When writers approach me for representation, I love to see enthusiasm. Are they devoted to and excited about their:
Words?
Topic?
Audience?
Do they joyfully anticipate their writing time?
Are they willing to persist in creating a book, then editing, revising, and revising again, for months?
Do they have ideas for future works that can build a career?
Find a Passionate Literary Agent
Likewise, I must be passionate about the books I represent. Well, unless you think this is a great letter from an agent to an editor:
Dear Editor:
I’m attaching a proposal and complete manuscript for LOVE ON THURSDAY’S HIGHWAY.
You don’t wanna buy this, do you?
If not, I completely understand. I’m sorta meh about it, but I figured you might like it. I can’t ever tell if someone else will like a book or not, or if it has any chance of selling lots of copies. Who knows what readers will buy, right?
Anyway, I hope you decide you can’t live without this book and will want to contract with this author. And yeah, this author is nice but tends to complain about edits, instructions, and suggestions; but I’m sure the author will feel differently about your edits. This author doesn’t like many other authors in Christian publishing, but I’m sure we can call in some favors to come up with someone for endorsement. Oh, and I couldn’t convince the author to use a different title, but no doubt if you pay enough money, that attitude will change.
I do hope you’ll read and contract for this book right away; but if not, hey, I totally get it! Cuz, as I said, there’s no accounting for taste.
Sincerely,
Agent
Excitement matters!
When you and I pitch a book, we ask an editor to enter your world. We want the editor to know the book is worth everyone’s time, whether you’re sharing information or writing a novel of worthy entertainment and edification.
I’m delighted to represent you!
You may think I’m joking, but it’s true: I use too many exclamation points when I write a cover letter to an editor! I am so enthusiastic about the project that when I re-read the letter before sending it, I must go back and delete them all! Well, I might allow myself an exclamation point for sentences using the verbs “thrilled” and “excited” because if you’re thrilled and excited, don’t these emotions merit an exclamation point? Besides, I’m thrilled and excited about my authors’ work! I don’t use multiple exclamation points in my cover letters, though!!!! I wish I could!!!! Because that’s how I would sound if the editor could hear me!!!!
When You Are on the Bench
I am delighted to be represented by you!!!! Your enthusiasm and energy are an encouragement to this former cheerleader!!!! Blessed to call you my agent and friend!!!! 🙂
Hahaha! I do love me some exclamation points!!!
I got a chuckle out of your letter to the editor. Loved it!
Yay for enthusiastic agents like you, Tamela!
If you reach these days so dire
matched with nights of pain and fear,
you’ll do best if you’re on fire
for some task that you’ve long held dear.
This isn’t time to change the dance,
for if you fall you may not rise,
and though you may gain others’ glance
and read derision in their eyes,
the life still in your hands belongs
no, not to you, but to the Lord,
and it would be the worst of wrongs
to turn away from being steward
and damn what should to end be praise
by mocking what’s left of your days.
*****
I can’t stress this enough, that working through cancer or something similar in enthusiasm, if not hope, right to the end, is vital, and that if you allow yourself to step away, take a long look and say, ‘y’know, what I’m doing here is really stupid’, there’s a good chance that the pit of despair at your feet will swallow you whole.
Even if others don’t really dig what you do (even if your spouse doesn’t – though mine does), you’ve simply got to do everything in your power to fan the flame of fun and meaning.
If it goes out, you may not find a relight, and that’s a cold dark way to leave this life.
Thank you, Andrew. What I needed to hear after spending hours on revising four contest entries. You’ve revised (revived?) my enthusiasm. Thank you.
Karen, thank YOU.
On this dreadful day, I have just learned of a child in my social circle who committed suicide.
We have to push everything in our enthusiasm and hope and faith. We have to fight back against the agents of nihilism, against those who would be spectators of death.
God be with us in this endeavour, and God forgive us for not seeing what we should have seen.
Tamela, I ask that you excuse my stance upon this soap-box. I do believe it broadly fits the context of your post; I apologise if I am in error.
I appreciate all your comments and your authenticity, Andrew. I am praying for the loved ones of the child in your social circle.
Wow! I want in. Love your enthusiasm.
This post made me smile to think about you being that excited over MY book. How humbling. Thank you for taking a chance on me, Tamela! I hope I don’t let you down.
I laughed out loud! Thanks for being you!!!!!!!!!!!
Your clients’ appreciation for your enthusiasm is notable. Having entered my 70’s I am as stoked about EVERYTHING in my first two novels as if I were a middle-schooler boy who just kissed his sweetheart! Wait! No more exclamation points! Hey! I mean it! Stop with the exclamation points! (My novels are extra-long, rejectably so.). C’est la vie! I could still easily overuse exclamation points.!
Who wouldn’t be thrilled to be represented by you?!
Well, my eyes are misting thanks to all the kindness and caring you have shown me in your comments today. Thank you all so much!
Woohoo!!!!
Tamela,
Terrific humor.
For lack of saying anything new
About the article written by you,
I must implore “Ditto!”
and nothing more.
Thank you.
Thanks Tamela!
This is one area of publishing that intimidates me. I ran to hide in self publishing so I don’t see the faces of agents, cover letters, rejections, proposals and all the rest of the family! They scare me.
I haven’t developed the liver yet to give you a rah rah rah!
Maybe one day by God’s grace! Amen.
God bless you.
Blessings.
I adore this!! 🩷🩷 I also use too many exclamation points in almost every message I send. It makes me happy to hear that you’re enthusiastic about the authors you represent. 🥰