Michelle Hauck's Blog, page 94
September 22, 2014
Query Questions with Brent Taylor
Writers have copious amounts of imagination. It's what makes their stories so fantastic. But there's a darker side to so much out of the box thinking. When a writer is in the query trenches, their worries go into overdrive. They start pulling out their hair and imagine every possible disaster.
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
Brent Taylor was a Pitchwars mentor when I met him. Suddenly, he pulled out of the contest. Shortly after, we found out why. Brent has become an associate agent with Triada US. Congrats, Brent. I'm so happy to offer you a spotlight.
Is there a better or worse time of year to query?I don’t believe so. I’m looking for great stories 365 days a year.
Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?If the concept and writing otherwise enticed me, no. If I felt on the fence about it, the typo would show me that you didn’t spend enough time “sweating” over the materials you sent me.
Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?I almost always jump straight to the pages. There are too many incredible fiction writers that are bad at query letters (the same way I struggle sometimes with writing pitches). I usually skim the query for word count, category, genre, and to see if there are high enough stakes. Once I feel confident I want to request the full, I go back and read the query letter.
Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?Although I spent years as the intern that did this on behalf of other agents and value interns greatly, I’m so new in my role at TriadaUS that I’ll be reading my own submissions for quite a while.
If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?Despite the fact that I am not a fan of prologues, and think they’re nearly always unnecessary, I still consider them as part of the first ten pages, which is what I request.
Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?We often share and discuss projects with each other at TriadaUS.
Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?I prefer queries that jump straight into the story, but personalization at the end is always nice.
Most agents have said they don’t care whether the word count/genre sentence comes first or last. But is it a red flag if one component is not included? Yes, these are important in determining whether or not a project is of interest to me.
Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?I recommend writing the most concise query letter possible, which means you should probably refrain from mentioning secondary characters. All I want to know from your query letter is:Who your protagonist isWhat they want more than anything in the worldWhat (or who) is stopping themAnd what’s going to happen if they don’t get what they wantShould writers sweat the title of their book (and character names) or is that something that is often changed by publishers? The title or characters names have never been, and probably never will be, a reason for me rejecting a novel.
Many agents say they don't care if writers are active online. Could a twitter account or blog presence by a writer tip the scales in getting a request or offer? And do you require writers you sign to start one?It depends on the project—is it nonfiction, a memoir? I primarily work with fiction, and the number of twitter and blog followers a writer has does nothing for me either way.I would advise my clients to have a website and social media presence, but the only thing I would ever require is great fiction writing. That’s what matters to me.
Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?Absolutely not. I often google search potential clients anyway and find their blogs that way, so I appreciate being able to skip a step.
If a writer makes changes to their manuscript due to feedback should they resend the query or only if material was requested?Only if I specifically requested the project be revised and resubmitted.
What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?I don’t care as much at all about this part of the query letter, but starting with your day job is fine. If you’re querying me for a police procedural thriller and I see you’re an FBI agent, I’ll be particularly intrigued.
What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?It means that I can’t fall in love with the project enough to believe that I would be the best agent for it.
Do you consider yourself a hands-on, editorial type of agent?I can be, yes, but some clients don’t require it. I’m a flexible agent constantly molding myself to fit the tailored needs of my clients, and if a project needs an intensive edit before going out on submission, I am willing and delighted, even, to provide the necessary editorial guidance.
What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?I would love a middle grade fantasy, a young adult thriller, and a new adult romantic suspense.
What are some of your favorite movies or books to give us an idea of your tastes?My favorite shows at the moment are Revenge (Gossip Girl meets Person of Interest in the Hamptons) and The Following (fast-paced, hard-boiled, edge-of-your-seat thriller). I would love to find someone that writes high-stakes books similar to those of Cecily Von Ziegesar and my good friend Michelle Madow.
My recent favorites have included CARTWHEEL by Jennifer Dubois, A SNICKER IN MAGIC by Natalie Lloyd, and BELZHAR by Meg Wolitzer.
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Prior to joining TriadaUS Literary Agency, Inc. in 2014 as an assistant, I completed numerous internships in publishing, most recently at The Bent Agency. My tastes are eclectic, but all of my favorite novels are similar in that they have big commercial hooks and fantastic writing.I am seeking smart, fun, and exciting books for readers of middle grade, young adult, new adult, and select mystery/crime and women's fiction.
Middle Grade: for younger readers I am on the hunt for a humorous, intelligent fantasy; a scare-the-pants-off-me ghost or haunting story; fast-paced literary writing similar in style to Jerry Spinelli and Cynthia Lord. I have soft spots for larger-than-life characters and atmospheric setting (creepy and/or quirky).
Young Adult: I’m always looking for genre-bending books that can be an exciting puzzlement when thinking about how precisely to market; specifically mystery and crime for teens, the grittier the better; high-concept contemporary stories with addicting romantic tension. I’m a sucker for themes of finding your place in the world, new beginnings, and summer-before-college stories.
New Adult: my tastes in New Adult tend to be more darkly skewed but I would love a well-executed story that shares the same excitement, wonder, and invigoration of books like LOSING IT. Although I appreciate any story that’s told well in great language, in New Adult I’m more concerned with being entertained and gripped by the edge of my seat than in being stimulated.
Adult: I would love a psychological suspense based on actual events, i.e. CARTWHEEL by Jennifer Dubois which fictionalized the Amanda Knox trial and hooked me from beginning to end. Alternatively, I’d love high-concept women’s fiction; either an exquisitely told story huge in size and scope, or a less ambitious novel that simply warms my heart.
Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!
If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.
Brent Taylor was a Pitchwars mentor when I met him. Suddenly, he pulled out of the contest. Shortly after, we found out why. Brent has become an associate agent with Triada US. Congrats, Brent. I'm so happy to offer you a spotlight.
Is there a better or worse time of year to query?I don’t believe so. I’m looking for great stories 365 days a year.
Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?If the concept and writing otherwise enticed me, no. If I felt on the fence about it, the typo would show me that you didn’t spend enough time “sweating” over the materials you sent me.
Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?I almost always jump straight to the pages. There are too many incredible fiction writers that are bad at query letters (the same way I struggle sometimes with writing pitches). I usually skim the query for word count, category, genre, and to see if there are high enough stakes. Once I feel confident I want to request the full, I go back and read the query letter.
Do you have an assistant or intern go through your queries first or do you check all of them?Although I spent years as the intern that did this on behalf of other agents and value interns greatly, I’m so new in my role at TriadaUS that I’ll be reading my own submissions for quite a while.
If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?Despite the fact that I am not a fan of prologues, and think they’re nearly always unnecessary, I still consider them as part of the first ten pages, which is what I request.
Some agencies mention querying only one agent at a time and some say query only one agent period. How often do you pass a query along to a fellow agent who might be more interested?We often share and discuss projects with each other at TriadaUS.
