Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley, California Office
Weather: Back in the nineties
One of the most uncomfortable moments on an agent panel at a writer’s conference comes when someone raises a hand to ask, “What is the most exciting project (or client) you’ve worked with this year?” Watch the eyes of each agent as he nervously scans the audience for clients.
Chances are most will wimp out with something like, “All the projects (clients) I’ve worked with have been satisfying. I don’t think I can pick just one.” Yeah, right. It’s like your mom dodging the question, “Who do you love more, Mom, me or Jimmy?”
Our clients know we represent more than one author—that’s no surprise. But I’m going to come clean and tell you whom we love the most. Brace yourself. . .
We love the bestselling author. Having bestsellers in the client mix is good for everyone. A bestseller with the kind of numbers that guarantee success makes our life easy. We don’t have to work to get the sale, although we may have to work a lot harder to manage the complexities of multiple offers. But being in the same agency with bestsellers is good for the other authors as well. It’s a subtle thing, but your agent will leverage her “strongest assets” to get lesser known authors noticed as well. ‘Nuff said.
We love the up-and-comers. Nothing is more fun than working with someone whose career is on an upward trajectory. You keep watching this client like a mother hen eyes its plucky little chick—and you pray that the sky’s the limit. These authors are proof positive that our gut instinct is spot on.
We love the mid-listers. These are the writers who don’t seem to be going up fast, but they sell well enough to keep obtaining contracts. Sometimes these are the writers who write with extraordinary literary skill—we are so proud of their work. We look forward to when they turn in a manuscript because we know we’re going to fall in love all over again.
We love those in career crisis. Just because the contracts aren’t coming and the career seems stalled, don’t assume a writer is the agent’s step-child. Had your agent not believed in your writing skills, he never would have offered representation. This writer represents a challenge, and there’s not an agent around who doesn’t love a challenge. Like when somebody told Grandma Moses that, at 80, she was too old to paint. Or when Albert Einstein flunked algebra. We love those in crisis because we still believe we can make a difference for them.
We love those newcomers. Writers obsess over the Catch 22 of writing—you can’t sell a book without an agent/you can’t get an agent if you’re unpublished. I’ve already exploded that myth as pure poppycock, but let me go one step further. Nothing swells the chest of an agent more than a stunning debut book. If our business is to have a vital future, we need to keep infusing our client mix with fresh talent. And nothing is more gratifying than to discover new talent.
So that brings me full circle. An agent handpicks his list and does it with real care and deliberation. Who does she love? Each client for reasons that are unique to him/her. With my own list, I’m not only crazy about each individual author, but I’m also proud of the mix.
If you were an agent, which kind of client would most appeal to you?
If I were an agent, I’d want a client who had a teachable spirit and a passion for the craft. We are constantly striving to improve our writing, so if we don’t have teachable spirits, we won’t get very far. Plus, if you love what you write, chances are readers will see your passion for your story.
Great post today. Welcome back from the Labor Day Weekend.
Gosh, I’d have to say the newcomer. It just sounds so exciting 🙂 But ultimately, I’d love to work with someone who has a lot of passion for his/her writing.
I’m not an agent – but the first thing I thought of when I read the closing question was how much I love promoting writers in the blogosphere.
I am most excited about the newcomers. It gives me such a thrill when I discover an unknown talent and get to watch as other people fall in love with a writer I share with them. It makes my heart hum to see the talented person thrive under the praise and new attention.
Now, to take your thoughtful post and transform it into an equally great response to “Mom, who do you love more?” Thanks!
Very interesting. And very good.
Kind of like a mom would say..
I love Jimmy because he is so thoughtful…
I love Judy because she is so determined….
I love Jed because he is so helpful….
You see the best in all of your clients. How nice for them.
I am loved. Ahhhh …. 🙂
Good insight, Wendy!
Wendy, A great post today! Thanks for helping put everything into perspective!
Cool!
I’m with Tricia. It’s nice to know you’re loved.
That panel question would be like asking a mother which of her ten children she likes best. I love how you explained the joy you find in each writer and his or her project.
Great post! I feel so blessed to be part of Books & Such!
If I were an agent, I would relish in working with the newcomers. It is so exciting to be instrumental in someone’s growth and success. Guiding a wide-eyed newbie into uncharted territory, exploring new marketing angles to get their book selling- I can’t wait to be guided!:)
Thank you so much for this insight! Sometimes it’s tough being the new kid in town…this was very encouraging! xo
This was a very encouraging blog post! Thank you.
Wendy, your insightful and honest remarks here have been an encouragement to me as I pursue publication with a first novel. I think as an agent the client in crisis would be the more appealing one to support and encourage.
The word I use to describe books I really love is resonance. It has a great story, characters you love or love to hate, prose that slides down like a gourmet dessert, but more than that, it has some depth. The author has grappled with some of the heartbreaking difficulties of life and done so with a transparent honesty. And yet, through confusion and pain, we have broken through to a victory.
It’s similar to the feeling you get after eating a meal that was both incredibly delicious and yet nutritionally well-balanced. There’s a deep-seated satisfaction and you know you won’t get hungry again for quite a while.
So the client that would most appeal to me would be the one writing that kind of book. Something about being delighted in many ways at once really appeals to me.
Well said. As a retired teacher I can relate to your comments. All of the children were special to me, except the ones who had ability but didn’t try to improve.
If I were an agent, the writer who would most appeal to me would be the one who accepts criticism well, and is willing to respond to the advice of those who have had the experience of working with many people.
I have to agree with Miss Britt. I love new comers too. There’s nothing like the excitement of a new writer promoting their new book.
I love pushing new books.
I don’t think I would make a good agent. I am drawn to writers who grapple with tough issues that rock the boat. Trouble is, they are a hard to sell.
I have a little poem I say with my kids at night:
I ask, “How much do I love you?”
They respond, “Up to God!”
I ask, “When will I stop loving you?”
They respond, “Never!”
I ask, “What could you possibly do to make me stop loving you?”
They respond, “Nothing”
I ask, “Why do I love you?”
and before they can respond I answer, “Just because you are you. It’s not what you say, it’s not what you do, it’s just because you are you!”
Hmm, I’m wondering if this would work for an agent? 🙂