Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Well, it’s time to find out how much you know about seeking literary representation. Here are the answers to the questions from yesterday’s test:
- The best way to get an agent is to simply pick up the phone and call. After all they get so much email it must be refreshing to talk to a real person. False— Agents set aside their phone time for clients, editors, colleagues and solving problems.
- All agencies and all agents have the exact same protocol for contacting them. False— When we talk about seeking an agent here at Books & Such, that is our protocol. Other agencies have different protocol.
- The best place to discover what an agent expects in a first contact is to look on the agency’s website. True— You need to do your due diligence. Almost all agencies have everything you need to know about seeking representation right on their websites.
- If a writer meets an agent at a conference and is given the go-ahead to send in their materials, that means you do not have to query. You can go straight to proposal stage. True— that’s why conferences are so valuable. You skip a time-consuming step, the biggest hurdle of the process.
- The query letter should be as long as it needs to be to whet the agent’s appetite for the book and to cover the author bio in detail. False— One succinct page.
- If a writer received a request to submit from an agent at a conference and, for whatever reason, was not able to follow up, that writer should not query that agent again. False— As I always say, our interest has no expiration date. Other agents may feel differently but if they expressed interest once, you have that go-ahead.
- If an agent were interested in a writer’s manuscript but suggested some edits and changes, perhaps initiating several back and forth conversations, it would be a better idea to take that final, sparkling manuscript to a fresh agent, since the original agent had seen the writer at his worst. False— It is heartbreaking to an agent who works with a potential client only to lose them after many hours have been invested. That initial back and forth is an investment. And an agent only spends this kind of time if they believe in the writer.
- If you submitted prematurely to an agent– a manuscript that was in no way ready– the best strategy is to move on to a different agent. Again, won’t that agent always see you as a loser? False— Truth to tell, most agents won’t remember. We may remember seeing that plot or subject, but very few of us keep notes on manuscripts we passed on.
- Agents understand that most manuscripts are works in progress. A couple typos, misspellings or grammatical errors are expected. False— That’s one thing you need to get right. The cleaner the manuscript, the more professional you look. We want to feel confident that we can proudly represent you to editors.
- A working title is just that. Everyone knows that the publisher most likely will change the title, so a writer shouldn’t waste time on a title. False— Often it’s the title that hooks an agent in the first place.
- The easiest way to the top of the pile at an agency is to have one of the agent’s clients recommend you. True— But remember, a recommendation is not just mentioning one of our client’s names. It is when a client offers to introduce you and your work to their agent. This is a big thing. Unfortunately it’s not something you can seek, since it could be awkward for the agented writer if they don’t think your work is ready yet.
- The agent is known for reworking the proposals before sending them on to publishers so if a few sections are too difficult, don’t sweat it. The agent can easily fill in the blanks. Especially with the competitive analysis. No one knows the industry like an agent. This would be a snap for them. False— an incomplete proposal gives the wrong impression. It speaks to a certain sense of entitlement and sloppiness. If you can’t propose your book in a professional manner, how can anyone else get a handle on it?
- When looking for an agent, the most important thing is to be a good consumer. Before settling, it would be wise to first send out a questionnaire to all the agents, asking how much their commission is and what you will get for that investment. False— Those are valid questions but only after you’ve been offered representation.
- If you met an editor at a conference and already have an offer on the table, you’ve no need for an agent. False— an agent does far more than just make the sale. You’ll notice we blogged about this many times in the past. At that point you need contract negotiation and career direction more than ever.
- Fiction, nonfiction, it doesn’t matter. The proposal is essentially the same. False— There are a number of differences. If you look on our website you’ll see the difference.
- A writer met an agent at a conference and during the appointment, nerves got the best of him and he made a complete cake of himself. That writer shouldn’t discount that agent because of it. She is not likely to remember it. And if she did, it would make a great story to tell when the writer wins that huge award. True— Those appointments can be grueling for both the writer and the agent. We offer a huge dose of grace. And we won’t even talk about how much an agent remembers after a couple of dozen appointments. . .
- If an agent turns down your manuscript you need to cross him off your list and move on. God often uses closed doors to send us on a different path. True & False— God often does use closed doors to send us in another direction, but please don’t forget that a no just means not that manuscript at this time. Don’t cross off a potential agent (or editor) because of a declined manuscript. They certainly haven’t crossed you off any list.
- It is wise to find some way to stand out from the crowd. Think creatively, artistically, when packaging your proposal. True & False— Yes, it’s good to stand out from the crowd, but the manuscript and proposal are tools we use to evaluate writing, the author and the concept of the book. Fancy fonts and artistic expressions end up looking somehow amateurish.
