Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a literary agent?

Well, most publishers are no longer reviewing un-agented manuscripts. But above and beyond that, it behooves you to work with someone who has intimate knowledge of the business when it comes to editing your manuscript or proposal, submitting your work, and negotiating your deal. I can’t tell you how often we hear from clients that they wouldn’t have thought to question or negotiate particular aspects of their contract. You should absolutely have someone advocating on your behalf throughout the publication process.

So you're an Agent...

What do you do all day?

Quite a bit! I scout new projects, read queries, correspond with editors and clients, review and track contracts and payments, negotiate on behalf of my clients, edit manuscripts and proposals, and generally add my voice in where I think it may be of assistance, whether that is regarding a publicity campaign, submission list, or even a title choice. 

How do you decide if a query has potential?

You'll hear this a lot, but publishing is a very subjective business. I may look at a query and see something that completely wows me, where another agent may look at the same thing and immediately pass. It all depends on how your writing and story mesh with that person's individual taste. 

That's why I can't emphasize enough that you do some serious research before sending a query out; you'll have a better chance of connecting with the right business partner that way. 

What is one of the biggest problems you see in query letters?

Aside from what I mentioned above and the obvious gaffes (lack of personalization, keeping 30 agents on copy, etc.) it is without a doubt not telling the agent what the main conflict of your story will be.

Oftentimes, authors tell me a lot about the world they have built, but I have absolutely no idea who the main character is, what they want, what obstacle gets in the way of that want, or how they plan to overcome those obstacles. This means I don't really know what the story will be about!

Are you a member of the aala?

Yes, I am! You can find my profile here.

Do you have a publishers marketplace profile?

Yes! You can take a look at it here.

I'd like to query you! what are my next steps?

Thank you for thinking of me! I feel incredibly honored when writers decide to share their work with me. Please find my guidelines here.  

I'm having trouble getting an agent, what should I do next?

I think you need to take some time to evaluate your individual situation. Look at how people are reacting at each stage of your project: are agents requesting your manuscript based off of your query letter? Great! That means your query letter is working—it's getting your story in the door. If they aren't requesting at this stage, you may need to work on how you are pitching your work. 

Now, are they responding positively after you've sent sample pages? If not, why? What might be turning them off at this stage? 

I would suggest thoroughly analyzing the reactions you receive at each stage of the submission process. Keep track of the feedback you're receiving and look for patterns. That can give you a great idea of what is working and what you might want to adjust in the future. 

Also, don't be afraid to set a project aside for a while if it isn't working just yet—everyone has their “drawer” projects—and you may be able to come back to it at a later date.

Any recommendations on craft books I could take a look at?

Yes! Cheryl Klein’s THE MAGIC WORDS is my go-to and I also love Story Genius by Lisa Cron, but you should find the craft book(s) that work for your own unique process.

ANy favorite podcasts about writing?

Yes! I love listening to writing podcasts! In alphabetical order some of my favorites are: Deadline City, First Draft, KidLit Women, Manuscript Academy, Write or Die, and 88 Cups of Tea! A few of these have stopped recording new episodes, but their backlist is still worth checking out!

how do i break into publishing?

More often than not, it helps to get experience through internships. Check out the postings on Bookjobs.com and PublishersMarketplace.com, and of course, ask around!