It was recently pointed out that a number of agencies will not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead they state, in their guidelines, that they only take proposals via referrals or from meeting someone at a writers conference.
Our agency continues to keep the doors open to any and all who send material following our guidelines. It can be a challenge to read all the incoming proposals, but I prefer to say “We don’t like to say no unless we’ve seen it. But we do have to say ‘no’ 99% of the time!”
One way to cut through the mass of submissions we receive is to have it come to us from a client or an industry friend’s referral.
Referrals can take many forms. While this discussion may seem obvious, I do think it can be instructive in different ways.
The Generic Referral
This type of referral is occasionally used by someone who has been approached by a friend, or a pastor, or another writer at some event. Instead of being the one to tell them, “It needs work,” they say, “Send it to my agent.” A mistake is often made at this stage of not telling the agent that you’ve made the referral. So the new writer approaches and says, “Your client xxxxx said you would love this book.” Which means we need to ask the client if this is really true or not.
It is hard to say no to someone, especially if they are a family member, or a friend, or someone with whom you go to church. But just giving them the name of an agent is not really a referral. It is a lead for that person to use. And that person may then use your name as a door-opener–without you knowing.
One time a writer claimed a referral from one of my clients. I asked the client if the referral was valid. “Absolutely not!” was the reply. Yikes!
The Personal Referral
The personal referral is a little different in that, this time, the client has sent me a note saying, “Expect a call or an email from this person.” That can be helpful.
But remember that your endorsement of this person holds weight. At least be sure to have read the material before doing your writer friend the favor of making the introduction.
This happened recently, but the proposal had not been read. The first paragraph of the novel had vulgar language in it, which made it one that I was not interested in. If the referring person had read it, they would have known not to recommend that project to me.
The Qualified Referral
We have a number of clients who have come to us in this fashion. The client or industry friend has a good writer needing the services of an agent or even a new agent. My advice in this case is to be very selective and careful with those you recommend to your agent.
I am very happy to follow up with these qualified referrals because I know they are not made lightly. These people do not send anyone other than the truly exceptional. This situation has happened a number of times with eventual representation a result.
This is the type of referral agencies describe when they say “by referral only.” They are quality referrals made by qualified people.
Your Turn
Outside of your writing, do you rely on referrals for anything? Plumbing? Tutors?
How do you discern if a referral is a good one?
I really need referral
to Almighty God.
The days are getting dismal,
and I am just too flawed
to try to seek His presence
in this shattered state.
Christ, please run interference
before it gets too late!
Please tell Your Dad I did my best,
or at least I tried.
I know now I failed each test,
and took the turns too wide.
Please talk to Him on my behalf,
though ‘loser’ is my epitaph.
Andrew, Talking to Him on our behalf is EXACTLY what Jesus does for us. He intercedes for us. When you commit to Jesus as your Savior, you have the best referral that ever has existed! And what a relief to know that we can come to Him just as we are— broken, damaged, but humble and repentant and in awe of such grace!
So thankful Jesus AND the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Your friends are interceding for you, as well. Me included, Andrew! ((hugs))
My dear Andrew, I,ve spoken to my mighty GD many times over the years for you. I will try to find you again. As I have had more symptoms of health trouble I opened up my researching to expanding my understanding of supernatural within other streams within my basic spiritual life. To get a basic look of more I can refer GZI on line (especially on Sun.am, and KCM on Victory TVstation all day and night. Both have 24 – 7 kind people who care and will offer to pray. There are more, but that is a good start. Also to note—my G-D welcomes you just as you are. Continue talking. I care Andrew.
I use referrals from my friends to find new YA novels. I don’t like searching for them myself because most YA novels are slut. But I have more daring reader friends and that’s how I’ve discovered my favorite YA novelists like Nadine Brandes, Sara Ella, and Nova McBee.
I use referrals all the time. From getting the best treatment for cancer last year to finding a surgeon for my recently-broken arm, I ask around before jumping on board. (For the record, I’m skipping March next year. In 2023, I was diagnosed with stage three cancer and this March, I fell and broke my right arm and four ribs. I’m right handed. Praise the Lord, I am now cancer free and my arm is slowly regaining its range of motion! That said, I’m going from February to April next year and not stopping with March. Catch up with me when you can!)
But, back to the topic at hand. I notice that my students take the advice of influencers and they rarely buy anything unless it has a good review and referral by total strangers. I have gotten all three academic jobs that I’ve had via referrals, so I would say that they are very important. Thanks for the information in this blog, Steve. You are spot on.
I use referrals from trustworthy friends for all kinds of repair work around my home. Randomly selecting a company can go south quickly. I’m also skittish about referring writers to my agent. One man asked if he could use my name when he queried my agent. Uncertain of how to respond, I said okay. But I quickly alerted my agent that this person was an acquaintance, not a close friend, and he asked to use my name. Maybe you could write a blog on how to avoid uncertain referrals from eager writers.
The participants in a referral can vary. I once had a job typing letters for doctors, and most of them were thanking another doctor for sending them a referral. The patient was probably the one most concerned about whether the referral was to a quality doc.
Like others, I used referrals from trusted friends for lots of things.
On the writing side, the first author to champion me was Christine Tangvald waaaaaaay back in 1997. I met her at the Sandy Cove conference. She gave me and my illustrator, Kim Sponaugle, letters of recommendation to three publishing houses because she loved our book so much.
We got 2 rejections. The 3rd house (Concordia) picked us up.
Referrals always help. The way I see it is they can’t buy it if they’re not reading it. So, if a referral allows my story to be read by an agent or editor, it’s a good thing. Even if they can’t use it and especially if they give me some notes to make it better!
I understand you need to make money. Reading a lot there are few well written books. But there are good or mediocre ideas for a book.
Have you considered a one page proposal about an idea, why it would sell? Ghost writers could’ edit and produce an excellent product.
Steve,
Do agents accept a newspaper review as a reference?
Steve,
Do agents accept a newspaper review as a reference?
Steve,
Do agents accept a newspaper review as a reference?
The previous e-mail address was among the suggested e-mails but is incorrect.
Coming from an aspiring author, how do you suggest you establish these connections to clients and industry professionals, especially when attending writing conferences is out of the question due to health reasons/limitations? Thanks!
I get referrals from friends for any stuff that can have serious impact on our house or can kill us. Like Kyngdom Plumbing for pipes, Systematic Electric for wires. Haven’t had to worry about gas, thankfully.