Do you prefer a little personalized chit-chat in a query letter, or would you rather hear about the manuscript?I prefer queries that jump straight into the story, but personalization at the end is always nice.
Most agents have said they don’t care whether the word count/genre sentence comes first or last. But is it a red flag if one component is not included? Yes, these are important in determining whether or not a project is of interest to me.
Writers hear a lot about limiting the number of named characters in a query. Do you feel keeping named characters to a certain number makes for a clearer query?I recommend writing the most concise query letter possible, which means you should probably refrain from mentioning secondary characters. All I want to know from your query letter is:Who your protagonist isWhat they want more than anything in the worldWhat (or who) is stopping themAnd what’s going to happen if they don’t get what they wantShould writers sweat the title of their book (and character names) or is that something that is often changed by publishers? The title or characters names have never been, and probably never will be, a reason for me rejecting a novel.
Many agents say they don't care if writers are active online. Could a twitter account or blog presence by a writer tip the scales in getting a request or offer? And do you require writers you sign to start one?It depends on the project—is it nonfiction, a memoir? I primarily work with fiction, and the number of twitter and blog followers a writer has does nothing for me either way.I would advise my clients to have a website and social media presence, but the only thing I would ever require is great fiction writing. That’s what matters to me.
Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?Absolutely not. I often google search potential clients anyway and find their blogs that way, so I appreciate being able to skip a step.
If a writer makes changes to their manuscript due to feedback should they resend the query or only if material was requested?Only if I specifically requested the project be revised and resubmitted.
What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?I don’t care as much at all about this part of the query letter, but starting with your day job is fine. If you’re querying me for a police procedural thriller and I see you’re an FBI agent, I’ll be particularly intrigued.
What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?It means that I can’t fall in love with the project enough to believe that I would be the best agent for it.
Do you consider yourself a hands-on, editorial type of agent?I can be, yes, but some clients don’t require it. I’m a flexible agent constantly molding myself to fit the tailored needs of my clients, and if a project needs an intensive edit before going out on submission, I am willing and delighted, even, to provide the necessary editorial guidance.
What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?I would love a middle grade fantasy, a young adult thriller, and a new adult romantic suspense.
What are some of your favorite movies or books to give us an idea of your tastes?My favorite shows at the moment are Revenge (Gossip Girl meets Person of Interest in the Hamptons) and The Following (fast-paced, hard-boiled, edge-of-your-seat thriller). I would love to find someone that writes high-stakes books similar to those of Cecily Von Ziegesar and my good friend Michelle Madow.
My recent favorites have included CARTWHEEL by Jennifer Dubois, A SNICKER IN MAGIC by Natalie Lloyd, and BELZHAR by Meg Wolitzer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Prior to joining TriadaUS Literary Agency, Inc. in 2014 as an assistant, I completed numerous internships in publishing, most recently at The Bent Agency. My tastes are eclectic, but all of my favorite novels are similar in that they have big commercial hooks and fantastic writing.I am seeking smart, fun, and exciting books for readers of middle grade, young adult, new adult, and select mystery/crime and women's fiction.
Middle Grade: for younger readers I am on the hunt for a humorous, intelligent fantasy; a scare-the-pants-off-me ghost or haunting story; fast-paced literary writing similar in style to Jerry Spinelli and Cynthia Lord. I have soft spots for larger-than-life characters and atmospheric setting (creepy and/or quirky).
Young Adult: I’m always looking for genre-bending books that can be an exciting puzzlement when thinking about how precisely to market; specifically mystery and crime for teens, the grittier the better; high-concept contemporary stories with addicting romantic tension. I’m a sucker for themes of finding your place in the world, new beginnings, and summer-before-college stories.
New Adult: my tastes in New Adult tend to be more darkly skewed but I would love a well-executed story that shares the same excitement, wonder, and invigoration of books like LOSING IT. Although I appreciate any story that’s told well in great language, in New Adult I’m more concerned with being entertained and gripped by the edge of my seat than in being stimulated.
Adult: I would love a psychological suspense based on actual events, i.e. CARTWHEEL by Jennifer Dubois which fictionalized the Amanda Knox trial and hooked me from beginning to end. Alternatively, I’d love high-concept women’s fiction; either an exquisitely told story huge in size and scope, or a less ambitious novel that simply warms my heart.
September 19, 2014
NIGHTMARE ON QUERY STREET 2014 ANNOUNCEMENT
It's back, and it's badder than ever.
IT'S Nightmare on Query Street!!!!!!!!! Don’t have a scary manuscript, DON'T WORRY. Just read on.
A brand new year, a brand new evil.
This contest, as it runs in the Halloween time, is all about FEAR.
The Details:
The submission window opens at 12 noon (EST) on October 15th. The window will close at 12 noon (EST) October 17th or when we receive 225 entries.
Michelle, Mike, and SC will make twelve picks each, and those twelve picks will go up on our blogs from the 22nd through the 25th, where (SURPRISE, change from last year!) there will be a mentor round. OooooooOOOoooOOooo. We've already got amazing mentors lined up, so know that your entries will be amazingly polished when agents come in on the 28th through the 30th. Then, CELEBRATE! Halloween is the day after :)
We are accepting all age categories and genres, excluding picture books and erotica. But be sure to check our list of agents when it goes live to see if they represent your book's genre.
If you plan on participating in the contest, you have to be following all our blogs (Michelle, Mike, and SC).
It's pretty simple, actually.
But there's a catch.
Along with your query and 250, you must write a SHORT paragraph (no more than 100 words) about your main character. This is the question you must answer:
What is your main character's most fearsome obstacle?
The Format:
Send all your submissions to nightmareonquerystreet (at) yahoo (dot) com. Only one submission per email address or person is allowed.
Here's how it should be formatted (yes, include the bolded and everything!). Please use Times New Roman (or equivalent), 12 pt font, and put spaces between paragraphs. No indents or tabs are needed.
Subject Line of Email: NoQS: Title, age category genre
Example: NoQS: Pygmy Hazards, MG humor
Title: MY FANTASTIC BOOK (yes, caps!)Genre: Adult Fantasy (no caps; age category AND genre)Word Count: XX,XXX
My Main Character's Greatest Fear:
My MC's most fearsome obstacles is potatoes. (Please, spend some time on this! I know that I will be looking at this to make up for gaps in the query and 250. It gives us a chance to know your characters better. It doesn't have to be horror-scary. It can be more subtle.)
Query:
Here is my fantastic query!
First 250 words:
Here are the first 250 words of my manuscript, and I will not end in the middle of a sentence, even if I hit 252 words.
And that's it! Send in that email during the submission window and you're ready to go :) There will be a confirmation email!!
