BookingIt

Some of you (specifically T. Anne *grin*) were wondering about the call. Well, it came as a surprise and was different than I expected. I had some fulls out but Les only had a proposal. I'd sent a status-check e-mail and he asked me a few questions about the story. Next thing I knew, he sent another e-mail offering representation. So it wasn't a phone call, but that was fine with me. I was nervous and excited. I had to keep rereading that e-mail to see if it said what I thought it did. After that, I contacted the list of agents who had my full. There's a certain process to follow in this type of situation and I wanted to make sure I did it right. The BookEnds blog and Rachelle Gardner's blog both have archived posts on how to handle an offer of representation. For my checklist, I used a post on Nathan Bransford's site. HERE The stats on responses were kind of interesting. Out of four agents who'd recently requested the full, one immediately declined representati...

So I veered out of Query Land and into Agent Land about two weeks ago. Agent Land is a vast place. The terrain is different for everyone, I've heard. When I took that exit, I was really scared. Nervous. Would there be more cacti in this new place? Pot holes? A smooth road? Before taking your exit, talk to others who've taken the same exit. Scope out the lay of the land. Make sure you know what you're getting into, and that it will take you to where you want to go. When you get out of Query Land and enter Agent Land, what are you expecting things to look like? What questions will you ask others about this new place? Is Agent Land exciting to you, or nerve-wracking? I signed with Les Stobbe !

I dipped my toes in the query ocean and noticed the changes. While the agents I want to query haven't really changed, some of their policies have. For the better, in my opinion. Two agents who have a no response policy (meaning no rejection letter, just silence if they're not interested) now send an automated confirmation that they've received my query. I love that. Two years ago I queried the same agents and had to hope my e-mail reached them. Now I can KNOW for sure that the agent got my query and just isn't interested when I don't hear back. Have you noticed any changes since the last time you queried? What things do publishing professionals do that you appreciate?

We hear all the time that the writing business is subjective. It's true. I wanted to share a huge lesson I learned while querying my first book. Two agents gave me detailed rejections. Rejection #1 Unfortunately, I didn't find Prue to be a likable character. She sounded childish and was too curious and trusting Rejection #2 While I enjoy your writing style, and I think you have a nice, strong heroine... , That's right, my fellow bloggers! Opposite opinions. Are you surprised? Don't be. Agents and editors are readers, just like us. This is why it's so important to weigh a professional's advice carefully. With the first rejection, the agent invited me to resubmit if I reworked the heroine, I decided not to for various reasons. I went with my gut and although that story is shelved for a while, I'm now confident that it's possible for others to like my heroine. Do you have a real-life example of subjectivity to share? Have you ever gone with your gut and ign...

Here's the last part of Rachel's post! I hope you all find it helpful. You can find Rachel at her website , blog or at My Book Therapy . Here she is: Already have an agent? 1. Pray. Seriously, pray for your agent, the agency and the other clients. 2. Ask for a call once in awhile to keep communication open. If you’re not working on a project, or needing help, schedule a short call just to touch base. But make it brief. 3. When going into a contract negotiations, schedule a call with your agent to set expectations. Talk through all the possible ramifications of your deal. Ask for a marketing plan as part of the contract. 4. Ask for advice on marketing and promotions outside the publishers plan. 5. Ask your agent to be in the loop with your publisher on book covers, promotional plans, editorial ideas and issues. 6. If there are issues you believe your agent should’ve handled and did not, schedule a call. Don’t fester over it. And pray! Have an honest talk about your needs and ex...

