Picking and Choosing
Hello readers. It has been many weeks since I've contributed to the blog. First our agency summer break, and then a week in Seattle with the lovely people at SCBWI-WWA. But I'm back and ready to roll.
This week's topic is inspired by something that happened last week, and something that has also happened a few times over the course of my requesting material. I've blogged before about an author choosing another agent over you. But sometimes I don't even get to throw my hat in the ring, so today's post is about that.
So authors, let me start with a bold statement: you are in the driver's seat.
Yes, most queries get rejected. Yes, you are in a huge volume of slush, and are fighting the odds. But we're also really looking for that book to fall for. Which means if you're starting to get attention, you might also get to choose your agent instead of thinking that the agent just chooses you. And wouldn't it be better for you to have options rather than just going with the first person who tells you they like you?
As is the case in all buying situations, the first person to offer isn't always the person who gets the prize. Common courtesy says that you notify all parties that there's an offer on the table--and give them a chance to get in on the action. It's just kind of the right thing to do. Not only that, but this is the opportunity to find out everything you want to know about the competing parties. The time to have the phone calls, ask the questions, make sure it's a good fit.
What really bothers me is that I request a project, and before I have a chance to look at it (sometimes it's less than a week) I get an email from an author saying he/she has signed with someone else. This makes me wonder why the author queried me in the first place. Was I not a viable candidate to represent the work? If one agent thinks you're worthy, wouldn't you want to find out who else agrees and then make an informed decision?
So please, if you get an offer, ask for a few days to notify the other parties and make decision. Give them a chance to read your material or say "I'm sorry, I'm too busy, but congrats on your offer." It's not only polite, but in your best interest. You should have more than a few minutes to decide anyway.
And what happens if you get more than one offer? Well, that's amazing. Ask all the agents what you want to ask. Get to know them a bit, and then go with your gut and choose one you want to work with.
You're in the driver's seat. Be courteous, but be savvy. And good luck!
etiquette, queries, representation
Reader Comments (13)
Courteous. That says a lot of it. If a behavior doesn't sit well with that good angel on your left shoulder (what? yours is on your right? You've been fooled!) then think twice.
Great post, Elana! Obviously all authors would love to be in this position. If we do find ourselves lucky enough to have a couple of offers, what are some good questions to ask agents? This is the part of the process in which I feel pretty clueless.
I've heard this before, that you should always let other agents know that there's an offer on the table, but I've always wondered how exactly to handle the situation.
Say, I get a phone call offering representation. I'll ask for some time to think about it and send an email to all other agents I've queried. Then what? Do I interview only the agent I'm most interested in? Do I interview the first one who offered while I have them on the phone?
Could you maybe offer step-by-step advice? I don't want to be rude to any agents and I want to make sure I sign with the best match-up for my work.
Thanks Emily and Rachael for the questions. This is really just some basic common sense. As far as questions to ask, you have to think about your working style and what you need in an agent. So editorial guidance/vision, communication style, submission plans, etc. And whatever else is important to you.
As far as process, this is just basic business practices. You email everyone who still has your manuscript and say, "I've received an offer, can I hear back from you by X (at least a few days later) if you're interested." They will either drop out, or hurry up and read. On that day you designated, follow up if you haven't heard. If you receive more than one offer, you then interview those people and ask them the same questions you asked the first agent when you first got them on the phone. And notify the original agent telling them you got multiple offers. If you want a day or two to decide, that would be appropriate.
Essentially, you don't want to leave people out, and you don't want to make a decision on the spot. Think about how you'd want to be informed and treated in our shoes.
Excellent advice, thank you. You're absolutely right, it really comes down to picking the person who's best for both you and your work. Sometimes we writers forget that the author/agent relationship is something that could hopefully be very long term and we should put a lot of thought into it. Vegas wedding it should not be!
Excellent information. It provides insight into the other side of the mirror, where some eager writers assume everything is rosy and that agents have no feelings.
Thank you!
- Julie
Thank you for the advice and insight into your world.
Great post. If I might, I have another question. If I have a partial or full with an agent and the manuscript wins or places in a contest, would I be okay to let that agent know? Or is that not something that would merit an email?
Thanks for this post. It was most helpful.
So say two agents have fulls, three have partials, and ten haven't yet answered the query letter.
One of the agents with a full calls to offer representation. You are one of the agents who hasn't answered the query letter. Do you want an email from the author telling you that she has an offer?
Or do you only want that info if you've already moved to the partial or full stage?
I heard agent Ted Malawer (now of Upstart Crow) speak at a SCBWI conference in Kansas City this past weekend. He said some great things on this topic. One that floored me: "Give me the opportunity to woo you [the prospective client, not me!], to fight for you." And here was me thinking we were the commodity in plentiful supply!
Lynn - I would say a contest isn't necessary to notify agents about, but certainly mention it if someone is interested.
Sally - Absolutely I'd want to know even if it's just a query in my pile. What happens if you don't notify me, I read the query three days after you sign with someone and come asking for it? It wouldn't look good.
~Elana
RE: This makes me wonder why the author queried me in the first place. Was I not a viable candidate to represent the work? If one agent thinks you're worthy, wouldn't you want to find out who else agrees and then make an informed decision?
Thanks for sharing your point of view. It's interesting to hear from the other side of the slush pile.
As a writer who's had an agent, and now no longer does, but also still wants to be published, I can answer this question for you. Actually, you've already come half-way to answering it yourself in your introduction. The fact is that new writers feel FAR from being the in the driver's seat. After years of rejection, if someone suddenly showed interest in my work, I'd jump at the chance to have them represent me. I'd assume that experience has shown me that odds are that no one else would. Yes, of course if I sent you a manuscript *I* would consider you a viable contender. However, I would also know that the odds were against you agreeing to represent me. I would also of course let you know that someone made me an offer. I would do this as a courtesy to you, because I've heard about how swamped and overwhelmed agents and editors are, and to be honest, I'd do it to spare you the time from reading something that you may not be interested in. I would do this both as a favor to *you*, and also in case something fell through with the original agent, I would you hope that you remembered that I was nice enough to spare you from doing extra work and maybe would be reading something that I submit in the future.
Basically, for me as a writer, it boils down to insecurity and jumping at an opportunity that comes along all too infrequently in this business.
Sincerely,
Zareh MacPherson Artinian
Member, SCWBI
MFA, Creative Writing Children's Literature
Editor, Pearson Education
Writer, Copyeditor, and Proofreader Odyssey Magazine
this is in response to Rachael:
As far as questions to ask potential agents, here's a few that I've come up with and I intend to add more questions as I learn more.
1. How long have you been a literary agent?
2. What are your relationships in the industry? Which publishers do you work most closely with?
3. Have you sold a book similar to mine? Which one?
Good luck!