Blogger: Wendy Lawton
You expected Janet Grant today, didn’t you? Janet let me have her blogging day so that we could do a two-day quiz. (And you thought you were through with finals forever.)
We’ve often said that members of our blog community who’ve been with us for a while have probably earned the equivalent of a degree in Christian publishing. But no one gets an education without tests, right? So let’s see how you do. I’m going to pose the questions today. You’ll note your answers, sharing any you wish to discuss further in the comments. Tomorrow, I’ll give you my answers and listen as you argue the correctness of your answer.
- 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. True False
- All agencies and all agents have the exact same protocol for contacting them. True False
- The best place to discover what an agent expects in a first contact is to look on the agency’s website. True False
- 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 False
- 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. True False
- 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. True False
- 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. True False
- 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? True False
- Agents understand that most manuscripts are works in progress. A couple typos, misspellings or grammatical errors are expected. True False
- 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. True False
- The easiest way to the top of the pile at an agency is to have one of the agent’s clients recommend you. True False
- 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. True False
- 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. True False
- If you met an editor at a conference and already have an offer on the table, you’ve no need for an agent. True False
- Fiction, nonfiction, it doesn’t matter. The proposal is essentially the same. True False
- 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 False
- 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
- It is wise to find some way to stand out from the crowd. Think creatively, artistically, when packaging your proposal. True False
- If at all possible, deliver your query in person. It would make an impression. No one could doubt your commitment. True False
- 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. True False
Tomorrow, I will give you the answers to the quiz and you can let me know (a) how you did and (b) you can tell me why my answer was wrong. 🙂 The best part of a test is arguing for that A.
And here’s the fun part: I will pick one commenter from today and one from tomorrow and send a box of books to each. I’ll announce the winner at the end of Tuesday’s blog post as I’m quitting for the day– sometime around 6 p.m. PDT.
And now, for a quiz essay question that you can answer in the comments. There’s no hard and fast answer. Sell us on your answer. 🙂
When is the best time in your writing journey to seek an agent?
Seeing you instead of Janet didn’t really faze me; I’m Asian, and all you round-eyes look alike. (This did cause a problem once, at a party I attended and at which Mother Teresa and Cheryl Tiegs were both present. Hard to tell them apart, except MT was short. They also dressed kind of differently.)
* I do have a question on #4; it would seem to depend on the nature and depth of the meeting as to whether a query or proposal should be sent. A full-on pitch, received positively, would seem to indicate a proposal would be appropriate. A more casual response to a shorter meeting (“Sure, that sounds interesting.”) would seem to call for a query. I would hope that the agent would be specific as to what she’d like to see…or that I’d be bright enough to ask.
* My thought is that the bet time to query would be after a manuscript is finished, polished, crit-grouped to exhaustion, and then Beta’d…and then put in the drawer. The whole process should be repeated with the writer’s second MS, and that queried. My rationale is that a book-length project takes a certain apprenticeship, and this is served by writing, accepting criticism, and rewriting…and then having the patience to put that first project aside as having been a learning exercise. (Not to say that I did this, mind, but I have plenty of good advice to give.)
I was told that a non-fiction book’s manuscript shouldn’t necessarily be finished before query since an agent or editor may suggest a different structure and/or direction for a book. I agree, though, if you’re talking fiction, that the manuscript should be done first so that it’s not a theoretical plot or list of characters with a possible ending. Either way, the required proposal should be completed first.
*I’ve made the mistake of querying before my proposal was ready and I’m sure I didn’t hear back because it was clear my ideas weren’t fully hashed out. I’m curious to hear if Wendy would recommend re-querying that agency when the proposal is finished.
From what I’ve heard, you’re right about non-fiction, Becky. I had my Novelist Hat on when I commented. I’d love to hear Wendy’s thoughts on that topic.
The best time in my writing journey to seek an agent is as a teachable but already talented writer willing and wanting to put in the work to effectively achieve that goal.
And #10. Finding an agent (as one looking from the outside wide-eyed in) right now is like gazing over an ocean of sticky red tape.
Rebecca,
Why sticky red tape, if I may ask? I’m interested as I too am looking over an ocean of the stuff.
