What Agents Don’t Tell You: From Query to Contract

 Have you written a book?

Are you looking for an agent?

As a two-time self-published author now signed with Hartline Literary Agency and past intern of Harper Collins, I have experienced the pros and cons of both traditional and nontraditional publishing.

In this blog post, I will share what agents don’t tell you and offer tips on how to land a contract with an agency.

Agents are the real-estate agents of publishing, acting as the “middle-men” between sellers and buyers, authors and publishers. They add credibility to manuscripts, reducing publishers’ slush piles to a few thousand proposals.

The best ways to land an agent:

Since the emergence of literary agencies, there has been a standard process for querying. Writers send their pitch letters, sometimes the first few pages of their manuscript, to agents and wait up to six-months for a response. If an agent is interested, the author then sends more of the manuscript. This process continues until the interested agent reads the whole book and offers a contract.

Pros of the system: Agents are able to weed out books that aren’t ready for the market, and authors have the ability to query as many agents as desired.

Cons of the system: Many queries and manuscripts are left in an agent’s slush pile, some never to be examined. Those reviewed are strictly analyzed and refused if the structure, word count, etc. are less than optimal. This denies writers the chance to fully present their writing and the marketability of their work.

With such a systematic process in place, how can writers raise their chances of landing agents?

Conferences offer a unique opportunity for writers to have face-to-face interaction with agents and other professionals within the publishing industry. Often, writers are able to schedule time with the faculty to pitch their books. Agents can then put a face to a query letter and are more likely to select the book for representation.

Secret . . .

The key to a successful pitch isn’t scheduling time with an agent and delivering a top-notch hook; it is the connection fused between the writer and the agent.

Tip . . .

When you attend a writers’ conference, focus on genuine relationship building. Connect with other writers and publishing professionals. This will allow you to show your marketability, your book’s overall potential, and most importantly, give you the chance to learn. Ask questions. Listen to what others have to say. Apply the advice presented to you.

By networking, you unlock the second and most secret way to landing an agent.

Word-of-Mouth is a method rarely mentioned by agents but has proven the most successful for me. I pitched at a writers’ conference in New York City and queried over a hundred agents, but I didn’t land a contract with an agency until my close friend, who I met by inquiring about a book review, referred me to her boss/agent. Because of her recommendation, my query was raised to the top of the slush pile and given more notice.

Remember: Who you know is everything.

Build your platform. Befriend others who are more and less experienced. You never know which conversation over a cup of coffee will gift an opportunity.

How to make yourself more appealing to agents:

Professionalism is candy to an agent. When you query, send a proposal, and generally communicate, make sure to be well-informed and respectful. Nothing is more of a turn-off than a sloppy proposal and a nagging, ignorant author.

Do your research—everything you need to know about the submission process can be found online. Edit your work, even your emails. And please, be educated on the publishing industry and current marketplace.

Tips . . .

An agent’s job is to shop your book to publishers, making them your business partner, not your teacher, editor, and confidant. Respect their time and workload, and they will respect you.

Platform is number-one priority to publishers, which gives it extreme importance to agents. Books are a dime-a-dozen, so make your book more than a book. Give it backing. Create a brand for yourself by blogging, being active on social media, etc. And formulate a viable, creative marketing plan for your book.

To express your dreams, you must first express yourself. Readers are more likely to buy a book if they have a connection with the author.

In conclusion, agents and publishers aren’t the formula of a bestselling book, rather they’re the projectors showing your masterpiece on an international screen. You are your book’s greatest advocate. Once you relinquish reliance on the standard system and fight to make your work an asset to the publishing industry, you find your place within it.
Authors, self-published and traditionally-published, are entrepreneurs. Those who treat their writing as a business stand more of a chance at achieving success. 

Student Vs. Author

Prepare. Pause. Patience.

 

I’m currently sitting at a round table in my campus Starbucks, sipping a hazelnut latte, and watching for my coffeehouse crush to stroll through the main door. I love my college. I love Nashville and the opportunities it offers. I love meeting new people, learning about the publishing industry, going to concerts, and dressing like a hipster without shame or reservation.