- If at all possible, deliver your query in person. It would make an impression. No one could doubt your commitment. False— that would be enough to encourage an agent to have the local police on speed dial.
- Agents often say it’s great writing and a fabulous concept that makes them offer representation, but, at this stage, it’s more important to follow the submission rules to the letter to prove that a writer is conscientious and will be easy to work with. False— the submission guidelines are just that– guidelines. We don’t grade writers on how well they follow instructions. Many agents (and editors, too) flip to the writing first before they read a word of the proposal to see if they love the writing. Gorgeous writing covers a multitude of sins.
Remember the fun part? I’m picking one commenter from yesterday and one from today and I will send a box brimming full of great books to each. I’ll announce the winner right below as I’m quitting for the day– sometime around 6 p.m. PDT.
The winners are:
JENNIFER MAJOR
NORMA BRUMBAUGH
Will you both email me your mailing address? You can send it to me via representation@booksandsuch.com
I loved your answers to the essay question about when to seek an agent. I wasn’t able to comment but as many of you pointed out, a novelist needs to have a complete novel before seeking representation. A nonfiction writer need only have the proposal and three chapters. But of course the answer is more complicated than that. Most agents say, get an agent as soon as you can find a good one willing to represent you. 🙂
So. . . how did you do on the quiz? Don’t forget, I promised you can argue any of these answers. You might convince me.
I didn’t do too bad – the only one I was waffling on was the “working title.”
I knew that titles were ususally changed and I wasn’t sure how important it was to an agent. I think I need to look long and hard at my title.
And #13 – send a questionaire to every agent? Ha! Laugh out LOUD!
With you on that! Now I guess that is the same with a pen name. Better get my thinking cap on fast.
You laugh but it happens. Or even worse someone has his secretary do this work for him because he is way too busy. Makes agents appreciate the hardworking writers who deserve every bit of success they achieve.
#18 is a constant debate in my head. Of course I’m working to make the technical aspects of my proposal near perfect. And I wouldn’t dare add a fancy font to the proposal (queue memories of my high school physics students using Comic Sans and clip art on lab reports). But I’ve heard of a few people adding a mock up of a cover on the front of the proposal to help convey the vision and feel of the book. I feel that, as long as the substance of the proposal is professional and thorough, something creative to make it stand out in a pile is like the cherry on top.
Encouraged by #17! I was hoping it wasn’t foolish to query again.
I don’t know that it’s wrong to use an illustration to convey flavor but it could be risky. What if the image you choose is one that turns the agent or editor off? What if it conveys the idea that you’ve already self-published the manuscript? What if the recipient wrongly assumes it means you’re already trying to art direct the project?
I’m glad these doses of reality (like #17) helped.
Okay, thanks. I was on the fence, so I’m glad to have a definitive answer. And I’m always up for less work!
19/20 for me. I missed #4, about which I had a question anyway.
* I would assume that the nature of the contact is the deciding factor as to whether a proposal or query be sent…a casual “Yeah, sounds interesting” in a five-sentence hello-goodbye would indicate – to me – a query, whereas a more developed pitch (planned or spontaneous) eliciting a positive response would call for a proposal. At any rate, I would hope I’d have the nous to ask.
* This was a fun exercise, Wendy. Thanks so much for running it!
When I’ve met with agents at a conference, they’ll usually let you know if they want to see something. Sometimes, they ask for a proposal. Other times they’ll ask to see (be sent) a partial or a full manuscript. And clarifying if you’re not sure is always wise. 🙂
Generally at a conference when a manuscript is requested, the agent or editor is specific. She hands the writer a business card and says something like, “Send me the proposal and three chapters.” Or “I’ll take the full manuscript at this time.” And she will usually give instructions on how to send– as an attachment or *gasp* snail mail.
You got an A. 95%. Are you one of those guys who raises the average for everybody else?
Actually, no…I used to lower the curve. When I got my doctorate, I had gone through the coursework with the lowest GPA in the history of the College of Engineering at UC San Diego, and afterwards they changed the rules so no one could do that again.
* At least I left my mark on my alma mater!
I’m so glad you elaborated on your answers, Wendy. The added insight is always helpful for better understanding the process of acquiring an agent. I missed two (not saying which ones 😉 ). One of them I should have known better.
Exactly, Jeanne.
It was an open-book quiz. Your website is the textbook.
*How did I do? It depends. Do I get half-credit for your “True & False” answers? I got the other questions right.
*I give Books & Such an A+ for your shared wisdom and your “huge dose of grace.”
