It's so helpful to see the agents' side of things. We see so many videos talking about this from the author's POV but I think knowing both sides helps handle the call better
So many great nuggets of wisdom here. I've just submitted my queries off to agents this week, and I'm definitely hoping to eventually have these conversations with agents (if things go well). So I found this guidance to be very helpful and timely. Found your advice about "finding the agent perfect for now who's also open to working with the future you" especially helpful. Also, Jessica's point about "how they react to the question is as important as the answer they give." Thank you for taking the time to share this advice with us.
Thank you for encouraging the hard questions. I'm never hesitant to ask if the person in question has experience, or is willing to work with a blind writer. It's a very necessary question because there are differences between visual and non-visual authors. So....yeah, I better ask, all the time. Thank you for being honest about the hashtag. It's a necessary conversation to have.
I love your channel. This was definitely a post from which I took lots of notes. Very helpful. (Jessica - maybe I haven't dug deep enough into your Tweets or MSWL to see it posted somewhere, but I had no idea you take magical realism. Good to know!)
I've been building my question list for The Big Day, so these videos are really helpful. Thanks! I have one question on my list I haven't seen in these videos: How do you handle transparency? Hopefully there will be negotiations, contracts, etc. in our future, so how is reporting handled so I feel confident that I have an accurate picture of what's going on? If someone gets itchy when I ask about transparency (as I've had to in non-publishing-related negotiations), I know to run.
Thank you for the great info! How does a person get the agents to even look at their query in the first place? I've considered dangling an amazon card - kidding-not kidding. That's a cheap trick and I want to be legit. I write screenplays too, and it's so hard to get past the overworked and perhaps jaded gatekeepers.
This is awesome advice. I am writing a middle grade fantasy book that has a few biblical allusions. It is a secular book, but King Solomon is mentioned, my protagonist has a Jewish name, and in the end he saves the fantasy world by rebuilding it in the order of the seven days of creation in Genesis. I am completely unwilling to remove these biblical references. Should I tell that to a prospective agent upfront?
Hi! Presumably, if they're at the point of offering representation, they're interested in those themes and wouldn't expect you to change them! However, if you're concerned, you can always tell them during an offer call: "While we're talking about revisions, I wanted to discuss what I see as core elements of the book that I will not want to make changes with, so that we can work on other things to make changes that are agreeable to us both"
I met Judi Picoult once on a movie set in Nova Scotia. They were filming the adaptation of her book, "The Plain Truth." I got her email address and sent her a copy of my very first manuscript, which she read and commented, "I Really can't help you to get a publisher, but if you ever get your book published," I would be the first to purchase a copy of your book. That book was finally self-published and sold copies globally. Would it still be possible to edit and submit that book to an Agent now, since "Norma Jean Baker," aka Marilyn Monroe was the reason for that book?
I’ve heard of authors asking for split accounting in that when they get paid from the publisher, the agent and author are paid around the same time without the author waiting for the agent to take their cut. Is that an appropriate question to ask on one of these calls?
You prolly dont give a shit but does any of you know a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost the account password. I would love any help you can offer me.
@Deandre Robert thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
It's so helpful to see the agents' side of things. We see so many videos talking about this from the author's POV but I think knowing both sides helps handle the call better
I laughed out loud when you shouted, "Money!!". Great advice for newer authors! Thanks so much!
This is something that is never discussed in your creative writing classes! Thanks for sharing the information, Jessica and James!
I love this channel so much! Thank you for the open and honest conversations.
So many great nuggets of wisdom here. I've just submitted my queries off to agents this week, and I'm definitely hoping to eventually have these conversations with agents (if things go well). So I found this guidance to be very helpful and timely. Found your advice about "finding the agent perfect for now who's also open to working with the future you" especially helpful. Also, Jessica's point about "how they react to the question is as important as the answer they give." Thank you for taking the time to share this advice with us.
