What Do Agents Really Want?

We know. You ask this all of the time at those conferences. What is it that you are looking for in a submission? Every time, we all answer it the same way. "We want a great story with great characters and a great plot." 

Of course we do. Doesn't every reader want that? Heck yes! I don't want to just find a book that is totally stupid. I want something that is great. 

But the reality is, we want a lot more, and it is your job to do your research before you start "mass mailing" your submissions out to everyone you can find who is breathing, unless of course you like to get rejection letters. 

Now, before you start yelling at me saying that this is just another hoop you have to jump through, or another way we are all being "gate keepers" or some hidden secret, I want to stop you right now and tell you that this is nothing different than when you go out and want to find a decent job, and that is where I want to start.

Let me use teachers for an example. If I want to get a teaching job, I want to find a district and a school that A) has an opening that I am qualified for; B) is in a district that has a work environment that fits what I am looking for; C) has a school with an environment and climate that fits what I am looking for; D) has students and an infrastructure that would make working there a pleasure and not feel like I am working in a prison. In other words, I have to do my research. I don't just apply for every job and just assume that every school and every district is 100% identical. You know and I know that is not true at all. 

And the same is true with every agent, agency and publisher out there. Although we all do essentially the same thing, the climate, work environment and how we do business IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT. 

We do not hide this. You can find out a lot about the agents and editors by taking the time (Darn you Scott for using that phrase again) and do you research. We blog, we write articles, we are on social media, we attend conferences, we are out there in public. If you only know a name and an address, then you don't know squat about us. 

And that is a BIG MISTAKE!

How do I know you are not doing your research? Your query letters say it all. You tell me how much you know I love things that I have never once said I love. You talk about my extensive background in genres that I have never represented. The most obvious is when you submit projects that, while these might be romances or women's fiction projects, are storylines that I have openly said I just do not like (hint, I am not a big fan of stories around groupies following bands and singers, bakery stories, and road trips for Women's fiction). And yet, you send these to me saying how much I love the stories. Just recently, someone sent me a project saying that they knew I loved projects about real people but then sent me a project that was a Rom Con (even though in the social media post I referenced, I said I am NOT looking for Rom Cons). Hmmmmmm?

Look, do your research. Take an hour or so. Trust me. It will pay off. I promise you.

T 'was the Day After X-Mas And It Is Time To Write

Sorry, but it is time to at least spend 30 minutes and get thinking about your writing. 

No, you don't have to do a whole lot of work, but do something. Here are some things you might want to consider, just to feel productive. Besides, it will keep you busy and not have to take down decorations immediately or clean up the house:

• Go back and figure out where you left your characters and figure out the next chapter.
• Plot the next scene.
• Make a list of story ideas (No, don't write Christmas stories)
• Clean up your writing space so you are ready to go
• Transfer your writing to your Kindle or other device so you can read it by the fire with a cup of hot-cocoa (or other beverage of choice) for a quick edit and read through.
• Make a list of character names
• Get online and research a few agents and editors you are considering
• Go to a bookstore and buy new books (Do this anyway and call it extra credit!)

Now, go enjoy yourself.

Is There A Right Approach to Publishing?

I think a lot of people believe that as agents, we believe that there is only one approach and that is, if you want to be successful, you have to go through traditional publishing routes. I am here to say today, that is not correct. To be SUCCESSFUL in publishing. That is to say, to treat this as a "CAREER" and not just as a side hustle that might bring in a little cash every now and then, it is important that every author looks at what they are doing in a true business sense. That means, looking at this with costs, profits, benefits, losses and so forth. That means looking at this not emotionally but rationally and methodically. 

Running a business of any type takes time, energy, money and commitment. This is not something that can be rushed. I want to start here first. The simple fact that there are far too many writers out there (please note I am saying writers not authors) who are expecting immediate gratification and success with their first novel. They expect every editor to come running and throwing money at their feet. They expect Oprah and Reese to beg for interviews. They expect the moon. They expect followers in the millions. And more importantly, they expect to do this without spending any money. 

What these writers fail to realize is that the professional authors (note the shift) took their time. They worked to where they are today. They did not see immediate success. 