I agree with you, Shirlee. Books and Such does deserve an A+. 🙂
Thanks, Shirlee.
Wendy, this was a fun quiz and it didn’t trigger that reoccurring nightmare where I show up for class half dressed and totally unprepared for a test.
# 11 was the one question I waffled on. I know a personal recommendation is a great opportunity, but I wasn’t sure what happened next.
# 18 made me smile because I’ve heard editors mention finding chocolate with an unsolicited MS.
My nightmare was always about going to class to take the final after I somehow missed all the classes and discovered the room had been changed and I couldn’t find it. Yeah, Lara, I think I’m also usually missing some clothes as well.
Let’s see, I only missed 2. I said that number 20 was true, that you want to follow the submission guidelines so that the agent will get to reading your actual submission without becoming discouraged by your disregard for the guidelines. I’m going to argue for True for number 9. Yes, your ms. should be polished and virtually free of all errors. But you said a couple of errors, as in two. So I imagined two total errors over the entirety of a 350 page document. I think agents would feel that is a pretty clean story. So that is my argument for my answers. Thanks, Wendy. This was a fun quiz and a unique way to learn and test our knowledge.
I guessed that most writers would think #20 was true because we talk so much about how to do things. But when a proposed book comes in that knocks our socks off, anything goes.
And for #9, I’m probably more easygoing about this than anyone because I didn’t come up through the ranks of publishing houses and, as you can probably tell from my blogs, I’m punctuation-challenged. I think I must have been absent on comma and semi-colon day in school. 🙂
#20 may have tripped me. It’s that rule-follower in me. But I love that writing trumps rules. 🙂
I understand. I’m a rule follower, too. I once got a traffic ticket and none of my kids would believe I had found the inner strength to break any law, let along a 35 mile speed limit.
Got two or three wrong – #4 and #13. Do I get half mark for the ‘True and False’ questions? I’m not sure what I think about #14. Glad I’ve learnt a lot from Books and Such in short span.
(BTW, unrelated to today’s post, I scaled over the ‘minor’ fence today. I’m 18. And I wrote a post about that – http://bit.ly/1TXjD7b)
Made a mistake with the links. Still have issues with copying and pasting them. http://bit.ly/1V7swNQ. Thank you for understanding.
‘link’, not ‘links.’ What is wrong with me today?
Happy birthday to you,
your faith sure shines though
all your words, our dear Michael;
God smiles down on you!
Thank you, Andrew. So glad you are here. My face lit up at your comment.
Michael, thank you…and I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that we look forward to your comments. Your insights and faith are a gift to us.
Birthday blessings!
Happy Birthday, Michael!
Happy birthday, Michael!
Happy Birthday, Michael! I read your birthday blog. Nice. It’s been great having you in this community. I’ve enjoyed reading what you have to say and watching you grow with us. Blessings to you on this special day.
Wow! Happy birthday, Michael! And about #14. That’s the easiest time to get an agent and a good agent can usually almost pay for himself on that first contract.
Happy Birthday, Michael.
Congratulations on your 18th birthday, Michael. Since you are a writer and you are no longer a minor, does that make you a major writer now?
LOL. This got me laughing. No one is awake to be disturbed though.
I don’t know that yet, Carol. I’d love to lay my hand on my chest, stare at my reflection in the chipped mirror and affirm, “I’m a major writer,” but it doesn’t come off so easy. The road ahead could be strait, and I’d take anything to see its end in the arms of the Father.
BTW, over the past few months, this has transcended from a blog to a community for me (my brother can bear witness), and I’m glad to know everyone here…
I’ve heard of including a stamp sized headshot in the bio portion of a cover letter and/or proposal…would that be considered an amateurish embellishment on the level with curly fonts and scented paper?
I do wish that The World could use an expression other than ‘headshot’…it always stops me…uh, dead.
No. That is a good addition. We do that to all the manuscripts we send out to publishers unless theres a specific reason to omit it. (Like a man using a pen name to write romance fiction.)
The only ones I had trouble with were 17 and 18, which turn out to be semi-trick questions. Aced all the others.
>>>
>>>Concerning 18, my sense (from pitching at seven different conferences over the years, about twenty pitches) is that creativity at the pitch stage is not valued by agents and editors. I tried that once, at a conference where the power went off if the crowded pitch room, and we had to pitch with just ambient light from windows and doors. I made one pitch in this darkness. I had a gap of fifteen minutes before my next pitch, and the power came back on during that time. Everyone seemed somewhat giddy over the unusual circumstances, so when I went into that next appointment, I decided on the spot to make an unusual pitch. The editor laughed at my book. Needless to say it was “no sale”. And, in a sort of affirmation of Question 8, when I mentioned this to him years later he didn’t remember the incident.
