Blogger: Mary Keeley
It’s exciting to get this message from an agent: “Your manuscript is well-written with a fresh approach to the topic. I’d like to take your submission to the next step and schedule a phone conversation.”
What will she want to talk about? Your background, how you are developing your craft, various components of your proposal and the manuscript, of course. But she’ll also be looking for certain qualities, characteristics—the intangibles.
The agent’s positive message indicates you’ve done your homework in putting together a professional proposal. You can feel confident she views your work as marketable and that you have a sufficient platform and social media presence (absolutely essential if you’re writing nonfiction). These are the tangible components necessary to get an agent’s attention. Knowing how to prepare for a phone call or in-person meeting will increase your confidence and calm your nerves.
Do you have a plan? Publishers look at a relationship with an author as a long-term business partnership. They take the risk with an author based on their objective sense the author’s first book will be successful by today’s standards. They want to know the author has book #2 in process and book #3 is being planned. In your phone interview the agent will want to hear a succinct synopsis of your second book and how far you along you are in the writing. If you write nonfiction, she’ll want to hear how your future books relate to the first one.
And then the all-important question: What is your vision for your brand? Part of an agent’s role is to help define a client’s brand, but she wants to see that you have given it considerable thought as you plan the books you will write. This brings us to the next intangible…
Are you teachable? This is a trait every agent wants to discern in the initial interview, especially if she’s talking to an unpublished author. Initially in the interview a good agent will want to put you at ease by praising the best qualities of your work. She’ll then get into questions and suggestions about your marketing plan, your list of competitive titles, and the manuscript itself, paying close attention to your responses: Does this writer appear to accept constructive criticism about the proposal or manuscript? Is he responding with understanding, showing he is listening and flexible? Or are there hints of defensiveness?
It would be helpful to practice an interview situation with one of your critique partners (another great reason to be involved in a critique group). You don’t have to wait until you get “the call” to start practicing with others. I’m not suggesting that you have to agree with everything the agent says. But through mock interviews with a partner you can practice your responses until they sound friendly and informative rather than defensive. Perhaps you’ve left out an important detail somewhere. Practice sessions also tend to bring these things to the surface, which provide you the opportunity to address them in advance.
Are you personable? The agent surely will be evaluating this in your interview because, as we know, many writers are introverts. The ability to be congenial, articulate smoothly, and present yourself well may not come naturally to you. She will be asking herself: Does this writer exhibit a friendly confidence and enthusiasm about his work? Is the writer able to communicate easily and in a pleasant, professional tone of voice? These qualities are especially important if your interview is conducted over the phone. Smile as you practice mock interviews with someone . . . really. A smiling voice does transmit over the phone line. By the end of the interview the agent wants to have a strong sense that you will be pleasant to work with, both for her own benefit and also for editors you’ll be working with in the future. How you present yourself also is an indication of how you’ll do in media interviews once your book is published.
And sooner or later the subject of a polished, professional appearance will come up. This characteristic truly is an important element in projecting yourself as personable. It isn’t too early to give it your attention. Who knows, your agent interview might be in-person. Keep in mind it’s something the agent interviewing you or any other professional in the industry also has addressed, so don’t take suggestions in this area personally. Whether you like thinking about it this way, when you submit your proposal to an agent or editor, you are entering a business environment, and you need to project that you can function well there.
If you’ve had interviews with agents, what questions or comments did you feel unprepared for? Are there other issues that cause anxiety as you anticipate an agent interview?
Jeanne
Wow, Mary, this was so insightful. As one who hasn’t yet had an opportunity to meet with an agent, I am soaking this up! 🙂
I think the two things that cause me anxiety is my nervousness preventing me from making a good impression/becoming tongue tied or shy, and two, knowing exactly what my brand needs to be. I’ve focused more on writing than determining my brand.
Thanks so much for this post today!
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Jeanne. I hope it will help you prepare so the jitters are diminished. To determine a general focus of what your brand will be, it might help to start by planning out the next couple of books you want to write. For fiction, ask yourself what theme, location, type of characters, flaws, place in time, and so on, For nonfiction, zero in on a common message, audience, and of course, the topic.
From there, think about what makes your books unique. This is a place to start.
Jeanne
Thanks for the suggestions. I needed that. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and Mother’s Day!
Rachel Pieh Jones
I was nervous to talk about the contract and business aspect, but my agent made me feel comfortable and I realized that essentially this IS a business and needs to be dealt with professionally, just as any other job interview. I wish I had asked more about time frames and preferred styles of communication – email/phone…
Mary Keeley
Rachel, thanks for sharing your experience. Good tip to inquire about time frames and preferred form of communication.
