Author Rachel Hauck on the Agent/Author Relationship Part 1
Author Rachel Hauck was kind enough to offer some advice about finding and working with literary agents. Thank you so much Rachel!
Here she is:
I wasn’t looking for an agent when an author and friend called after reading the opening chapter of my first chick lit. Enthusiastic, (don’t you love those calls?) she suggested I submit the work to her agent. After learning of the agent’s reputation and client list, I whole heartily agreed.
Up to this point, I wasn’t confident I was ready for an agent. I had one Heartsong published and wasn’t working on anything bigger, like a trade book. Then I started writing a chick lit in late ‘03.
There’s a tendency to get in a hurry. Seeing other authors pick up agents, sell trade books out of the gate, win awards. “What, am I wood? Am I standing still?” you may ask yourself.
Don’t be in a hurry.
My prayer has always been and remains, “Lord, You’re my editor, agent and promoter.”
I signed with my first agent in early ‘04. She really challenged me to go deeper in my writing and to keep reading and studying.
I sold my first chick lit six months later. I sold another one a year later. In between I wrote two more Heartsongs. I was on a roll.
Yet, by mid 2007, I felt I was losing some momentum. I knew I needed help on how to increase my brand and visibility. Speaking? Writing articles? Joining forces with… someone?
I began to pray about what to do, willing for God to end my writing season, when I came across an agency that seemed to be keen on marketing and branding.
Maybe that’s what I needed? Could they help with ideas, partnerships, other avenues of promotion? I prayed. Tried not to decide based on worry or jealousy of authors finding more success than me. Tried not to “force” something to happen.
In the meantime, God opened a door for me to write with country artist Sara Evans. And I changed agents. Closed my eyes, breathed in faith and jumped.
It was an interesting season. But a short one.
Through a series of interesting and fun events, the Lord led me to my next (and final) agent, Chip MacGregor.
I never set out to have more than one agent. I never wanted to agent shop or get disgruntled and change for change sake. An agent/client relationship is a living, breathing thing that must be maintained and treated like all relationships: with good communication.
Me: How are you with communication? Do you prefer to write e-mails or talk on the phone? What kind of communication would you prefer to engage in with your future agent?
Here she is:
I wasn’t looking for an agent when an author and friend called after reading the opening chapter of my first chick lit. Enthusiastic, (don’t you love those calls?) she suggested I submit the work to her agent. After learning of the agent’s reputation and client list, I whole heartily agreed.
Up to this point, I wasn’t confident I was ready for an agent. I had one Heartsong published and wasn’t working on anything bigger, like a trade book. Then I started writing a chick lit in late ‘03.
There’s a tendency to get in a hurry. Seeing other authors pick up agents, sell trade books out of the gate, win awards. “What, am I wood? Am I standing still?” you may ask yourself.
Don’t be in a hurry.
My prayer has always been and remains, “Lord, You’re my editor, agent and promoter.”
I signed with my first agent in early ‘04. She really challenged me to go deeper in my writing and to keep reading and studying.
I sold my first chick lit six months later. I sold another one a year later. In between I wrote two more Heartsongs. I was on a roll.
Yet, by mid 2007, I felt I was losing some momentum. I knew I needed help on how to increase my brand and visibility. Speaking? Writing articles? Joining forces with… someone?
I began to pray about what to do, willing for God to end my writing season, when I came across an agency that seemed to be keen on marketing and branding.
Maybe that’s what I needed? Could they help with ideas, partnerships, other avenues of promotion? I prayed. Tried not to decide based on worry or jealousy of authors finding more success than me. Tried not to “force” something to happen.
In the meantime, God opened a door for me to write with country artist Sara Evans. And I changed agents. Closed my eyes, breathed in faith and jumped.
It was an interesting season. But a short one.
Through a series of interesting and fun events, the Lord led me to my next (and final) agent, Chip MacGregor.
I never set out to have more than one agent. I never wanted to agent shop or get disgruntled and change for change sake. An agent/client relationship is a living, breathing thing that must be maintained and treated like all relationships: with good communication.
Me: How are you with communication? Do you prefer to write e-mails or talk on the phone? What kind of communication would you prefer to engage in with your future agent?
Comments
God bless you both.
Tamika, that is a pretty cool prayer. I sure hadn't thought about God like that.
Any form at all. I just want it to be consistent--from both sides. Grrr.
Great post, Jessie! Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your experience. :-)
What a great way to show how God navigates the course. I've heard only wonderful things about The MacGregor Agency.
Thanks for sharing, Rachel and Jessica.
Jessica, I tagged you and gave you an award on my blog today.
~ Wendy
Kristen, I forget that we all live in Florida! LOL Cool that you know Rachel.
Anita, consistency would be nice, right? LOL
Karen, I prefer e-mail too, so you're right, talking on the phone becomes more special. :-)
What about you, Jessica?
I generally prefer (by a landslide) e-mail communication. But my best friend, and a few others, get the best of me through phone calls. And I'd like to think a future agent of mine and I would have the kind of relationship that led to my comfort over the phone. I think that'd be crucial!
Communication is something I feel really strongly about. Aren't all good relationships built on the ability to talk things over? great points Rachel.
Thanks Rachel and Jessica!
My first agent I engaged with via email, then I had a chance to meet her in person.
Same with agent two.
Chip I've known for awhile and we were friends of sorts. ;) I knew him, knew of him, watched him and knew we'd work well together.
Rachel
I'm an e-mail or text kind of person--unless I really want thoughts and perspectives then I need to do a phone call.
Erica, it is nice to know. I think maybe we forget about that business aspect sometimes, but it really is about a career and our choices can make us or breaks.(sorry about the cliche) LOL
It's cool to know most of you are e-mailers. I guess that's why we're all active in the blogosphere. LOL!
Whew, Rachel, glad to hear someone else has agent hopped a bit.
As far as my communication preference, it's on the phone all the way!! It's the tone, the nuances, that matter to me. I also like to talk things out rather than just slam things down in an e-mail.
There's just something about a voice on the other end...
So far my dream agent, Natasha, has been fabulous for BOTH versions of communication.
LOVE this blog!!!
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog
Warren, good point about deleting the conversation. I hadn't thought of it like that.
Diane, you're fine. :-) My hubby isn't old-fashioned at all but he prefers the phone always.
I can communicate comfortably by email or by phone (or blog), but I don't Twitter and I haven't figured out a way to love Facebook yet. :)
I've spoken with my agent five times over the course of two months. I don't know if that's a lot or not. But it feels good to me.
The most important factor is developing a relationship based on trust. I don't want an agent pushing their agenda, but taking into consideration my interests and skill level.
Blessings,
Susan :)
So true, Kristen. Sometimes I catch myself rushing, and then I'm like, why?
Susan, you're right. Communication is no good if there's no trust.
I prefer emails to phone calls, but sometimes you need to hear the tender tone of a voice for reasurrance.
Bless you both,
Jen
Audience of ONE