The literary agent said 'yes' -- ask before you say 'I do'

 In the previous post, I wrote about what literary agents want to see from writers. But what happens when, after all our work, we've caught the eyes of those agents. Before we say, "I do!" agents Cate Hart and Melissa Danaczko offered some cautionary words at the recent Historical Novel Society Conference.

Although writers will have already checked the agent's website and social media posts, a personal call -- usually scheduled by the agent -- is the time to dig into specifics.

Hart and Danaczko have a list of questions they'd like writers to ask potential agents, including:

• What did the agent like about the book? Why did they love it? Where does it fit in the marketplace?
• What level of revision is the agent looking for? 

   "I usually come to the call with some notes," Hart said. "Once signed, I'll dig deeper."    

• What is the agent's communication style? Phone? Email? Does the writer like regular check-ins? Or want to know what a particular editor said about the manuscript?
• Timelines -- When does the agent expect to receive answers to their submissions to editors? When do they expect follow-up from the writer?
• How many clients does the agent have? Where does the agent see this writer fitting into their client base? Ask to speak to a few of the agent's other clients.
• How many editors does the agent expect to submit to? At what publishing houses?
• Does the agent handle contracts or does the agency use another person/team?
• What will the agency agreement look like?
• What does the agency support staff look like? How do they handle sub-rights such as foreign, audio, TV/film?
• What is expected of the author?

To which I'll add -- what happens if the author/agent ends? Agencies and publishers don't always live forever. Check out what the ever-after may look like.

Image: StockSnap for Pixabay

Writers may well have other questions. Make a list, check it twice -- or more -- and keep it handy, especially if an agent has shown signs of interest.

Writers should also note that if they have submitted to multiple agents, they must inform them before accepting an offer. If an author is still unsure whether the agent on the call is "the one," the author should also check with others they may have contacted to ask if they want to make their own offers.

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After all that, what should the writer expect the agent to do? 

"We're the middleman," Hart said. "We're continuously networking behind the scenes, for you and the book."

Besides formulating a sales pitch, contacting publishing house editors, and following up on the author's behalf, an agent is the "go-to" person for any other concerns an author has. Don't like the publisher's choice of title or cover? Although I've heard writers have little input on these issues, little doesn't mean none. Let the agent know. 

Agents should also keep up with a publisher's marketing and publicity plans, and of course the sales of multiple rights. 

And perhaps the agent's most important job is to promote and protect the writer's body of work  "Publishers are looking at what's coming out right now," Danaczko said. "Agent's may be able to take a longer look after the initial publication -- looking at your whole career." 

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Still to come from the conference trenches -- writing a novel with dual plotlines. And -- where to find more agents!