The agent hunt: chapter three--the final chapter

After you have the names:

--Find out exactly what they require for submissions and then send them exactly that. If they ask for a cover letter, synopsis, and the first ten pages of the book, then that’s what you send them—nothing more nothing less. If they ask for a cover letter, three sample chapters, and a $20 reading fee, run away very quickly because they aren’t legitimate.

--Make sure the agent is a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives or follows the AAR guidelines. Sadly, there are a lot of people out there who will take advantage of your dreams. Don't fall into the trap of being so desperate for an "agent"--for validation--that you sign with somoene who doesn't have your best interest in mind.

Agents make money off of commission. If they sell a book, the publisher will probably send your checks directly to your agent who processes the check and keeps (usually) fifteen percent. Then she sends you the balance. I have never written Kristin a check for anything and probably never will.

--Expect rejection. The first time I got a form “sorry this isn’t right for us” rejection letter it felt so cold, so impersonal, so cruel. “How can this person be a literary agent if she so clearly can’t stand writers!” was my rant for a week or so.

I was too new to the business to realize that agents do love writers--especially their writers. And if they were to take the time to handwrite several hundred personal critiques of the queries they see every week then they would never have time to earn their commissions for the authors they've taken on.

So I kept getting rejection after rejection and eventually the sting went out of it. And then one of my “A” agents—one with a very big name client—wrote a personal note on the bottom of the form letter calling me “clearly talented” and apologizing that the work just wasn’t right for them.

And I had new hope.

And then I found Kristin.

--Remember that things happen for a reason. If I had any other agent but Kristin and I probably wouldn’t be writing comedies right now. I certainly wouldn’t be writing YA. All those agents who said no brought me to this point in my career--no doubt about it.

--Consider what type of "style" will work best for you. Some agents are all about making deals. Their authors send them books or proposals and the agents sell them and handle the paperwork and the conflicts that arise along the way. Some agents are more interested in career management--helping authors decide which of their long list of story ideas are the strongest, whether they should try a new genre or take part in an anthology or not. Know which style you'd prefer.

--Check references. If an agent offers to represent you

it’s not unethical or tacky for you to ask some of her current clients about their experience before signing on the dotted line. I’ve had two or three of Kristin’s newer clients contact me before signing with her because this is a big business decision. Be businesslike.

Okay. I'm officially bored of this topic, and that means you guys probably are too. I never meant to preach on this, but I did. Hope it helps.

In other news, HAPPY PUB DAY JANA DELEON!!!

That's right, folks. Anyone interested in a fun romp of bayou goodness needs to check out Rumble on the Bayou--the first book from someone who I believe is going to have a big career!