To read part one, go here . And now Rachel: Here’s my advice on finding or working with an agent. 1. Ask God to direct you to the right agent. After talking with other writers, and watching the publishing world, it’s possible that some agents are wonderful for launching your career, but another agent will take you the rest of the way. I’m not sure how to recognize this with any particular agent, but go into your agent relationship with full confidence and faith that you’ll be together forever while keeping your ear to the heartbeat of Jesus. He will let you know if change is required. Pray for your relationship with your agent. 2. Be professional. Do your homework. Follow agent sites like Gardner’s and MacGregor’s . Thomas Nelson CEO, Michael Hyatt gives advice on how to find an agent. Meet with agents at conferences. Talk to other authors about agents or agencies. Look at agent or agency web sites. 3. Who does your potential agent represent? Look at their client list. Is this a good ...

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...

even if it's hilarious.

Thank you so much, Laurie Alice, for sharing your story. You can find her at her website or her blog, Seize the Chance . Continued from Part One : Then tragedy struck. My best friend found out she had four months to live. She told me to go back to writing, to pursue that dream and not let that lousy agent stop me. My friend believed in me. Several other life-changing events occurred, too, and I found myself with a renewed relationship with the Lord, glad my secular stuff had gone nowhere, joined ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), and, by a pure miracle of the Lord, got an agent who believed in me. I had done my research on her. She was new, so no former clients, but also that meant she was hungry. No, she didn’t have great contacts in the industry, but she was outgoing and warm and had a desire to succeed. She was also a writer, so knew people in the business. She was also working with an experienced agent. Frankly, I felt that I had nothing to lose at this point. Ten years ...

Thank you to Laurie Alice for sharing her agent journey with us. Laurie Alice Eakes is the award-winning author of historical romantic fiction in both the sweet-secular and inspirational markets. After a slow start, her career took off this year with the sale of eleven books in nine months. She lives in Texas with her husband and sundry animals. Worse Than No Agent At All A bad agent is worse than no agent. For me, I learned this aphorism the hard way. I was so thrilled to get an agent I said yes to her representation without getting all the scoop on her. In truth, she’d come recommended by someone I respected. Things looked good for the first three months. This post is about what can happen if you jump at the first agent who offers to represent you, or if you submit to one without doing your research on her first, research such as finding clients who have left, as well as those who have stayed, what she represents, to whom she has sold, etc. And, because I am an unashamed believer ...

While there are plenty of things to watch out in our Great Agent Search, I don't want to leave everyone on a wary note. The thing is, a compatible, solid relationship with your agent can be the best choice you ever make for your career. Whether the relationship remains professional or turns into friendship, it can be wonderful. We know the things to look out for, but I'd love to hear about any great experiences you've had with agents. If you have a great relationship with your agent and are interested in doing a guest post about it, e-mail me at jessica_nelson7590 AT yahoo Dot com. Or you can share in the comments section. Here's a link to an encouraging and helpful post on picking an agent . I'm looking forward to reading some awesome comments/posts!

A real-life vent from a dear friend of mine on the perils of "jumping into bed" with an agent. Thank you for sharing your story, Anonymous Guest. :-) First, I’d like to thank my gracious blog host, Jessica, for letting me post this. It’s been therapeutic to vent in a “public” venue. As for jumping into bed with an agent, I’m someone who’s in that bed right now, trying to decide whether to "suck it up” or toss the covers aside and find another mate. It’s so easy to say: I’m going to research every agent inside and out, read their every blog entry and online interview, talk to their other clients, and ask all the right questions to turn down any agent who answers even one of them wrong. That still doesn’t mean the marriage will be perfect. Even more than knowing your agent (which is virtually impossible until you start working with them anyway), is know your own career path. That’s the only way to assure the partnership will be successful. I’d been trying to get an agent ...

Sometimes we hop into bed with an agent before thinking things through. Passion kicks in and oops, we're in "bed" with a stranger. Just because an agent is reputable and nice doesn't mean they'll be the right fit. If you don't ask the right questions you might jump in with someone who: Hogs the covers. Takes up all the room on the mattress. Huddles on the edge of mattress and you can barely reach him. Snores in the middle of pillowtalk. Have you thought about what to ask an agent before accepting an offer of representation? What things are you willing to overlook and what qualities are important to you?