Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such, Central Valley, CA Office
Weather: Windy and warm
If you follow any agent blogs, you know that there’s been an explosion in the number of queries we are all receiving these days. It’s like nothing we’ve seen before. We’re all scratching our heads trying to figure out why. Is it because the job market is so tight that people are thinking writing is a viable alternative to an uncertain corporate career? Is it just that with streamlined systems and online agent lists, writers are querying a hundred agents at a time instead of three or four? Or is it that everyone has something to say, and with so few listeners in this world, the only way to be heard is to write a book?
Who knows? One thing we’ve observed, though, is that many writers sending queries are increasingly more persistent. Perhaps someone is advising that persistence pays off. This is the myth I want to debunk today.
The kind of persistence we’re seeing these days is a huge turn-off. It’s an abrasive, in-your-face kind of attitude that convinces me I could never work with that person. Never. Several of my colleagues have mentioned one writer who queries all of us using the same email over and over. I mean almost daily. This writer promises/threatens to keep querying until her book is published. Does she think that’s the kind of writer we’re eager to work with?
It’s important to realize that we don’t just evaluate the writing and the manuscript. We represent the writer. Because we plan to be together for a whole career, we work hard to make sure we are simpatico– a good team. The best partnerships are between kindred spirits. There may be a few agents who appreciate a bold, cheeky approach, but not the agents I know. We appreciate professionalism and a writer who understands how to respond appropriately. After all, we introduce our clients to the industry, and their attitude reflects on us.
Recently I’ve had a spate of queries coming to the wrong email address–my agent address instead of our query address. When this happens the queries don’t get logged in properly and risk getting buried in day-to-day business. I decided to address this by sending a quick email asking the senders to redirect to the right address and suggesting that they check out our website for query protocol. You’d think that I set out to personally insult the senders. One writer responded with a diatribe about how he didn’t have time to waste sending to the correct address. In insulting language he asked why I didn’t just forward it.
Okay, he is persistent. But would I want to represent someone who doesn’t have enough time to follow simple guidelines? I don’t think so. Besides, this sense of entitlement scares me.
So what does open doors? I can only answer for me, but I appreciate writers who are also consummate professionals. Most of my clients become fast friends, so I look for the kind of people I want in my life. I like people who are bright, talented, kind and giving. (If you could meet my clients, you would know why I love my job so much.)
Persistence is highly overrated.
But the door swings both ways. Your agent becomes a reflection on you in the industry. Just as I consider the qualities I look for in a client, you need to determine the qualities you seek in an agent. Tomorrow I’m going to address the issue of bad agents, but for now, what qualities do you feel are important in an agent? Is that kind of aggressive, in-your-face persistence good in an agent?
Wow. I never realized anyone would send such insulting letters to an agent. Talk about waving a red warning flag!
I would want an agent who is professional above all else. I prefer enthusiasm over aggressiveness. Yes, I’d want them to pursue the best avenues for me, but since I’m not the in-you-face type myself, that sort of approach would embarrass me. I’m sure editors appreciate this from agents as much as agents do from potential clients.
I’ve met both you and Janet at a conference, and came away impressed with your professional and yet friendly manner in speaking with us.
As always, thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Do they offer restraining orders via email for those authors who refuse to take no for an answer? Just kidding. I cannot even imagine having the attitude that my work is so fabulous that any agent would be lucky to represent me. In my opinion – all you can do is put yourself out there and hope for a match with an agent. Bullying tactics will only send people running in the other direction.
In an agent, I hope to find somebody who is willing to help a new author to develop their craft while walking them through the entire process. I would love to have an agent who believed in my work enough to be somewhat persistent in trying to sell it but not to the point of becoming a borderline stalker. There is sometimes a fine line with people between persistence and just plain scary.
Thank you Wendy. As an aspiring writer I find this kind of glimpse into the thinking and experiences of an agent very helpful.
I don’t think that abrasive kind of persistence is good on either side of the agent’s desk. I want an agent who believes in my work and won’t give up until they find a publisher for it. But I also want someone who is professional. Just as the author is a reflection of the agent, the agent is a reflection on the author. If editors groan when they see the agent coming, then the agent isn’t doing me any favors.
