Welcome to our fourth #AskAgent! This is a weekly Thursday feature on ze blog that has a Tuesday night equivalent on Twitter (just search "#AskAgent"). I think today we should talk about agent function. What we do in various scenarios, from contract negotiation to self-publishing consultation.
Rules are as always: questions are open from noon until 3 EST, I'll try to get them answered by Friday night.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this, Meredith! #AskAgent is a great resource.
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of on topic (and kind of not), but how would you handle a client who wanted to write across genres/categories? I'm shopping a YA sci-fi manuscript at the moment, but my next project is an MG historical (with a dash of science fiction). I'm mildly concerned that this might be an issue for agents considering my work.
This is so great Meredith, thanks for giving us hungry for knowledge writers this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHere's my question, say you request a partial along with a synopsis. Say the partial is 5 chapters and the synopsis is 3-5 pages.
How much does the synopsis play into your decision making? Have you ever liked the chapters but from reading the synopsis not liked how the overall story plays out?
Does the synopsis ever feel like it's ruining the story by knowing in 5 pages the core of the entire plot?
Last part of the question! What is standard practice on rejecting requested material?
Thanks so much!
I don't have a question this week, but I'd love to hear about synopses too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this Meredith. I always enjoy reading your comments and posts.
ReplyDeleteI continue to find changing opinions on sub-genre identity in YA. For example: In most people's minds, Paranormal translates to vampires in love angst-ridden teenagers.
Question: What are the growing sub-genres? Could you list examples and definitions for each one?
Thanks again for your passion for books.
Thank you for doing this Meredith. I always enjoy reading your comments and posts.
ReplyDeleteI continue to find changing opinions on sub-genre identity in YA. For example: In most people's minds, Paranormal translates to vampires in love with angst-ridden teenagers.
Question: What are the growing sub-genres? Could you list examples and definitions for each one?
Thanks again for your passion for books.
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ReplyDelete@Krista
ReplyDeleteYou're probably OK. Most agents that represent young adult also represent middle grade. Just do your research.
The only time that this type of thing would be a problem is if you're writing a new project that's far outside your agent's area of expertise. So if you were writing cozy mysteries and then decided to do a serious nonfiction project.
The rule is be up front with your agent. They're not going to fire you, particularly if you've written something they love in the first place. But they might tell you that they can't or don't want to sell the other project, and they might give you a leave to pursue an appropriate agent for JUST THAT ONE project. Just communicate.
@Alex
ReplyDeleteFor me, the synopsis is useful for two reasons: it allows me to be sure, at a glance, that aliens don't show up halfway through the book (unless it's that sort of thing) and it can be useful for soliciting film or foreign interest in a book.
Typically, I read the book first without reading the synopsis because I don't like to know all the plot points. But if I feel the plot going wonky, I'll go up and check out the synopsis to see where you're headed.
Sometimes I'll never look at the synopsis until I need the materials to solicit interest in subsidiary rights (film, foreign, etc.). But it's important, so if the agent asks for it, just freaking send it. :)
There really isn't a standard practice for rejecting requested material. It ranges from a form rejection if something really fell apart halfway, to a few paragraphs of notes if it has real promise, to a full editorial letter if it's something that I feel close to taking on.
@wallnotes
ReplyDeleteThis is a very broad question, and I'll direct you here:
http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2010/10/big-ol-genre-glossary.html
For more.
As far as what's growing right now, it depends on where you're focusing.
For adult, the same categories remain strong as have always been good sellers: thrillers, women's fiction, and genre fiction like romance.
In young adult, it's harder to say because things trend very quickly. But thrillers and scifi seem to be of specific interest.
Thanks Meredith! I already have one written, critiqued, and revised, I actually quite enjoyed writing it too. But I was curious about how they get put to use.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith,
ReplyDeleteI'm polishing a collection of humorous personal narrative/flash fiction. I'm thinking this would be considered 'narrative nonfiction' although the ff pieces interweave with the essays (separately) throughout the book. Its a tricky combination of sub-genres but I think it will work as long as I keep the sequence tight. My question is how on earth do I query this? I've been to queryshark.com and read every entry but I havent found an answer. Is a Table of Contents (titles) expected in the initial query or the first 10 pages, or both? What is expected from an agent or publisher on initial contact?
thanks
G
Ooops. Just realized today is Friday not Thursday. That what I get for living in the past. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, Meredith. That's kind of what I was thinking. Happy to hear it shouldn't be a deal-breaker (for most agents, at least).
ReplyDelete@Geno, I hope you'll join us next #AskAgent! They're every Thursday.
ReplyDelete