This should be FUN. This is a Halloween-themed contest, so please please please, spend time on the MC's Greatest Fear paragraph!!!! It should be a LOT of fun. If you're writing a funny book, make a funny twist on the question, or say your MC is scared of strawberries or something. If it's a serious/sad book, you should have a field day, because the MC's fear might be so heart-wrenching.
This is a new way to pitch, so have fun with it (and don't stress out over it like its a query or something).
So go over and follow our blogs (Michelle, Mike, and SC) and our Twitters (Michelle, Mike, and SC) (we're Tweeting under the hashtag #NoQS) to stay in touch with all that we're doing.
As before, we'll have a twitter party when the time gets closer.
I AM VERY VERY VERY EXCITED. I can't wait to see your answers to the question!!!!
IT'S Nightmare on Query Street!!!!!!!!! Don’t have a scary manuscript, DON'T WORRY. Just read on.
A brand new year, a brand new evil.This contest, as it runs in the Halloween time, is all about FEAR.
The Details:
The submission window opens at 12 noon (EST) on October 15th. The window will close at 12 noon (EST) October 17th or when we receive 225 entries.
Michelle, Mike, and SC will make twelve picks each, and those twelve picks will go up on our blogs from the 22nd through the 25th, where (SURPRISE, change from last year!) there will be a mentor round. OooooooOOOoooOOooo. We've already got amazing mentors lined up, so know that your entries will be amazingly polished when agents come in on the 28th through the 30th. Then, CELEBRATE! Halloween is the day after :)
We are accepting all age categories and genres, excluding picture books and erotica. But be sure to check our list of agents when it goes live to see if they represent your book's genre.
If you plan on participating in the contest, you have to be following all our blogs (Michelle, Mike, and SC).
It's pretty simple, actually.
But there's a catch.
Along with your query and 250, you must write a SHORT paragraph (no more than 100 words) about your main character. This is the question you must answer:
What is your main character's most fearsome obstacle?
The Format:
Send all your submissions to nightmareonquerystreet (at) yahoo (dot) com. Only one submission per email address or person is allowed.
Here's how it should be formatted (yes, include the bolded and everything!). Please use Times New Roman (or equivalent), 12 pt font, and put spaces between paragraphs. No indents or tabs are needed.
Subject Line of Email: NoQS: Title, age category genre
Example: NoQS: Pygmy Hazards, MG humor
Title: MY FANTASTIC BOOK (yes, caps!)Genre: Adult Fantasy (no caps; age category AND genre)Word Count: XX,XXX
My Main Character's Greatest Fear:
My MC's most fearsome obstacles is potatoes. (Please, spend some time on this! I know that I will be looking at this to make up for gaps in the query and 250. It gives us a chance to know your characters better. It doesn't have to be horror-scary. It can be more subtle.)
Query:
Here is my fantastic query!
First 250 words:
Here are the first 250 words of my manuscript, and I will not end in the middle of a sentence, even if I hit 252 words.
And that's it! Send in that email during the submission window and you're ready to go :) There will be a confirmation email!!
This should be FUN. This is a Halloween-themed contest, so please please please, spend time on the MC's Greatest Fear paragraph!!!! It should be a LOT of fun. If you're writing a funny book, make a funny twist on the question, or say your MC is scared of strawberries or something. If it's a serious/sad book, you should have a field day, because the MC's fear might be so heart-wrenching.
This is a new way to pitch, so have fun with it (and don't stress out over it like its a query or something).
So go over and follow our blogs (Michelle, Mike, and SC) and our Twitters (Michelle, Mike, and SC) (we're Tweeting under the hashtag #NoQS) to stay in touch with all that we're doing.
As before, we'll have a twitter party when the time gets closer.
I AM VERY VERY VERY EXCITED. I can't wait to see your answers to the question!!!!
September 17, 2014
Cover Reveal for THE BEACON THRONES
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Title: The Beacon Thrones
Series: Book Two of Dragon Calling
Genre: Fantasy/ adventure
Word Count: 70,000 (approx)
Audience: Upper Middle Grade (ages 9 and up)
Release Date: November 12th, 2014
Laeka'Draeon is the last dragon in Valadae.
The key to finding his missing kin lies in the prophecy obtained through the centaur prophet, Belzor Ven'Ho. To interpret its hidden meanings, Laeka'Draeon and his companions must journey to heart of the Raegelian forest, wherein resides the legendary seer, Lady Megandel.But the enemies of the old wars have already set their plans in motion, threatening far more than Laeka'Draeon's quest.
A terrible doom grows on Valadae's horizon, and the power to avert it resides in the mysterious Beacon Thrones―a power only a dragon can revive.
Enter to win a PRIZE PACK for those who pre-order a copy of THE BEACON THRONES will go into the running to win the pack (which includes posters, bookmarks and signed paperback copies of the first and second book).
AUTHOR BIO:
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Naomi confesses the best word to describe her is: whimsical. Forget "the girl next door" and think more along the lines of "the girl from the next galaxy over" and you'd be closer to the correct personality categorization. She is an unequivocal day-dreamer, anime enthusiast, partisan of fantastical things, and unshakable devotee to story-telling.In addition to writing, Naomi sings, draws, reads, plays console games, does the occasional concept art commissions, and works with rescued animals. Her love for absorbing fabulous, unforgettable stories is only out-shined by her love for creating her own.
Currently, she lives on the Gold Coast, Australia, along with crazy cats and even crazier family members.
Pre-order at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474964
Pre-Order at Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NG77HHS
Pre-Order at Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NG77HHS?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23149519-the-beacon-thrones
Dragon Calling Website: http://dragoncalling.wordpress.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dragoncalling
September 16, 2014
Agents in Indiana
If you live in Indiana--like moi--and want a chance to meet agents face to face, here's your opportunity.
Chuck Sambuchino, Jen Karsbaek, and Whitley Abell will be in Indianapolis on November 1st! Here's the link. Check out the Indiana Writing Workshop!
Chuck Sambuchino, Jen Karsbaek, and Whitley Abell will be in Indianapolis on November 1st! Here's the link. Check out the Indiana Writing Workshop!
September 15, 2014
Early Bird Agents
You've waited long enough!
Here are the Early Bird Agents who have been visiting GetOffMyLawnCon and dispensing advice and requests!
Margaret Bail as Killdeer!
Margaret Bail, literary agent, has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. With years of experience editing everything from medical documents to manuscripts, as well as teaching university-level English and writing, she looks forward to working closely with new and established authors to help develop their voice and craft.
Her lifelong love of stories and storytelling has her looking for books that transport her into the heart of the story, so much so that she’ll forget where she is and lose track of time while she reads.
Before joining Inklings, Margaret was an agent at Andrea Hurst Agency.