Thank you so much for this information. I've just stumbled upon your channel, and I love the content.
Thank you for encouraging the hard questions.
I'm never hesitant to ask if the person in question has experience, or is willing to work with a blind writer. It's a very necessary question because there are differences between visual and non-visual authors. So....yeah, I better ask, all the time.
Thank you for being honest about the hashtag. It's a necessary conversation to have.
The best takeaway for me is that I should be comfortable talking with them about awkward or straightforward topics
recently found your channel and have been binge-watching your content. I've been learning so much. thanks for sharing your knowledge
I love your channel. This was definitely a post from which I took lots of notes. Very helpful. (Jessica - maybe I haven't dug deep enough into your Tweets or MSWL to see it posted somewhere, but I had no idea you take magical realism. Good to know!)
I've been building my question list for The Big Day, so these videos are really helpful. Thanks! I have one question on my list I haven't seen in these videos: How do you handle transparency? Hopefully there will be negotiations, contracts, etc. in our future, so how is reporting handled so I feel confident that I have an accurate picture of what's going on? If someone gets itchy when I ask about transparency (as I've had to in non-publishing-related negotiations), I know to run.
did ur big day come yet!? 😬
Great advice. Thanks. I wouldn’t have had an idea how to handle these issues.
Thank you so very much for this open discussion of vital topics.
As a first-time author, I'd like to know what an agent's expectations are of me.
Great video!!!!!
Excellent questions
Thank you for the great info! How does a person get the agents to even look at their query in the first place? I've considered dangling an amazon card - kidding-not kidding. That's a cheap trick and I want to be legit. I write screenplays too, and it's so hard to get past the overworked and perhaps jaded gatekeepers.
I am so enjoying these videos!
Your You-tube videos are Awesome! I am learning so very much. Thanks!
Delighted to see you've civilized your gambrel ceiling.
This is awesome advice. I am writing a middle grade fantasy book that has a few biblical allusions. It is a secular book, but King Solomon is mentioned, my protagonist has a Jewish name, and in the end he saves the fantasy world by rebuilding it in the order of the seven days of creation in Genesis. I am completely unwilling to remove these biblical references. Should I tell that to a prospective agent upfront?
Hi! Presumably, if they're at the point of offering representation, they're interested in those themes and wouldn't expect you to change them! However, if you're concerned, you can always tell them during an offer call: "While we're talking about revisions, I wanted to discuss what I see as core elements of the book that I will not want to make changes with, so that we can work on other things to make changes that are agreeable to us both"
Enjoyed this!
I met Judi Picoult once on a movie set in Nova Scotia. They were filming the adaptation of her book, "The Plain Truth." I got her email address and sent her a copy of my very first manuscript, which she read and commented, "I Really can't help you to get a publisher, but if you ever get your book published," I would be the first to purchase a copy of your book. That book was finally self-published and sold copies globally. Would it still be possible to edit and submit that book to an Agent now, since "Norma Jean Baker," aka Marilyn Monroe was the reason for that book?
If I am talking to more than one potential agent, should I be up front and say that?
Have you ever passed on a book that ended up being a big success? Is that a worry that is always in the back of an agent's head?
Love to hear you guys discussing allyship!
Will you have Valerie on to discuss what questions should be asked? Sounds like someone to interview on this format.
I’ve heard of authors asking for split accounting in that when they get paid from the publisher, the agent and author are paid around the same time without the author waiting for the agent to take their cut. Is that an appropriate question to ask on one of these calls?
If that's something you're interested in, you can definitely ask on the call.
You prolly dont give a shit but does any of you know a method to get back into an Instagram account..?
I was stupid lost the account password. I would love any help you can offer me.
@Devon Abraham Instablaster =)
@Deandre Robert thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Deandre Robert It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
Were you saying "publishing paid me" about pay discrepencies?
Thank you so much.
My goals....write more books get them published and make my future agent glad they picked me up. Lol