Interview with an Agent: Madeleine Clark

I'm pleased to welcome Madeleine Clark of Sterling Lord Literistic to the blog to round out the year's additions to my "Interview with an Agent" series. Happy reading!

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

MC: I’ve been at Sterling Lord Literistic for the last three and half years and before that I was working at a publishing house in North Carolina: Algonquin Books to be precise. Like a lot of people in publishing, I was an English major and avid reader who wanted my life to be about books in some form. A classmate pointed me in the direction of the editorial internship at Algonquin and I realized there was a whole world of enthusiastic, intelligent book nerds out there who were churning out the things I was rabidly reading. I was hooked.

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

MC: As an agent, I want to fulfill a lot of roles for my clients and I think different points in the relationship require me to tap into different strengths. From the outset, I’m an editor and collaborator while we get a project where it needs to be. During the submission process, an author needs both a spokesperson to editors and a cheerleader on the sidelines when nerves take hold. When negotiating contracts or establishing marketing/publicity plans, the author needs an advocate and someone that can take the brunt of any uncomfortable conversations so that they can maintain a good relationship with their editor. Basically I want to streamline things so that the author can do what they do best: write! I think mutual respect and trust is huge both during the creative process and for the life of the agent-author relationship.

KV: What do you love about Sterling Lord Literistic? Are there any soon-to-be-released agency titles that you want to give a shout-out to?

MC: There is something very special about working for an agency that has been around for over half a century. Our backlist is full of seminal titles I read or studied or fell in love with before ever knowing about the publishing world (On the Road, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Prayer for Owen Meany, etc) and because we are a fairly large boutique agency we have a really varied front list to look forward to every season. In particular, I’m so excited about the paperback release of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (a beautiful story about family, books, and small town charm) as well as Jami Attenberg’s next book, SAINT MAZIE, inspired by a real life woman in Depression-era New York who opened her heart and famed movie theater to neighbors in need. Both of the covers are absolutely gorgeous, by the way. 

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

MC: I’m looking for several different genres right now: realistic YA, literary thrillers, literary fiction with something geographically or culturally unique about it, fiction with a bit of magic, narrative nonfiction that tackles something new and specific, and humor or lifestyle especially in the blog to book space. I am definitely not looking for hardcore fantasy or sci-fi, commercial horror or crime, erotica, romance, diet books, or cookbooks. 

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

MC: I definitely understand the desire to stand out in an agency slush pile but sometimes I think people take that motive too far. Gifts, life-sized scrolls, bright font colors, etc are more distracting than enticing. I also think an author should do his or her best to just be concise, professional, and informative in the cover letter rather than jokey or aggressive or promising the moon in large sweeping statements. If the summary is interesting and clear then I am certainly going to read your pages so don’t feel like the quality of your writing will be judged on the letter alone; your manuscript is where your voice will shine. Also, if we have a genuine connection, please let me know (same university, mutual friend, common interest or hometown--I love it when the world feels small)! The most important thing? Make sure the agent you are querying is looking for the genre you have to offer! 

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

MC: I really want a manuscript I can’t put down. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of submissions from talented writers who haven’t quite worked out a compelling plot. Over vacation I started the Dublin Murder Squad series from Tana French and I’m so obsessed with her ability to toe the line between deeply profound character study and your classic whodunit. Each installment of the series is this sprawling crowd pleaser of a book and I would love to find something that can straddle literary and plot-driven with such aplomb.

On the flip side of that, this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned my love of literary thrillers and sometimes people take that to mean the more commercial hardboiled detective novels, police procedurals, and CIA-centered conspiracy theory stories. I’m less inclined to be on board for those, dystopian worlds, or YA that sticks too close to familiar territory without a hook. 

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

MC: I’m happy to receive queries by e-mail (madeleine [at] sll [dot] com). For all submissions I prefer a cover letter with a synopsis in the body of the email. For fiction, attach three chapters of the material or for nonfiction attach the proposal. Word documents please!

Thank you, Ms. Clark, for these smart, thoughtful responses. I'm sure I'm not the only one who found these answers impressive.

That's it from me!

Interactive Interview with an Agent: Julie Gwinn

I'm pleased to welcome Julie Gwinn of The Seymour Agency to the blog for this INTERACTIVE installment of "Interview with an Agent." As always, details on the interactive part are at the bottom of this post, so check out Ms. Gwinn's answers to the usual questions, then get ready to leave a question of your own.

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

JG: I have been agenting full-time since July. I have been involved in the publishing industry for more than a decade, as a trade book marketing manager, editor and finally as fiction publisher. After the fiction line was shut down at my previous publisher, I began working freelance to help edit, consult and manage authors and their projects. My transition to agenting seemed to happen organically from the consulting business.

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

JG: My agenting philosophy is a holistic approach. Since my background encompasses marketing, editing and publishing, I like to work with the author on marketing, developing their platform, content development and ultimately, evaluating their options (digital and print) as they enter into a publishing agreement.

I expect open and honest communication and setting clear expectations at the onset of the working relationship.