Although my social life has gained a needed boost from my move, my writing schedule has experienced a major blow. Not a bullet ricochet; a nuclear bombing. The schedule is so meager it consists only of short fiction-writing assignments for my publishing class, blog posts, and the occasional tweet.

So what am I doing now?

School? Exercising at the gym? Drinking lots of coffee?

Yes. Yes. Yes. And more.

I’ve dedicated this school year to querying agents and building my author platform. As of now, I’ve queried fifty agents and am awaiting responses. YES—that’s the word I need to hear.

My odds seem decent at the moment.

For me, the most difficult aspect of the process has been the wait. I trudge through my day and courses, not working on another book, not organizing author events, just doing my student duties and praying that God will open doors at the right time. I have accomplished what I can accomplish at this point in time. Now I must wait. And waiting is hard. Especially for an overly determined person like me.

 

Since many of you are facing a schedule change, I’d like to offer some advice.

1.      Don’t lose sight of your dream.

It’s easy to shift focus when you’re in a new place, surrounded by new people, but you can’t forget your dream. Never forget.

2.      Remind yourself of that paused part of you.

The dream you’ve placed on hold is a slice of your identity. Forgetting it is like forgetting a part of yourself. Talk about your dream with others. Place a visual reminder somewhere in your room to keep that part of you present.

3.      Take a step forward every day, even if it’s small and seems inconsequential.

Make choices daily that will draw you closer to your goal. Practice your talents. Contact people who might be willing to help you reach your dream. The small steps you make will be what carry you to success.

 

If you are encountering a situation similar to mine, tell me about it!

If you have any questions about the publishing industry, college life, or my coffeehouse crush, email me! I’ll post interesting questions and my answers on this blog.

Also, send me a review of THE PRIME WAY PROGRAM and I’ll send you something in return!

Email: authorcarolinegeorge@gmail.com

 

How To Pitch A Novel To Agents

In the following videos, I discuss my experience pitching to literary agents, share some tips, and also introduce my college roommate. Pardon the laughter, text alert, and web cam!

 

 

Due to the fact that I’m now a busy college student, my upcoming blog posts will revolve around time management, writing versus school, and author patience.

Stay tuned.

The Writer's Conference: What Every Writer Needs To Know

The publishing industry is a magic trick.

People like its thrill, excitement, and outcome but they don’t know how the “trick” is performed. Some assume that it just happens—the pretty lady just happens to survive being sawed in half; the wordy document on a writer’s computer just happens to turn into a bestseller. Others believe in the poof—poof, the white rabbit disappears; poof, someone has an agent and a three-book contract with HarperCollins.

I’d like to apologize now for the major spoiler.

JUST HAPPENS AND POOF DO NOT EXIST!

I’ve been a part of the publishing world ever since I self-published my first book at age fifteen—three years ago. At the time, self-publishing wasn’t looked at as a credible publishing venue, which forced me to be my own advocate and publicist. I worked seven hours a day on my books—writing, editing, formatting, and marketing. It didn’t take long for me to learn that JUST HAPPENS and POOF were illusions.

Self-publishing has finally gained the positive reputation it deserves—credible, independent, time-consuming, a task for the relentless and fearless. Countless writers, authors, and professionals have told me that self-publishing is too much work for them, which doesn’t make such sense to me since working with a traditional publisher forces a writer to be dependent on someone else’s calendar and preference.

Stepping off the soapbox…

“Hard work and minimal success” should be the publishing industry’s subtitle. To breakthrough, an author has to query to the right agent, at the right time, have a book that appeals to the current trends, contract with the right publishing house, and pray that booksellers will give their work the time of day. Once a book makes it to shelves, the promotional work begins.

In other words, every aspect of the “equation” has to be flawless for a book to be successful.

Don’t feel discouraged. Although it is difficult to publish, there are ways you can boost your odds.

Last week, I was in New York City attending the Writer’s Digest Conference. My mission was to pitch my latest book to agents. I was successful! Even though it took several nights of freak-outs, a lot of praying, and hours of rehearsal, I managed to present my work to nine literary agents.

My best friend, Tessa Emily Hall (author of Purple Moon), found her publisher at a writer’s conference. Like she informed me, I want to inform you of the benefits of attending a writer’s conference.

