how to approach an agent/editor

Some people understand how to manage social situations intuitively. I am not one of them. This is a basic primer for those who wonder what to do if you happen to be at an event and you have an opportunity to approach an agent/editor. I tend to freeze and wonder what in the world I am going to say. Some actual phrases you can use, even if you don't know anything about what books they have edited or what authors they represent:

1. What is the best book you have read this year?
2. What annoys you about the publishing industry right now?
3. What books are you most proud of repping/editing?
4. What do you love about being an agent/editor?
5. Would you be interested in coming to a conference in (name your state or city)? When would you be available and what would be your conditions for coming?

These are great questions for starting up a conversation with someone who is a professional in the business. They show that you are not trying to pitch something at them and they lower the editor/agent's defenses (in a good way--don't abuse this power, Spiderman!). Also, they have the useful side effect of making the editor/agent talk so that you don't jibber like an idiot. You may even learn a lot. Hopefully, you will also be able to say what the best book you have read this year is, what annoys you, and what kind of conference might happen in your state or city.

If you want to pitch something (but not necessarily right this minute), you might say:

1. What genres are you looking for right now?
2. Do you have any tips for querying?
3. What do you think new writers should know about the publishing world?
4. What do you think about outlines?
5. What kind of social media do you think help authors promote books? What kind of platform do you like authors to have before they pitch to you?

These are questions that are a little more straight forward in terms of expressing the intent to query editor/agent about a specific project, but they are not so pushy or bossy as simply saying, "Can I pitch something to you right now?" or simply beginning the pitch. The thing is, you want to make sure an agent/editor feels comfortable around you and doesn't think of you as someone to avoid at all costs because you are asking uncomfortable questions or you sound like an idiot/stalker/wannabe. These questions are new author questions, and they press a little closer to the envelope, but they aren't going to make any run away in fear.

If you need something even easier to start the conversation with, I would recommend doing some research on the agent/editor before you are going to be in a situation to meet them (not always possible, if there are dozens of them in the room and you don't know which one you will end up talking with). Giving a compliment is always a good icebreaker:

1. I loved x book that you edited/repped.
2. I love x writer you edit or represent.
3. I really liked the presentation you just gave.
4. I never thought of the publishing world in the way you just explained. It has completely changed my view of the world.
5. I love your accent. Where are you from?

If you are like me, however, you will do your research and still end up feeling like you will say something stupid, even if you are not looking for representation or an editor, which happens to me more and more often now. Still, the agents and editors are good people to know in the business. So I tend to find people I know who are talking to people I want to know, wave, and then slowly wait for the conversation to turn to something I can say something interesting about. Or possibly, for me to be introduced in a more formal way.