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

JG: Author Pepper Basham has a fiction novel coming out next year titled Twist of Faith that is contemporary women's fiction. I have known Pepper for three years when she pitched to me at a writer's conference. I saw a great writing style, an openness to learn and an eagerness to self-promote. Her novels are funny, witty, engaging and very romantic.

Three non-fiction books by author and professional ballerina Sarah Marr are also coming out next year and use her life in professional dance as a metaphor for life lessons. I've known Sarah for a while as well and love her voice and freshness as she speaks into the busyness of life.

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

JG: I represent all romance (contemporary and historical and romantic suspense), speculative, fantasy, straight suspense, true crime, YA and NA and some non-fiction. 

I do not represent horror as this is not a genre I read and so I'm not familiar with what makes a great horror novel.

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

JG: Pet peeves are typos or bad grammar; having a synopsis that does not match the content; queries before the manuscript is complete; saying the novel will appeal to everyone. 

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

JG: I would love to see great romance with smart, witty banter (either contemporary or historical). I would like to see smart suspense that leaves me questioning 'who dun it' until the end. Cozy mysteries. Sports romance. Military. Unique ideas or plots with twists.

I've seen a lot of dystopian, angels and demons, novels where the protagonist suffers from multiple issues (alcoholism, bulimia, abuse, homelessness).

KV: What's the best way to query you?

JG: E-mail julie@theseymouragency.com.

Thank you, Ms. Gwinn, for these responses. The genres you listed are some of my favorites, too, so I hope you find a bunch of new clients shortly.

And now for the main event! If you have a question for Ms. Gwinn, feel free to leave it in the comments of this post. She'll drop in periodically and respond to those questions, leaving her answers in the comments also. We'll wrap everything up at 5:00 p.m. EDT (or 2:00 p.m. PDT), but until then, ask away!

New Look Courtesy of Icey Designs

The blog has a new look courtesy of Icey Designs! It took us a few tries to get to this design, but I love how it turned out. I told Hafsah I wanted something in neutral tones with pops of color, and that's precisely what she gave me. The old-fashioned typewriter was the perfect touch.

You'll notice that I've taken down some of the preexisting pages. I know that makes it harder to find interviews and past rounds of "An Agent's Inbox," so I'm trying to figure out how to include those references without cluttering things up. (In other words, stay tuned!)

In the meantime, I hope you'll stick around. The next few months should include a few cover reveals and more details about Steve and Clyde's respective releases. (In case you haven't noticed, Steve and Clyde will now be coming out in the same season, Summer 2015.) Exciting times!

Interview with an Agent: Renee Nyen

I've got another great interview for you, this one with Renee Nyen of kt literary! As you're about to see, she started out as Kate's assistant and has recently started taking on clients of her own. I think you're going to find a lot to like about Ms. Nyen.

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

RN: I have been with kt literary since January of 2013. I worked in publishing for a few years, but most importantly, I stalked Kate Testerman (@DaphneUn) on Twitter for about eighteen months before I e-mailed her begging for any reading she could throw my way. Apparently, she liked something about me and hired me. Agenting has completely surprised me. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do.

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

RN: My agenting and life philosophies are the same: be passionate. I want to represent a story that started as an unquenchable fire in someone's belly. I want to read the story you can't shake. The voice that follows you around. If you're excited about your manuscript, I'm more likely to be enthusiastic, too.

KV: I know you're just starting out, so you probably don't have any client work coming out soon, but what about kt literary caught your attention? Was there a specific client or book you were especially excited to work with?

RN: I've been a huge fan of Maureen Johnson for years. She's so unique. She doesn't apologize for who she is and what she writes. I have so much respect for her. As a person and a writer.

One of our more recent agency acquisitions is Marisa Reichardt's work. It takes a lot to reduce Kate and I to tears, but she managed to do so. I think she has a long, wonderful career in front of her.

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

RN: I represent primarily YA and MG. I've always read these genres so it is what I'm most comfortable representing.

Honestly, I'm never going to represent erotica. No matter how things go in my life, I don't see myself loving an erotica story so much that I try to sell it. And I've read a few. I. Have. Tried.

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

RN: I'll share two. May I share two?

I'm really not into prologues. They detract from the story's momentum. I want to instantly connect with your main character. Prologues tend to feel like throw-away words--especially if the main character doesn't make an appearance. I know some genres (high fantasy, specifically) use them often, and if you can't part with your prologue, I understand, but it is a hang-up for me.

The other immediate turn-off for me is too much general language in your query letter. Judith's story is one of insurmountable odds, the meaning of life, the search for acceptance. It is an ode to overwhelming hope, devastating loss, friendship and self-discovery. This tells me nothing unique about your book or your characters.

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

RN: More than any specific genre, I love manuscripts that immediately capture me. For me, writing and characters transcend genre.

That said, I'd love to see historical YA about a lesser-known time in history. And if anyone out there has a space pirate story, it would jump to the front of my reading queue. Immediately. I mean, who doesn't love the Mal Reynolds kind of hero? I need more Mal in my life.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

RN: Feel free to e-mail me at reneequery(at)ktliterary(dot)com. For more detailed information, here's a link to our submissions page.

Thanks again, Ms. Nyen, for these answers. And if you ever find that space pirate story, do let me know:)

Have a great weekend, all!

