For the past week, I’ve interviewed some fabulous future authors who participated in the Publishing in Color Conference, a Christian writers’ conference for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) Christian writers. More than once I was asked, “What are you looking for in a client?”
While I can’t speak for every literary agent, I’ve identified three virtues or qualities that capture the essence of the clients that I want to represent. The following diagram was inspired by leadership expert, Patrick Lencoini’s book, The Ideal Team Player. He identifies the combination of three virtues: humble, hungry and smart to describe the ideal team member in an organization.
While Patrick’s three virtues could apply to what an agent is looking for in a client, I selected three different virtues and created this diagram (in Canva, of course!) These reflect the qualities needed to survive the rigors of traditional publishing and what it takes to sustain and move forward at each level of a writing publishing career. Therefore, this diagram isn’t just for hopeful authors, but established authors as well can use this diagram as an opportunity to reflect.
- PurposeFULL – A hopeful or already-published author who has a reason why he or she writes that is bigger or greater than themselves. This is necessary to motivate the writer on those hard days when rejection letters come, sales numbers disappointment or the writing is hard.
- Perseverance – A writer or author has grit. Best-selling author Angela Duckworth defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals.” This is the writer who keeps a copy of the book, The Little Engine That Could tucked under the pillow and declares I think I can whenever negative voices whisper, Maybe you can’t.
- Professional – This is the writer who takes his or her career seriously, even if the writer has a day job. This is the writer who invests in his or her craft through reading, attending conferences and actually writing (crazy, I know!).
TEMPERATURE CHECK #1: No matter where you’re at in your writing career, how would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 (need to refocus) to 5 (doing great)?
TEMPERATURE CHECK #2: What is within your control to improve so that you can be an ideal client for your current or future literary agent? (Notice the phrase “what is within your control” because after all, that is all that you can control.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The point of this conversation isn’t to issue a directive of what an agent wants to get from you.
In fact, this conversation is really about what a literary agent wants FOR you.
When you focus on developing the three virtues of an ideal client, then you are helping your literary agent create opportunities for your writing career at every stage.
Now, there are other P words that I could have mentioned like partner, prepared or patient. However, notice that my ideal client virtue list doesn’t include perfect or perky.
You don’t need to pressure yourself to be perfect. Just be you.
A good agent knows that his or her client or potential client is a human being, therefore, not perfect.
One of the very first things that I do when talking with a client is to invite him or her to take a deep breath, just to let some of the tension out. As agents, we know that some of you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself. We don’t want you to explode.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN THE COMMENTS BELOW: Okay, I had a lot of fun looking up P words, so before I go overboard on this, join today’s conversation and tell me what you think makes for an ideal client for a literary agent. Did you like my list of three virtues? If you could choose three other qualities for an ideal client, what would they be?
The Tragedy of Comedy
Ooooh, I could get very carried away looking up P words for the ideal client. Persnickety, Plutonian, and Pungent come to mind. Perhaps I won’t aspire to these. Seriously though, I think as writers we are constantly needing that nudge to keep moving forward even if it feels like we are writing in a vacuum. Whether it comes from ourselves, a great blog post, or prayer time with the Lord, that perseverance needs tending and constant care to thrive. That is what I’m working on. Just write one more thing. Edit one more thing. Polish one more thing. Move forward, whether I am seen or not, I will know that I am making progress.
Hahaha! Kristen, I love “plutonian” – I’m going to find a way to use that somehow, some way today! On a more serious tone, thank you for sharing your push for perseverance. That was inspiring – and we’re all cheering for you!
Hmmm … I wonder how to use it? The plutonian beast rose up out of the puddle and galloped into her master’s abode. Leaping onto the couch she stretched out her whole length and lent her muck and mire to the cushions. Maybe? As you might have guessed, we have a Newfoundland dog and she loves mud puddles in the spring. She also loves to sleep on the couch and so the battle ensues!
Barb, these P words are so helpful! I just took a deep breath when you said “perfect” isn’t one of them. 😊
I would add the word FLEXIBLE. Being open and willing to make changes has been really important in my writing journey. We all have so much we can learn, and that is a good thing!
Yes! Flexible is such an important qualities for both clients and agents. You nailed it, Susie!
For “flexible” perhaps you could use “pliable”, keeping with the p words.