What an eye-opening post! These are clear examples of what not to do if you want to make a positive connection with an agent. I am surprised how rude and unprofessional these people sound. It’s helpful to see these examples and hear your perspective. It makes me appreciate some of the challenges you and other agents face each day when you open your email. Hope your In Box doesn’t hold too many surprises today!
Everyone has a book in them, or so I hear. But there’s been a rise in the amount of people tackling that book and seeking publishers for that book.
As far as an agent: I desire someone who would help me with career planning, who loves my writing but isn’t satisfied with it. I don’t expect my agent to be my editor, but I want someone who pushes me as hard as I push myself. And because this agent loves my writing, his or her excitement would be a natural out-flowing when talking to editors.
I wrote a whole novel on this subject . . . initially titled “Confessions of a Rejection Writer.” 🙂
Yes, I’ve wondered for a long time now if I shouldn’t try to get an agent, and sometimes I will hear that: Be persistent. It’s the only way they’ll know who you are. It’s never appealed to me because I don’t have that type of personality. It’s tough though, trying to just sell your book on its merit, because every writer thinks he or she has the next bestseller. Sometimes I just think when it’s your time, it’s your time. I find that that kind of trust helps me sleep at night.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Crazy things this–What I want from an agent is a give and take relationship. One where mutual respect bridges the gap between writer and agent and, of course, someone who represents me to the best of their and my ability. I’m looking for a human, breathing, person who is good at their job and hope I’m the same to them.
One more thought about why the massive rise in query letters? An entire industry has been created around teaching people how to write and become published. Perhaps what agents are seeing is, in part, due to the success of this industry?
In response to scary-persistant would-be writers, I’m amazed how quickly people can turn on the very professionals they, only moments ago, had hoped would help them with their career. Stories like the ones you’ve shared make me wish I were close enough to take you for coffee – my treat!
Yeah, Wendy. I’m with Bonnie. Very high Creep Factor in your business. Thanks for hanging in there. If you’re ever in way-north CA, I’ll take you out for a tall mocha, extra hot, with whipped cream, my treat.
Oh… and I’ll tell my mom to quit sending those emails.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
(a.k.a., Bill Giovannetti)
Wow. Great post. I’m sorry you’re getting some nasty-grams like that. That’s just no fun at all.
Hang in there.
I want an agent that will simply do their job. And I have to assume that the agent knows more about that than I do.
I want an agent who will have the patience with my ignorance which is why I need an agent in the first place.
And I can always use a new friend.
A J
ajhawke.blogspot.com
Wow, Wendy, I had no idea agents would get such in-your-face queries. When you mentioned persistence, I had an entirely different thought – reminded of the type of persistence every writer needs to make it in this business – the type that says, don’t give up, keep trying, keep learning and growing and writing. But never, never turn that persistence into pushiness! None of us deserve to be published or even represented. I can totally see why any agent would run from that type of persistence!
I’m with Bill and Bonnie – if you’re ever in MI, I would take you for coffee or dinner – my treat! And for the record – you are a fabulous agent! 🙂
~Jill
Bonnie said: One more thought about why the massive rise in query letters? An entire industry has been created around teaching people how to write and become published. Perhaps what agents are seeing is, in part, due to the success of this industry?
Wendy says– You just may have hit the nail on the head, Bonnie. I think you’ve identified one of the contributing factors.
And don’t get me wrong, we’re delighted to find so many ready-for-prime-time writers. We agents and acquisitions editors suffer daily from a veritable embarrassment of riches.
After all this talk about over-persistent queries and all, it matters little when we find those writers who rock our world.
My goodness, thank you for all the offers of coffee, meals and mocha. I love all of the above (obviously) but what I love most is getting together with friends and writers for great conversation. I wish we all lived closer.
And Bill, sometime I’m going to show up on a Sunday morning. I think you’re only four or five hours away. (If only I could hit an Elvis Sunday. . . http://www.youtube.com/user/MaxgraceVideo)
Seriously, that person probably has mental health issues. Please don’t judge the rest of us by that. Just like we won’t judge you by the scam artists pretending to be agents.
And I want my agent to be professional, but persistent. I’ve heard way too many stories about editors losing manuscripts in the middle of their piles to want an agent who’s afraid to follow up when a deadline has passed. Not that I’m worried on that count.
I love my agent – she’s one of the nicest people in all of blogdom 🙂 And, it’s wonderful to work with nice people.
Janet, you’re probably right. But don’t worry, I don’t judge all writers by these over-persistent query writers. I shared them as our version of cautionary tales.
