Choosing An Agent
One of my clients just received an embarrassment of riches: two offers of representation to decide between. Here is the advice I gave her that will one day hopefully help all of you….
First of all, only you can make this decision. So....who knows your book the best, seems the most excited by it, and has a solid submission plan? Even more importantly, do they have plans not just for this book but for you and your career? You want someone that is going to be with you for all your books, whatever they may be.
Next, did they give you the names of a couple of their clients you can talk to? If so, I'd email them and just make sure there are no red flags. I’d also find out what the agent’s communication style is (how do they relay submissions and responses from editors? how fast do they respond to emails? do they call or email? etc.) Make sure you don’t get too stuck on what an agent has done for other writers. You want to know what they’ll do for you.
Here's a nice round up of what you should also figure out.
As Jessica says in this post, it is more about what the answers MEAN to you and what you are hoping for and expecting. This is a business relationship. So be excited! Celebrate! But then... treat this like the business decision it is and try to pick the one who seems most excited about you and your writing but also has a solid plan and a communication style that works in a way you prefer or can accept.
After you do all the research, listen to your gut. That will tell you so much as well.
I’m always here for questions!
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Yes, this is so true! I recently submitted to a (newer) agent. They rejected the MS, saying that while another one of my books (which I'm going indie with) sounded right up their alley, they didn't feel the connection with this one. And while I appreciate the honesty, I also got a weird vibe of like...would you only have been my agent for that one book? Didn't even question whether I should have nixed my indie plans and submitted the other book to them, b/c their response felt very "I pick up books" and not "I pick up authors." May just be growing pains, since this person *just* became an agent, but I definitely second favoring an agent who's in it for your entire career and you as a writer—not just that one book of yours they liked.
I hope I get the chance to put your questions into effect, Kristen.
You have undoubtedly covered this topic previously, but could you write a few salient points about preparing a synopsis to give to an agent? Should it be one-page, or can it be more? Should it contain spoilers? I would appreciate a refresher on this.
Thank you,
Voron