Interview with an Agent: Taylor Haggerty

I'm excited to share my interview with Taylor Haggerty of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency. As you might have noticed, Ms. Haggerty is one of the agents who'll be casting her votes in "The Writer's Voice" next month, so this interview feels especially timely. Enjoy!

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

TH: I joined Waxman Leavell in the spring of 2013, and started building my list less than a year ago. I’d always pictured myself working in publishing in some form or another, but when I met a literary agent through a study abroad course in college I was immediately intrigued by this side of the business. After college, I interned at several publishers while completing a graduate degree from Emerson College’s Publishing & Writing program, and then worked at the Gersh Agency before joining WLLA.

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

TH: My philosophy is to work with authors I’m passionate about to help them build a successful career--whatever that means to each individual author. No two careers are identical, and I think communication and a mutual understanding of the goals and expectations at any given point are both particularly important aspects of the agent-author relationship. There can be a lot of ups and downs in this business, but I always expect my authors to be professionals. (Professionals who laugh at my bad jokes are appreciated, not expected! :))

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

TH: I have a lot of exciting projects in the works, but nothing hitting shelves quite yet. Stay tuned for news! 

All of my clients are exceptionally talented (not to mention lovely humans), and I was drawn to their work by that magical combination of a compelling voice, an undeniable command of language, and just flat-out great storytelling.

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

TH: Middle grade, young adult, historical fiction, and romance. I don’t represent poetry, screenplays, or picture books. 

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

TH: I really only have one pet peeve--vague/generic queries. When a query tells me that the characters will face life-changing events, challenging obstacles, or dire consequences, but doesn't elaborate on the stakes or specify what is unique about this particular world, character, or story, it's really difficult to feel invested. I don’t need plot twists or the whole synopsis right up front, but I do need enough details about the manuscript to be hooked and excited to read more. Reel me in!

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

TH: I’m looking for a manuscript that keeps me up late reading, and then stays with me beyond that last page--something that really pulls me into another world and makes me fall in love with the characters. For YA, I'd love to find a smart, funny contemporary romance or friendship story, as well as a gorgeous, original historical fantasy. On the historical fiction side of things, I love reading about kick-ass women in history, so if you have an awesome heroine please do send her my way! I''m also on the lookout for a great dual historical/contemporary narrative.

On the flip side of that, I’m still seeing a lot of books about kids with supernatural powers and/or prophetic dreams, so something along those lines would have to really stand out to catch my eye.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

TH: E-mail, with the query + first ten pages in the body of the e-mail to taylorsubmit@waxmanleavell.com.

Thank you, Ms. Haggerty, for these helpful responses. I think more than one writer just added a new name to his or her query list:)

Have a great weekend. I'm out!

Interactive Interview with an Agent: Clelia Gore

Today's INTERACTIVE installment of "Interview with an Agent" features Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management. Details on the interactive part are at the bottom, so enjoy Ms. Gore's answers to the usual questions, then meet us down there!

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

CG: I am a new agent with experience in both the publishing and legal worlds. I used to work as an attorney in New York City and then switched over to publishing by earning my master's degree in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College and working at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Oxford University Press. Being an agent seemed like a natural choice for me, considering my legal skills and literary interests. It also happens to be a lot more fun than being a lawyer:)

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

CG: My goal as an agent is always to bring quality books to children and young adults. I'd like to do so by operating with kindness, respect, and professionalism. I like clients to be communicative, responsive, open to suggestions, patient and optimistic. 

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

CG: As a new agent, I have just acquired my first clients and hopefully will have upcoming works to announce in the very near future. Martin Literary Management previously specialized only in adult non-fiction books, but has represented some young adult non-fiction books, including The Pregnancy Project (Simon and Schuster, 2012), which was also made into a Lifetime movie. 

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

CG: Everything under the children's book umbrella from baby board books to young adult novels. I am interested in both children's fiction and non-fiction. I won't be taking any adult book writers as clients and I am not usually interested in romance novels. Although I like books with fantastical elements, I would say that I usually am drawn more to "fantasy-lite" than hardcore fantasy or sci-fi. 

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

CG: The query letter really is an important piece of writing--you should be putting your best foot forward. Make sure your query is cohesive and coherent. To me, a query letter that is not well written is a pretty good signal that the sample of work below is not going to work for me. I do like to hear a little about the author, but I am most interested in the summarizing pitch. It's also important to write who your audience is--young adult, middle grade, etc.

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

CG: I am open to just about anything, but my favorite genre is middle grade--it's the genre that I first fell in love with as a kid, and that love never left me! I am particularly interested in illustrated middle grade where there is interplay between the text and the illustrations. I also love anything that involves history, across all genres. I love picture book biographies, particularly about less known but very interesting people in history. I would love to see books featuring ethnically diverse characters where their ethnicity is not the focus of the plot. I also like picture books that are a little quirky that have appeal to both kids and adults. Anything with series potential is interesting to me--as a kid (and as an adult too!), I liked to develop a long term relationship with my favorite characters and see them through many adventures. For young adult, I'm looking for voice-driven books and memorable characters. The plot is secondary for me! 

