Blogger: Rachel Kent
When I decide to offer representation to an author, many factors go into making that decision, but the author’s personality is a huge part of it. I want to work with someone who will be a good match with my personality because we’re going to work together for a long time. Knowing what agents are looking for can help you to display those qualities in your communications with prospective agents.
What are the qualities I look for?
1) Professionalism–Authors who display professionalism have good communication skills and are respectful of others. They think before they speak or post online and follow through on commitments. They have an attitude of cooperation and work well with others, including editors and agents.
2) Discernment–Discernment is displayed through an author’s ability to make the most of his or her time and to make wise choices while working closely with editors, agents and publishers. A discerning author will also be choosy in the professional connections he or she makes with others online. That author won’t friend/follow people who are going to be an embarrassment to that author or author’s brand.
3) A Teachable Spirit–Those with a teachable spirit have a willingness to grow in ability and to take advice. These authors are non-aggressive when working with agents, other authors and publishers, and they’re able to accept feedback or discuss it in a reasonable way.
4) Perseverance–Perseverance is shown through the ability to finish a book and to take rejection and use it to make a project better instead of letting it eat away at confidence. Perseverance is also shown in the author’s ability to put a project on the back burner at the right time and to move on with a new idea.
5) Ability to Trust–Trusting authors let their agents work for them. These people aren’t hounding their agents every day with emails to “check in.” They understand that getting answers back from agents and publishers can take time, and they are willing to wait patiently. (Checking in is just fine, but those who can’t trust overdo it.) The trusting author also follows the established communication guidelines set up by that agent or agency.
6) Productivity–Agents like to find clients who can produce projects to sell on a schedule and who are able to write books on a deadline. This is the way publishing works these days, and authors need to be able to keep up and balance writing and life.
7) Enthusiasm–I love to find authors who are excited about writing and about new ideas. If writing is a chore for my client, it makes me feel like the slave driver or torturer because I have to keep that client working toward finishing his or her book. That isn’t fun for anybody.
Did I miss anything?
What qualities listed here are easy for you to show? Which are harder?
Interesting – I didn’t know that it was important who we make friends with/follow online.
Agents might not always look, but they could look and you want your online presence to be professional.
Thanks for this list, Rachel!
This might go along with #7 but I think a positive attitude is important too. Even if things aren’t going great in our writing, we shouldn’t make a habit of complaining. This seems common in a lot of workplaces today…I’m unsure if the same is true about the publishing industry. Hopefully not! 🙂
Nice addition!
I would like to believe all professionals, regardless of career, possess these qualities – but a recent trip to the DMV shatters that hope. 🙂 For me, trust is a stumbling block. Taking accountability for my own actions and behaviors is a no-brainer, but trusting someone else to adhere to the same code of conduct takes a big leap of faith. Early on in my writing journey I had an abysmal experience with a not-so-ethical publisher – lesson learned. Icky experience aside, I’d like to think my trust-radar is accurate, but I do hesitate when entering into any contractual agreement.
Laughing out loud! I was at Sam’s Club yesterday and couldn’t believe how irate a few people were at having to wait 3 minutes before they could shop. But then I looked at the rest of us waiting patiently and realized only 10% were acting inappropriately. That’s not too bad!:)
So funny, Jill! My husband will not even GO to Sam’s with me anymore. What is it about giant jars of Mayo that makes people crazy?
ha ha the DMV is definitely one of the most frustrating.
Good point! You never want to blindly trust anyone which is where the discernment comes in. Best to do your research to make sure the person you are thinking of putting your trust in is trustworthy.
I often lean into my teachable spirit to grow in all the other areas you listed above.
And I still think kindness goes a long way in every business.
~ Wendy
Kindness DOES go a long way and a teachable spirit is key in any professional relationship.
Great list, Rachel. As others have said, I think these qualities go a long way in any career and in life as well.
To me, an agent is a partner, someone who is on your team and has your back as an author, so trust is absolutely essential.
I think patience (which sort of ties in to what you said in #5) is needed in any author as well. That’s one I struggle with, because I’m a list girl and I like to be able to “check off” my goals as I go. But so much of it is not up to me. I have to find peace in knowing I’m doing all I can do, and let God handle the rest. For the author who is a Christian, I think that’s one of the best qualities to possess…not only trust in the agent to do his/her job, but trust in God to provide the perfect timing in everything.