Tiana Smith
I never thought of doing a mock phone call with a CP, but that is BRILLIANT. It’s just as important to practice this as it would be to practice interviewing (since, essentially, you are interviewing). Thanks!
Mary Keeley
Thanks, Tiana. As in anything else, feeling equipped and prepared helps your mind to relax so you can think clearly and you present yourself at your very best.
sally apokedak
Thanks for this. I have never heard before that I’d need to have a pitch ready for book two.
Mary Keeley
Sally, this is especially true for a debut writer. It shows the agent that you are serious about writing long term and indicates the potential for a long-term business relationship.
Lindsay Harrel
Wow, Mary, what great insight! Thank you so much.
I’ve heard of writers telling their writing journey stories, and they always say they receive an email from an agent saying they “want to discuss the possibility of representation.” So does that not necessarily mean the agent will actually offer representation, but conduct an interview like you’ve discussed here?
I feel much more comfortable writing than talking on the phone, simply because I can think more carefully about my words. However, I’ve done several job interviews in the last few years and so have had lots of experience. I think finding a personal connection is a great thing and indicates that you’ll get along well with–and work well with–someone.
Mary Keeley
Right, Lindsay. The agent might simply intend the phone call to be the next step in the interview process. Or she could be prepared to offer representation. A lot depends on how thorough and professional your proposal is and the quality of your manuscript. The phone conversation will either confirm she should proceed to offer representation or cast doubt in her mind.
I agree, the personal connection reveals much about each party’s personality traits.
elio mastrangelo
I regret to be not a writer, but I think that your advices and suggestions are very illuminant and helpful for many further tasks in various fields of human activities.
Thanks.
Mary Keeley
Elio, thanks for your comment. I agree these tips can be applied in all kinds of interview situations.
Melanie Jackson
The smile-in-the-voice advice is wonderful. And there’s nothing phony about it. If you are behaving in a friendly way, you feel friendly. Thanks for this and the rest of your advice. Now for me to practice what you preach!
Mary Keeley
Great point, Melanie. Thanks for that contribution to the discussion.
Marcia
Thanks for this. I have a ftf interview with a top agent scheduled at a writers’ conference in June and I’m already sweating. This helps give me some direction and calms my nerves. 🙂
Mary Keeley
Marcia, I’m it helped you. I hope your interview goes well.
Casey
Wonderful information to be thinking about! I hadn’t realized (though it should come at no surprise) about the agent asking about future projects. I know for me personally I’ve written 4 books, but this latest one is the one I feel I could finally do something with. And I’m beginning to plot book 5. Good things to think about getting several stories written and laid out before approaching an agent.
Thanks! 🙂
Mary Keeley
Casey, it isn’t necessary to have several books completely written before approaching an agent. But you should at least have the second one completely mapped out and writing in process. A short synopsis and main character descriptions (novel) or annotated chapter list developed (nonfiction) for the third book. This shows an agent and eventually a publisher that you are invested in writing for the long term.
Nicole
Great advice. Thanks for posting it!
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Nicole. Thanks for stopping by.
Cheryl Malandrinos
This is such a helpful post, Mary. I was asked in an online pitch with an agent what else I had brewing. I hadn’t thought about it really, but at least I had something to tell her.
Thanks for sharing your insights today. Hope you have a blessed weekend and that the moms have a blessed Mother’s Day.
Mary Keeley
Cheryl, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad you had something to tell the agent on the spot.
Blessed Mother’s Day to you. (I know it applies to you because you’ve commented about your children in past comments.)
Cheryl Malandrinos
You have a great memory.
Meadow Rue Merrill
Issues that cause anxiety before an interview with an agent? Indeed! Yesterday as I waited by the phone for such a very important call, I watched a spider climbing down the ceiling toward my desk! Should I kill it? Hope it didn’t come any closer? In the end I swatted it with my son’s hoody! Better to tackle fear head on. Thanks for a very informative post. there’s such a lot to think about in the transition from being a writer to a published author.
Mary Keeley
Meadow, thanks for sharing your spider experience. Good for you to tackle fear head on. Preparation tackles the fear of the interview so the outcome is your best presentation.
Sarah Thomas
What a great post! I hadn’t really thought about “the call” as an interview, but of course it is. I’m thinking it’s important to remember that the author is also interviewing the agent. I can imagine being so blinded by the thrill of an agent calling, that I might ignore anything that should send off a warning bell.