Because I was a writer long before I was an agent, I will never forget those long walks to the mailbox or checking email constantly for some good word.
We agents are passionate about writing and writers. We try to look at each contact and each query with fresh eyes. Yes, we fall short, but expecting that the newest bestseller or masterpiece could be found in the very next query is one of the skills that helps us find the books we love.
I met an agent at a conference once who instantly ‘took’ to me. She told me about her family, her dogs, allergies, sinus infection, etc. She then said she ‘liked’ me and wanted me to submit my work to her and gave me her cell phone number so we would be able to connect–she felt we were going to work great together. I gave her an outline and synopsis and made an appointment to meet her the next day for a quick bite. I was in heaven!
I don’t know what happened that night-she either sobered up, or her allergy medication wore off, but whatever it was there was a completely different interaction at lunch. She acted like she didn’t even know me, was shocked that I had her cell phone number, and said my book wasn’t one that she would normally represent (although she LOVED the synopsis and outline the day before).
It was one of those ‘if it’s too good to be true, it is’ situations. However the whole time she was very aggressive/tooth and nail kind of person. She bragged about how she’d ‘go after’ publishers until they took her calls and she got a buyer for her client’s books.
I realized that being one of her clients would probably be too exhausting for me, so I’ve picked up my manuscript (and a little experience) and am shuffling on. 🙂
~Anngela Schroeder
http://www.at-last-aschroeder.blogspot.com
Goodness! I don’t think I’d ever be brave enough to make demands to that level! Apparently this person doesn’t understand the inner workings of an office. Eventually the person’s name is going to come up in discussions around the coffee machine and then no-one is going to want to deal with them.
– Nika Dixon
Anngela, how scary. I’m glad that didn’t put you off all agents. And you are exactly right in deciding you weren’t a good match.
Believe me, Nika, that person’s name has come up among agents. We are like colleagues in all industries– we talk. (I changed details about this person to protect the identity lest you think I read and tell.)
Wendy… name the date, and I’ll make it an Elvis Sunday! LOL
On Easter, I preached on a treadmill. Yes, it was plugged in and running…
Thanks for great posts, Wendy. Elmentary common sense would dictate that you can’t attract an agent while being a pest.
About those identical e-mail queries you received, several recent books present formulas for querying. Some make it sound like the right formula pitch matters more than anything. I, for one, began to think it might be risky to deviate from what apparently works best.
Wow. I had no idea writers could be so aggressive and threatening.
The kind of agent I am looking for is the same qualities I look for in my friends–integrity, honesty, persistence, a kinship, and someone who understands the work. Respect is a two way street. An agent who is a believer would be nice, too.
I go on Reading and Writing forums here and there, but I do find alot of people post junk. Everyone thinks they are a writer and most of them are so desperate to get something published that they do not research the agent, the publishing company, etc. A writer loves to write regardless of pay or circulation numbers.
There was an article several years ago about persistence. I’m glad you addressed it. If the story isn’t right for that issue, would they consider the story a year later resubmitted with a few changes? These are questions I ask myself.
I agree and enjoyed everything you wrote.
I’m a recent graduate and my dream has been and is to be a fiction writer. I bought the Agents Market, hand picked agents that sounded interested in my completed book, and researched them. I carefully crafted a query letter using blueprints from Writer’s Digest, and other material. I invested a lot of time and effort crafting unique letters to each agent. I paid at least a dollar a mailing and hours of effort to send out a query.
The replies I received were effortless. One, they just scribbled on the corner of my letter and sent it back to me. Another, they sent a printed index card that stated they weren’t interested. And I won’t labor over the rest.
My point is I followed the rules. I crafted the one page letter according to specifications. That effort was not acknowledged. So where do I go now? How many times do I have to go through that process? Every time I sit to craft a letter that’s free time I’m not spending writing or with family.
Where is the line drawn? I’m tempted to send out a generic letter to equalize the effort. I just want to do what I love and get paid for it.
Should I ask the agent to give me their input, any input?
I’m not defeated. I keep writing. I just don’t get to do as much as I’d like. I want the experience and knowledge of an agent, publisher, anyone. I love my stories but I want them to be marketable. I know it’s not an easy process to get published but I don’t feel that all the effort is worth it. What should I do?
Thank you for your time,