Lana Popovic as Quetzal
Lana Popovic holds a B.A. with honors from Yale University, a J.D. from the Boston University School of Law, where she focused on intellectual property, and an M.A. with highest honors from the Emerson College Publishing and Writing program. Prior to joining Chalberg & Sussman, Lana worked at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, where she built a list of Young Adult and adult literary authors while managing foreign rights for the agency.
Lana’s clients include Leah Thomas (Because You’ll Never Meet Me, forthcoming from Bloomsbury), Rebecca Podos (The Mystery of Hollow Places, forthcoming from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins), Michelle Smith (Play On, forthcoming from Spencer Hill Contemporary), and Marie Jaskulka (The Lost Marble Notebook of Forgotten Girl and Random Boy, forthcoming from Skyhorse).
With an abiding love for dark themes and shamelessly nerdy fare—Battlestar Galactica and Joss Whedon are two of her great loves—Lana is looking for a broad spectrum of Young Adult and Middle Grade projects, from contemporary realism to speculative fiction, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. For the adult market, Lana is interested in literary thrillers, horror, fantasy, sophisticated erotica and romance, and select nonfiction. An avid traveler, she has a particular fondness for stories set in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, although she also loves reading about American subcultures.
Cate Hart as Barnowl!
Cate is all about guilty pleasures. She loves salted caramel mochas, Justin Timberlake, Fox’s Sleepy Hollow, and Steampunk. As a native Nashvillian, Cate’s biggest guilty pleasure is watching Nashville.
When she’s reading, Cate looks for character-driven stories, a distinguished voice, and intriguing plots.She loves characters that surprise her, like the pirate with a heart of gold, and plots that keep her guessing until the very last page.
When she’s not reading queries, Cate works with clients to build their platform, works on PR projects to help promote clients’ books, and reads manuscripts with an editorial eye.
Jen Karsbaek as AgentCrane!
Jen Karsbaek joined first Larsen Pomada Literary Agency, then Foreword Literary Agency in 2013.Jen is aggressively looking to build her list with women’s fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, and literary fiction. She looks for books with particularly well-developed characters and strong authorial voice. In historical in particular she is interested in books that bring the setting to life and maintain balance between historical accuracy and strong plot choices. She is also interested in mystery, fantasy, and occasionally romance approaches to any of the genres listed above. She is not looking for YA or anything that is primarily fantasy, romance, or science fiction.
Jennie Goloboy as Chimney Swift!In Fall 2011, Jennie Goloboy joined Red Sofa Literary as an Associate Agent. Jennie Goloboy has a PhD in the History of American Civilization from Harvard. She is also a published author of both history and fiction, and a member of SFWA, RWA, SHEAR, OAH, the AHA, and Codex Writer’s Group. Her funny, spec-fic short stories appear under her pen name, Nora Fleischer. Jennie was promoted to Literary Agent in December 2013.
Gina Panettieri as Bluejay!
Gina Panettieri of Talcott Notch Literary Services. Being an agent is really all I can imagine doing. Books, and the amazing people who write them, have been the focus of my life for more than two decades. I remember packing to move my house and needing a separate small truck just for all the books, and I had given awaycountless volumes to the libraries for fundraisers already! But so many of them were treasured friends I couldn't bear to part with, no matter the effort required to maintain the relationship.And this specific role I play, being given the chance to find and nurture new books, to work with some of the most creative and talented writers, scientists and psychologists, cooks and criminologists, experts from every field of study, makes what I do feel so different fromwork that my inbox feels like Santa's magical Christmas bag. It's always full, always overflowing, but brimming with the potential of something spectacular. All I've got to do is pull the little ribbon...Perhaps that's why I have such trouble limiting myself to just a few genres. I find it all fascinating! History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime and travel. Teach me something new, something I couldn't find somewhere else, something based on original research and that's the hook I'm looking for. With fiction, I love quirky, edgy characters. Send me women's fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers and suspense.Those rare moments I'm not reading or editing or talking about reading or editing or arguing about contracts, sleeping on the train, or tweeting about industry news, I adore classic films and old-time radio shows.
Tamar Rydzinski is Pigeon!
Tamar Rydzinski worked at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates prior to joining the Laura Dail Literary Agency. She graduated from Yeshiva University in 2003 with a major in literature and a minor in business.
Tamar is not interested in prescriptive or practical non-fiction, humor, coffee table books, or children’s books (meaning anything younger than middle grade). She is interested in everything else that is well-written and has great characters, including graphic novels. A fantastic query letter is essential – “you need to make me want to read your book, and be excited to read it,” she says, “with those first couple of paragraphs.”
Thanks to the agents and writers for being part of GetOffMyLawnCon! September is a very busy time for agents and they still found time to help out!
Oh and if you got asked for pages, be sure to put GetOffMyLawnCon in your email or subject line.
I hope the Con continues to be a helpful resource and we'll try this again soon.
Here are the Early Bird Agents who have been visiting GetOffMyLawnCon and dispensing advice and requests!
Margaret Bail as Killdeer!
Margaret Bail, literary agent, has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. With years of experience editing everything from medical documents to manuscripts, as well as teaching university-level English and writing, she looks forward to working closely with new and established authors to help develop their voice and craft.
Her lifelong love of stories and storytelling has her looking for books that transport her into the heart of the story, so much so that she’ll forget where she is and lose track of time while she reads.
Before joining Inklings, Margaret was an agent at Andrea Hurst Agency.
Lana Popovic as Quetzal
Lana Popovic holds a B.A. with honors from Yale University, a J.D. from the Boston University School of Law, where she focused on intellectual property, and an M.A. with highest honors from the Emerson College Publishing and Writing program. Prior to joining Chalberg & Sussman, Lana worked at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, where she built a list of Young Adult and adult literary authors while managing foreign rights for the agency.
Lana’s clients include Leah Thomas (Because You’ll Never Meet Me, forthcoming from Bloomsbury), Rebecca Podos (The Mystery of Hollow Places, forthcoming from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins), Michelle Smith (Play On, forthcoming from Spencer Hill Contemporary), and Marie Jaskulka (The Lost Marble Notebook of Forgotten Girl and Random Boy, forthcoming from Skyhorse).
With an abiding love for dark themes and shamelessly nerdy fare—Battlestar Galactica and Joss Whedon are two of her great loves—Lana is looking for a broad spectrum of Young Adult and Middle Grade projects, from contemporary realism to speculative fiction, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. For the adult market, Lana is interested in literary thrillers, horror, fantasy, sophisticated erotica and romance, and select nonfiction. An avid traveler, she has a particular fondness for stories set in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, although she also loves reading about American subcultures.
Cate Hart as Barnowl!
Cate is all about guilty pleasures. She loves salted caramel mochas, Justin Timberlake, Fox’s Sleepy Hollow, and Steampunk. As a native Nashvillian, Cate’s biggest guilty pleasure is watching Nashville.
