Somewhere shy of a billion years ago, I met Steve Laube at a writers conference. He and I were both teaching and presenting and meeting with writers. (He was an editor at the time, and I was a big deal.) He liked me; I tolerated him. For the next few years (or more), our friendship continued and deepened; and eventually I asked him to be my literary agent. He agreed. Of course, he did. He’s made tens of dollars off my books since then. And that’s my story of how I got my agent.
But that’s only my experience. So, since I am sometimes asked at conferences and seminars how people manage to accomplish the difficult task of getting an agent to represent them to publishers and make them rich and famous, I asked some of my clients to basically write the rest of this blog post for me. Here are four who agreed:
I had known Steve Laube for several years and always enjoyed talking with him over books or publishing ideas. I tend to be a “Just cut to the chase” gal and don’t need to have a chocolate mint on my pillow to make me feel special. I knew I needed someone I could trust and who had good insight into the industry. When I heard Bob speak at a conference I thought, “This guy totally speaks to my heart and addresses questions I have swirling around in my mind.”
How we approach writing opportunities were similar and encouraging. Upon hearing that Steve had signed him on as an agent I asked Steve, “What do you think about Bob and me working together?” He thought it might be a good fit. Affirmation from someone you respect is always a good sign. When I showed Bob a project I was working on, he saw that I was more than a writer, I was a creative storyteller. He knew who to talk with, and he helped open doors I could have never opened for myself.
(Marci Seither, author of Lakeside Retreat)
I got to know Bob at several writers’ conferences before he became an agent. I learned from his writing and publishing experience as he taught workshops. I listened to his heart for writing and for the Lord as he presented keynotes. I sought his advice as I met with him in one-on-one appointments. I also listened to his jokes, but this wasn’t a deal breaker. I decided that an agent who knew how to laugh would be a blessing in the often-stressful world of publishing. My best advice for finding an agent? Make the time and effort to get to know potential agents at writers conferences.
(Lori Hatcher, author of Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise).
I was teaching Bible study when a woman mentioned her family friend, Bob Hostetler. My ears perked up. I knew who he was. I’d parted ways with my previous literary agent over two years before and had been searching for a new one ever since. Even though I was a published author, finding a new agent. Was. A. Process.
I made the ask, “Would you consider introducing us?” My friend graciously agreed, and I sent Bob a lengthy email explaining who I was, what I was passionate about, what I was looking for in an agent, plus four completed manuscripts. Bob agreed to take me on. It felt like God arranged the entire thing! Because what are the odds? Of any of that happening? Slim. But God directs our paths. And I believe He directed me to Bob.
(Laura L. Smith, www.laurasmithauthor.com)
My path to my agent ran through my critique partner, Lori Hatcher, and through my taking advantage of free and paid appointments with him at writers’ conferences for years. When a publisher told Bob about a book project they were seeking, Lori knew I was already writing that book. She’d been critiquing it. Lori told Bob about my project, and by the end of the week, he became my agent. By the end of the month, I had a book contract offer.
(Jean Wilund, author of the upcoming Embracing Joy: An 8-Week Transformational Bible Study on Habakkuk)
Full disclosure: No one was paid for the above. It wasn’t necessary, of course, because they’re already rich and famous. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
I have a plan to get one,
just you wait and see,
and perhaps YOU will become
the agent meant for me.
It won’t be an easy task,
no matter how it sounds,
but it starts with ski-mask
and slavering bloodhounds.
There’s hot pursuit through night-time trees,
and then things get a little rough
with a suspended hive of bees,
and stress-position flex cuffs,
but all will come right in the end;
this path once brought me my best friend!
I’m assuming the original email arrived in ransom-note font? That was a nice morning chuckle, Andrew! My question is not quite as dramatic (or poetic), I just wanna know how I can get Bob’s book, “The Bard and the Bible” for less than 50 bucks! If he’s looking for his agent to make more money, he should take a look at the prices his book is fetching on eBay!
Pasted letters cut from a magazine, Karen. I’m strictly old-school.
Ha!! Nice!
😁
Bob might sell you one for $49.95. Special discount for fans…
Bob, I always enjoy your posts and learn from and/or am encouraged by real-life examples, but I’m curious. It appeared that all of those successful matchups resulted from networking and were between an author and an agent after the author was already published. Is it possible to get an agent today without a platform based on already being successfully published or well-known for something else?
Linda, you’re right, those “successful matchups” were all a result of networking (a must these days) but only one of those already had traditionally published books on signing with me. It’s possible to get an agent without having already published a book or books, but not so much without a platform. As I wrote in my “Who and What I’m Looking for” post (always accessible in the sidebar), “Like every publisher and editor I know, I’m looking for people who understand today’s publishing realities and have a track record that says they can effectively partner with publishers in getting their message out….They are not waiting for readers, listeners, and followers to come to them; they are already engaging with people about their genre and topic.” I think that’s true of most or all agents. I hope that makes sense…and helps to clarify things.
Thanks, Bob. It does clarify. I assure you, I had already carefully read your “…What I Am Looking For…” several times, as well as those of the others in your agency. Today’s post in the context of the part that says, “I’m looking for people who understand today’s publishing realities and have a track record that says they can effectively partner with publishers…” made me wonder if previous publication was a non-negotiable piece of the platform you personally require. I’m one of the beta member’s of Thomas Umstattd’s platform-building course, so I am serious about learning all I can and implementing that knowledge, and you’re a generous expert! Thanks again!
To our readers:
Just had to remove a couple posts from the comments. The blog isn’t a good place to pitch a project to our agency. Sorry.
Steve
I love that your humor wasn’t a deal breaker, ha! Still waiting on my, “How I got My Agent” story. Here’s to hoping!
Hi Bob,
Another great post! Just hearing your voice and your comments … so much fun! My favorite parts? Where you said Steve was an editor and you were a big deal. And then when you stated that he’s made tens of dollars off your books. What a riot!
All true, Tim. All true….