Trusting God’s timing is something I’m constantly reminding myself about and my clients about. It’s hard to do!
Can you believe Miss Opinion here has nothing to add? Shocker, I know!
In regards to discernment:
One of my decisions with social media was to promote other authors, whether they are aspiring, self-published, or traditionally published. I promote writers in a variety of genres. The only thing I won’t promote is a genre that conflicts with my beliefs. For instance, I don’t feature authors of erotica or even the steamier romances on my blog or through other sites because my readers are looking for sweet, inspirational books and I don’t want to offend them or send them the wrong message about my own values.
Two questions:
1. What are red flags for you with regards to who an author is following/promoting?
2. Would my promotion policy be a turn-off to a publishing professional?
Thanks, Rachel! Great post!
1) I worry when an author’s friends/followers all look like drug addicts or if they’re swearing constantly on posts on that author’s page or tweets to the author. Even if you are friends with people like that you should keep your personal and professional lives separate and have a hidden Facebook or Twitter for your personal stuff. In some cases we can’t help what our relatives and friends post so it’s best to keep them off of your professional sites.
2) It could be if you overdid it, but I think you do a good job with balance.
Thanks, Jill!
Thanks for clearing it up, Rachel. Makes sense to me!!
A friend of mine has a somewhat dramatic (Jerry Springer-ish) set of in-laws and is a well known attorney in her area. She has a secret Facebook page that one basically has to donate a limb or brain lobe in order to have access. This has given her the chance to keep her personal and proessional lives completely separate. And if anyone blows her cover, poof, they walk the plank. The Facebook plank. Not the *plank* plank.
Exactly the right think to do I believe, Jennifer. Thanks for the comment.
Discernment, I guess, would be my worst thing, as you define it here. Friends have always told me I lack common sense, my mother tells me I’m not prudent (she hates my picking up hitchhikers), and I often write things I think are friendly and funny, only to find out later, I’ve offended someone. If I had to unfriend all the embarrassing people I couldn’t be friends with anyone in my family (and if others unfriended embarrassing people, they’d be leaving me in droves), and I am constantly wasting time.
Yep. Epic fail on the discernment point.
On the other hand, I always deliver on deadline. I have a killer work ethic, despite all the time I waste and all the unsavory people I follow.
On the trust issue: I have learned to trust God, therefore I can rest with whatever parents, teachers, husband, elder, agent, or editor he’s given me. They are sinful and prone to err, but God is over all and he’s able to protect me, even if I don’t do everyone else’s job for them to make sure it’s being done right. 🙂
A few unsavory follows keeps life entertaining. 🙂
Ooo! Hitchhikers, at least in our area, are SCARY! Be careful!!!
Glad to hear about your stellar work ethic. That will help you go far!
Great list. When I was first getting to know my soon-to-be agent, I had the hardest time being confident. I was so nervous and filled with doubt that I really had to reign it in and show that I believed I was ready and thankfully she did too 🙂
This seems like a common problem even for multi-published, best-selling writers. Believing in yourself is important because it will help you through the tough times.
A teachable spirit is huge. If you’re not willing to learn because you’re pride is in the way, then you’ll never reach where you need to be, nor will people want to be around you.
Exactly! Thanks, Sundi.
There are days when I quote an old Cheers episode and yell “I’m too stupid to live!”. Most, I repeat, MOST days I can hit all 7.Part of that is being older and having spent several decades learning how to be a grown up. I tend to be quiet in a new situation and will read the room before I say something. I am almost always enthusiastic and have only missed my newspaper deadline once, by 90 minutes. I am ***extremely*** choosy about the connections I have online. Why? I had someone pirate my Christmas email list (good old ‘reply all’)and tell several hundred of my friends and family that I was a disease infested sinner judged by God to be lacking in Christ-like behaviour. Pot/kettle/black?
For me, it comes down to “do unto others” and be as professional as possible.
Then when things are all calm and the work is done, look out…don’t worry, I haven’t been arrested YET!
Kidding….
Wow! I can’t believe that someone would send an email like that to your friends. Scary!
Brazen and crazy, but ultimately very sad.
Fabulous post, Rachel! These are all so important, I think a teachable spirit goes a long way towards promoting your career because that communicates to agents and editors on so many levels.
Of these qualities the one I struggle the most with is patience. I don’t pester the agent or editor that has my work, but I get antsy. During times of waiting I rely on lots of prayer to keep in perspective that God is in control.
