Homework List When Researching An Agent

Summer is almost over and once you pull yourself away from all that fun in the sun, you will be able to get back and focus on your writing career. I’ve been posting information about agents looking to build their client list. This is vital information, but  there are other things you need to consider before you make that search for the perfect agent.

Here is my homework list on what you should do to make that job easier.

1. Does the agent rep your genre?

This is the first place I would start, since not every agent will handle the type of books you are writing, so I think it is a good place to start. How can find this type of information:

• Visit writing blogs on the Internet.
• Check the Internet for writer’s conferences.
  They will have lots of information about the agents.
• Check the Agencies website to read the information they list on their agents.
• The Guide to Literary Agents put out by Writer’s Digest is written with this searching in mind.

2. Is the agent accepting new clients?

After you have your list of agent who accept what you write, check to see if the agents is accepting new clients. Some agents have a limit on the number of new clients they can represent. Sometimes agents get plowed under with submissions from conferences, etc. and will stop queries to give them time to catch-up. Sometimes an agent will say they are closed to submissions unless they have met you at a conference. If you have a favorite agent and they are closed unless they meet you, then note that. You can always make plans to attend something to get that job done.

3. Contract negotiations?  

Try to find out what type of contracts they have negotiated. Does the agent or agency do a good job in selling Foreign rights? What is their track record in selling movies right? Selling those rights might be a long shot, but if you see that as a long term goal, it might be the thing that gets you to chose one agent over another. How well have they done into holding on the e-publishing rights? What publishers have they been successful selling to? Big publishers? Small publishers? e-publishers? Hardcover? paperback?

4. Where is the agent in their personal life?

Just like everyone else, life can get in the way for an agent, too. They get married, divorced, have babies, and eventually start to wind down their careers. If you can find out this type of information, you will be able to make a better informed decision and will be able to add a question about the amount of time the agent is willing to spend submitting your work. You might find out that the agent you want is going to have a baby. That doesn’t mean they can not sell your book, but better to discuss this before you sign up with them. Also, I find attending conferences and meeting agents is a good way to get a feel for whether you think they would be a good fit for you. Sometimes, you can admire an agent who you just do not click with and since this is hopefully going to be a longer term relationship, you might want to take that agent’s name off your list. Also, if you hear or read anything in an interview or from other authors about an agents likes or dislikes, make note of them. It might end up being something that could connect him or her to your book. Example: You find out the agent’s hobby is quilting and the character in your book is a quilter – this might be someone who would be drawn to your manuscript. A good place to find this type of information is on Twitter. Just look to see if they tweet and follow them.

5. Check out the authors they represent.

In number one, you made a list of agents who represented what you wrote, but what happens if you write more than one genre? Doing a check on the other authors the agent represents will give you an idea if they represent other genres than what they list on their bio. Where do you find this type of information? I subscribe to Publisher’s Marketplace. When you subscribe you can see what deals agents are putting together. Who they represent. The titles of books and the level of the deals they have sold. Sometime you View postwill see an agent who lists that they are only interested in young adult, but has deals for middle grade books and pictures books. I am guessing that an agent like that would be open to representing other books that you write.

If you know one of the authors, contact them and ask about the agent. Do a Google search to see if you can find an interview for the agents you have on your list. Read them. You will get a lot of valuable information.

Bottom line: Try to think of all the things you would like to know, so you can narrow things down and target the right agent for you. It is hard enough to submit, so don’t set yourself up for failure by submitting to the wrong agent.

Once you have your list and start to work your plan, type out the list of questions to ask an agent before saying yes that I posted on August 21st. Just remember not to come across as a problem child while asking your questions. https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/10-questions-to-ask-an-agent/

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy