (hoping) the answer is that if the writing is good and I’ve done my research and chosen the right agent/s, it is likely. I wonder though, how to get their attention (professionally) in a mail box that’s likely full to the brim of people they do know…
All of this is probably on their websites or whatever I guess, but I haven’t gotten as far as looking for an agent yet, so I’d love to hear the short answer…
🙂 Karen
Ok, I’m sold on the idea of agents. I guess the folks who have been disenchanted with agents were probably stuck with the wrong agent. Maybe they were in between agents rather than headed into a solo career without any agent.
Oh, no, not another question!!
‘Fraid so.
Do publishers prefer to work through an agent or directly with an author?
I enjoyed Cheryl Klein’s speech very much and was encouraged by her ending: write what you love.
Thanks, Randy!
I am completely frustrated regarding agents. I have written four Adventure novels — and all the agents reply that while they found my work “interesting,” it does not fit into their “list.” What they really are saying is that publishers are only paying for “non-fiction” these days. Where does that leave fiction writers like me? I can tell you, it leaves us wishing the writing bug had never bitten.