Literary Agent Rebecca Strauss Interview

I interviewed Literary Agent Rebecca Strauss of the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency for the Chiseled in Rock blog today. Rebecca will stop in throughout the day to answer reader questions so head on over there for this unique opportunity.

Also, I'm interviewed over at Manga Maniac Cafe today. So if you want a behind the scenes look at my new urban fantasy novel KNIGHT'S CURSE, please drop by.

Freestyle Friday - Accentuate the Positive!

Wow, the negativity in the writing community has been a bit overwhelming lately. I suspect a lot of it has to do with our sucky economy and the frustration of watching the writer's dream get squashed time and time again. It can be terribly hard to constantly face rejection, yet you know you must be persistent or all your efforts are for nothing. Kind of a prescription for depression.

The writer is a determined soul, and that soul needs nourishment to survive. What better nourishment than happy stories of positive experiences? When all you hear is the negative, the journey toward representation and publication can be terribly daunting. Jessica Faust at Bookends is giving writers an opportunity to share their good experiences with agents, and Rachel Gardner is asking readers to post what makes them happy! I have too many, so rather than post them on their blogs, I'm going to blog about them myself.

I've been working on advancing my writing career for more years than I care to admit, and I've experienced myriad ups and downs on this crazy roller coaster. So I'd like to share some positive experiences I've had with literary agents. I've had many, but I'll only mention the ones that have affected me the most . There are some wonderful literary agents I've had the good fortune to come into contact with, and I hope you will, too.

I wrote a paranormal mystery some years ago that was a reunion of childhood friends story that encompassed a treasure hunt, a murder mystery, and ancient Hawaiian legends. Yeah, quite a stew, but that's how my storytelling mind works most of the time. It's always a struggle to keep it in line. Anyway, this fabulous agent at Bookends named Jacky Sach really liked the manuscript and wanted to help me whip it into shape. She tried, she really, really did, and we worked together on it for nine months, but in the end she decided it just wasn't suspenseful enough. And you know what? She was absolutely right. She didn't become my agent for that book (which is destined to be rewritten as YA), but she gave me my first experience with working with an editor and she taught me how to improve my skills as a writer. I'll be forever grateful for the hours Jacky spent trying to turn my sow's ear into a silk purse, LOL! She's a remarkable person, and a fantastic agent.

A few years ago I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference and got an appointment with literary agent Rachel Vater. She was lovely and listened to me pitch my urban fantasy novel. When I was done, she asked if she could read the notes I had in front of me. Embarrassed, I said sure. She read them with great interest, then explained to me exactly what was missing in my plot. Oh, my God! How did she do that so fast? In less than five minutes, she deciphered the mess that was an unworkable plot and got me excited about taking a whole new direction with the story. I went home and gutted that book completely, keeping only the main character, and rewrote it from page one. That book became what is now Knight's Curse. And though Rachel passed when I queried the new and improved version, she remembered me and handwrote me a personal note. I'll cherish it always, just like I'll forever cherish her fabulous advice.

I have a wonderful agent now who's completely behind my book. Well, both books now that I've added a new manuscript for her to peddle, and I couldn't be happier. Elizabeth Winick of McIntosh & Otis is articulate, professional, responsive, and brilliant. What more could a writer ask for? I have a lot to be grateful for, and I feel certain Elizabeth will help me reach my career goals.

If you have positive agent stories to share, I hope you'll post them in the comments section here. I'd love to read them!

What's Up Wednesday

Continuing my report of the fabulous Colorado Gold Conference held last weekend, I'm going to attempt a play-by-play of the agent panel from Friday afternoon. The moderator took questions from the audience and presented them to the 4 agents sitting on the panel: Kristin Nelson, Becca Stumpf, Miriam Kriss, and Donna Bagdasarian. See yesterday's post for more info about these agents and their agencies.

Tell us what you're looking for and how you want your queries.

Kristin: Looking for YA and romance. Email queries only. She doesn't want anyone to ever show up at her office in person, and never call her on the phone.

Miriam: She wants commercial fiction only, she represents mostly urban fantasy. Takes email queries only. Doesn't want authors to claim they were her lover in a past life (I guess someone actually did this).

Becca: Used to be an assistant at Writers House and has been an agent with Prospect for one year. She's looking for MG, YA and romance (paranormal and fantasy). Query her based on the agency guidelines and only use their website submission form.

Donna: Though she loves vampires, she does not represent urban fantasy. She admits to being snotty and elitist (this said tongue in cheek and had everyone rolling in the aisles). She doesn't want any guy fiction, like military and techno thrillers, Clancy type stuff. No gimmicks in queries. Be straightforward, and don't make threats or dares. (Again, said in good fun)

What do you see too much of? What do you want to see more of?