I think there are a number of trends that have played out and currently pose challenges to sell--I would say editors have probably seen many YA books where the protagonist discovers he or she has some sort of magic or supernatural power, and would be less inclined to want to publish those. Also, I am generally wary of rhyming picture books, as I think the modern picture book has evolved from rhyming.  

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

CG: Please send queries to me via email at clelia@martinliterarymanagement.com. You can find my submission instructions regarding particular kinds of books here: martinliterarymanagement.com/submissions.htm

Thank you, Ms. Gore, for these responses. It sounds like you and I have very similar tastes:)

And now for the main event! If you have a question for Ms. Gore, feel free to leave it in the comments below. She'll pop in several times throughout the day and leave her responses in the comments as well. You have until 7:00 p.m. EST (or 4:00 p.m. PST), so don't dilly-dally!

In Defense of the Romantically Clueless MC

Come back tomorrow afternoon for an INTERACTIVE interview with Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management. She'll be taking questions from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST!

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback I've gotten on Bonnie is that Karina's totally clueless when it comes to Matthew. It's obvious to readers that he's interested in her, but Karina doesn't pick up on any of his cues. It isn't until her friend finally comes out and says it that Karina realizes Matthew has a thing for her, and according to my critique partners, she should figure this out sooner. Since they did.

But novels, even realistic ones, aren't necessarily realistic. We carefully construct our stories for maximum impact, then sprinkle in a lot of clues and clever foreshadowing. We want our stories to make sense, so we press them into tidy molds and tie up our loose ends.

But real life is rarely so neat.

In high school, I had a friend named Ian. He asked me to Homecoming our junior year (though I ended up going with Honey Bear, but that's another blog post), and we ate lunch together every day our senior year. After we graduated, he asked me out a few times, including once right around Christmas. We were home from school--he was up at Utah State while I was down at BYU--and one afternoon, he called and asked if I wanted to check out this comedy troupe. I said, "Sounds fun! Who else will be there?" and he said, "Me," and I said, "Oh." After one of those long, awkward pauses, I rushed to assure him that I'd love to go, that it would be great to see him, that I was looking forward to it. And I was. The show was funny, and it was nice to catch up afterward. (Even though it was December, we chatted over Frosties for several hours in his car.)

I think that night was the first time it occurred to me that Ian could possibly like me. It was also the last time we ever talked. Honey Bear came home from his mission six months later, and we discovered we still liked each other. Then Ian left on his mission a few months after that, and we didn't keep in touch.

I'm still not sure why I didn't pick up on Ian's cues* sooner. He asked me out multiple times--in fact, he's the only boy other than Honey Bear who asked me out even once, which should have tipped me off--and he went out of his way to show up wherever I happened to be. In hindsight, it seems so obvious, but I didn't see it for the longest time.

So the next time you're tempted to smack a romantically clueless MC, give him or her a break. This whole love thing is tougher than it looks.

*Ian, if you ever stumble across this post, I do apologize for my inanity. And if I completely misrepresented your point-of-view, feel free to set the record straight:)

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!

Interview with an Agent: Shannon Hassan

I'm pleased to welcome Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency to the blog. She's one of the newer agents at Marsal Lyon, so you might not have heard of her. I hope this interview serves as a worthy introduction. Enjoy!

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

SH: I am a relatively new agent but have worked in publishing and law for more than a decade.  Having served as both an acquisitions editor and a corporate/licensing attorney in New York, becoming an agent was a natural progression and a great combination of my skills and passion.  I am so pleased to have joined Marsal Lyon and couldn’t be happier with the agency and its approach to helping writers achieve their publishing goals.

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

SH: I believe the author/agent relationship should be a true collaboration with open lines of communication.  With respect to edits, I am pretty direct and will let an author know if I feel that something isn’t working in the manuscript and help brainstorm ways to improve it.  With respect to submissions, I feel it is important to keep authors very much in the loop with where the manuscript is and how editors are reacting.  In general I see it as a long-term relationship that goes both ways.

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

SH: I was drawn to Kita Murdock’s middle grade novel, FUTURE FLASH (Skyhorse, June 2014), due to its charming characters, vivid prose, and fast-moving storyline.  I took an instant liking to both the project and its lovely author, but knew I had a winner when I gave the manuscript to my nine-year-old daughter and she read it one sitting!

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

SH: I represent authors of literary and commercial fiction, young adult fiction, and select nonfiction.  With respect to fiction: I am drawn to fresh voices, compelling characters, and crisp prose.

For nonfiction: I am interested in memoirists with exceptional stories to tell, as well as authors with a strong platform in current affairs, history, education, or law.

  

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

SH: Pitches that contain too much puffery, or are too vague about an author’s credentials, sometimes put me off.  I enjoy working with both debut and experienced authors.

KV: Your agency's website specifies that writers should only include a query letter in their initial electronic submission, but several respected industry sites have advised writers to include a few sample pages at the bottom of every query, whether the agent asked for them or not.  So if a writer goes ahead and adds those pages, do you find that more assertive or obnoxious?

SH: It wouldn’t really bother me, but as a general policy, I think it makes sense to try to follow each agency’s preferences if possible.  I’ll also note that if we have requested pages from an author, we do try to give a more personalized response, and there isn’t time to do that with every initial query.