Thanks, Michelle. I also struggle with patience but it gets easier the longer you are in the publishing arena. EVERYTHING takes FOREVER.
Michelle – my oldest son was getting antsy waiting for a package from UPS last week and I told him it was in God’s hands. His response, “Well – you think being GOD he could hurry up already!” Obviously, sarcasm is genetic.
Lol!
ROFL!
I found your #2 point to be interesting and incredibly true! I’ve never really heard another agent point that out, but I think it’s one that should be listed more often. I so appreciate this lists, thank you!
*Scrolls up to see what she wrote for #2* Oh, thanks! I think discernment is very important and if you are discerning in your connections lots of the other qualities will be easier too–like trust for example. You’ve already put your trust in the right people so you don’t have to worry as much about that.
I have a question about your second point, Rachel. (Because I really want to know, not because I’m trying to be difficult.)
Do you consider potential “embarrassment” to be in terms of professionalism, or in diverse worldviews (i.e. politics,religions, etc.), or any other criteria? In my experience this is been more of an issue in Christian publishing than in other markets, but I’d be curious to know how you’d define a problem connection. Thank you for any follow up.
I suppose that politics and religion could be potential “embarrassments” but I think each person will have to evaluate their own market and potential audience to see what they need to watch out for. If you typically write controversial books about politics/religion your audience will be looking for these types of people associated with you, but if you write pro-life material for a conservative Christian audience your readership and audience could easily be offended by the more diverse politics and worldview of people you might follow/friend. Each author will be different. I hope that makes sense!
Thank you for the clarification, Rachel. Yes, it makes sense. It also seems potentially subjective but, as you point out with others, too, if you’re exercising discernment here too, the obvious problem connections shouldn’t exist. 🙂
I think all of your points are excellent – and qualities I believe we should possess for any relationship, whether professional or personal. As an author, I hope to find all of those same qualities in an agent, as well. 🙂
Thanks, Gabrielle!
Great list, Rachel!
I agree we have to be careful who we connect with online. At first, I followed anyone back who followed me and then I realized I couldn’t do that because of content.If I get a friend request, I usually see how many friends we have in common or do a once over on their wall. You never know!
It’s always best to check them out first! 🙂
Thanks for the list, Rachel! It’s always nice to know what to work on.
What exactly do you mean by non-agressive in #3? How would that apply to query letters or pitching sessions?
Authors can come across as very nasty both in writing and in person. I’ve had people come up to me to tell me what I’m going to do for them and that’s not the right approach.
I like this post, Rachel. It’s good to have check list for behavior and this is a great one. Thank you!
Thanks!
I think you covered the bases really well, Rachel! I am a little bit impulsive and emotional, so I have to rein myself in sometimes. But I have a great agent, and she helps me. 🙂
🙂 I’m emotional too, but I try hard to keep myself in check. I vent to my husband and really close friends. It helps to have a safe outlet for emotions.
It’s already been said, but this is a great list! Because of my husband’s line of work, I’m careful about my online connections, but I can see the importance of checking out who I follow. Hadn’t thought about that for myself. So glad you shared this. 🙂
I would like to think that being teachable is easier for me to show. I’m getting plenty of practice at this as I learn craft. A more difficult quality is waiting patiently. Contests are helping me learn this. 🙂
The waiting does get easier, I promise!
Great post! And some of the comments were cracking me up (“I’m too stupid to live!”–Jennifer! I have to find your blog and follow if I haven’t already!).
I wasn’t hesitant in querying my novel–if anything, I tend to SOUND over-confident (at least online. In person, I may blush furiously!). Thankfully, I have an agent who “gets” me somehow, so when I’m in the depths of despair in the waiting process and I send out a weird, neither here-nor-there email, he senses the angst driving the incoherence.
It is good to be astute about your agent, though. There are good agents and not-so-good (even bad) agents. But when you get a good’un, you know it! And you’re so thankful!
You’re very right, Heather. You want to hold out for an agent who “gets” you because it can make all the difference.
(Insert humourous reading eyes…oh wait…that sounded creepy…instead…have fun with this….
There. Okay, now you may read along.)
Rachel…may I call you Rachel? Yes, yes you did miss something. I find it kinda awkward, but allow me to gently bring up a rather sensitive issue.