That’s the danger of doing something original. It’s risky. Have you ever tried to be witty or downright droll to someone with no detectable sense of humor– deadly.
When pitching in person just be yourself. Be real. I usually become impressed by the writer long before I’ve had a chance to dig into the writing. I don’t want to embarrass her but this happened with my ACFW appointment with Shelli Littleton last fall. Do you know how many people we meet at a major conference like ACFW? And yet I remember my my meeting with Shelli– where we sat, everything we talked about, and everything she told me about her book. Because she was real and we connected on subjects outside of writing.
Wendy. And now I’m crying, but my heart is so full. You continually bless me. I wanted to read everything you wrote … because I didn’t want to miss a single word from you about this topic. And look at the diamond I found. Thank you.
Thanks. Appreciate this piece as it helps the process seem a little less dauntingly sticky.
Good! It shouldn’t be daunting. Yes it is hard because it is a buyer’s market but no one is judging or no mistake is permanent. One of my clients, Gari Meacham, tells about how excited she was to meet with me at Mount Hermon and hear me enthusiastically offer representation because she met with me the year before and I had passed. Guess what? I had no idea and did not even recognize her. If you know Gari, she’s not easy to forget but it’s a reminder that agents and editors keep short accounts. I can’t think of any of my agent friends who have photographic memories.
Not bad. I got 2 and a half wrong. half because I answered how I thought the expected answer was rather than what I felt it should be. I even got the true and false by correctly saying both 🙂
However, saying that submission/query guidelines don’t always have to be followed exactly seems to be at odds to the advice given by Janet Reid in her blog.
it’s a minefield out there!!
Some of us are sharks and some of us are dolphins. 🙂 Many an agent will stress how important it is to follow rules but give them a manuscript they’d give an arm to represent and then see how important the rules are.
That said, why would any writer shoot himself in the foot by shortchanging a decision-maker on the information he or she needs to make a decision.
I just know that my clients and potential clients offer me more grace than I deserve when I keep them hanging. I think I need to pay back some of that grace.
Ms. Lawton,
on following the rules. If an author does not, how will/would said agent find the ms that knocks their socks off?
I was referring to formatting and proposal guidelines, not “rules” like never cold call an agent. We generally turn to the manuscript first in the proposal package and often discover a wonderful manuscript long before we evaluate a proposal..
I didn’t do too bad. Questions 17 and 18 kind of got me because I can see both true and false. Though I did get Question 20 wrong. I try to follow the rules whenever I can but sometimes I will push or bend them when I can.
And push or bend them when it makes sense. For instance if you were proposing a book on creating labyrinths it would make sense to include artwork– photos and drawings.
If you were proposing a cookbook at a conference wouldn’t it be fitting to let the agent sample something from the book?
This was great! Thanks, Wendy. I did fairly well…but I never did like tests. Ugh! Hah! Well, it’s a keeper. I learned some more by reading your answers.
Thanks, Norma.
I missed #10 and #20. Not bad. I’ve heard #10 from an agent…not from Books & Such. Glad to know it’s different here.
Thanks for this quiz, Wendy. See how much we’ve all learned from this blog.
God bless.
🙂
Loved this quiz! I did well, but still missed a few.
Glad it helped, Chris.
I got 20/20 because I read this blog and listen to the editors and agents who teach at the various writers conferences I’ve attended. These questions and answers have been engrained in me, thanks to the loving writing community at B&S and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Thanks for offering these encouraging reminders.
You are such a learner, Xochi. Even to taking suggestion regarding your name. 😉
Uh . . . Teach, you spelled my name wrong. It’s Xochitl, now. LOL! The writer’s journey is a learning adventure. No matter how much experience we have, there are always ways to improve, skills to polish, tips to try, and comfort zones to step out of if we want to serve the ever-changing needs of our readers. Thanks for investing in me by offering your expertise and wise counsel, and by encouraging me to discerning about what advice I accept and apply.
I’ll be changing the spelling on my website next. And I’m using that spelling for my byline and bio with Our Daily Bread. Please thank Janet for her input and encouragement, too. Big hugs! 🙂
I had a thought about #4.
In my experience, this has been true some of the time. There are agents who will listen to a pitch at a conference, and go straight to either requesting a partial or full manuscript, or telling you “no thanks” if it’s not for them. Basically, they jump you right past the query process.