Thanks,
MW
agent is NOW. If you have a book brewing inside you, seek an agent to help you being it to fruition. If you have a successful publishing career, seek an agent to maintain your momentum. If you’re stuck in your writing, seek an agent to help you find clarity.
I read too much Janet Reid to dare answer the quiz, but I will go for the essay question:
When is the best time in your writing journey to seek an agent?
When you have a ms polished to the best of your ability. Agents are looking for books they can sell. Do you have one that’s sale-ready?
Now, this doesn’t have to be your first book. It just has to be your best book at the moment. Maybe your book is ready for publication, maybe not. If you can hook an agent, kudos to you. If you can’t hook an agent, maybe it’s time to go write another book and work on your craft. Not everyone hooks an agent with their first book. Or their fifth.
But if it’s your best book and you want an agent, then that’s the one to query.
Persist long enough, continue to improve as a writer, and eventually you will draw an agent’s attention with the quality of your work.
Wise words, Miss Heidi, well put.
This is a great idea! I’ve learned so much from this blog and a quiz is such a fun way to refresh all of these concepts.
*It’s ready.
*It’s not ready. Maybe I should have one more person go over it.
*A dozen people have tweaked it. It’s ready.
*It will never be ready.
*I will never be ready.
*Oh, God, am I ready? Is it ready? Are you ready?
*Ready, set, SEND.
*Dear God, please let them not hate it.
Bingo!
Love this, Shirlee.
exactly!!
Yep!
The best time to contact an agent for a work of fiction is: after the ms is finished. When it has been written, re-written, edited, beta-read, re-written again, edited again, beta-read again, edited once more, read aloud, spell checked, grammar checked. [more editing? just stop tinkering and get on with it!] When it is sparkling and fantastic and the best it can be. 🙂
I have a personal cause for celebration. This weekend I finished all my edits for my latest re-write and my ms is ready for a second round of beta. yippee! Now I start to plan my querying/submission. I have read a lot about the process in America, but does anybody know if it is different in the UK?
Although I am an active christian, my ms is mainstream. Aspects of my faith are mirrored in the story, but it doesn’t specifically have a christian message. I hope you don’t mind my posting here anyway. I have found you all very friendly and helpful. Thank You all!
I love it! I’m not sure on #4 though. My guess would be the meeting counts as the query perhaps?
Re the essay, obviously you traditional types would expect us to have a good idea of what we are writing and have a solid proposal ready 🙂 🙂 🙂 whereas one obviously more freethinking agency boasts “xxx is one of the few publishing houses which still operates a fully open submissions policy, welcoming unsolicited work from any and all writers. This traditional approach has become a rarity among most publishers and agents.” LOL. You have to wonder what kinds of submissions they get! (And who sorts through them and if they charge for it). I especially love the phrase “has become a rarity.”
Oops. I flunked the essay. They are a publishing house. “We accept manuscripts across all genres, with or without an agent, from anywhere in the world. Whether you are a new author or have been previously published, xxx would like to hear from you.” Reeks of self publishing.
The best time to seek an agent is when you’ve got your book polished to the best of your ability. You’ve had it critiqued and gone over it so many times you’re almost sick of it, but you still love your story. And you’re still excited about your story and want to pitch it to an agent.
I believe the best time for me to seek an agent will be when I’ve personally exhausted all possible means to improve my MS, I lay it in God’s hands through prayer and then allow Him to guide me to the right agent.
*Without this strategy I picture myself trying to climb Mt Everest without a guide and I don’t even like heights.
One seeks an agent when every step taken has led here. 🙂
I dream the perfect agent will ring my doorbell and beg to represent me.
I hope the best time to seek an agent will be once I’ve polished the ms. with all the tools at my disposal.
I know the best time will be after polishing the ms. and developing a platform.
I fear my heirs will have to find the best time.
For fiction, I think it’s appropriate to query once there’s a complete, polished manuscript in hand. (To get agent input before the manuscript’s finished, appointments at writers conferences are valuable…you can float an idea past an agent and get their general reaction or advice well before launching the formal query process.)
Fun quiz, Wendy. 🙂 I took it earlier this morning, but this is my first chance to comment.
*As for your essay question, most people have already shared what I would have . . . to make sure it’s polished to the best of my ability. That it’s been written, re-written, beta-read, edited and polished. I think when I get to the point where the changes I see to make are minuscule (a word change here or there), then it’s probably ready.
