Sometimes authors are just so excited when they get the call from an agent that they just agree to the terms and don't truly understand what the relationship is going to be like. Writers, do your research before accepting. Take a little while and ask the agents authors how the like their agent.
Is an author crazy to turn down an agent? Nope. Not at all.
What if you don't feel like it's a good fit?
What if you didn't see she/he representing books like yours, yet they want to rep you?
What if they are not hands-on and that's what you wanted?
What if they are not easy to talk to?
So many things to think about and ask when interviewing agents. And yes, you must interview, just as they interview you. The arrangement is like a marriage and you must have the same goals in mind. At least that's how I feel.
So don't settle, find the perfect "fitting" agent. The only reason I'm talking about this is I've started the query process this week. So wish me luck. I didn't flood the market with queries, but I did send out a few.
Good luck to all you writers submitting,
Dawn Chartier
Showing posts with label queries to agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label queries to agents. Show all posts
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
TIPS FROM THE SLUSH PILE by Sara Megibow
I always look forward to Sara's words of wisdom when it comes to queries and publishing. Here is her take on her first client and why she signed up Allison Rushby...We wish Allison much luck with her new sale Paparazzo Jo....(thanks for allowing me to share, Sara)
TIPS FROM THE SLUSH PILE by Sara Megibow
I am truly thrilled to be able to announce the sale of PAPARAZZO JO by Allison Rushby to Stacy Cantor at Walker!
Allison emailed us a query at the end of 2009 – yup, she was a slush pile find! Also exciting is the fact that this is my first sale as an agent! What an honor to be working with Allison – she is charming, enthusiastic, responsive, hard-working and VERY talented! PAPARAZZO JO represents the 117th book sale for the Nelson Literary Agency.
Please look her up at www.allisonrushby.com (there is even a teaser excerpt of JO in her News section)
So, what made PAPARAZZO JO stand out to me? First of all (and above everything else) – Allison’s query letter was professional and well-written. Great writing always stands out! Second, the concept felt unique to me – Jo is a talented 16 year-old living in LA who earns money by taking pictures of the rich and famous. Yup, she’s a paparazzo. She wants out, badly, and is offered a gig that will earn her the money to enroll in her dream classes in Paris. Unfortunately, she is going to have to betray the only star she’s ever liked.
Naturally, I asked to see the sample pages and the rest is history! I am particularly excited that Stacy Cantor will be our editor. Walker Books is the publishing house working with our client Simone Elkeles whose RULES OF ATTRACTION has been repeatedly hitting the New York Times Bestseller list. Super excited to be a part of the Walker team!!!
Congratulations Allison!
Sincerely,Sara Megibow
Associate Literary Agent
(This story sounds really great, I look forward to its release!)
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, TWRP
www.dawnchartier.com
www.thewildrosepress.com
TIPS FROM THE SLUSH PILE by Sara Megibow
I am truly thrilled to be able to announce the sale of PAPARAZZO JO by Allison Rushby to Stacy Cantor at Walker!
Allison emailed us a query at the end of 2009 – yup, she was a slush pile find! Also exciting is the fact that this is my first sale as an agent! What an honor to be working with Allison – she is charming, enthusiastic, responsive, hard-working and VERY talented! PAPARAZZO JO represents the 117th book sale for the Nelson Literary Agency.
Please look her up at www.allisonrushby.com (there is even a teaser excerpt of JO in her News section)
So, what made PAPARAZZO JO stand out to me? First of all (and above everything else) – Allison’s query letter was professional and well-written. Great writing always stands out! Second, the concept felt unique to me – Jo is a talented 16 year-old living in LA who earns money by taking pictures of the rich and famous. Yup, she’s a paparazzo. She wants out, badly, and is offered a gig that will earn her the money to enroll in her dream classes in Paris. Unfortunately, she is going to have to betray the only star she’s ever liked.
Naturally, I asked to see the sample pages and the rest is history! I am particularly excited that Stacy Cantor will be our editor. Walker Books is the publishing house working with our client Simone Elkeles whose RULES OF ATTRACTION has been repeatedly hitting the New York Times Bestseller list. Super excited to be a part of the Walker team!!!
Congratulations Allison!
Sincerely,Sara Megibow
Associate Literary Agent
(This story sounds really great, I look forward to its release!)
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, TWRP
www.dawnchartier.com
www.thewildrosepress.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)