Thanks David! I love that! Perhaps I would have gotten to PLIABLE if I had my second cup of coffee when I commented! 😉☕️
Love it, David! Thanks for joining the conversation today.
This was Super helpful and undeniably encouraging! Thank you!
I’m
Prayerfully
Patient with the
Process the Lord has me Pursuing and
Praising Him for any little thing He
Provides
😊😊😊😊
Hi Denita! Thanks for stopping over to the Books & Such blog. I’m glad that you were encouraged by this post!
I want to thank you for your post. It was a perfect read for me and I’m encouraged. I’m about ready to begin my search for an agent and it’s a relief for me to know what an agent wants for me and is looking for in me, not necessarily what I’m looking for in an agent.
As for “P” words, I went on a “P” word hunt and came up with some I thought were “pleasing” and might be a good quality for us as writers.
passionate ( about what we are writing )
patient ( regarding God’s timing )
peaceful ( resting in the Lord, knowing He has a plan for us )
persistent ( in writing every day and using our time wisely )
persevering ( not giving up when we feel weary or overwhelmed )
pleasant ( being a joy to be around even when we’d rather be writing 🙂 )
This was a treat this morning. Happy Thursday.
Hi Debbie! You’ve created a beautiful list of P words that would also make up the ideal client. Thank you for sharing those inspiring qualities with us today.
Great definitions Debbie!
Writing can get pretty dull,
and so this is my way;
I strive now to be porpoisefull,
Phocoenidae at play!
Authorship’s a hard career,
and giving up’s a lure,
but to reach the goals held dear,
my dreams, they must perdure.
It’s important one should strive
for truth, not wander in the mist;
if as your client I arrive,
it will be as philalethist,
and I hope each listed quality
will call you to poetolatry!
porpoisefull – yeah, just for fun
perdure – remaining in existence for a substantial period of time
philalethist – lover of truth
poetolatry – worship of poets (hahahahaha!)
Andrew, you are the King of the P Words today. I was googling “philaethist” before I saw that you defined it at the bottom. Once I learn how to say it, “philalethist” maybe my new favorite word!
Barb, I’m so glad you like it! It’s a cool one.
So enjoyed this post! I work in marketing and all these could apply to the perfect client for that as well.
Philippians 3:14 came to mind, “I press toward the mark for the prize..”
Some versions use pursue or pressing on = never give up. Which I think needs to be a trait in everyone.
You gave me some new ideas for blog posts – all beginning with “p” words. : )
Thanks!
A blog series on P letters – Cindy, that’s a great idea! And the Philippians verse – love it, it’s a perfect fit for today’s conversation!
Barb, I enjoyed your participation in the West Coast Christian Writers’ Conference. I think your list of “p” words is applicable to any writer, and appreciate your post. Thank you!
Hi Carol! Thanks for stopping by the Books & Such blog for today’s post. I’m so glad that you enjoy the WCCW, I loved being a part of it, too!
Loved reading this post, Barb. I think you’ve nailed it. That perseverance one is key to success! It’s easy to get discouraged on this journey, and sometimes we need to take a step back to breathe, but then we must return to the journey/fight and keep going.
Preach Gabrielle! Thank you for sharing those encouraging words, especially because there are so many who need that encouragement.
I love these descriptions, Barb. I would add Poetic to the list. One thing that my favorite authors of fiction and nonfiction have in common is a way with words, lovely phrasing, making the ordinary breathtaking.
Hi Shelli, “poetic” and “lovely phrasing” are great P words to add to our list – as agents, we love writers who know how to make the ordinary breathtaking. That’s so good, Shelli!
Thanks for these recommendations. Professionalism is really important and can simplify a lot of things, communication and your relationships in general. I think this is a very important point in order to have a great experience in general. When I was looking for a good copywriter – https://mediaonemarketing.com.sg/copywriting-services-singapore/, I first of all looked at his professionalism and ability to understand the problem
I enjoyed this article. Purposefull, perseverance, and professional are good P’s. 3 more? Hmm… Passionate!! Write with passion for the King of Kings;
POV. Not the standard definition of POV but Who we’re writing for. I want Him to be pleased with my words/work;
Permission. For me, Sunday is the Sabbath. I give myself permission to ignore my characters and enjoy church and family time.
An interested agent is not afraid to e-mail a future client to ask what they really are looking for.
Not everyone wishes to be rich and famous. They just wish to get the words out they believe is important.