*The other key is to prepare our hearts. Because even though we think our MS is ready, sometimes an agents see things we missed that may need to be worked on before they can offer representation. Trusting that God’s plan and timing are perfect and yielding to this help when we don’t get the answer we hoped for. Being willing to do the work is the next step in that process. 🙂
I’m not going to argue my points–just not my style. But I will probably read everyone else’s arguments. 😉
Best time to seek an agent: Any time. I would say no time is wrong, IF you’ve done your homework and know what said agent wants, you’ve finished a manuscript, and you’ve accepted that you’ll never be finished learning how to write.
I just landed an agent after attending the Mount Hermon conference—Yay!—so here are my suggestions on the best time to seek an agent: 1) after you have spent time learning the craft of writing and have several published articles 2) after you have worked at growing your platform so a publisher can see you will be able to help sell books 3) after you have written a well-polished book proposal that shows the agent you have the expertise to write the book, platform to support it, and necessary writing attached (different for fiction and non-fiction).
Congrats, Gayla on landing your agent. Whoot! Whoot!
Congratulations, Gayla.
Whoa! Big Congrats!!
Congratulations, Gayla!
Congrats, Gayla on landing your agent. Whoot! Whoot!
Most of the questions I thought were pretty much covered in the time I have spent reading the Books and Such Blog which by the way is one of my favorites (definitely not brownosing the teacher). So I think I passed. There were a few that I could of gone back or forth on though.
Number 16 reminds me of Jennifer. Sorry Jennifer.
You did ask when is the best time in my writing journey to seek an agent? The answer since I am working on a book of fiction is when the book is completed.
I think I’ve done fairly well on this quiz. I guess we’ll see tomorrow, won’t we!?
Best time to seek an agent? Definitely not at the beginning of the journey. Possibly when you have a large platform and a plan/proposal with goals and vision for multiple publications.
It’s great to pick the brain of an agent. It’s also a good idea to befriend an agent. Seems to me that God’s leading plays into it quite a bit as well.
For instance, I know for certain I’m not ready for an agent right now. But, in the future, as God leads, it will be a very good idea. An agent would surely be helpful in working our/through details of contracts, etc.
Even if you don’t pick my entry, I appreciate the light/wisdom that this blog has given over the months I’ve followed.
God bless as you serve HIm in this way while serving others with your gifts.
Wendy, this is the most captivating test I’ve ever taken. And I’m hoping the answer to #7 is false. And on that note I believe the best time to seek an agent is after having written something you and other more experienced writers believe is ready for querying. But the actual researching of agents and agencies should begin earlier than that, so the writer reaps the benefits of being educated about the agent’s interests and the publishing industry in general. Which means the writer will also have begun building a platform before sending off the first query letter. Thank you Books and Such (and other agencies) for all that you so generously teach us. I’d be literately lost without you.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
I believe I’ve gotten most of the answers right. I’ll see tomorrow. 🙂
*
I plan on seeking an agent when my (fiction) manuscript is complete. This includes however many revisions it takes for me to feel it’s the best I can make it (after having gotten lots of feedback from my excellent beta readers).
*
At this point, I do believe I’m on my last major revision (yay!). I’ll have to go back through and adjust the chronology to make sure all events in the story are happening at the right times, and I’ll make a final sweep for typos, grammatical errors, etc. Then I’ll send out my already finished and polished query while I work on my next novel. Oh, yeah, I suppose I’ll finally get my web site up and running then, too. *sigh*
Intriguing post, Wendy! Thanks for doing this. I’m eager to read your answers to the quiz in part two!
Fun Quiz, Wendy! Like Heidi Kneale, I have read a lot of blog advice. I think I got them right.
Best time to look for an agent is when you have a completed manuscript – checked with a fine toothed comb and critiqued by knowledgeable readers. Non-fiction is a different game.
That was fun….. ?
No, really, the quiz was fun.
Not having hung out in this safe little corner of the world for as long as many of you, I am at a bit of a disadvantage here. I’m going to make the jump and guess that all, or at least most, of the quiz situations have happened to this agency and have been blogged about over the years. Would that make it an open-book test, then?