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

SH: Superb writing in the genres I described in question #4!!

I do have one niche interest due to living in Boulder, Colorado: I am eager to hear from authors with a unique perspective on the New West.

And while I have not grown tired of anything in particular, it is obvious to me when someone is writing to fit a trend instead of writing from the heart.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

SH: I look forward to receiving queries at: shannon@marsallyonliteraryagency.com

Thanks very much for the interview, Krista!

And thank you, Shannon, for answering my questions. I hope your next client is reading this interview right...NOW! :)

Have a great weekend, guys! *dives back into revisions*

Interview with an Agent: Lindsay Ribar

I’m pleased to welcome Lindsay Ribar of Greenburger Associates to the blog. I think you'll find a lot to like in this up-and-coming agent. Happy reading!

KV: Are you a writer yourself? What do you write?

LR: I am indeed! I write YA paranormal fiction. I only have one book out so far (The Art of Wishing, Dial Books For Young Readers), but its sequel (The Fourth Wish, Kathy Dawson Books) is slated for summer 2014.

KV: Popping in to say it's a darn good thing THE ART OF WISHING is going to have a sequel:) All right, back to the interview!

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

LR: I’ve been working at Sanford J. Greenburger for a little over six years now, primarily as an assistant to a senior agent. I’ve been doing my own agenting for about half that time. I actually got into it almost by accident; as a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course back in 2006, I had my heart set on getting into the business on the editorial side. Interview after interview yielded nothing (it’s a very crowded job market), so I started interviewing on the agency side too, and landed a job working for Matt Bialer at SJGA…where I found that editorial work is important on the agency side, too. And since I got into this business so I could work on stories with writers, I’ve found agenting to be very fulfilling indeed.

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

LR: I don’t think I have a philosophy, per se, but my M.O. is always to get each manuscript into the best possible shape before sending it out to editors--no matter how many rounds of revisions it takes. (My clients are sighing right now; they know this!)

As far as the relationship goes, it varies a lot from client to client. My job is to support my clients and get the best possible work out of them; sometimes that means leaving them alone for months at a time while they work, and sometimes it means reading a few chapters at a time to make sure their work is on the right track. It all depends on what they, individually, need from me.

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

LR: I’ve got two books coming out later this year from clients that I co-represent with my boss, Matt Bialer:

CLEAN BURN by Karen Sandler (8/27/13, Exhibit A)--A kickass thriller starring a private investigator who must return to the hometown she left behind long ago, to find and stop a series of child abductions, and battle some of her own demons along the way.

FORTUNE’S PAWN by Rachel Bach (11/5/13, Orbit)--A science fiction adventure story starring a female mercenary named Deviana Morris, who takes a job aboard a spaceship that’s just a little bit too notorious for running into, shall we say, interesting times.

And then, next year, two of my own clients have awesome books coming out:

CALL ME GRIM by Elizabeth Holloway (Month9Books)--A YA paranormal adventure in which a teenaged girl must choose between dying a normal death at her scheduled time…and becoming a Grim Reaper in order to save her best friend from damnation.

PREMONITIONS by Jamie Schultz (Ace)--A dark fantasy in which a mercenary, along with her crew of small-time criminals, takes a job from an untrustworthy crime lord so she can continue paying for the rare drug that keeps her from hallucinating slices of the future.

As far as what drew me to these writers…well, it was the same thing every time. Great writing, great characters, and a story that pressed all the right buttons. At the end of the day, it’s really as simple as that.

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

LR: I mostly represent YA and middle grade, with a few adult authors thrown in for good measure. I’m open to considering most things, but genres I don’t represent include religious fiction, picture books, political or legal thrillers, and most non-fiction. Also, I’ll be honest: I’m not terribly keen on elves or dragons.

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

LR: Oh, all the usual stuff. Don’t put someone else’s name on a query addressed to me. Don’t forget to check your query letter for typos. Don’t spend more than a few paragraphs telling me what your book is about, and for the love of all things holy, don’t waste time telling me how much your parents or your children or your colleagues or your critique partners love your book. Just tell me what the book is about. Let the work speak for itself.

KV: What are you looking for in a manuscript right now?

LR: Right now, I’m looking mostly for YA and middle grade, with an emphasis on fantasy rooted in the real world, horror, mysteries/thrillers, and LGBT books that aren’t “Coming Out 101.”

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

LR: Via e-mail, using the criteria listed on the SJGA website: greenburger.com/agent/lindsay-ribar-2.

Thanks again, Ms. Ribar, for taking the time to answer my questions. It sounds like you’re a busy bee, but that’s definitely not a bad thing.

Have a great weekend, all!

Interactive Interview with an Agent: Ginger Knowlton

Hey, look, it's another interactive installment of "Interview with an Agent"! I'm so thrilled to welcome Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown, Ltd. As you're about to find out, Ms. Knowlton has a ton of experience and represents some fabulous authors, so get those questions ready! (As always, details on the interactive part are at the bottom.)

