How to Find an Agent, and What to Ask Them When You Do

1. Lesson 1: Introduction: Welcome writers. My name is atrial a craft, and I'm here to help you write, edit, and sell your stories. I'm a journalist, copywriter, and ghostwriter, working predominantly now as a freelance book editor and a published author. I'm also a wood carver, but that's a different story. For more than 30 years, I've worked in place in the publishing world. I worked mostly in fiction, especially genre fiction like sci-fi and fantasy. Because I teach in my Skillshare classes, can be applied to most type of book writing and most genres. These classes are intended for people who have already completed a book length manuscript and are looking for a guide to the next steps in the process of getting published. If you're a new writer, stay tuned for more classes on plot structure, story elements, character are writing good dialogue. You bet we'll get to all that as well. But if you're a writer with one or more manuscripts ready to get published than I'm here to help you do just that. In this class, We learned how to find an agent to represent our work. This is a business relationship that sunk compared to a marriage for its level of importance in a writer's life. It's vital to not only research the agency query ahead of time, but also to know exactly what needs asked. When the agent you have queried responds back with interests, there may be no bigger moment and a writer's career except for maybe the rating. We will look at where to gather information on agents and agencies and how to track your submissions as you go. We'll talk about the right one and what that might look like and where to even start with your queries. Because of how hard it is to garner the intention of the big name agents. It's in your best interests to make sure you're prepared. When you do. Remember, we don't want to sign with someone just because they responded. You are hiring them, not the other way around. And there are a lot of things you need to be sure before hooking up. Like either rates. What does that cover? Do? They even represent the type of book you wrote? There is a lot to consider. Honors in journalism arts over 30 years ago. And I've had my writing published in newspapers, magazines, websites, short story makes, and anthologies, and then book-length format. This equal to my sci-fi adventure jumped ship, called jumped ship dissonance is now available. My goal in teaching these classes is to help you write amazing stories and see them published for other people to read. This class is designed to help you find literary agents to query. It seemed like a good fit for your buck. And our project is to prepare a list of interview questions for when you can respond. Let's look at what an agent really is. 2. Lesson 2: Do I Need An Agent?: So what is an agent? A literary agent represents your written work to publishers. Agents establish relationships with editors at big publishing houses so that they know what they're looking for and what the individual editors like. They also understand contracts, copyright, and how to negotiate the best deal for you. They can even help if your book is a legally reproduced. Agents don't get paid until you do. So it's no wonder they are hesitant to take on anything but the best. And even brilliant work might get a pass if the agent doesn't think they can sell it. Ancients generally accept only a few new clients each year. So respect their time by researching in advance their interests and requests. And only query. If you feel your workers suitable. If you team up with a good fitting agents, they can become career advisors, can give advice on market changes and some might even help with the editorial process. You can see why some equate the writer agent relationship with a marriage. Lots of writers do just fine for themselves without ever having an agent. So why would anyone give up a percentage of their take to have one? Well, many publishers and definitely the top New York houses like Penguin, Random House, Macmillan, Harper Collins, and even the genre giants like Tor and mostly require you to submit through an agent. The ancients, known as the gatekeepers. Keeping the quality of submissions that make it into the big editors desks very high. And removing mountains of inappropriate submissions. To reach these big houses, you definitely need an agent. And you actually do want someone who knows what they're doing on your side. Anything smaller, like the plethora of medium and small press houses, like my own publisher, Tikki books, won't pull you in advance. So an agent won't be interested because there's nothing to take a percentage on. If you feel you have a booklet this commercially viable and with some a minimum of 20 thousand copies, then having an agent in your corner can ensure you get a deal with promotional money, marketing, distribution, and maybe even the signing door. Even if you're unsure of the viability of your idea, let them make the decision. Don't do it for query some agents at the top. If they advise you that it's not for the big lakes, no harm done. Try some small presses. But if you don't start at the top, you'll never know if you could have played in those big leaks. A good agent will know what to fight for, what to ensure isn't the omitted from the contract? And how to start bidding wars on your behalf. All of these factors could mean the difference between a Midland seller or a blockbuster, New York Times