Comments on: More Questions on Those Pesky Agents http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Andra M. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6386 Andra M. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:37:06 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6386 If I talk to an agent who in the end isn't a good fit, is it appropriate to ask if he or she knows another agent who would be? If so, would it then be appropriate to mention the recommendation in a query letter (or face-to-face meeting) to the new agent? If I talk to an agent who in the end isn’t a good fit, is it appropriate to ask if he or she knows another agent who would be?

If so, would it then be appropriate to mention the recommendation in a query letter (or face-to-face meeting) to the new agent?

]]> By: Ann Isik http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6388 Ann Isik Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:16:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6388 andy, on interviews with Agents and Publishers, do you think it would be acceptable to ask if they would agree to my recording the interview, and making it clear that it's only to be able to go over their advice and requests (if they have any requests) at a later date? Ann andy, on interviews with Agents and Publishers, do you think it would be acceptable to ask if they would agree to my recording the interview, and making it clear that it’s only to be able to go over their advice and requests (if they have any requests) at a later date?

Ann

]]> By: Ann Isik http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6389 Ann Isik Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:16:43 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6389 Sorry, I mean Randy (must be thinking of Andy Rooney!!! Sorry, I mean Randy (must be thinking of Andy Rooney!!!

]]> By: PatriciaW http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6390 PatriciaW Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:56:41 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6390 This is a very informative series. Thanks, Randy (not Andy)! This is a very informative series. Thanks, Randy (not Andy)!

]]> By: Kristi Holl http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6391 Kristi Holl Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:42:03 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6391 I do think it's really wise to meet your agent in person first, if you can. I actually wasn't looking for an agent, but I spoke at two conferences in Texas where my agent also spoke, so we ended up at dinner together a few times, and I just really liked her as a person. So upbeat and energetic. It was a good match when she later contacted me. On the other hand, before that, I had attended conferences to meet agents, and after meeting them, realized that although they sounded great in email, we just didn't mix well at all. (No one's fault--we just had very different views on some important things.) So yes, DO meet them in person before signing on the dotted line. <a href="http://writers-first-aid.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Writer's First Aid</a> I do think it’s really wise to meet your agent in person first, if you can. I actually wasn’t looking for an agent, but I spoke at two conferences in Texas where my agent also spoke, so we ended up at dinner together a few times, and I just really liked her as a person. So upbeat and energetic. It was a good match when she later contacted me. On the other hand, before that, I had attended conferences to meet agents, and after meeting them, realized that although they sounded great in email, we just didn’t mix well at all. (No one’s fault–we just had very different views on some important things.) So yes, DO meet them in person before signing on the dotted line.
Writer’s First Aid

]]> By: Miss Skye http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6392 Miss Skye Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:50:30 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6392 Hi Randy! I'm curious-- did you finish reading the Harry Potter series yet? The reason I ask is I wanted to direct your attention to editor Cheryl Klein's speech "A Few Things Writers Can Learn from Harry Potter" which you can find linked at her blog post here: http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-terminus-speech-my-four-favorite.html I thought you might be interested since it's really thought-provoking and informative, and especially since you gave a great example of subtexting using dialogue from HP (which I loved). :) Thank you for writing such a helpful blog and sharing your insights with us. Hi Randy!

I’m curious– did you finish reading the Harry Potter series yet? The reason I ask is I wanted to direct your attention to editor Cheryl Klein’s speech “A Few Things Writers Can Learn from Harry Potter” which you can find linked at her blog post here:
http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-terminus-speech-my-four-favorite.html

I thought you might be interested since it’s really thought-provoking and informative, and especially since you gave a great example of subtexting using dialogue from HP (which I loved). :)

Thank you for writing such a helpful blog and sharing your insights with us.

]]> By: Story Hack (Bryce Beattie) http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6394 Story Hack (Bryce Beattie) Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:48:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6394 Well, I'd like to thank both Andy and Randy. Here's to hoping I'll need your advice soon (you know, because I'll have a contract in hand...). Well, I’d like to thank both Andy and Randy. Here’s to hoping I’ll need your advice soon (you know, because I’ll have a contract in hand…).

]]> By: Amy VR http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6395 Amy VR Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:50:31 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6395 Miss Skye: THANK YOU for that wonderful link! I printed out the speech and will share it with my critique group. Absolutely fantastic! Miss Skye:

THANK YOU for that wonderful link! I printed out the speech and will share it with my critique group. Absolutely fantastic!

]]> By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6396 Camille Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:33:13 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6396 Ditto Amy - thank you Miss Skye for that link. I was only going to save it for later, but got caught up reading and had to blink furiously at the lights coming on in my little writer brain as I read her tips. Great stuff there! This was one of many bits I found encouraging/helpful, especially the last line: <i>"J. K. Rowling has been working on the Harry Potter series since 1990 . . . So that was seventeen years from the initial idea till the publication of Book 7. It was five years between the idea and the completion of Sorcerer's Stone. And in all that time, Ms. Rowling was working out her plots, deepening her characters and themes, writing and rewriting. Eager to be published, no doubt, But also giving herself time to get it right, As she ultimately did."</i> Ditto Amy - thank you Miss Skye for that link. I was only going to save it for later, but got caught up reading and had to blink furiously at the lights coming on in my little writer brain as I read her tips. Great stuff there! This was one of many bits I found encouraging/helpful, especially the last line:

“J. K. Rowling has been working on the Harry Potter series since 1990 . . . So that was seventeen years from the initial idea till the publication of Book 7. It was five years between the idea and the completion of Sorcerer’s Stone.

And in all that time, Ms. Rowling was working out her plots, deepening her characters and themes, writing and rewriting. Eager to be published, no doubt,
But also giving herself time to get it right,
As she ultimately did.”

]]> By: Sean http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6397 Sean Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:19:24 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/08/26/more-questions-on-those-pesky-agents/#comment-6397 It's "all hat and no cattle." :) Thanks for this stuff, it's all been really encouraging. I'm not at the stage where I'd be meeting with agents just yet, but when I am at that stage, I'll have more confidence about it. It’s “all hat and no cattle.” :)

Thanks for this stuff, it’s all been really encouraging. I’m not at the stage where I’d be meeting with agents just yet, but when I am at that stage, I’ll have more confidence about it.

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