Agents know how difficult it is to break in to publishing, to keep your stride as a midlist author, and to stay on top once you’re there. We realize where you’re coming from when you send us something we say we don’t represent, thinking it’s so wonderful we might change our minds. Maybe it is that wonderful. Maybe we might change our minds.
But is that what you really want?
Let’s look at two diametrically different examples to see why you might not want representation from certain agents.
Children’s Books:
I loved reading books to both of my girls when they were growing up. I can read Fox in Sox aloud at warp speed! But I don’t actively seek to represent children’s book authors. I do represent children’s books for authors who are already my clients. But if you’re a new children’s book author, not already my client, and are trying to break in to this competitive place, realize that I have very few strong contacts in the children’s book market. Most of the ones I do have focus on Christian books. So even if I love your general market children’s picture book, what editors would I be able to pursue for you?
Note that in both the general and Christian markets, a well-known author writing for adults will often publish a children’s book. Editors know that the adults who buy books for the children in their lives will gravitate to a name they already know and like. Not only that, but celebrities with no prior publishing experience write for children, creating more competition for non-celebrity authors who only write children’s books. So these markets are hard to tap into even under the best circumstances. If you don’t already have solid contacts yourself for the agent to pursue on your behalf, then you especially don’t need an agent with only a few contacts of his representing you, no matter how much the agent loves your book.
Erotica:
At the other extreme, sometimes authors will submit, if not outright erotica, books with vivid and unapologetic sexual content. No one in my office will ever know if your novel is so wonderful it could change our minds because once we understand the content, we won’t read it. Period.
Look at it this way: say you know an auto mechanic specializing in restoring vintage automobiles. He should be a whiz at understanding your 2017 Lincoln Continental, right? After all, they are both cars, with four tires and an engine. They both transport people from Point A to Point B.
But the restoration mechanic doesn’t have a computer to diagnose problems because he doesn’t need one. He doesn’t have the contacts to buy new Lincoln parts through the best channels, nor does he possess the latest information about your new vehicle warranty. He may love your new baby, and he might be able to apply some of his knowledge of vintage vehicles to your car, but he simply doesn’t have the same data or resources you’ll find at the Lincoln dealership, where they both know and love your car.
Back to publishing, why would you want to trust your work to an agent who doesn’t have the right contacts, robust interest in your type of book, and resources, to maximize your success? The expression, “Any agent is better than no agent,” simply isn’t true. An agent who’s unquestionably qualified and wonderful at representing one type of book, or a certain category of books, isn’t always at her best representing a different category requiring a completely different set of contacts, data, and experience. The more time you spend finding an agent who’s a right fit for you before you submit, the less of your time you’ll waste, and the less likely you’ll find your submissions deleted with no response.
Your turn:
How many agents did you submit to before finding acceptance?
If you’re in the processing of deciding how and where to submit, how will you research agents?
How To Decide What You Will and Won’t Do with Your Time
I researched The Christian Writers Market Guide when I began searching for an agent. At conferences, I made sure the agent I’d made an appointment with represented my genre. The one thing I didn’t want to do was send my manuscript to an agency that didn’t represent romantic suspense. I like doing things by the rules. I submitted my manuscript to approximately eight agencies before I was accepted by you at The Steve Laube Agency.
An excellent resource! https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Writers-Market-Guide-2017/dp/1621840808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490285109&sr=8-1&keywords=christian+writers+market+guide+2017
Loretta, I think your number is pretty typical. Glad you landed with me!
great post, Tamela.
thought – if I could offer something compelling enough to convince agent to try a new road might be fun for us both
path of discovery
pls pardon awkwardness, having bit trouble here
Andrew, that’s a good point. It just depends on how different, and if I have the right contacts. 🙂
I’d gladly go with you on journey to develop the right contacts.
is about relationship and learning – for all
So true, Andrew!
I have a sports analogy, Tamela. My son was a very good sprinter, with a cork board and a half of ribbons and two state medals on his wall. He was a good triple jumper, again with ribbons and a state medal. He ran cross country in the off season, where he was a solid upper half of the pack runner, but he was never a contender.
An agent might be excellent at placing one fiction genre. She/he might even be excellent with a non-fiction one. But shift to children’s books? She might be a decent middle-of-the pack performer, but wouldn’t an author rather have a medalist in their specialty instead?
At the ridiculous extreme, it could be more like having a power weight lifter trying to compete against the gymnasts. I wouldn’t ask even a gold medalist to try to execute a vault!
Great analogy, Carol!
Hi Tamela, and thank you! This is a great and timely post for me, personally, because I’m querying agents for two very different novels, neither of which really fits into a genre. That’s a real dilemma I’ve managed to create for myself! I’m prepared to knock and keep knocking (while improving my craft) in the hope the work will find its place (Proverbs 22:29). The necessary, but emotionally draining, query process is kind of like speed dating – you just have a second to figure each other out before it’s time to move on. I’ll be thrilled if and when the day comes that I can answer that question, “How many agents did you query before….”
This blog is great! I look forward to reading it every day, as well as, the writerly Christian fellowship of the comments.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, M.K. I am confident the Lord will lead you just where you need to be!
Great idea about reading the acknowledgments. And thank you for following our blog! We’re not too scary so pitch away!
I just completed my WIP and I’ve learned so much that I’m going through it again, editing it, and trying to make it better. I haven’t yet submitted to an agency, but I’m hoping to submit by the end of the year. I have the 2017 Christian Market Guide and I plan to attend the ACFW conference in 2018. I’ve researched agents and I try to find ones that search for my genre (contemporary romance) and I pay attention when reading books that I like to see if they listed their agent.
I think you’re on the right path, C.J. 🙂
Tamela,
Yes, I agree. The “right fit” when finding a literary agent is important. In my search, I begin with a clear understanding of my proposed book. Next, I search the markets for agencies that are accepting the type of book that I have written. In my case, I’m currently searching to find someone to represent my non-fiction book about building relationships through personal letters. Finally, I try to find an agent that has some interests that either coincide with my own or appeal to me personally…some connection. Would I consider submitting a second time to the same agent? I just might!
Thanks, Tamela.
~~Effie-Alean Gross
Effie-Alean, it’s great advice to understand what type of book you’ve written. That helps a lot. As for myself, I don’t mind if an author pitches to me twice!
Oooo, I never thought to look at the acknowledgments for names of agents! Great idea! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I think your analogies here are great, but I also appreciate reinforcing the importance of trying to speak or interact with an agent who is looking for particular types of genres.
Although I have yet to query agents that are spotlighted in the Writer’s Digest magazine, I enjoy that resource. And so far, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my limited experience of conferences for meeting and speaking with agents.
Sounds like you’re doing a great job of researching! Keep it up!
I’m in the middle of reworking a chapter in hopes of sparking an agent’s interest, so we’ll see what the Lord has in store!
Right after grad school, I hopped on the conference train and spent the summer preparing for ACFW 2016. The preparation is a LOT of work but so much fun!
I followed the ACFW conference prep thread and gained so much information. From there, I researched the agents and editors who would be at the conference. I pitched at ACFW and found it to be crazy at first, because I had never done anything like that before….And the very first time I pitched, it was with Steve Laube–oh my, I swallowed my tongue during the entire pitch session. But he was so helpful and supportive and kind. 🙂
So…My journey is just beginning, and it’s been grand so far!
Tisha, I’m so glad you had a good experience! As I told Rebekah, we’re not too scary!
Tamela, I queried about 15 agents before finding the one that represents me now. But I only needed one! He has sent out my proposal and manuscript to almost 20 publishers, but again I only need one. God knows His perfect timing……I just have to wait on Him. Great post!