bestseller hit scam alert. Remember what I said earlier? An agent doesn't get paid until you do? I can't say it enough time. An agent does not get paid until you do. If they request a reading fee, if you cannot find them online. And if they're not members of the AAR, the association of authors and representatives, it's best to keep lucky. You need a professional on your team, someone with the contexts, connections, and savvy to get you the book deal that will pay you. But even more, they need to be a good fit for you and your work. They should champion you through delts and understand and support your career goals. Simply put, a good agent author relationship is essential to ensure the long timelines involved in the publishing industry. So, where do we even begin to look for this magical being? Next? Binding agents to query. 3. Lesson 3: Finding Agents to Query: Let's look at where to find some representatives that are open to hearing from you. One of the best places to start is Publishers Marketplace. If you're really serious about being a career novelist, it's probably in your best interests to get a subscription to Publishers Marketplace. Still a watch you can learn with other subscription. But there are realms more information available with the subscription. There are also other great online resources like query tracker, duo trope. The annual reference book called The Writer's Market, also lists representatives and their submission guidelines detailing exactly what they're looking for and what they're interested in. This book is published annually and can also always be found in the reference section at your public library. Of course, another place to look is the AAR association of authors and represented here in Canada. We also have the CAA, Canadian Officers Association, and they publish the list of agents and agencies. Acne. Twitter has a hashtag, m, w, l, manuscript wishlist. Then agents posts or wishes to. You'll need a query letter to begin even querying the agents that are open. And you'll need a synopsis if you get their attention. And they would like to see a part of your work. Start by sending a query to the agents that are open to new writers with a partial that is requested in their submission guidelines. You might get no response at all, which unfortunately is more common than any other response. Give it a block of time, three to six months hormone, and then move on to the next agent on your lips. Much more exciting is when you get a request for a partial or even better, a full manuscript, if the agent is interested in your work, they will request a partial or a full manuscript in synopsis. This part, that submission package that I recommend you prepare in advance. If you're querying and you don't every year back or get requests for a manuscript, then there's something wrong with your query. If you're getting requests for a partial or full manuscript, but no offer to sign their weaknesses In your idea. If they are not enthusiastic enough about it, they don't have the confidence in the project, the bullied. They can sell it to an editor. When you're considering ancients, also take a look of what they represented in the past. You may not be a good fit for the editors they know, or they may have just solved a similar boat. So how do you choose who to start with? Where do you submit first? Let's take a look at preparing for initial contact and less than four. 4. Lesson 4: Initial Contact: When you were deciding who to query, here are some things that you should judge. Take a look at the genres or styles of books that they already represent. Study their online presence and submission guidelines. Ensure they are available to take on new clients. Have a look at the requests they've made in their wish-list and talk with other people. Read the Acknowledgement page in books that you like and books that are like yours. Remember, you are hiring them. You need someone you feel you can trust. Someone that seems to understand your work and the story you're trying to tell. Someone that's interested in what work you have planned for the future. Don't take the first nibble of interests if they aren't a good fit. Just as you wouldn't marry someone you're not compatible with. Just because they showed interest in you and asked you on a day. Despite how difficult it is to garner their attention. They're a good fit is crucial for everyone involved. When you do get an interest. And then negotiations had begun, make sure you're prepared with appropriate questions and really pay attention to the connection or lack thereof between you. Two. They get who you are, what you're about, and what your work is about. Do they represent offers in the same genre? There will be a contract to sign between you. So before it can even get that far, you to be prepared by being clear about your writing goals, what you want, and what you expected. I'm an agent. In less than six. We'll brainstorm some questions to ask in Egypt when they contact you. But before that, let's have a look at breeds, expectations, new relationships. 