This was typed by, potentially, your perfect client. How do I know this??? You are reading the words of someone who has sold 5000$ worth of cheesecake and other chocolate desserts.
Yes. 5000$
So. How much chocolate do you want in your cheesecake? 50$ in the FedEx guy’s hand and you could be eating a triple chocolate (milk, dark and white) cheesecake with a full ganache (milk chocolate coating) tomorrow.
It slays me that people think I’m kidding!
Whenever I do my mission trips to Bolivia, I bring a freakish amount of chocolate? Why? Because when a Jeep load of missionaries is driving along a dry riverbed at 13,000 feet, and everyone in the back seat is bouncing around like ice in a martini shaker (not that I would know…) it would blow your mind how quickly I can get from martini row into the front passenger seat, where the ice is still alive. How? With one well placed Snickers bar.
So, our hidden gem of a lesson is…”Be diligent about items 1-7, and then kick in the bribery.”
Lol! A Snickers bar does sound amazing right now. 🙂
My team mate sold one for 7$. But that was at 12,500 feet. Up any higher, we’re into double digits and PIN numbers!
🙂
What a great list!
What qualities are easy for me to show? I would have to say enthusiasm and perseverance is at the top of the list. My crit groups nicknamed me ‘Gidget’ and a CP nicknamed me Bulldog. Apparently I’m a bit of a cheerleader and never quick to give up.
Oh, and productivity is a must for me. I have to finish what I start and I am very committed. I always have to follow through.
Online connections is a great reminder! I find myself digging a little deeper now before accepting friendships on FB or follow people on Twitter.
Thanks for commenting, Martha! I love that your critique nickname is Bulldog.
I’m hoping sense of humor is on the list. Or on my agent’s list anyways… 🙂 Enjoyed the post!
It took me awhile to decide whether to post this comment or not.
I’m terribly disappointed in you, Rachel. I’ve always thought you held yourself above these types of scare tactics and manipulations.
Very sad to me. I’m disappointed in this whole site, actually. I thought it was forward thinking, but from what I can tell you are doing the same old manipulative control tactics that agents have always done.
Sad.
Oh, Mira. I just saw you over on Rachelle Gardner’s blog taking offense over a friendly, thought-provoking question she asked, and then I get this comment in my inbox where you’re scolding Rachel because she’s disappointed you.
This isn’t my fight, but since I’m a member of the community and I overheard you scolding Rachel, I hope you don’t mind if I weigh in. I’d suggest that next time you think even longer before you post.
I love a good argument, but your comments sound more like venting than reasoned arguments.
That’s funny, Sally, I was just coming here to try to soften my message to Rachel. I wish wordpress had a delete button, I’d re-write it.
You’re right. I was on a roll yesterday, and I’m sorry if I was unneccessarily hurtful in my post to Rachel.
I took back the content of what I said to Rachelle, and apologized. However I stand by the content of what I said here to Rachel, alhtough I wish I had phrased it less harshly.
Here’s the content of my concern:
Telling writers they need to be afraid of who they associate with seems like a scare tactic. It seems as if it were a version of the almost constant pressure on writers to be silent that permeated traditional publishing just a few years ago. I don’t know if you were around then, but are you aware that agents and publishers were quite direct in telling writers they would be blacklisted if they were too outspoken?
I know this was true. I had it told to me. By more than one agent less than 5 years ago.
And many writers were blacklisted.
The other problem:
Telling writers they need to be ‘teachable’, ‘patient’, ‘enthusiatic’ and ‘trusting’ doesn’t sit right with me. That seems like something someone would say to a child. Sit quiet and behave. It doesn’t feel as though the writer is being treated as though they were an adult, with talent, for whom the agent works. Once the writer is accepted as a client, the agent works for them.
I wonder if it’s true anyway. If Rachel found a book she thought was the next Harry Potter, I suspect she might offer representation even if the writer was inpatient.
Frankly, I believe the real purpose of posts like these is to put pressure on writers to stay quiet, and do what they are told.
I do acknowledge that agents right now are in a bit of a bind. They really have very little power with publishers, who are not making decisions that will either protect an agent’s interest or their relationship with their clients. And the landscape is scary for them, writers are talking and a movement for independence is swelling.
I understand the lure to resort to old tactics to try to get writers to go back to the way things use to be, but it’s wrong. Manipulating someone is not something that someone of good character should ever try to do. It’s also needless, because it won’t work. The world will change regardless.