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

GK: In 1986, I was living and working in Mendocino, California. I was taking some teacher education classes at a local college when I called my father to ask if he would be willing to help finance my full return to school to get my masters. He declined, and instead invited me to move back to the 'civilized coast' to work in the children's book department under the tutelage of Marilyn E. Marlow. His offer was well-timed, since my boyfriend and I had just broken up and I was ready for a change. My ex-boyfriend came back from Hawaii to drive across the country with me, and I started working for Marilyn on October 27, 1986.

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

GK: I can't say I have a personal agenting philosophy per se, but I do think it's important to remember that I work for my clients, not the other way around. That said, each party needs to respect the other, and I think open communication is vitally important.

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

GK: I'm looking forward to the publication of ROAD RASH by Mark Parsons. He is Wendelin Van Draanen's husband and I am so excited that he's writing young adult novels now, and that Nancy Siscoe, Wendelin's editor, will publish him, too. Speaking of Wendelin, her 17th Sammy Keyes book will be published soon. I just love Sammy, who has her own Facebook page.

Wendy Mass and her husband Michael Brawer are collaborating on a series (SPACE TAXI) for Little, Brown, which is also fantastic.

Helen Frost's SALT is coming soon from FSG, and I absolutely love Helen's writing. She and Rick Lieder are collaborating on another book for Candlewick. This one is called SWEEP UP THE SUN.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is hard at work revising ADA'S WAR for Liz Waniewski at Dial, and I can't wait for its release.

I've worked with all of these authors for years (with the exception of Mark), but what drew me to them in the first place was their wonderful writing and ability to make their characters come alive on the page. Honestly, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

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

GK: I represent all children's book genres because I have a wide variety of clients, but that doesn't mean I'm looking for all genres. I'm not actively looking for graphic novels or beginning readers. I'm open to just about everything, though, as long as I love the execution.

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

GK: It sounds so ridiculous because it should not happen, but to me, grammatical mistakes and spelling errors show a lack of proofreading/care. If you can't write an error-free letter, I worry that your manuscript will be full of errors, too. Blatant form letters (Dear Agent) are a turnoff.

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

GK: I always want to see great writing with a compelling story that draws me in right away. I think that's really important in children's books, whether it be contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi, etc. I am especially interested in funny, contemporary middle grade novels. I would love to find another mystery series. Wendelin's Sammy Keyes books have brought my daughter, mother, and me pleasure for many years (and we are all unhappy that #18 will be the last one!).

I'm not interested in seeing picture books that are too long or beginning readers (aka easy-to-read short chapter books).

KV: What's the best way to query you?

GK: At this point, I receive so many emails that I can't keep up with queries via email. So if you want to be sure I read your query, it's best to submit it the old-fashioned way, via post, with either one picture book or the first two or three chapters of a novel or nonfiction project included with a self-addressed stamped envelope. I know it's old school, but it seems all of us are drowning in email, and this will allow me to keep afloat.

Thank you, Ms. Knowlton, for these informative answers. I will definitely have to check out these Sammy Keyes books...

All right, readers, it's your turn! If you have a question for Ms. Knowlton, 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!

Critique Winners and Other Tidbits

Thank you for your comments on last week's post! Like a nerd, I put together a quick tally of everyone's favorite shots, so here's how those broke down:

Picture	Votes
#1	6
#2	22
#3	32
#4	8
#5	1

Picture #3 was the clear favorite, but the more I looked at it, the more I decided I didn't really like my hair. It swoops over my shoulder on one side and kind of hangs in irregular pieces on the other, so I think I'm going to go with #2. I love the blurred-out brick wall, and with a little cropping, I'm sure I can produce the same kind of close-up look that #3 has going for it. (Photographer Julie informed me the images would be sharp enough to crop at will!)

And now for the winners of the query or first-page critique:

Amy Smith

Ninja Girl

kathrynjankowski

A.J. Cattapan

Lorena

If you guys have a query or first page you'd like a little more feedback on, feel free to send it to me at kvandolzer(at)gmail(dot)com!

Last but not least, I just scheduled an interactive installment of "Interview with an Agent" with Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown, Ltd., so definitely come back next Wednesday, July 17, and ask her your questions!

Interactive Interview with an Agent: Meredith Kaffel

Welcome to another interactive installment of “Interview with an Agent,” this one featuring Meredith Kaffel of DeFiore and Company! As always, enjoy Ms. Kaffel’s answers to the usual questions, then check out the details on the interactive part (which are located at the bottom).

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

MK: After six years with the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency, I’ve now been with DeFiore & Co. since early 2012. I always knew I wanted to be in publishing. This knowledge stemmed mostly from my truly geeky passion for writing and books since childhood, but also from the fun fact that I grew up in a publishing family of sorts--my grandfather, Mort Weisinger, was the story editor of Superman for DC Comics for thirty years and before that, co-founded with Julie Schwartz the first science fiction & fantasy literary agency, Solar Sales Service. So, in a sense, I had an existing template of what a life lived in publishing might entail; it seemed possible.

As an undergraduate at Yale, I interned for four years in the Sales Department of Yale University Press and spent one college summer interning in the Sales Dept. of Harry Abrams. But it wasn’t until the summer I interned for an amazing literary agent--Sarah Burnes--that I discovered just what a literary agent did and fell head-first in love with the agent’s role in the publishing universe.