Christine Dorman
Great point Sarah 🙂 It’s a two-way interview.
Mary Keeley
Absolutely, Sarah. You also are interviewing the agent. Preparing your perspective in this way should help calm your nerves so you can sense warning signs or positive confirmations.
Christine Dorman
Thank you, Mary. As everyone else has said, this is a great post. It’s wonderful to know the kinds of things an agent would ask and the things she’s listening for so that I can prepare for the phone call. I always try to rehearse mentally before meeting with people. I try to imagine what they might ask and how I could best respond. That helps me to be reasonably articulate. Thank you for going into detail.
I also think that Sarah brings up a good point: it is a two-way interview. Keeping this in mind will help me not only to listen for warning bells, but it will help reduce my nerves. The interview is not a test to be passed; it’s a professional conversation between the agent and the writer to see if want to form a partnership. I think keeping that in mind will help me relax and listen rather than sitting on edge, worrying about whether or not I’ll get all the answers right.
Happy Mother’s Day 🙂
Mary Keeley
Good points, Christine. However, it is important to keep in mind the agent is the professional and she is evaluating these intangibles as well as the quality of the writer’s work, which means it is a test to a degree. But as you said, approaching the interview as a friendly, professional conversation should help you relax and be able to listen rather than sitting on edge.
Heather Webb
Great post! I’m an extrovert and actually enjoy interviews to some degree because I love getting to know new people. I think this makes me a bit odd as a writer.
At any rate, the one question I wasn’t prepared for at a conference (and not even at a formal pitch session, just in passing) was “which authors do you read in your genre?” The thing is, I read LOTS of authors in my genre, but because I hadn’t expected this question, my mind went blank! Literally ten minutes later, I rattled off a dozen authors in my head. Sometimes nerves get the best of us, especially when we’re so very thrilled to be speaking to an agent/editor we respect and admire! The moral of the story and this post–be prepared and try to relax!
I’ve tweeted this! Wonderful advice. 🙂
Mary Keeley
Heather, what a wonderful outlook toward interviews. Thanks for sharing your interview experience. I visualize so many writers nodding their heads, having gone through the same kind of scenario you described.
Yes, preparation and practice = a more relaxed, clear-headed interviewee.
Dale Rogers
Thank you, Mary. These are all things we need to think about in case we get that all-important
call.
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Dale. It isn’t too soon to start preparing.
Lisa
This is so very helpful. Thank you. I hope I will have the opportunity to put this into practice in the future! Preparation goes a long way in easing my nerves.
I really love reading all the comments too. Everyone is so generous with thoughtful advice.
Mary Keeley
Lisa, thanks for your comment.
And I agree, isn’t this a great group of fellow writers sharing helpful comments.
Michelle Lim
Thanks for the wonderful post, Mary. I especially appreciated the information on branding that you shared with Jeanne. It’s extremely helpful. I’ve heard some say, no don’t even think about a brand before you are published and still others say, brand yourself right now. This conversation shed some light on that topic for me.
As for something I get nervous about when it comes to an agent phone conversation, that would be an impromptu call at the wrong moment. This may sound funny, but every mom knows that once you are on the phone, chaos erupts where harmony and peace existed only seconds before, not to mention embarrassing moments of preschool truth that us moms must celebrate.
Thanks for sharing this expertise at such a timely moment for me in my career.
Jeanne
LOL, Michelle. I’ve been there! 🙂
Mary Keeley
Michelle, I’m glad the information on branding is helpful. Although you likely won’t have your brand nailed down for a while, this is a good place to start and will show an agent in an interview that you have given your brand some dedicated thought.
Phone interviews are rarely impromptu. Agents know how important this is for the writer and want to schedule a time that not only works for their schedule but is also optimum for the writer to relax and talk without family interruptions.
Michelle Lim
Every mom out there is now sighing with relief. Thanks, Mary! Happy Mother’s Day!
Miranda
Hey Mary!
I must say this is a great and helpful post. It is so easy for we writers to just think ‘manuscript’. What you’ve done is opened my eyes to the other side of it. I’m glad you posted this. I’ll definitely keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks a lot!
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Miranda. I’m glad it accomplished the goal, to show the broad picture of how the business side works.
Carole Avila
Thank you for sharing your insights about this process. They are all great suggestions!
Sincerely, Carole Avila
Posse Member
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Carole.
Peter DeHaan
I’ve not yet been asked this question, but expect it’ll come up some day: “Who do you write like?” I’m still working on the answer.
