Blogger: Rachel Kent
The staff for the upcoming Write! Canada conference requested an interview with me, and I was happy to oblige them. 🙂 Since some interesting topics crop up in the conversation, and I figured you might like to see it too. Thanks to Jayne Self for coming up with these great questions. To see the original interview or to find out more about Write! Canada, click here.
The interview:
JAYNE: I don’t think it would be too strong to say writers hunger for an agent. And often first-time writers are happy to sign with the first agent who offers. That’s a bit like accepting the first man who proposes. What problems or dangers do you see arising from this attitude?
RACHEL: I think it really depends on how you query. Before you do your querying, you should do research so that you are only querying agents with whom you believe you could work well and who are reputable in the industry. That way if one of them offers representation you already know that that person is someone you want to work with. When you do receive an offer of representation, it’s a common courtesy to give the other agents who are looking at your book a chance to respond to you. I suggest you write to each of them and ask if they could have an answer to you within 10 business days. The representation-offering agent will understand because he or she would want the same courtesy if a different agent had finished your project first.
I think that the situation you mention shouldn’t even be a problem if authors approach getting an agent in the right way.
JAYNE: What unique qualities/perspectives do you offer prospective clients?
RACHEL: I am an encourager and friend to my clients, and I pray for them. I also think I am able to give good content editing advice to my clients when I read a manuscript. I’ve always enjoyed helping authors to make a story the best it can be. I’m a peacemaker and work hard so that the author/publisher relationship runs smoothly.
JAYNE: Many new authors hope publishing a book will be the fast ticket to fame and fortune. Knowing that no two books are the same, from your experience, how much (in ballpark figures) should an author expect to make on their first book?
RACHEL: This can range from $500 to $100,000 or more depending on the size of the publishing house and the sales forecast for the project. It’s best not to have financial expectations and to trust God. Also, don’t expect to quit your day job when you get published. Writing is more often a hobby than a career, and the money comes infrequently so counting on it to pay all the bills is dangerous. Most authors I know write because God gave writing to them as a passion, and they want to touch lives. In my experience God always gives his servants what they need to continue doing his work.
JAYNE: You’ve stated that you want to develop strong relationships with your writers. Many new authors hope that means you will take a hands-on approach that helps them to become better writers. But isn’t that an editor’s job? What do you mean when you say strong-relationship building? How long do you continue to work with a book /author you are unable to connect with a publisher?
RACHEL: When I say that I like to develop strong relationships with my clients I mean that I enjoy getting to know my clients as friends as well as work partners. I pray for my clients and many of them include me in their prayers as well. We’re friends on Facebook and get together for dinner at conferences or whenever we can. Our emails aren’t all work related, and we open up to each other about our personal lives.
I do read my clients’ work and offer writing advice quite frequently because I enjoy reading the books they produce. It’s not really in an agent’s job description but these are authors whose books I believe should be published so it’s a given that I’d want to read the books they produce. I don’t usually do line edits on manuscripts, but I’ll give advice on plot, character development and other “big picture” areas. I’m not sure how many agents do this, but I hope I never get too busy to help with the creative process. It’s something I enjoy and I believe my clients appreciate.
JAYNE: You are interested in fantasy but not spiritual warfare. Can you explain the difference and give an example of each?
RACHEL: Spiritual warfare to me is anything that involves angels, demons, and the devil as characters or even in the background battling for souls. I believe all three exist, but I’m easily creeped out by focusing on such things so I avoid them in what I read. Example: Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness.
Fantasy books are books set in different worlds or books that treat the fairytale realm as real. You’re likely to find a dragon or fairies in a fantasy book. Example: Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Heartless.
JAYNE: Part of your job as an agent is to attend writer’s conferences. What has been your best Christian Writers’ Conference experience? What has been your worst experience?
 RACHEL: Most of my conference experiences have been wonderful! I’ve enjoyed every Christian conference I’ve been to, and I love meeting with authors and editors.
Best conference experience if I have to pick one would be when my client Sarah Sundin won the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in 2011. It was great to be there to celebrate with her, and I was so proud of her. I knew she had been selected for the award before it was announced so I had to keep a secret but was able to sit next to her and purchased flowers to give to her that I kept hidden until the announcement was made.
My worst conference experience was when an author who was serving on faculty at a conference asked me in front of a large group of writers if I was twelve years old and said there was no way I could be old enough to do my job. I have always had a strong work ethic, and I work hard for my clients so it was hurtful for someone to be so demeaning to me because of my looks, especially in front of others. Thankfully God addressed situations like this in the Bible with the verse in 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (NIV).