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

MK: I’ve come to think of the agent-author relationship in terms of SIGHT, above all else. I think seeing is what I do best. My job is to see my clients and their work as clearly as possible, so as to best present and sell them to publishers, as well as to make said clients feel seen throughout the process. In fact, I think it’s possible to break down the author-agent relationship into four sight-related components: it is the agent’s duty to provide for a client INSIGHT, FORESIGHT, SECOND SIGHT, and HINDSIGHT--throughout the development, submission, negotiation, publishing and managerial/maintenance stages of the agent-author experience. And of course, we as agents must be advocates, as well as futurists.

As for what I expect from my client relationships: hard work, honesty, fierceness, open lines of communication, talent, due diligence, trust, decency and respect from both sides.

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

MK: Books I have coming up: the tentatively titled and elegantly sexy POSH GIRL’S GUIDE TO PLAY by Alexis Lass, a prep-school bred dominatrix (!) (Seal Press); YA veteran Terra McVoy’s latest young adult novel, CRIMINAL (Simon Pulse), which is about a girl who discovers just how far she will go for love and which sizzles its way onto shelves this May; genius indie-darling comic illustrator Lisa Hanawalt’s raunchily beautiful MY DIRTY DUMB EYES (Drawn & Quarterly); a groundbreaking biography of Celia Sanchez, Cuban Revolutionary, called ONE DAY IN DECEMBER (Monthly Review Press); a heartwarming modern classic “bedtime” picture book from mixed media artist Ida Pearl called THE MOON IS GOING TO ADDY’S HOUSE (Dial BFYR); a gorgeous literary historical debut about unrequited love and the inventor of the theremin (a strange and haunting musical instrument), from Canadian writer Sean Michaels (Knopf Canada).

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

MK: I DO seek projects in a wide range of genres, including but not limited to:

--Debut literary fiction
--Upmarket commercial fiction (especially historical)
--Literary thrillers
--Narrative nonfiction (especially on aesthetically-oriented subjects, as well as narratives of place, love and relationships, cultural and interdisciplinary history)
--Quirky platform-driven nonfiction in the realms of pop psychology, media, business, sociology, sex, science/the environment, tech and “how things work”
--Humor
--Biography
--Limited Memoir
--Children’s middle grade
--Children’s YA and Teen
--Limited list of Children’s picture books
--The rare illustrator

I DO NOT seek projects in the following genres:

Western, Adventure, High Fantasy, Religious, Rhyming Picture Books.

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

MK: I find myself most uncomfortable reading queries that feel overly familiar. This pitfall often goes hand in hand with a miscalibration of how confident one ought to appear in a query letter in order to garner an agent’s interest.

A basic rule: don’t tell me how fabulous or accomplished you are; let your accomplishments speak for themselves, and if you don’t happen to have a prize-studded bio, then let the ingenuity of your work speak for itself. I always look for an author who has the good sense to at least strive for a degree for humility and demonstrates a good grasp of reality. In other words, your query should read neither like an infomercial nor an acceptance speech! Just try to be your good, calm, smart self.

I’m also personally less engaged by extensive plot synopses; remember that agents want to see that you know how to talk about your book in a compelling and distilled manner. And for heavens’ sake, when an agent rejects your query, don’t turn around and send them another one for a different book within five minutes of having received the first rejection! Doing so completely devalues your work and makes you sound like a traveling salesman. And that’s my rant for the day.

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

MK: I would love to find a delicious and dark upmarket thriller or mystery, ideally a series, or several. And I’m actively seeking more upmarket commercial historical fiction; I majored in Renaissance Studies in college and have a serious penchant for anything historical at all, from most any period but particularly the glamorous ones--and especially novels which take a well-known event or moment in time and re-tell it from a peripheral character’s perspective, making it new again.

I’m also always seeking more humor, more cultural history, and more teen contemporary realistic fiction. In the adult literary realm, I am eager to find more magical realism and variations thereof. Finally, I’d love to find more high-concept middle grade, as well--both projects for boys and also for girls.

All I ask: no more picture books for awhile!

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

MK: Via e-mail: meredith@defioreandco.com. Query + first 5 pages pasted in the body of the e-mail; no attachments in initial query. Thank you!

Thank YOU, Ms. Kaffel, for these insightful answers. I especially loved what you had to say about your personal agenting philosophy. I’ve never heard anyone put it quite that way before, and yet it’s so true.

And now for the fun part: If you have a question for Ms. Kaffel, feel free to leave it in the comments below. She’ll pop in a few times throughout the day to answer any questions she finds down there, leaving her answers in the comments, too. We’ll wrap things up at 5:00 p.m. EST (or 2:00 p.m. PST), but until then, have at it!

And the Winner Is...

First off, THANK YOU. You always wonder how these things are going to turn out, and your response was overwhelming. I wish I had time to read more than one partial, because so many of these projects sounded awesome. That said, the project I get to read is...

MayhemMabel's THE REIGN OF TERROR, THE PEARSONS MEET LADY GUILLOTINE!

MayhemMabel, please e-mail me at kvandolzer(at)gmail(dot)com for instructions on how to submit your material. I look forward to reading it!