However, I’ve also seen agents that will say, “yes, that sounds great, send me (fill in the blank number of pages) to this email.” And what they request from you is exactly what they want in all their queries. In that case, I’d like to think that the in-person meeting has only helped my chances, but I can’t help feeling like all they’ve really said is “sure, you can query me.”
Perhaps the 2nd agent just isn’t interested, but prefers not to give a hard NO to an in-person pitch?
I hope that’s not the case. It is not fair to give false hope.
But, Jared, if they are giving you their card and you’re sending it directly to them you are already past the stage of the first readers of queries.
I’m quite happy to say that I did NOT flunk this quiz!!!
Wouldn’t you hate to have to repeat all this?
Yes. Yes, I would!
Well, I’d have won if I had taken the test, but, as I said, you’ve provided all the answers in previous blog posts so I didn’t think that would be fair.
I love it, Janet. Who says no one reads anymore.
Wendy, your answers are encouraging. I missed two. But it makes sense why I got them wrong–they’re areas I’m weak in. Yahoo for # 7’s answer. But I confess I’m saddened by #11 as it seems as unlikely as winning a lottery. I’m going to focus on saving up for an editor to help me with #9 and continue improving my craft so I’ll eventually have “Gorgeous writing that covers a multitude of sins.” My pen is pumped, primed, and ready for prose.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy Mac. you said having an agent’s client recommend you seems as likely as winning the lottery but by being a regular commenting member of our community, you are already known at Books & Such.
And you’d be surprised who might recommend you to an editor or agent. I remember when Gayle Roper came over to me at a conference and said, “Be sure to meet Camy Tang.” That happens all the time and you don’t even know it.
Thank you, Wendy. I’m glad I shared about #11 as you’ve shown us there’s more than one way for it to come about. Hanging out here educates us on the writing/publishing industry and tops up our hope-tank too.
Well I’ll be snockered. 18 out of 20, with my choosing one or the other, rather than both from the true and false answers.
Not too shabby for a late comer, and taking the quiz without going back and reading the blog prior to doing so.
That’d be an 80% or a B? Didn’t see many of those back in my school days, so I’ll take it.
90%. (I know, you usually don’t get gifted with words and math.) Thats an A-. 🙂
An A-, whoot whoot! Have never seen one if them on a quiz before, I’ll take it.
Thanks so much for this, Wendy! I love posts that give us so much insight into the agents’ world. I enjoyed answering the questions and realizing which ones I felt confident about and which ones I teetered on…such as 14 and 17. Question 20…hhhmmm…I get the impression from some other agency websites that following submission guidelines is a “test” of sorts, so I do try my “rookie best” to give agents exactly what they ask for…and how.
The good thing is, it never hurts to follow the rules. It’s a huge help to an agent because the “rules” are only there to make sure we get what we need to understand the book, the potential market and to make a decision.
I am way behind everyone on this site, but have been following this blog for a long time, and have learned so much! I have never written a query or a proposal, and the only ‘published’ article I’ve ever written was published on a company website. I do write a blog, but to be honest, I wouldn’t know how to submit my writing (fiction or non-fiction) to anyone. It’s something I need to learn, but in the meantime I have to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading all of the posts and comments here over the past year or so. My problems have more to do with formatting than anything else, and technical issues.
And yes, I did pass all but two questions on the test! 🙂
The fact that you’re here, Stacey, already gives you a leg up on the uninitiated. Stay here long enough and you’ll eventually get the secret handshake. 🙂
Thank you Wendy!
Love this! And I only missed one question (the last one). Great questions, Wendy! Made me think, and that’s always good. Thank you!
I’ve always said this community is the best informed in the history of publishing.
No arguments from me, Wendy, especially since your answers all agreed with mine! Thanks for the extra clarification in the quiz answers, and for this pertinent post.
You are welcome.
If I’d taken this in late 2013, I’d have missed at least half. After following this blog for nearly two years, I got a 100! Thanks for all you do to educate us newbies.
That’s the kind of feedback I love to hear.
I feel pretty good, Wendy, three and a half wrong and one of those was number 5, the length of the query letter. I was surprised that you want only one page, and another was 11–a recommendation from a writer who is already with you. I suppose I would look at their work but not so sure I’d automatically put it at the top of the list. Seems those who have done the work of proposing and “taking their turn” deserve their space in line.
Getting 20 wrong was the best of the whole quiz.Yeah!! Writing is what counts! Thank you, Miss Wendy. Your explanation needs to be plastered on every writer’s wall!
Congrats, Jennifer and Norma!
Hey congratulations, Jennifer and Norma!
Yay, Jennifer and Norma!!
Congratulations, Jennifer and Norma! Big hugs!
WOW!!
THANK YOU!!!