As for the essay; when I have written the best story I can. After I have learned craft; after I have applied those lessons and the ms is as polished as my team, (my beta’s; critique partners; any editor that may be involved), and I can make it.
After I have studied agent and publisher sites, and for me, after some thoughtful prayer on the list I have put together of possibles. Then, I am ready.
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
6. F
7. F
8. F
9. F You should do your best to make a ms. free of all errors, but if one or two sneak in to a mainly clean ms. the agent might still be interested.
10. F
11. T
12. F
13. F
14. F
15. F
16. Goodness, I’ve heard that this is true on other agency blogs…but no one wants to make a fool of themselves…I’ll go with true. Give it a second try to show that you can be professional and don’t presume that the agent has blacklisted you.
17. F You can send a new ms. to this agent
18. F Stand out with your writing, not your packaging
19. F Kind of like stalking which is scary.
20. T Follow the directions precisely and have good writing.
Seek an agent when your writing is ready for publication…so after much revision.
I’ve been offline for over a week due to tech problems and wasn’t expecting a test when I got back. But I can’t take the quiz without feeling like a cheater since you’ve answered all the questions in past blog posts here.
Yeah, I didn’t know there’d be a quiz!!
I did not study at ALL!!!
When is the best time?
Well, I’ll answer that a la Miss Congeniality…
(https://youtu.be/-BNwiqDGz5g)
*
*
I’d say after the agent has had a nice lunch, and dessert, and is feeling the serotonin buzz…
*
*
Fine…when you’ve had your MS vetted and edited and poured over. Then you put it aside for at least 3 weeks, and go over it again.
Hey, Wendy, love Number One, lol.
And 17 seems to be a F/T, or is it T/F? No, I’d say F/T.
As for the best time question.
The best time to seek an agent is when you need a great leap. (And most generally, the writer does not know it.)
Many people think progress comes from taking methodical, well thought out and planned steps. Sometimes very small steps. But actually, most success takes place in giant leaps, often not expected or anticipated.
We study journalism at school. We screw up our courage and ask a paper for a job. We get it! We have to interview a Very Famous Person and are scared spit-less. (Yes, you really can be scared spit-less.) But we Do It. And voila! We have a new friend, we have previously unknown confidence, we have the trust of our editor. We’ve taken a giant leap.
We write articles and one day say, “I want to write a book!” We sit down and punish ourselves, we fuss and scribble and worry over every word, throw out, keep, love, hate and one day we say, “How can I sell this thing?” And we tentatively start approaching agents, fear stalking every attempt, until one says, “Yes!” And voila! We’ve taken a giant leap to the next level.
It is when our soul cries for more.
Oh. If only we’re not deaf.
I didn’t even think of approaching an agent to seek representation until after I attended a few writing conferences, spent time studying and honing my craft, shared my writing with other writers, invested time with a mentor, established a foundation for my online presence, and developed a polished proposal that had been reviewed by a professional writer. During that process, I made connections, learned as much as possible, followed up on the leads God placed before me, and continued to pray for direction. I wanted to present myself as a professional, so I took the time to invest in training and networking before submitting my work. However, this attitude was developed after I called a reputable agent and asked her what steps I should take as I began pursuing my writing career. I followed all of her advice, and began following her blog. I do not recommend calling an agent, but am grateful for God’s grace and said agent’s compassion, mercy, and sense of humor.
For a shot at a box of books, I’ll take a stab at this, Wendy. Since most agents are understandably looking for as close to a sure bet as they can find, I’d say you’re ready when you’ve done two things for fiction. First, you’ve beta-tested, edited, and polished your finished manuscript to where you can’t find any place where you’d change it to improve it. Second, you’ve built a sufficient platform that an agent can realistically expect your marketing efforts based on that platform to bring in several thousands of book sales.
This post does raise some questions for me. I’ve just returned from a writer’s conference where an editor asked for a copy of my full manuscript after reading a couple of pages of my sample. First question: is it significant that a full manuscript instead of a standard proposal was requested or was that merely a polite thing to do? Are submission requests at conferences typically for the entire manuscript? Second question: if the publisher expresses interest in actually publishing, would it be difficult to get a good agent quickly enough before a contract must be negotiated and signed?
Best time to contact an agent is when you have something they can help you represent.