I do understand that Rachel is beloved here. She is so sweet, I almost feel as though I’m kicking a puppy. But I think that’s why I was so shocked and upset to see this post. I really never expected to see Rachel resorting to this type of thing.
Okay, this is a long response. And I always want to acknowledge that I could be wrong in my persceptions.
However, I do think it is time for writers to speak up, which is what I am doing. And that means that if writers feel manipulated by the agents who are supposed to be THEIR representatives, they say it.
Unfortunately Rachel is at a writers conference this weekend and has only her smart phone with her. So responding in detail to this discussion is tough for her.
Mira, I’d suggest you read my blog post from Monday about how everyone in publishing is feeling disenfranchised. Your remarks indicate you certainly do–and if you’ve been asked to take a back seat and be quiet, you are disenfranchised.
I suspect what Rachel was trying to communicate wasn’t that you shouldn’t speak up for yourself but that traditional publishing requires a large dollop of patience, if you want to go that route. Decisions are agonizingly slow, the process to a finished product is just as agonizing. Waiting as your agent sends your project around is another long wait. It’s part of the system; that doesn’t mean it’s right or easy, but that’s the reality.
I’ve seen Rachel being empathetic with her clients during that wait–after all, she’s eager for a sale too! Rather than seeing authors as child-like, Rachel told me that she wrote about these qualities in this post based on the Bible’s fruit of the Spirit, qualities that every Christian should strive to express in every aspect of life.
I’ve never thought of Rachel as a puppy. She has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to express them.
Janet, WordPress is not letting me reply directly to you, so I’m not sure where this will post.
I did read your Monday post, which I thought was very good (except the part about writers being interchangable, which I talked about in the comments) and I do understand that many people, publishers and agents especially, are feeling disinfranchised and perhaps wishing for the security and familiarity of the old days.
I’m alittle different. I’m not disinfranchised myself. I have never been published, never seriously sought publication, and probably won’t for a couple of years. Obviously, I’m going the indie route, and I’m actually very happy about the changes in the publishing landscape, although I definitely acknowledge that it is very hard on many people. That part does not make me happy.
If I misunderstood Rachel’s intent, I apologize, and again I am sorry for my tone. I have improved over time at NOT making these types of harsh comments, but sometimes I fall back. Yesterday, Konrath had me seeing red, and when I read Rachel’s post, I saw red again.
Rather than argue about whether posts like this are an standard type of control and scare tactic that agents employ (because I doubt we’ll come to a meeting of the minds on this), I think I’d like to talk about the larger issue.
I think many agents are making a very dangerous error. I could be wrong, and you’ll have your own perspective, of course, but here is what I think the error is: they are dividing writers into two segments in their mind. There are the indie writers, and then there are the ones seeking traditional publishing. Agents are working with the latter in the same way they always have, with posts like these, and pretty much ignoring the former.
I believe this is a terrible mistake. The indie writers are not a sub-section. They are the future. Even now, their ranks are swelling rapidly. And posts that seem manipulative, even if they aren’t, are really going to make them angry.
Konrath has started to talk about not only publishers, but agents and their lack of advocacy for writers. Where is the protest against miniscule print royalty rates? Where is the demand for higher e-book royalties? 17.5 traditional vs. 70% indie? Why are agents quiet about this? What about the e-book rights grabs that are going on, where a publisher is sending authors letters congratulating them for joining their e-book program, without actually negotiating that with the writer? What about hidden contract clauses? Why are any agents dealing with Harlequin at all when Harlequin sells to themselves and cheats the author of royalties? What about backlist shennigans? Why are so many agents defending the actions of publishers, when they colluded to fix e-book prices, that resulted in a loss of income for authors?
It is dangerous for agents to allow these things to continue without at least some attempt to address them. Individual agents may have limited power, but agents as a collective group could be quite formidable.
Most people predict the demise of legacy publishing is almost certain because publishing is not adapting and clinging to the old ways. Don’t let that happen to agents too.
Agents need indie writers to respect them, to believe that they are THEIR representative. A number of indie writers have been around a long time, and they’ve seen hundreds of posts like this. I believe that agents need to start posting different things. I believe they need to show that they are the allies of ALL writers, especially indies, or they risk generating a growing amount of ill will.
Of course, I could be wrong. But I hope you’ll think about what I’m saying.