When she’s reading, Cate looks for character-driven stories, a distinguished voice, and intriguing plots.She loves characters that surprise her, like the pirate with a heart of gold, and plots that keep her guessing until the very last page.
When she’s not reading queries, Cate works with clients to build their platform, works on PR projects to help promote clients’ books, and reads manuscripts with an editorial eye.
Jen Karsbaek as AgentCrane!
Jen Karsbaek joined first Larsen Pomada Literary Agency, then Foreword Literary Agency in 2013.Jen is aggressively looking to build her list with women’s fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, and literary fiction. She looks for books with particularly well-developed characters and strong authorial voice. In historical in particular she is interested in books that bring the setting to life and maintain balance between historical accuracy and strong plot choices. She is also interested in mystery, fantasy, and occasionally romance approaches to any of the genres listed above. She is not looking for YA or anything that is primarily fantasy, romance, or science fiction.
Jennie Goloboy as Chimney Swift!In Fall 2011, Jennie Goloboy joined Red Sofa Literary as an Associate Agent. Jennie Goloboy has a PhD in the History of American Civilization from Harvard. She is also a published author of both history and fiction, and a member of SFWA, RWA, SHEAR, OAH, the AHA, and Codex Writer’s Group. Her funny, spec-fic short stories appear under her pen name, Nora Fleischer. Jennie was promoted to Literary Agent in December 2013.
Gina Panettieri as Bluejay!
Gina Panettieri of Talcott Notch Literary Services. Being an agent is really all I can imagine doing. Books, and the amazing people who write them, have been the focus of my life for more than two decades. I remember packing to move my house and needing a separate small truck just for all the books, and I had given awaycountless volumes to the libraries for fundraisers already! But so many of them were treasured friends I couldn't bear to part with, no matter the effort required to maintain the relationship.And this specific role I play, being given the chance to find and nurture new books, to work with some of the most creative and talented writers, scientists and psychologists, cooks and criminologists, experts from every field of study, makes what I do feel so different fromwork that my inbox feels like Santa's magical Christmas bag. It's always full, always overflowing, but brimming with the potential of something spectacular. All I've got to do is pull the little ribbon...Perhaps that's why I have such trouble limiting myself to just a few genres. I find it all fascinating! History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime and travel. Teach me something new, something I couldn't find somewhere else, something based on original research and that's the hook I'm looking for. With fiction, I love quirky, edgy characters. Send me women's fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers and suspense.Those rare moments I'm not reading or editing or talking about reading or editing or arguing about contracts, sleeping on the train, or tweeting about industry news, I adore classic films and old-time radio shows.
Tamar Rydzinski is Pigeon!
Tamar Rydzinski worked at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates prior to joining the Laura Dail Literary Agency. She graduated from Yeshiva University in 2003 with a major in literature and a minor in business.
Tamar is not interested in prescriptive or practical non-fiction, humor, coffee table books, or children’s books (meaning anything younger than middle grade). She is interested in everything else that is well-written and has great characters, including graphic novels. A fantastic query letter is essential – “you need to make me want to read your book, and be excited to read it,” she says, “with those first couple of paragraphs.”
Thanks to the agents and writers for being part of GetOffMyLawnCon! September is a very busy time for agents and they still found time to help out!
Oh and if you got asked for pages, be sure to put GetOffMyLawnCon in your email or subject line.
I hope the Con continues to be a helpful resource and we'll try this again soon.
September 12, 2014
Getting the Call with Holly Jennings
The success from Query Kombat keeps on coming! Now we have Holly Jennings, who incidentally will be a mentor for Nightmare on Query Street! You'll remember her from her great NA entry, Making Boys Cry! Here's the agent round post. Congrats, Holly!
In the summer of 2013, I came across Query Kombat for the first time. All I could think was "I wonder if I'll ever write something good enough to make it into that contest." As a short story writer, I'd tried my hand at novels now and again but didn't have anything worth submitting.
That same summer I started reading New Adult books and loved the "you're 18 now, deal with it" consequences. Shortly after, I came across a documentary about 18-year-old kids dropping out of college and trying to make it as professional video game players. What an idea for a new adult book! The geek in me immediately warped the concept into a future where virtual reality gaming is a national sport and gamers are pro athletes.
But wait. That wasn't right. I wrote short stories. I wrote fantasy. They're what I'd come home to every night for years. But with a juicy premise, a kick-butt female protag, and a hunky male love interest, I just couldn't say no.
Yes. I decided to cheat and it was everything an affair should be: fast, steamy, and unquenchable desire. I'd never had a story come out so quickly. I wrote the first ten thousand words in less than three days and it poured out like fourth draft material. It felt magical. I couldn't ignore the little voice that whispered "hey, this time something's different."
I slowly started entering contests and querying in April 2014. I got invaluable feedback from judges and a few partial requests, which ultimately ended in rejections. But they were personalized rejections from agents about what they loved and what wasn't working. Wow. Personalized rejections! Along with recommendations for improvement, I kept seeing the same comment again and again: "Your concept is unique and really stands out. Someone out there is going to love it."
This sent me into overdrive. I entered more contests. I did workshops for queries and opening chapters. Every spare minute I had went into the novel. Then Query Kombat 2014 rolled around. Just a year before I had questioned if I'd be good enough for the contest. Was I going to try? I closed my eyes and sent my entry in. To my complete amazement, not only did I get in, but also received three agent requests and got knocked out just before the semi-final round.
The next day, I sent out my requests, a few of which were soon upgraded to fulls. After radio silence for nearly a month, I decided it was time to send another round of queries into the agenting world, so I spent the weekend researching and personalizing six letters.
On Monday, I checked my email at lunch and had a reply from an agent who had my full. I cringed. Out of everyone who had requested my material, this was THE agent I was hoping would enjoy the book. But after past rejections, there was no doubt in my mind it would be a polite "loved the concept, but X, Y & Z wasn't working for me..." type of email.
I scanned through the message as quickly as I could until I saw phrases like "I'd be thrilled to represent you" and "are you available for a phone call?" Being at work I couldn't scream in the middle of the office. Instead, I bolted for the women's washroom and happy danced in front of the stalls.
That night I had the call. Being someone who's extremely shy, I was terrified. But the agent kept gushing over my book so that helped me relax. A little. I told him I was very interested in representation and needed a week to follow up with others.
Then I panicked. I had so much to do!
I contacted the six agents I'd just queried. You know that email I sent you yesterday? Well, oops. I have an offer so please disregard. A few replied with congratulations and more "your premise looks amazing!" comments which shot me from cloud nine right into outer space.
Of the agents with outstanding partials, a few stepped aside. Two immediately upgraded to fulls and asked for a week to get back to me. As the days went by wondering if I'd get another offer, I realized I didn't care. I already had the agent I wanted right from the minute he requested my book through Query Kombat.