JAYNE: Anything you would like to add?
RACHEL: I’m looking forward to the Write! Canada conference. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to find out more about me through this interview.
Any questions/comments about my answers? I’d love to hear from you!
If the first 2 agents I queried both responded, then I’d get on my knees and ask God to work out the details. There’s one more on my dream list, and then we’ll see. I want an agent who cares for the whole person and not just the cranium.
Yes, you may be young. So was David when he played hardball with the giant.
(Personal note, if you can, try to hit the St Jacobs market in Waterloo, my husband’s mother and sisters go there quite often. They say it’s amazing. And Guelph can be muggy and hot in June.)
Thanks for the advice and encouragement! 🙂 I am staying on a few extra days to do some exploring so I’ll see if I can find the St. Jacobs market.
It’s the biggest farmer’s market in Canada. Arrive hungry with a few $$ in your pocket. It’s in Old Order Mennonite country. Have fun.
I loved, loved, loved your answers, Rachel! It was great to get to know you better. I agree with only querying agents you already believe you’d work well with. Many of the things you have said are things that resonated with me as a writer and what I would want in an agent.
And I love that verse in 1 Timothy. I’m only 27, but God can still use me.
Thank you!
Hi Rachel! I was hoping they would interview you! Thanks for all the great answers and advice.
I really like the personal touch you say you put into your client relationships. I think that’s really important and makes a big difference in the long run.
I’m looking forward to the conference and I hope to meet you there!
Even if we don’t have an appt. together be sure to come say hello!
Rachel, I loved your interview! It would have been so much fun to be there at the Mount Hermon Writers Conference and see Sarah win! How on earth did you keep a straight face until her hame was announced? How truly special for her and for you.
And about the other…er…conference experience… I imagine you handled an awkward situation with grace and professionalism which,I know, spoke volumes.
Happy Wednesday!
I think Sarah did suspect something was up when I insisted on sitting with her. I still think she was surprised though.
I should have suspected, but didn’t. I thought it was sweet that you wanted to sit with me, but never considered for one minute I’d be chosen. In fact, when they started reading my bio, I was scanning the auditorium, trying to anticipate which wonderful author it would be. It took a few sentences of the bio to realize it was me. Not too many soccer mom pharmacist writers there that year 🙂
I was sitting in the second row, squealing and snapping pictures. Such a great moment!
Thanks for sharing this interview! Your advice about finding an agent is so smart. Research and prayers lead writers to the right agent for them. 🙂
I cringed when I read your worst conference experience. I’ve been in a similar situation, and it was mortifying! What are people thinking when they say stuff like that! Ugh!
Thank you! 🙂
Rachel,I enjoyed reading your interview. Your advice about seeking out an agent is wise, and makes a lot of sense. It would be wise for any writer to know about the person they’re querying before sending that letter. 🙂
Also, trusting God about the financial aspect of writing–seems like the best way to work in every area of life.
I’ll be attending my first ACFW this September. As I think about your conference experiences, I’m reminded that I’ll meet all sorts of people. Most will be gracious, but it’ll probably be good to be ready to give grace to some who may speak before thinking.
It’s fun to get to know you a little better here today. Thanks for sharing your interview!
Thanks! You will have such a great time at ACFW! 🙂 I wish I could go this year, but it’s not going to work out. Hopefully I’ll be there in 2013!
Rachel,
When I was as young as you I had the same problem of looking younger than I actually was. I still do. People who don’t know me think I am in my thirties however I am much older.
What a great interview. I loved your answers.
And…I can imagine the comment about how young you were was not comfortable. I went to work when I was young, too, and I used to have to manage people who were older than I was. Everyone was older than I was. It wasn’t easy.
If it’s any consolation, I remember seeing you at Mount Hermon when you were brand new, and you came across as poised and professional.
Thanks!
A wonderful interview! I love your heart, Rachel, and find it a great honor to partner with you! Have a blast at the conference. 🙂
I’m happy to partner with you as well! And thank you.
I loved your answers! They give hope and encouragement. It must have been a wonderful experience to be there when someone you care for won an award.
As for the rude comment, my favorite response, with a smile, is: That’s mighty Christian of you. It tends to be a gentle reminder of how we should behave toward each other and invariably brings about an apology (often people aren’t even aware they’re being rude until they think about it). Don’t feel bad about looking young. I look young as well, and love hearing when people are shocked that I’m a grandmother.
Thanks, Ann!
I’m so glad the first agent who offered me representation was you! I’d pegged Books & Such as my dream agency for years, and I shot an email off about 2 minutes after I got my contract offer.