5. Lesson 5: Rates & Expectations: The way an agent gets paid for their work is to take a percentage of your advanced when you get a book deal. This percentage is usually around 15%. But that depends on what's covered. And foreign cells as a whole nother ballgame. Altogether. Overseas sales are often charged at a higher percentage, like 20 to twenty-five percent. Or they may expect a fee even when your publisher was the one that made the oversea sale. All these details must be sorted and made legal in the contract between you. As always, it will be smart to have a lawyer look over a contract before signing with an agent. I may sound a bit like a broken record. So many unsuspecting authors have been scammed by con, artists only because they so desperately want it to be represented, then get the ball rolling. Legit agents do not ask for a fee upfront. If they asked for reading fee, move on and submit that the agencies that are established and don't expect money up front, whether in the submission or consideration process or later, once signed on with that agent. Don't expect the agent to edit your manuscript. It's your job to show up with a manuscript that is as polished and ready to publish. It's possible. If you're struggling with revisions and self-editing, consider hiring an editor or watch my class on self-editing. To help you out. Your agent is spending valuable time searching for a good home for your buck. Their job is not to edit or handhold as you draft or cheerleader when you're stuck. Although an amazing agent will do all that, you really want them focused on the relationships and contract details, not your quality of work. This is a good place to remind you that contact the agents before you're ready. I'm only make you look unprofessional and unprepared. Take the time, build a polished, ready to print manuscript, and have respect for the agent's time, which should be spent elsewhere anyway. Okay. You sent out a query and an agent requested your manuscript, and now they want to talk to you. Let's brainstorm some questions that would be perfect. 6. Lesson 6: Questions : So you query an agent and they read your manuscript and now they want to talk to you. First of all, take a deep breath and then cheer. This is a really exciting moment. Then take another deep breath and make sure you do your due diligence. Is this agent a member of the AAR? Are they representing current authors? How are those authors doing? If they seem on the up and up? An interview is set up. There are several questions to ask during that initial interview. You may have some of your own to add. But this is a good jumping off point. What did you like about my novel? Can you hear enthusiasm for the project and their voice? Which publishers do you feel would suit this? But do they mention any by name? Do they speak of editors by name? What goals would you have for this book? They already have ideas of where to send it. What genre do you think this should be marketed as? Do they seem interested and knowledgeable about the genre you write it? How many clients are you actively representing now? How busy or they will you be the one actually handling my work. Some agents have underlings that may be handling some of your work. This is a good thing to know and established right out of the game. Is this a per project basis or which you handle everything I've produced from now on. My duration is the contract for what happens after that duration. Or if we no longer wish to work together. What happens to the copyright of my material at the end of the term? What is your commission and what does not cover? You also handle foreign rights and overseas sales. Livy writes, screenwriters. Are these included and at the same commission, ask them if they have writing and editing experience of their own and how much of the editorial process they get involved with. Are they interested in you as a career author? And would they help you plan for that? Do they have production expectations for you to sign with them? That would be vital to know if you feel you only have one book in you or if you're a slow writer. The key advice is, consider carefully what you want from your agent relationship and what you have to offer. Agents receive thousands of manuscripts each week. For them to reach out to you means they already believe in you and your work. Knowing in advance what you want from them and what your goals are as a writer. And make sure your potential agent shares those goals. Or at least sees them as reasonable. 7. Lesson 7: Key Points & Project: Your project then for this class is to create a list of questions that will be ready for when you hear back from an agent that's interested in you. Feel free to share your projects or screenshot with us. And remember to always be helpful, not hurtful in the comments. Here are the key things to remember as you're creating your projects. Make sure the places you're subbing two are a good fit. Always fall submission guidelines. Edit and polish your work. First. Query, appropriate agents that are open to the submissions. Be prepared with a strong opening and a synopsis for when an agent asks for it. Be prepared with a list of questions for an agent when the manuscript gets our attention. An interview and interested agent, as if you were about to propose. Because you are proposing a strong working relationship, are you both good income? Alright, storytellers show off your work and best of luck to all of you who do query those agents. We'd love to hear how it goes. You can do this. My name is Adrian lay crap. I hope I've helped you in your quest to become a published author. You can learn all about me and my website, atria lay craft.com and watch the curve on YouTube on the channel carving cottonwood. Thank you for joining me. And remember, you can always edit a messy manuscript but not an empty page. So just keep writing.