So now I can proudly say I'm represented by Leon Husock of the L. Perkins Agency and it's all because of the contest. Big thanks to Mike, Michelle and SC. Without them, I don't know where I'd be right now.
I can also say I've gone back to fantasy, but this time it's new adult fantasy and I've never felt more at home.
Holly Jennings is a member of SF Canada and writes from her home in Tecumseh, Ontario. Her short work has been published in Daily Science Fiction, AE Sci-Fi Canada, and the Clarion Writer's Craft blog. She now writes new adult speculative novels about being eighteen and lost in fantasy worlds or sci-fi futures. For more, check out her website at www.hnjennings.com or follow her as she attempts to understand Twitter @HollyN_Jennings.
In the summer of 2013, I came across Query Kombat for the first time. All I could think was "I wonder if I'll ever write something good enough to make it into that contest." As a short story writer, I'd tried my hand at novels now and again but didn't have anything worth submitting.
That same summer I started reading New Adult books and loved the "you're 18 now, deal with it" consequences. Shortly after, I came across a documentary about 18-year-old kids dropping out of college and trying to make it as professional video game players. What an idea for a new adult book! The geek in me immediately warped the concept into a future where virtual reality gaming is a national sport and gamers are pro athletes.
But wait. That wasn't right. I wrote short stories. I wrote fantasy. They're what I'd come home to every night for years. But with a juicy premise, a kick-butt female protag, and a hunky male love interest, I just couldn't say no.
Yes. I decided to cheat and it was everything an affair should be: fast, steamy, and unquenchable desire. I'd never had a story come out so quickly. I wrote the first ten thousand words in less than three days and it poured out like fourth draft material. It felt magical. I couldn't ignore the little voice that whispered "hey, this time something's different."
I slowly started entering contests and querying in April 2014. I got invaluable feedback from judges and a few partial requests, which ultimately ended in rejections. But they were personalized rejections from agents about what they loved and what wasn't working. Wow. Personalized rejections! Along with recommendations for improvement, I kept seeing the same comment again and again: "Your concept is unique and really stands out. Someone out there is going to love it."
This sent me into overdrive. I entered more contests. I did workshops for queries and opening chapters. Every spare minute I had went into the novel. Then Query Kombat 2014 rolled around. Just a year before I had questioned if I'd be good enough for the contest. Was I going to try? I closed my eyes and sent my entry in. To my complete amazement, not only did I get in, but also received three agent requests and got knocked out just before the semi-final round.
The next day, I sent out my requests, a few of which were soon upgraded to fulls. After radio silence for nearly a month, I decided it was time to send another round of queries into the agenting world, so I spent the weekend researching and personalizing six letters.
On Monday, I checked my email at lunch and had a reply from an agent who had my full. I cringed. Out of everyone who had requested my material, this was THE agent I was hoping would enjoy the book. But after past rejections, there was no doubt in my mind it would be a polite "loved the concept, but X, Y & Z wasn't working for me..." type of email.
I scanned through the message as quickly as I could until I saw phrases like "I'd be thrilled to represent you" and "are you available for a phone call?" Being at work I couldn't scream in the middle of the office. Instead, I bolted for the women's washroom and happy danced in front of the stalls.
That night I had the call. Being someone who's extremely shy, I was terrified. But the agent kept gushing over my book so that helped me relax. A little. I told him I was very interested in representation and needed a week to follow up with others.
Then I panicked. I had so much to do!
I contacted the six agents I'd just queried. You know that email I sent you yesterday? Well, oops. I have an offer so please disregard. A few replied with congratulations and more "your premise looks amazing!" comments which shot me from cloud nine right into outer space.
Of the agents with outstanding partials, a few stepped aside. Two immediately upgraded to fulls and asked for a week to get back to me. As the days went by wondering if I'd get another offer, I realized I didn't care. I already had the agent I wanted right from the minute he requested my book through Query Kombat.
So now I can proudly say I'm represented by Leon Husock of the L. Perkins Agency and it's all because of the contest. Big thanks to Mike, Michelle and SC. Without them, I don't know where I'd be right now.
I can also say I've gone back to fantasy, but this time it's new adult fantasy and I've never felt more at home.
Holly Jennings is a member of SF Canada and writes from her home in Tecumseh, Ontario. Her short work has been published in Daily Science Fiction, AE Sci-Fi Canada, and the Clarion Writer's Craft blog. She now writes new adult speculative novels about being eighteen and lost in fantasy worlds or sci-fi futures. For more, check out her website at www.hnjennings.com or follow her as she attempts to understand Twitter @HollyN_Jennings.
September 4, 2014
IT'S COMING
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One...Two...We are coming for you.Three...Four...There will be a slush war.Five...Six...Get your query fixed.Seven...Eight...Make your first page great.Nine...Ten...Yes, we're at it again.
Nightmare on Query Street
October 2014
Face the Fear
September 3, 2014
Valuable Links: Agent Blogs
Here are a couple of active agent blogs that answer lots of questions from writers.
Sarah Negovetich does a lot with building platform and marketing yourself as a writer on her blog. She also answers questions by video log.
Janet Reid is the ultimate source of answers for questions about querying.
Sarah Negovetich does a lot with building platform and marketing yourself as a writer on her blog. She also answers questions by video log.
Janet Reid is the ultimate source of answers for questions about querying.
August 31, 2014
Vague Plot and/or Stakes in Query
As soon the feedback letters will start going out, I wanted to expand on some of the issues I saw in Pitchwars on a larger scale. Give a little more reasoning behind my decisions. I want to first remind everyone that this is my opinion only and is totally subjective to how I made choices for Pitchwars. I had over seventy entries and could only take one and a half. I was forced by circumstances to look for reasons to say no.
By far the most numerous tag I put on entries was vague stakes and plot in the query letter. And I saw quite a bit of talk about this subject on twitter also. What is vague stakes? Why does it hurt your chances? Let’s see if I can fumble my way to an explanation. (I’ll use my own query letters as examples.)
To me the term vague stakes or plot means putting cliché terms in place of specific details about the story. Cliché terms like dangerous situation, family secret, dark troubles, deadly danger and so on. That tells me something is happening, but really leaves me groping for what. It was like having parts of a puzzle, but being left to fill them in myself.
For example—pulled off the top of my head: John must find the dark secret or face everlasting doom. That leaves me going, ‘What secret? What doom?’ It tells me little about what John must actually do or face. Not enough of the puzzle has been filled in.
Now I’ll use my query letter for Kindar’s Cure and take out the details.
Princess Kindar of Anost dreams of playing the hero and succeeding to her mother’s throne. But dreams are for fools. Reality involves two healthy sisters and her own sickness. When her elder sister is murdered, Kindar is in a deadly situation.