M: Doesn't like light paranormal romances, time travel for example. Darker is better. Prefers smart, sexy and funny. Looking for YA and urban fantasy.

B: Wants more strong voices. Would like to see some literary. Science fiction for young people with a girl protagonist. Serious science fiction with romance.

D: The book just has to be good. She's a book slut. She doesn't care what it is. Doesn't want stuff that makes no sense, nothing weird for the sake of weirdness.

K: No picture books, no thrillers, no mysteries.

What makes a great client?

B: Have a personal connection and trust. No high maintenance.

D: Someone who's sane and not neurotic, who has realistic expectations.

M: She must fall in love with the writing and be able to work with the writer. Wants her clients to be clear about their expectations.

K: Have a connection on a professional level.

Is it a waste of time to pitch an unfinished book?

B, D, M & K: YES!!!

Do you have an agency agreement?

They all said yes. Donna said it used to be a handshake, but now everything is on paper to protect everyone. Most often the agreement will either state a specific time period the work is represented, and indicate if it's for one title, or for everything the client writes. The others said pretty much the same. The one difference is that Donna's agreement states she will be the agent in perpetuity, meaning she will be the agent of record on that particular book forever, even after the rights of a published book reverts to the author. The other 3 don't have that stipulation in their agreement.

The Eagle has Landed... an AGENT!!!

Yes! It's happened and I couldn't be more thrilled with my new agent! I have an agent! I'll never get tired of saying that. Hee hee. Life is good.

Elizabeth Winick of McIntosh & Otis, one of the oldest and most prestigious literary agencies in New York City (since 1928), called me yesterday. She'd read my full manuscript that I'd sent about a month ago and loved it! We had a wonderful conversation where we discussed the book at length, she has suggestions for revisions (I'm so there), and she offered to represent me. And to represent my career. It's the real deal, folks, the whole enchilada.

That was my goal; to find an agent who is hands-on editorially and who is interested in more than just the book I had on offer. She has her eye on my future. The agency also specializes in subsidiary and translation rights, all taken care of in-house. Can anyone say possible movie deal somewhere along the line? Squeeee! That would be awesome, wouldn't it? McIntosh & Otis also manages the estate of John Steinbeck and Harold Robbins.

What's really wonderful is how excited Elizabeth is about my book, and she loves Chalice almost as much as I do!

I know it's taken me a while to post this on my blog, but I've been busy emailing friends and announcing the news on AW. Now I must float back to the ground and work the other job or I won't be able to pay the mortgage. Sigh. But my goal is to make a living writing books, so the first step has been made. Wish me luck that I can take it all the way! Woo hoo!

Marketing Monday

After 422 million miles and almost a year of space travel, the Phoenix has landed softly and safely on the northern polar region of Mars. Yay! This is so exciting it gives me butterflies.

It's such an amazing feat that it makes one think just about anything is possible. Including getting an agent and a publishing contract. I just had to work that in to my Monday marketing post.

The quest for representation continues, and it's been an encouraging one so far with a few speed bumps along the way. Something I've noticed, though, and with some chagrin, is that several of the agents I'd queried have since made changes in the genres they represent. I guess I'll never hear back from those folks, and that's fine. It's better to know sooner rather than later.

Speaking of never hearing back, the non-responsive agent is that annoying little tag on the back of your shirt that makes your skin itch. You know it's there, you can feel it, and it will constantly bug you until you cut it free. Once you do, it's gone forever.

That's not a great analogy, but what I'm trying to say is that I won't be approaching those agents in the future. I doubt they care because hey, who am I? I may be no one, but there are plenty of future someones looking for just the right agent to represent their books and help guide their careers. One of those writers could be the next Stephanie Meyer, Jim Butcher, Harlan Coben, Alice Hoffman, etc. They're researching agents to submit their manuscripts to, and they're paying attention when they read about the ones who respond to queries, and the ones who ignore them. Who do you think these future best sellers will query? Not the agents unwilling to send even a form rejection. Nope, those agents won't get the chance to give these gems a pass. They're already out of the running.

I totally understand why some agents have elected to let queries go unanswered unless interested in seeing more. There are clueless writers out there with egos the size of Texas who respond to rejections with hostile invectives and moronic reasoning. I'm honestly sorry about that because those idiots ruin it for those of us who know better. But you know what? As rejections are the norm for talented writers seeking representation, belligerent writers with the manners of pigs at a dinner party are part and parcel of this business, too. There be weeds in the garden of scintillating literature, and sometimes you have to pull them out to reach the good stuff.

Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box now before I get splinters in my feet.