Managing “The Call” with a Literary Agent by author Anoop Judge

 

At twenty-one yearsold, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. Withfew prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from astranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddingsand event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigatesan unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. It’s Gia’s first real job:her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and herfirst romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might betoo good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of aterrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gianow calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragicpast she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learnto forgive. Purchase a copy of Mercy and Grace on Amazon, Barnes and Noble,and Bookshop.org. You can also addthis to your GoodReads reading list.

Managing “The Call” with a Literary Agent

You’ve spent a year (or six) writing a 90, 000-word novel.You’ve poured sweat, love, and too much midnight oil into it—coming up with anoriginal plot, fleshing out characters that are relatable and memorable,minding the pacing . . . Phew! Then you dive into the querying process and thepain begins to kick in. You research agents like a forensic scientist. Yousubmit queries like it’s a full-time job or depending on your approach, perhapsyou submit to only a select few. And then, if your experience is anything likemine, wading through rejection letters becomes a second full-time job. Theadvice out there is you shouldn’t take it personally and you should develop athick skin. Hah! Easier said than done—every rejection feels like some angry prophet’sjudgment on your soul.

It’s hard to keep going, but you do. In my case, there werecopious amounts of chocolate, wine, and tears—not always in that order. Youwait and wait, and one day your email pings with a request for a fullmanuscript. And then you wait again. I’m a chronically impatient person, andalthough motherhood was supposed to imbue me with patience, it never did.Playing an endless cycle of the waiting game makes you question your writingabilities, makes you almost throw in the towel, and in my case, chew your nailsdown to nubs.

By now, you’re as jittery as a junkie. After one hundredand fifty rejections (but who’s counting?) you decide to let the manuscript eatits head off in a drawer and start something new. That’s when your inbox pingswith the magical words, “Can we talk?” But how do you prepare for this crucialconversation? Here are some tips to help you manage the call with a literaryagent effectively.

Before the Call

Research the Agent: Familiarize yourself with the agent’sbackground, the books they’ve represented, and their agency. Understandingtheir interests and successes can help you gauge how well they might align withyour work and goals.

Prepare Your Questions

This is your opportunity to learn more about the agent’svision for your book and their working style. Consider asking questions like:

          •        What aspects of my manuscript excite youthe most?

          •        What is your strategy for pitching mybook to publishers?

          •        Can you tell me about your communicationstyle and frequency?

          •        What are your expectations regardingrevisions?

          •        How do you support your authors throughthe publishing process?

Revisit Your Manuscript and Query

Be prepared to discuss your manuscript and any potentialrevisions. Refresh your memory on key plot points, themes, and character arcs.Also, review your query letter, as the agent may reference specific elementsthat caught their attention.

During the Call

Be Professional and Personable: Treat the call like a jobinterview, but also let your personality shine through. This is as much aboutthe agent getting to know you as it is about discussing your book.

Ask Your Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask thequestions you’ve prepared. This call is a two-way street, and it’s important toensure that the agent is the right fit for you and your work.

Discuss Next Steps: Before the call ends, makesure you understand the next steps. Will the agent send you a representationagreement to review? Are there revisions they’d like you to work on beforemoving forward?

After the Call

Reflect on the conversation: Take some time toconsider how the call went. Do you feel confident in the agent’s ability torepresent your work? Were they enthusiastic about your manuscript? Did you feela good rapport? 

Follow Up: Send a thank-you email to theagent, expressing your appreciation for their time and interest. If you’veagreed to make revisions, keep them updated on your progress.

Seek Advice if Needed: If you’re unsure aboutanything discussed during the call, don’t hesitate to seek advice from writerfriends, mentors, or other industry professionals.

Take Your Time: If you receive an offer ofrepresentation, remember that this is a significant decision. Take the time youneed to evaluate the offer and ensure it’s the right fit for you and yourcareer. The call with a literary agent is a critical moment in your journey asa writer. By preparing thoroughly, asking insightful questions, and reflectingon the conversation, you can navigate this step with confidence and clarity.Remember, this is not just about landing an agent—it’s about finding the rightpartner to help bring your literary dreams to fruition.

 

About the Author

Born and raised inNew Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, THE RUMMY CLUB which won the2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT, an excerpt ofwhich was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, NO ORDINARY THURSDAY, andMERCY and GRACE. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green HillsLiterary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere Review, DoubleBack Review, and theOrnament anthology, among others. Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator”—she worked in state and federal courts for many years before she replacedlegal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College ofCalifornia and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023Alumni Scholarship. She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, andis the mother of two admirable young adults.

You can find heronline at:

 

Website: https://anoopjudge.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/