But she’s tough. A novice wizard, Maladonis Bin, approaches with a vision that could help her. As choices go, a charming bootlicker that trips over his own feet isn’t the best option, but beggars can’t be choosers. Kindar escapes with Mal and several longtime attendants only to have her eyes opened that her country faces dark times.
As Mal urges her toward his visions, suddenly, an ally turns traitor, delivering Kindar to a rebel army. With danger getting closer, she must escape the army and move forward with Mal or let her country down.
Here you can sort of see what’s happening, but it’s all very vague. What visions? What dark times? The stakes involve a vague danger and letting her country down. Letting it down how? I think you can see that, without details, this query gives just the barest idea of the story. It's too much like a puzzle with missing pieces.
Now here is the same query with the details back in it:
Princess Kindar of Anost dreams of playing the hero and succeeding to her mother’s throne. (character motivation) But dreams are for fools. Reality involves two healthy sisters and a wasting disease of suffocating cough that’s killing her by inches. (what’s stopping her.) When her elder sister is murdered, the blame falls on Kindar, putting her head on the chopping block. (more what’s stopping her.)
No one who survives eighteen years of choke lung lacks determination. A novice wizard, Maladonis Bin, approaches with a vision—a cure in a barren land of volcanic fumes. As choices go, a charming bootlicker that trips over his own feet isn’t the best option, but beggars can’t be choosers. Kindar escapes with Mal and several longtime attendants only to have her eyes opened that her country faces dark times.
Her mother’s decision to close the prosperous mines spurs poverty and joblessness, inciting rebellion and opening Anost to foreign invasion. As Mal urges her toward a cure that will prove his visions, suddenly, an ally turns traitor, delivering Kindar to a rebel army, who have their own plans for a sickly princess. (setup and specific details of plot)
With the killer poised to strike again, the rebels bearing down, and the country falling apart, she must weigh her personal hunt for a cure against saving her people. (the choice she faces.)
Not perfect, but you’ll notice the query doesn’t tell the ending. Instead it leaves us with the CHOICE the main character must make.
Many times I hear that the stakes are left vague in a query to avoid giving away the ending. But the stakes are not the ending! Repeat: The stakes are not the ending.
What the main character does about the stakes is the ending. The CHOICE the main character makes, the DIRECTION he/she goes--that is ending! You want to leave the reader with a clear vision of what sort of choice is forced upon your character. What bad thing will happen if she/he gets it wrong? What good result can come if it's done right?
By leaving the stakes or plot vague, you take away what is unique about your story. It makes it much harder to entice a reader into wanting to know more.
So many times I hear, but I don't want to spoil the surprise twist inside the story by giving it away in the query. But if the query doesn't entice, will the agent ever read the story?
Another example from my own queries. In my YA dystopian there is a pretty big surprise. The main character is a rabbit. You'd think I'd want to save that. But I didn't. It was the unique thing about my story. Here is that query:
Seventeen-year-old Little Bit hates the magic anklet fastened on her by so-called friend, Garrett. It keeps her on the farm—keeps her from knowing why cows outnumber humans. Nothing gets out. Not even birds can flee Garrett’s enchanted prison.(all what's stopping her.) With no idea of the outside world, Little Bit wants freedom from the chains trapping her and to understand her past. (her motivation) Unfortunately, Garrett is about as forthcoming as the inanimate gold around her ankle. (what's stopping her.)
Confused by her feelings of exasperation and affection for Garrett, Little Bit escapes into a world corrupted by dark magic and scorched by the sun. Twelve years ago, a supernova devastated the Earth, making the sun lethal and awakening long dormant magic. Traveling by night, she seeks answers about herself, but finds mutated beetles and mega-sized possums. Worse, a nursery rhyming cannibal skulks in the shadows as she follows rumors to a human colony in New Chicago.
But she’s learned only half the story—she’s not human. A lonely Garrett transformed his pet rabbit into a girl. Now only the renewal of Garrett’s spell keeps her on two legs instead of four. (plot setup) She’ll have to accept Garrett’s chains or lose her humanity forever, unless the sun’s deadly rays awakens magic within her. (choices- accept Garrett controlling her, be a rabbit, or find another way.)
My opinion is that it is better to give away more about the story in hopes of enticing. Generic stakes and plot do not keep people reading. Specific details help your query rather than hurt it.
I'm not saying it's easy. Deciding what specific details to add is very difficult. You don't want to sound like a synopsis, which means you walk a fine line. To me, however, it's worth it.
Having specific plot details and stakes does three things. 1. helps to avoid confusion and feeling like pieces of the story are missing. 2. showcases what is unique about your story. 3. lets readers get a deeper insight into the choice the main character must make and a stronger sense of character personality.
In my Pitchwars search, I always read both the query and the first chapter. The query is obviously not a deal breaker. Very strong first pages can make the difference. But that may not always be the case. Some agents don't read samples if they don't like the query. You want your query to be as strong as possible.
So how about it? Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to tell me your thoughts in the comments.
August 29, 2014
Getting the Call with Max Wirestone
I think Query Kombat 2014 was the most successful contest Mike, SC and I ever ran. Eight or nine--I've honestly lost count--entries with agents after this contest! Here's a story from one of our NA entries! I'm sure you remember A COZY FOR GEEKS! (See the agent round entry here.) And I'm feeling you on the awkward phone calls, Max. I hate talking on the phone.
There's a certain "there and back again" quality to my story.
A COZY FOR GEEKS was my first attempt at novel writing, but I had flirted with success at screenwriting somewhat in my twenties. That experience-- which involved terrifying conversations with agents that led me nowhere-- had ultimately left me limping away from the writing world, a trail of blood and ego behind me. It was ugly-- although in retrospect, most of my wounds were imaginary. My confession: I was afraid of being a Failed Writer-- to the point that was I willing to give it up. I put it all behind me and instead focused on good, solid life goals: Husband, Librarianship, Kids, Xbox Achievements.
For a while.
Time passed, and through the magic of aging (and probably parenthood,) I found that I suddenly didn't care if anyone else regarded me as a Failed Writer. The thirty-something version of me, paunchier, and with considerably less hair, suddenly regarded the twenty-something version of me as some sort of self-involved thick-haired doofus. And so I started writing again.
I did it completely alone, in secret. No writing groups. No community. When I started submitting, in April, I was sending to ONE AGENT AT A TIME. I was working through WRITER'S MARKET alphabetically.
I eventually started following agents on twitter, and I heard about Query Kombat at the last minute. What the hey, right? I figured I'd lose in the first round (and Carol Ayer's DEAD PRINCESSES DON'T KISS was stiff competition), but I soldiered through. I eventually made it all the way to the quarter finals, where I was slain by the fabulous Betsy Aldredge.
Then the requests started.