Funny that your best conference experience and mine was the same. Not just because I won the award (which blew me away), but because a bunch of my friends also won awards, and I got to hang with my agent, and I got to help my editor with first-timers’ orientation, and I got to teach a night-owl workshop for the first time, and I had a gazillion opportunities to pray for and encourage other writers. It was a banner conference.
By the way, I consider your youth an asset :)And I was impressed from day one with your professionalism and poise.
Thanks! 🙂
Maybe that rude comment was intended as a humorous compliment. Lots of people think looking young is an ideal to strive for.
Maybe. Twelve is pretty young! And I was quite awkward looking at twelve. 🙂
Actually, I’m sure you are right. I doubt this person was trying to be cruel, but it just came out wrong. And I’m very guilty of that many many times. I’m always asking God to help me think before I talk!
I was thinking the same thing. Some people like to say things like that playing around. A lot of people like to joke with people for looking too young or too skinny.
Hi Rachel!
Really loved your answers! Anyone could see they stem out of a loving spirit. Your personality would definitely make it easier for authors to approach you. Really love that you give writing advice on manuscripts too; it’s always encouraging to an author. It gives the good feeling that your work could be accepted.
I must say I’m curious – you spoke about Fantasy works. Are there any others that you represent?
Hi Miranda,
I represent some other debut fantasy clients but we haven’t sold the books yet. My client, James Andrew Wilson writes speculative and his debut release just came out. It’s part of the 7 HOURS project and is called ALL OF OUR DREAMS.
Thanks for your kind words!
–Rachel
What an AWESOME AWESOME interview!
I love how you interact with your authors and how you are willing to pray for them– how you are willing to be part of the creative process and making certain the author/publisher relationship runs smoothly. You are so devoted and genuine.
That is really horrible that not only somebody judged you by your appearance but judged you in front of an entire crowd. Age has nothing to do with work ethics or success. I’d get that too, so I know where you’re coming from.
And how sweet that you purchased flowers for Sarah! What a great memory for her!!
And this was a really great reminder: In my experience God always gives his servants what they need to continue doing his work.
It was awesome getting to know you better, Rachel. Hope you have a great time at the conference!
Thanks, Martha!
I’m glad it’s okay to sign with the first agent to offer, because I’m so glad to have you as an agent, Rachel! 🙂 From the moment I sat down between you and Sarah Sundin at ACFW 2009, I hoped you’d make an offer to represent me. And I’ve loved your creativity and direction and suggestions from the get-go.
I remember that day clearly and I’m thrilled to have you as a client too!
Recently I told my mom about an agent who expressed interest in my work. My mother assumed (like many people outside of the publishing industry) that I would sign with this agent right away – which is ironic, since the agent hadn’t even read my full MS yet. My mom even asked me why I would want to consider other agents. I told her it was a lot like if I had purchased a house sight unseen, without looking at any other houses. I still think she was rather skeptical, especially since she knows it’s a dream of mine to be published. Maybe one day she’ll understand!
I’m sure she’s just anxious to see your book on the shelf at the local bookstore! 🙂
Great interview, Rachel! Like Sarah, I consider your youth an asset, but my favorite thing about you is your ultra-calm demeanor. You radiate a gentle confidence and peace that is inspiring to those of us who are running around in panicked circles.
Karen – laughing hard!! So true. Not just about Rachel being calm (and firm), but about us writers running in panicked circles. Sigh. Occupational hazard????
Thank you, Karen! I try to be calm and to trust God, but it’s not always easy for me either.
Rachel, I like that you said you prayed for your clients and you said this more than once! You sound the dream agent.
I do think other Christian agents pray for their clients too, but thanks so much Jude! I appreciate your kind words!
Hi Rachel,
You had me at “I pray for my writers.” That is really special. When I am ready to look for an agent I hope I find one that truly cares enough to want to know me. Your authors are very lucky to have you in their corner.
Thanks, Sharon! I hope you find the perfect agent for you and your work.
On my last birthday a lady at church heard someone wish me a happy birthday. The lady then said, “Well, happy birthday. What are you, all of eighteen?” To which I responded, “Plus ten. I’m twenty-eight.” She looked at me again and pronounced,”You’re already well-preserved for your age”!
Next time someone comments on your age tell them that super talented people don’t need extra those extra years to get where they want to be. From your advice and position, I’d say you are a wise, super-talented person
All the older people at my church thought I was in high school until I got married. Now they think I’m in college. I’m sure I’ll be guilty of forgetting that young people grow up when I’m older too.
Thanks for the sweet comment!
Perhaps the author was jealous of your youthful appearance — or that he or she didn’t look so old!