Now, how you run a business depends on the type of business you own. If I own a lawn mowing business, my business model will be entirely different than something like a Home Depot or Costco. If I am entirely Direct to Consumer I will be different than a Brick and Mortar store. If I run a bakery, I will run my books differently than I would if I were a lawyer. it all depends. The same is true in publishing.

If I write poetry, my business model WILL BE different. The odds are, I will not be looking to a traditional publisher. If I am writing a book about my local community, I don't need a large press. If I am writing an epic novel, self-publishing might not be the route I need to take. If I lack knowledge in the publishing industry, I may need to have an agent, or I might need to take hybrid approach.

Are you seeing a pattern here? The point is, there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. BUT, there are wrong answers. If you don't know where you are going, and you pick a business model that does not fit your needs, you are heading in the wrong direction, and you will fail!

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Where Has Scott Been? And Why You Might Want To Hold Off Submitting To Editors And Agents

So, where have I been? 

Honestly, knee-deep in prepping UCLA classes. We have a Marketing class and a Developmental Editing class coming up in January. We also have a 4 week Synopsis Writing Class coming up (working on that one as we speak). 

On top of all of that, I had to get my family off on their annual Disney Cruise Christmas trip (which of course gives me the time where it is just me and the puppies to get some work done). 

But here is the thing. This is sort of what every editor and agent is in the middle of doing right now. We are looking at the calendar and madly rushing to get as many things cleared off our desks before the holidays. 

Editors are trying to get contracts wrapped up, edits to their writers, proposals finished and as many of those requested projects read. 

And let me tell you, it isn't easy. In fact, let me give you a little run down with one of my clients. We have been trying to push a contract through but that process is always a slow one. We had to review a deal memo and then we had to go back and re-tweak some things due to international payments (that slowed things a bit), once that was signed and off and running, it was off to contracts, but then get this... the editor who signed the author was then shifted to another department! That's right, the poor author has already shifted editors and we aren't even through the contract part yet. But wait, it gets better. Now the contract shows up but the person in charge of signing it is now going to retire so it was an issue of seeing who was now going to sign it. 

And all before the holidays.

ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Good news? Chris Green is now an new Harlequin Author!!!! Congratulations!

The point of this is simple. Take some time to prep those manuscripts. Get everything ready. And then, when the holidays are over, toward the end of the year, go ahead and fire off those projects. Many of use will be heading back to work and be ready to look at things at the start of the New Year. 

 

Why Did Their Story Work And Mine Didn't????

Book envy, right? I am sure all authors have it. You have this great idea for a book. You know you are going to write it. The idea might even be in note form on your desk and then darn it, some other author has gone out and written the book. Ugh.

Worse yet, you have submitted your book to numerous editors and have been turned down with that storyline only to find out that your book idea just comes out by that favorite author of yours. Even worse, right?

Now, of course the first thing that runs through your mind is that either Alexa and your smart device was listening in on your story idea, or that A.I. was copying your thoughts, or even worse, that NY Times Best Selling Author wouldn't have gotten their career without taking your idea which, you are certain they got after the editor you sent it to shared it with them, and said, "Hey, this is a great idea!" 

And then you realize that is a bit extreme.

There are actually a couple of reasons for this. I'm going to give you the hard pill to swallow first and then give you the one that will make you feel better last. OK, are you sitting? Here we go.

That other story, written by that other author was probably better written. OK, I know you can find a lot of flaws in it, but it had already been vetted by a lot of people. This author, probably was established and had the backing of others. Remember also, when you saw that book show up on the book shelf or on Amazon, it was written and started the editing process easily 12-24 months ago. If you are a new author, you might still be learning the process. And when I say new, it doesn't mean this is your first book you have written. I mean new to having a book traditionally published. As I always say, it takes. time. 

You got this. 

Now, here is the better side of the equation. That author may have just been in the right place at the right time. Publishing is really about timing. I hate to say it, but there are may book deals that just happen because that author happens to be sitting at a table with an editor at a conference, or an agent happens to be hanging out with an editor at some random event and a discussion breaks out in a casual conversation. It might even be a contest when your book just happens to land on the desk of the editor who happens to be looking for that type of book right at that time. 

And yes, that happens. 

So, just keep trying. Quit blaming the gods. The world is not out to get you. I promise you!