I got three requests from the contest itself. But after the feedback from the first round, I had applied changes to my query. Hot changes! Awesome changes! And I wanted to test them out. So I started querying wider. Suddenly, I was rolling in requests.
Next came a "let's chat about your book" email just a few weeks after the competition. Can I just take a second to say that I found all of these conversations a little weird? More power to you if you instantly connected with your agent, but I was like a nervous first-date. I was awkward and bumbling, and that twenty-something version of me who had been rejected by film agents was listening in on my conversation and whispering things like, "run, you fool! It's a TRAP!"
Despite my ramblings-- I ineptly described my next project as a "comedy about the death of libraries"-- I still got an offer of rep. I told the agent thank you and that I would get back in a week. I then DM'd incoherent messages to amazing QK Judges Glen Coco and Omar Comin (N.K. Traver and Tatum Flynn), the content of which was basically: ZOMG!111!!!!1!1! Only longer. I may have initially gone over the 140 character limit. Also there was drinking.
I ultimately got four offers of representation (with a fifth 'let's talk' that came too late,) and so I got to repeat my awkward conversation three more times. I eventually started prefacing the talk with an admission that I was weird at this. Not in real-life, just this. The agents seemed to understand. Although, by conversation number four, I wasn't awkward at all. Talking with agents, like querying and synopsis-writing and everything else along this voyage is just another task that practice makes you good at.
Anyway, the agents were all awesome. I described them to my husband in byte-sized terms. Book blogger, enthusiastic new guy, geek enthusiast, editor-turned-agent. I DMd Tatum Flynn relentlessly, as well as writer friends I had made along the way. People said things like, "go with your gut," and "trust your heart," which sound good, except that my gut did not have a lot of insight. Mostly it was hungry.
Then came the awful bit: I had to pick one of them. If you've ever had the fantasy that at the end of all this rejection you might get the joy of turning down an agent for a change, I'm hear to tell you: it's awful! I liked all four agents. I would have been thrilled to be represented by any of them. Of all the things I'd been forced to write on this process, the rejection letters to agents were the most painful. It's like writing a Dear John letter, only worse. Blech. Just blech.
In the end, I settled with Caitlin Blasdell of Liza Dawson Associates. Caitlin represented lots of books I have in my own library, had a Hugo winner under her belt, and had given me scads of intriguing and detailed notes about my project. She also seemed supportive of a double-genre approach, with the sensible proviso that I write quickly. Now that I've been with her for a few weeks, and have made the first round of changes to my manuscript, I can't imagine having done anything else.
So that's my story. Shaggy, but true. And for you twenty-somethings, if things don't work out now, there's always hope a few years down the road. Worked for me.
You can find Max on Twitter at @maxcrowe.
There's a certain "there and back again" quality to my story.
A COZY FOR GEEKS was my first attempt at novel writing, but I had flirted with success at screenwriting somewhat in my twenties. That experience-- which involved terrifying conversations with agents that led me nowhere-- had ultimately left me limping away from the writing world, a trail of blood and ego behind me. It was ugly-- although in retrospect, most of my wounds were imaginary. My confession: I was afraid of being a Failed Writer-- to the point that was I willing to give it up. I put it all behind me and instead focused on good, solid life goals: Husband, Librarianship, Kids, Xbox Achievements.
For a while.
Time passed, and through the magic of aging (and probably parenthood,) I found that I suddenly didn't care if anyone else regarded me as a Failed Writer. The thirty-something version of me, paunchier, and with considerably less hair, suddenly regarded the twenty-something version of me as some sort of self-involved thick-haired doofus. And so I started writing again.
I did it completely alone, in secret. No writing groups. No community. When I started submitting, in April, I was sending to ONE AGENT AT A TIME. I was working through WRITER'S MARKET alphabetically.
I eventually started following agents on twitter, and I heard about Query Kombat at the last minute. What the hey, right? I figured I'd lose in the first round (and Carol Ayer's DEAD PRINCESSES DON'T KISS was stiff competition), but I soldiered through. I eventually made it all the way to the quarter finals, where I was slain by the fabulous Betsy Aldredge.
Then the requests started.
I got three requests from the contest itself. But after the feedback from the first round, I had applied changes to my query. Hot changes! Awesome changes! And I wanted to test them out. So I started querying wider. Suddenly, I was rolling in requests.
Next came a "let's chat about your book" email just a few weeks after the competition. Can I just take a second to say that I found all of these conversations a little weird? More power to you if you instantly connected with your agent, but I was like a nervous first-date. I was awkward and bumbling, and that twenty-something version of me who had been rejected by film agents was listening in on my conversation and whispering things like, "run, you fool! It's a TRAP!"
Despite my ramblings-- I ineptly described my next project as a "comedy about the death of libraries"-- I still got an offer of rep. I told the agent thank you and that I would get back in a week. I then DM'd incoherent messages to amazing QK Judges Glen Coco and Omar Comin (N.K. Traver and Tatum Flynn), the content of which was basically: ZOMG!111!!!!1!1! Only longer. I may have initially gone over the 140 character limit. Also there was drinking.
I ultimately got four offers of representation (with a fifth 'let's talk' that came too late,) and so I got to repeat my awkward conversation three more times. I eventually started prefacing the talk with an admission that I was weird at this. Not in real-life, just this. The agents seemed to understand. Although, by conversation number four, I wasn't awkward at all. Talking with agents, like querying and synopsis-writing and everything else along this voyage is just another task that practice makes you good at.
Anyway, the agents were all awesome. I described them to my husband in byte-sized terms. Book blogger, enthusiastic new guy, geek enthusiast, editor-turned-agent. I DMd Tatum Flynn relentlessly, as well as writer friends I had made along the way. People said things like, "go with your gut," and "trust your heart," which sound good, except that my gut did not have a lot of insight. Mostly it was hungry.
Then came the awful bit: I had to pick one of them. If you've ever had the fantasy that at the end of all this rejection you might get the joy of turning down an agent for a change, I'm hear to tell you: it's awful! I liked all four agents. I would have been thrilled to be represented by any of them. Of all the things I'd been forced to write on this process, the rejection letters to agents were the most painful. It's like writing a Dear John letter, only worse. Blech. Just blech.
In the end, I settled with Caitlin Blasdell of Liza Dawson Associates. Caitlin represented lots of books I have in my own library, had a Hugo winner under her belt, and had given me scads of intriguing and detailed notes about my project. She also seemed supportive of a double-genre approach, with the sensible proviso that I write quickly. Now that I've been with her for a few weeks, and have made the first round of changes to my manuscript, I can't imagine having done anything else.
So that's my story. Shaggy, but true. And for you twenty-somethings, if things don't work out now, there's always hope a few years down the road. Worked for me.
You can find Max on Twitter at @maxcrowe.
