What kind of books do I look to represent? I don’t think I’ve ever participated in an agent panel where the question, “What are you looking for?” has not been asked. We agents probably irritate the pajamas off writers with our answers. “I’m looking for that book I can’t put down.” Oh, that’s specific. Or, “I’m looking for that next new voice.” Like we have any idea what that is.
Today let me be a little more specific with these two disclaimers:
- I, too, am often surprised by something I didn’t even think of seeking.
- Some of these are based on the current market, and some are because of my own personal taste and may not even be a sparkle in a publisher’s eye yet. Don’t take my mention of a particular category or genre as an indication of a hot new area of publishing.
Here’s what I’m not looking to represent:
- Picture books– love them, but it’s a tough market.
- Children’s books, middle grade, young adult– again, love these but I have to decide where to put my energy and it’s a specialized market.
- Fantasy– Not my cup of tea. I can’t curate it, analyze it, and don’t read enough to be able to know what is cliché and what is fresh.
- Science Fiction– I just don’t get it.
- Men’s fiction– action, political intrigue, etc.
- Bible studies– generally these are not something an agent represents. They are often created in house. But, caveat here, some of the publishing houses with which I work are looking for that perfect Bible study teacher to create a brand. I have several of my current authors who could fill one of those spots.
- Theological, academic and reference books– I’ll leave these for the more erudite agents.
- Issue fiction– I don’t want to see novels that are about abortion, sex trafficking, emotional or sexual abuse, etc., etc.. (These may figure in a book naturally but if your book is “about” that, it’s not for me.)
So now, on to what I am looking to represent in nonfiction:
- Great life stories. Stories of overcoming or of accomplishment. (This is different from autobiography or a faith journey about illness– these are the stories that capture our attention as well as the attention of the media.) Platform is still important.
- The book that grows out of a person’s lifelong ministry. If you are the go-to person for a certain idea or category, I know how to get things going.
- If you’ve already got a great following in the CBA market for your brand and your books I know how to take you to the next level.
- I’d love to see a book about art and the Christian walk, but again, it needs to be the person who already has built a name in that field.
- Deeper spirituality
- High concept books, whether they be devotionals, Christian Living or prescriptive. If the idea is different and knocks our socks off, I’d like to see it.
And in fiction for the inspirational market:
- That already-established author who is ready to take his or her career to the next level. I’ve got a very nice track record with doing this by focusing on reader engagement and some innovative expansion strategies.
- The author who can be the first, the foremost author in a long-fallow category. Again I have a great track record here– Jill Eileen Smith and Tessa Afshar in biblical when “no one is buying biblical.” Julianna Deering in British period mystery a la Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers. Julie Klassen, the reigning doyenne of the Inspirational British Regency (though I didn’t “discover” Julie, just came alongside). So I’ve always got an eye out for what’s next.
- Historical fiction, historical romance, historical mystery. I know the market is over-published in historical right now but it’s the genre I love and when I take an author on it’s for the long haul not for the market at this moment.
- Suspense and romantic suspense, especially with an interesting psychological twist. I’m a huge fan of this genre and would love to discover a writer who could create a compelling character and cast that would keep our interest across a whole series of books. (Read Louise Penny.)
- Contemporary. I look for redemptive, hope-filled books with characters we love by authors who write beautifully.I’m not fond of edgy, snarkey or characters with “attitude.” I don’t like the troubled hero. I like warm-hearted books that make us want to read them over again. (Read Amanda Dykes and Cynthia Ruchti.)
- Category romance: If you want to write category romance, I know how to build a long term career with this as your foundation.
- For the record: The fiction market is getting more competitive every day with lists shrinking and more debut authors trying to break in. Because of this, all of us are more critical than ever. In order to take on a not-yet-published author, you must take my breath away. With my nearly full list I’m having to say no to writers who would have been a shoo-in a few years ago.
All that said, I’m looking for that book I can’t put down and I’m looking for that next new voice. 😉
So how did I do? Does my wish list intersect with your offerings? Did I raise more questions than I answered?
TWEETABLES:
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I Only Cheated a Little
Eureka, now I have a plan,
for a book you can’t resist.
It’s the story of a Scotsman
who finds himself upon short-list
of potential suitors
for the king’s dear daughter,
and must work with a tutor
to learn the skills he ought to
have to be in palace royal,
but the tutor is a lady
who sets his flinty heart a-boil,
and now Scotty’s afraid he’s
set the stage for some real hurt
(and outshines both women in a skirt).
Thank you for this detailed glimpse into your passion for story! Very helpful as I now see that my writing is sitting solidly in the NOT category, ha! My passion is for YA, middle grade, even picture books. When I do write romances, the heroines are always snarky. I can pull of the angry teen heroine like nobody’s business but can’t take my writing seriously if I’m trying for warm and sweet. Although I can make you cry with blog posts about camp and kids ministry, that snark lurks in the corners, waiting to jump out and ease the tension if we get too weepy together. But this is so so helpful as now I know not to chase you down with my manuscript at the next conference, but if given the chance to just have a coffee together and a wonderful chat about books! Actually, I think that we could learn a lot from what you’ve done here in how we write our back copy material. Pull in the readers who will love our book, and repel the readers who won’t. You’ve done a fabulous job of letting authors know if they are a good fit. Thank you.
Wendy, you did well. Your mention of Dorothy L. Sayers gave me goosebumps as I have a biography about her by my bedside. She has intrigued me ever since I read one of her mysteries and heard the following quote of hers:
“Man is never truly himself except when he is actively creating something.” ~ Dorothy L. Sayers
I share her passion for art and justice. And I also aspire to write a mystery series and inspirational nonfiction. (Do you represent authors who write in both?)
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
This is wonderful, Wendy, and great timing!
Now I know what blanket question NOT to ask you at the Symposium this Friday (ha) and I can tailor my questions based on your particular interest and my material. Thank you so much for your examples. 🙂
Mysti…I was thinking the exact same thing. I guess I’ll “see” you on Friday as well as you, Wendy.
Oh good another name and face, before the remote meeting, nice to meet you virtually Susan. 🙂
Of all the authors you mentioned, Louise Penny is my favourite. She writes about beautiful, noble characters put in impossible situations. It amazes me that reading a somewhat hard boiled mystery can leave me with a sense of hope. I’d love to be able to take readers on that kind of journey.
Thank you for the great clarifications in this post, Ms. Lawton. Very specific and helpful!