Interactive Interview with an Agent: Christa Heschke

So pleased to welcome Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, Inc., to the blog. (And the timing couldn't be better, as she's hosting her first critique contest next week!) Check out her answers to the usual questions, then meet us down at the bottom for details on the interactive part.

KV: How long have you been agenting, and how did you get into it?

CH: I have been officially agenting since the end of February of this year, but I’d been at McIntosh & Otis for four years as an assistant in the Children’s Department prior to becoming an agent. Over the last few years, I’ve been the point person for foreign rights, TV/film/stage and permissions--so negotiating agreements, author/editor correspondence, editorial work etc. are all things I’ve worked closely on since I started. We have a great mentorship program here!

How I got into agenting: Well, I was an English major in my second year of college; I’d always loved reading and writing and I had a friend who interned at Writers House and suggested I apply. I did, I loved it and I just knew from then on being an Agent was what I wanted to do.

KV: How would you summarize your personal agenting philosophy? What do you expect from an agent-author relationship?

CH: As an agent, I think teamwork is very important, whether it be with an editor or the author. Working together and bouncing ideas off of each other and being open are key. I try to get to know everyone I work with not only on a professional level but a more personal one as well. It’s important to understand the people you’re working with, what’s important to them (if they’re an author) and what they’re looking for and their editing style if they’re an editor. As an agent , I’m a matchmaker so I’m trying to make the best possible matches. Everyone works differently so it’s important to distinguish this when working with anyone.

As for an agent-author relationship, I just ask that my clients be open to feedback. It’s important to be able to take constructive criticism in  a positive way to use it to better your work. Of course, some feedback will not resonate with your vision for the work, but that’s okay. It’s helpful to at least consider and think of new alternatives when something isn’t working instead of completely dismissing it. I want the authors I work with to feel comfortable approaching me with whatever is on their mind--it’s a partnership. Perhaps you met an editor at a conference you’d like to submit to or you have new ideas for your revision you’re unsure of. I’m a phone call or e-mail away.

KV: What client work do you have coming out soon? What drew you to those writers and/or projects?

CH: As I’m a newer agent I don’t have any projects I’ve sold coming out soon, but I represent Ed Young who has new books coming out with Candlewick and Little, Brown that I’m excited about. Vincent X. Kirsch is doing illustrations for a new Houghton Mifflin Harcourt picture book, which I sold, but that’s not coming out until Fall 2014.

KV: Hey, in this business, Fall 2014 is just around the corner, so I'd definitely count that as a project you have coming out soon:)

What genres do you represent? What genres do you definitely NOT represent?

CH: I represent picture books, middle grade and young adult. I’m looking more for contemporary at the moment and would love to build up my middle grade list. Of course, I’m always looking for great YA and picture books too. I enjoy middle grade adventure, coming of age, stories about outsiders, humor, fantasy, mystery and creepy. As for YA, I love novels with a romantic angle. I’d really like to find a good thriller/mystery. I enjoy well-done and unique fantasy (something that takes clichés and turns them on their ear), folklore, new takes on fairy tales, and all types of contemporary from dark and edgy to more sweet or humorous. Also, I have always had a soft-spot for horror.

I am not looking for any adult projects, or paranormal, urban fantasy and non-fiction in YA and MG, although I would love to see non-fiction for a picture book audience. I’m a fan of all the musical/artistic PB biographies over the last few years. I enjoy all types of music and a story about a band geek on the fiction side or a famous composer on the non-fiction PB side would be something I’d like to see. Bottom line: If the writing is spectacular and I connect with the voice, I’d consider most any genre.

KV: What query pet peeves and/or pitfalls should writers avoid when querying you?

CH: I’d ask writers who query me to do their research. Address the query to the correct person and follow my agency’s submission guidelines. It’s pretty easy to tell when a query is a mass-email to every agent out there.

Queries that tend to stand out to me are from writers who know what I’m looking for and think their story would be a fit for me based on xyz. Doing your research avoids the pitfalls such as submitting a query in a genre I’m not looking for, or sending your materials incorrectly (sending too many or too few pages, not including a synopsis etc.).

I do read through every query, but it always helps to create a connection from that first e-mail, I think. It gets my attention more so than a query addressed, “Dear Agent.”  Also, I think it’s important for writers to submit to Agents who they particularly feel will be a fit for them (and that won’t be every one).  Like I said above, an Author/Agent relationship is a partnership so it’s important to click and work well together.

Check out my blog for more info on what I’m looking for, sub guidelines and where I am with query e-mails: christaheschke.blogspot.com.  

KV: What are you looking for in a manuscript right now? What are you tired of seeing at the moment?

CH: I am looking for a strong voice and premise that keeps me turning pages. I can tell when I’m really loving a project as it keeps me up late reading and it’s hard to put down. When I’m up until 2 or 3 in the morning reading your novel, you’ve done something very right! Novels that mix genres in a clever way are something I’d love to see more of. Also, as mentioned above, a compelling romance is always something I’m looking for.

I am tired of stories that feel familiar or overdone. Love triangles are something I’m growing tired of as well as paranormal romances where someone with powers or of another species (vampires, werewolves, zombies) falls in love with a human. Also, I’m not really looking for dystopian right now. The market is pretty saturated, so it’s hard to find something unique in these genres. If you think you’ve created something in these areas that is a new take or twist, I’d still consider it, but am looking much more for contemporary at the moment.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

CH: E-mail query is the best. Send the first 25 pages, a synopsis and query (all in the body of the email) to: chquery@mcintoshandotis.com. Please do not submit queries to my personal or business e-mail.

Thank you, Ms. Heschke, for such thorough responses. It seems like you've already covered everything we could possibly ask, but I'm sure we'll still come up with a question or two:)

And now for the main event! If you have a question for Ms. Heschke, feel free to leave it in the comments below. She'll pop in later and leave her responses in the comments as well. You have until 4:00 p.m. EDT (or 1:00 p.m. PDT), so don't dilly-dally!