Oh, and I’m sorry for calling Rachel a puppy. I’m sure she’s a strong woman, and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.
Mira, I was around five years ago. I’ve been around forever.
Publishers, agents, and authors have been saying “the publishing world is small and memories are long,” forever. This is nothing new. I don’t think it’s manipulative so much as it’s an honest warning. Writers need to communicate. They are opinionated people. So editors and agents have always felt a need to tell writers to think before sharing their opinions.
Telling writers they need to be ‘teachable’, ‘patient’, ‘enthusiatic’ and ‘trusting’ doesn’t sit right with me.
You’ve been around, obviously. You must know that many, many failed writers are arrogant, impatient, bitter, and suspicious. They speak far and wide, blaming everyone but themselves for their failures. You’ve met these people, right? They can’t take critique, they don’t want to wait and work, and they think there’s a conspiracy to keep them off the bookshelves.
So it makes sense to tell writers they’ll go further if they are teachable, patient, enthusiastic, and trusting. You may believe this advice is so simple a child would know it and there’s no need to say it. But obviously there is a need, because there are thousands of adults behaving badly at writers’ conferences, in query letters, on blogs, and on twitter every year.
I don’t know Rachel, but my assumption, when I read her post was that she was trying to remind new writers that patience is needed if you want to be successful in this slow business. The ability to trust your agent is needed if you want to have a successful relationship. Enthusiasm and a teachable spirit are necessary for success in any venture.
I can’t see anything offensive in that message.
I wonder if it’s true anyway…
Frankly, I believe the real purpose of posts like these …
… the landscape is scary for them [agents]…
Manipulating someone is not something that someone of good character should ever try to do.
I’m sure you don’t mean this, but in those four paragraphs it sounds like you are saying that Rachel is:
1) probably lying (or at the least she’s confused)
2) is hypocritical (saying she wants to be helpful when she really has a hidden agenda)
3) is afraid and speaking because she wants to save her job at all costs
4) is a manipulative, conniving person
And then you say:
I really never expected to see Rachel resorting to this type of thing
If you didn’t expect it, why have you interpreted her post in such a harsh light? Why not give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was merely trying to come up with a blog post that would have some take-away value for her readers?
I don’t know her. I don’t love her. I don’t think she’s nice like a puppy. I have no reason to stick up for Rachel. I just don’t get why you would assign evil motives to someone you say is a sweet person.
Sally, thanks for this, and I didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you. Tough day at work, and I’ll respond tomorrow.
Hey Sally,
So I think my response to your argument is pretty much captured in my post above. I hope so!
Yipes! I think if you re-read Rachel’s post, you’ll see that all the qualities she’s looking for in an author are things ANY agent would agree with.
Could we do a post on things an AUTHOR wantss in an AGENT? Why, yes, we could. Maybe we’ve gotten burned in the past, or rejected because we didn’t mesh with our agent in the above categories. But this is just added incentive to keep looking till we find the RIGHT agent who gets us.
And I agree w/Sally–the CBA is a smaller pond, and what you say on blogs can come around to bite you. I know, because I often stick my foot in my mouth. Trying to rectify that, one comment at a time…hee.
Heather – thanks. Sweet post. 🙂
I’m not so worried about consequences, I believe very strongly that writers need to speak their truth, or they risk watering down the power of their writing inside themselves.
But I do not want to be hurtful when I speak my truth, and for that I need to be careful.
I’ve worked for much of my life to be ever the diplomat, to the point where I can go to the DMV and have a pleasant experience–and I’m not close to kidding. If the above list of qualities is what an agent wants, then I’m not only not surprised, but I fully expect this. However, how can this show in one of those dreaded queries that agents so love to bounce like rubber balls? I’d love to say in a query that I’m a referee and Buddhist and arbitrator and I break up all the neighborhood dogfights and my work sells more used cars for you and, by the way, I have a novel manuscript that would be doggedly pushed and promoted and dragged kicking and screaming onto the bestseller list– wanna rep it? Most agents want it super-simple and super-quick because they’re busy and I full well know that. so does this mean I have to cut the query to one line, like, “won the Nobel Peace Prize”, or I face certain rejection? This query process must kill as many worthy and profitable projects as it sells dreck.
Rachel,
Thank you for this insight! I used this information as the teaching outline for my critique group this afternoon.
God bless! 🙂