Also, come back this Friday, February 22, when I'll be hosting an INTERACTIVE installment of "Interview with an Agent." Meredith Kaffel of DeFiore and Company will be here to answer your questions, so don't miss it!

Interview with an Agent: Laura Rennert

Super excited to share today’s installment of “Interview with an Agent,” which features Laura Rennert of Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Enjoy!

KV: Are you a writer yourself? What do you write?

 

LR: In addition to my agenting, every now and then I get an idea and write a book myself, but this is definitely a fun sidelight, not a focus. I write children's books and tend to focus on shorter forms, since they aren't as much of a commitment as, say, a young adult novel. I'm the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf), illustrated by Marc Brown, of the creator of Arthur, and a chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY, DRAGON DREAMS (Dial), illustrated by French artist Melanie Florian.

 

In addition to being an interesting experience on the merits, being a published author has helped me be a better agent, with a greater awareness of what it's like to be on the author side of the table.

 

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

 

LR: I've been agenting for fifteen years, and have been with the amazing Andrea Brown Literary Agency for my whole career. I have a Ph.D in English Literature, and, in my previous life, spent eight years teaching in various English Lit departments, including an adventuresome term as a visiting professor at Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan. My field of study was 19th-century British literature. Since in my scholarship and teaching, I focused on authors who are in some ways today thought of as "children's" authors, moving from academia to agenting and specializing in children’s and YA seemed a very natural transition.

 

When I moved to Northern California with my husband in 1998, he was geographically limited, and there were no tenure-track jobs in my specialty at any of the local universities, so I got an appointment as a lecturer at Santa Clara University, and began agenting. I soon realized that I had an entrepreneurial part of my personality and that agenting was actually more satisfying to me than academia. I eventually made the decision to agent full time, and I've never looked back. I feel lucky that I've had two fulfilling and complementary careers. I believe I have the best job in the world now!

 

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

 

LR: My philosophy as an agent is that I'd rather work with a small group of carefully curated, brilliant clients and invest intensively in them. I'm quite hands-on as an agent and only take on work about which I am passionate because I invest such significant time and energy in each project. My business model involves working with a small number of writers, investing in each of them substantial time and attention at all stages of the writing process--conception, creation, editing, publication, marketing--and getting a mutual return on that investment over the course of a long and prosperous career.

 

I'm looking for writers with whom I can have a productive and pleasurable working relationship. I expect the authors with whom I work to be passionate, committed to a writing career, professional, and transparent and honest with me--as I am with them.

 

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

 

LR: Incredibly exciting client work that is coming out soon includes:

 

*Ellen Hopkins' SMOKE (Margaret McElderry/S&S)

*Tessa Gratton's THE LOST SUN (Random House), 1st book of United States of Asgard

*Shannon Messenger's debut YA LET THE SKY FALL (Simon Pulse)

*Catherine Ryan Hyde's WALK ME HOME (Amazon Publishing)

*Kimberly Derting's DEAD SILENCE (Harper), 4th book in THE BODY FINDER series

*Maggie Stiefvater's 2nd book in THE RAVEN CYCLE (Scholastic)

 

What drew me to all of these authors is their strong voice; masterful writing; brilliant conception; rich, highly idiosyncratic world building; and vivid, conflicted, unforgettable characters.

 

KV: Popping in to say if you haven’t read Maggie Stiefvater’s THE SCORPIO RACES, another of Ms. Rennert’s (relatively) recent sales, you MUST. I can’t tell you how much I loved that book (although I tried, as you’ll find out if you click that link). All right, back to the interview!

 

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

 

LR: I'm a literary omnivore, and I represent all categories of children's book, picture books through Young Adult. In the adult market, I represent upmarket women's fiction and a smattering of narrative nonfiction.

 

My focus is definitely fiction over nonfiction. If a work surprises me, moves me, compels me to read on, and has the essentials I look for, then I'm open to anything in terms of the children's and YA market. In the adult market, I only represent the aforementioned categories, though I'd be tempted by an upmarket women's fiction/thriller in the vein of GONE GIRL.

 

KV: Are you interested in picture book writers who AREN'T illustrators?

 

LR: I am interested in picture book writers who aren't illustrators.

 

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

 

LR: Pet peeves:

 

*Hyperbolic praise of one’s own work

*Lack of awareness regarding what I represent

*Error-ridden writing

*Lack of professionalism (i.e. It's clear that the author hasn't taken the minimal amount of time or effort necessary to familiarize herself or himself with what agents do or with a basic knowledge of how the publishing industry works)

 

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

 

LR: Surprise me! If a work is strong in the fundamentals and if both the voice and concept are compelling, I'm open to most anything.

 

I'm tired of seeing paranormal and dystopian novels that feel like repeats of already successful books on the market and don't bring something different and exciting to the table.

 

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

 

LR: The best way to query me is to follow the guidelines on the Andrea Brown Literary Agency website, andreabrownlit.com. I also suggest checking out my author/agent site, laurajoyrennert.com, because it will give you more of a sense of whom I am, what I represent, and what excites me.

 

Thanks, Ms. Rennert, for these responses! I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s glad you left academia to become a literary agent:)

 

Have a great weekend, all!