The Strand Bookstore (New York City)

 

What is a writer’s conference?

A writer’s conference is an event designed to help writers develop their craft, network, and become aware of the current publishing market.

Why should I spend hundreds of dollars to attend one?

Writer’s conferences present a unique opportunity. They allow you to have face-time with professionals in the industry, learn insider secrets, and also connect with other writers.

Connections determine success! The people you know will decide how far you go.

Invest in yourself. A few hundred dollars might be your “foot in the door.”

What should I consider when choosing a conference?

Are you attending to learn more about the writing craft or to pitch?

If you want to develop your writing ability, attend a conference with a variety of writing-geared lectures and credible speakers.

If you’re in the market for an agent, choose a conference with a good number of visiting agents who represent your genre.

How can I prepare for the pitch?

Finish your book. Don’t pitch unless your work is ready to be sold.

Prepare and practice your pitch. Do this well in advance. You need time to write, practice, revise, and revise again. I changed my pitch ten times before the conference and rewrote it two hours before my pitch session. Be ready for last-minute changes.

Research. Make a list of the agents who represent your genre. Know what they’re seeking. Also, be aware of current book trends and know how your book might fit into the tough marketplace.

 

Below are some tips to help you craft an effective query letter. I’ll post a pitch tutorial vlog next week that will include pitch etiquette, proper format, etcetera.

The Dreaded Query Letter…. (Visit QueryShark.com for more tips)

A query letter is a business letter meant to demonstrate your competence and entice agents to read your pages. Remember, formulating a query isn’t a creative writing assignment. You don’t have to showcase your writing abilities. Queries are supposed to be straightforward.

To an agent, your book is a product, not a piece of art.

 

There are two questions you must answer when writing your query.

1.      Who is your main character?

2.      What does s/he want?

How to convey what the book is about:

1.      The main character must decide whether to________

If s/he decides to do (this), the consequences s/he faces are________

The book’s stakes are of dire importance! I cannot stress this enough. If an agent reads your query and does not believe your main character has anything to lose, s/he will not ask for pages.

 

A query letter should include:

-        Word count

-        Title

-        Any publishing credits you have

 

Instant rejection phrases include:

“Fiction novel…”   DUH!

“Sure bestseller.”

“Oprah.”

“Film potential.”

“Dear agent.” – “Dear Sir or Madam.”

 

DON’T ASK RHETORICAL QUESTIONS!

Proper query format….

Subject: Query – Title by Author

Dear (Name of Agent),

If you met them at a conference, tell them.

First: Answer the question “what is this book about?” Have a line break every three lines.

Second: Your writing credits and bio.

Third: Genre/ Word-count/ Title

Closing: Thanks for your time and consideration.

Your name

Email

Telephone

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Physical address

 

Newsy Tuesday

Because of my approaching conference, I’m taking a leave of absence from Blogger to focus on final preparations. When you hear from me again, I’ll be in New York City. All of my crazy experiences will be shared on this page—travel tips, awkward moments, mishaps, pictures, everything. But until then, follow me on Twitter @PrimeWayWriter, Instagram @authorcarolinegeorge, or check out my Facebook page. I’ll be posting continuous updates.

Thanks for your support and readership! Below are contest information, a list of upcoming posts, and several reader recommendations.

Future Posts:

·        Welcome To New York

·        The Writer’s Conference: What All Writers Need To Know

·        Three Cheers For Teens

·        The Pitch (Video Blog)

·        Student Vs. Author

For Writers: Check out author Tessa Emily Hall’s Monday Minute Challenge! It’s a wonderful contest that tests your writing skills.

Book Recommendation: WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion

Coffee Of The Day: Chock Full o’ Nuts

CONTEST: Don’t forget about the Social Media Challenge! To enter the contest, post the hashtag #IAmTheVestige on your social media account. Each post will act as an entry. The more you tweet, Instagram, blog, and Facebook #IAmTheVestige, the more times you will be entered into the final drawing. There isn’t an entry limit. Post as much or as little as you want. Just know that the more entries you have, the more likely you are to win the PRIZE PACK!