(In my first interview for a real job, I bungled my response to: “Tell me about yourself.” It still makes me shutter.)
Mary Keeley
That would be an interesting question to have to answer, Peter. You want to have a good comparable, yet be able to communicate your own unique voice.
Ah…those classic open-ended interview questions. Here’s where critique partners can be valuable to help you think of possible questions like this one.
Christina Berry
At my very first conference, an agent was talking about being presentable as a business person. I will never forget when she said to the group, “And take care of those chin whiskers.” Pretty sure this wasn’t directed to the men. Ahem. Just thought I’d through that out there as an odd thing to think about when trying to land an agent/editor/contract. 😀
Mary Keeley
Funny, Christina. But it’s true little things like that do detract from a professional appearance. It’s part of the home-with-my-computer world meets publishing-business world. Writers have to prepare for both.
Amanda Stephan
Again, perfect timing, Mary. I’m scheduled for an agent meeting in June as well, (good luck to you, Marcia!) and I’m getting things done now and my ducks put in a row. Well, at least they’re starting to somewhat resemble a row…anyway, I’ve prepared my one sheet, I’m going over the manuscript with a fine-tooth comb (again- which is good. I don’t want to show shoddy work!) but when the word proposal is spoken or written, I freak out. Completely. Oh, and we won’t even say the “S” word (synopsis)! I know I’m capable of speaking with this woman (praise the good Lord), and I do have book #2 done, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to need to take a nerve pill before I get there!
Anyway, I guess I took the long way of saying thank you for this post. I needed this today, and you and the other commenters gave some excellent advice that I *will* be using.
Mary Keeley
Amanda, thanks for your comment. It sounds like you will be well-prepared. There are plenty of books available and previous posts written on this blog and others that would be helpful if you think your written proposal needs further polishing. Same goes for your synopsis. You might find that they are just fine as is, but the exercise will firm your confidence.
I hope your meeting goes well!
Brenda Landing
Mary, enjoy your points. I had an interview with my agent, thought I was prepared. The pitch was great, well organized and the smile present. However, I was not prepared for his suggestion of narrowing down my audience. The nonfiction work was for men and women business owners. The agent suggested to market the book to Christian women.
I struggle with this suggestion. My husband said to go with my gut instinct, but at the same time I know my agent is the professional. Any experience with this type of problem?
Mary Keeley
I suggest you ask him to further explain his reasoning so you can gain understanding. Your agent is not only looking at your manuscript and message of your book, but also it’s marketability. You are right; he is the professional. This is where the teachability factor may come into play. Listen to his explanation with an open mind.
Yvette Carol
Hi thanks for all the insights into the process. This was really interesting to me because I’m very close to looking for an agent myself. I don’t have a blog or a website, therefore, the fact that I don’t have a media platform at present worries me. I frequent about 8 or 9 writing blogs, I’m on Facebook and Pininterest but that’s it. But I do think about my profile and I have a file that I add to steadily for this purpose. It makes me very nervous to think about interviews whether on the phone or in person. I’m the classic writer introvert.
Thanks again for the informative post!
Yvette Carol
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Yvette. It is helpful if you have strong numbers of followers and fans on Facebook and connections on Pinterest. If you are writing nonfiction, a well-established platform that includes a blog, website, and assertive plan to get radio and TV interviews is necessary in order to get an agent’s or editor’s attention. Scheduling book signings is important for both fiction and nonfiction.
It is best to bolster your platform before you start submitting your proposal. And again, practicing an interview with someone does help to calm nerves.
Peta
Thank you for the informative post. I would have to say the question which stopped me in my tracks was “How fast do you write?” It was something I had never thought about until she asked. It may not be relevent to everyone, but it was for the genre I write.
Mary Keeley
Peta, thanks for your comment.
Jennifer Major
Very interesting stuff! I am SO thankful that phone interviews are pre-arranged. I have 3 boys who act, well, like 3 boys. This is another reason that *I* , ME, the person wrote typed this comment, installed a lock on the bedroom door. God bless the inventors of cordless power tools. Oh, and agents. 😉
Mary Keeley
So true, Jennifer. If an agent or an editor should ever call you unexpectedly for an initial interview, you certainly can tell her or him you aren’t available for a conversation at this moment and schedule another time to talk. This will communicate confidence and professionalism.
Marilyn Rhoads
Thank you for the concise instructions. We pass your blogs around in our critique group and discuss your main points. The time you put into your writing is much appreciated.