The Difference Between Newer and More Established Agents
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Literary agents Jessica Faust and James McGowan talk about the differences you might notice when considering whether you want to work with a newer literary agent or a more established agent.
BookEnds is dedicated to making publishing a book traditionally a more transparent process, and it starts with these videos!
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Jessica Faust’s love for books is what first brought her to open BookEnds Literary Agency. It is her desire to be an advocate for all authors that pushed her to create her blog, the BookEnds RUclips channel and to maintain a vibrant presence on Twitter.
Jessica is proud to have grown BookEnds to an agency that represents authors of all genres for children and adults, allowing her to reach more readers and help more authors and illustrators achieve their dreams.
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James McGowan is a Literary Agent at BookEnds and writer for children. He began working with the agency as an intern in the summer of 2015, and basically never left. He represents a talented group of authors and illustrators working in everything from board books to middle grade graphic novels. He also works in adult nonfiction, and adult mystery and suspense projects. James is the author of GOOD NIGHT OPPY, which is available now.
Connect with BookEnds!
Twitter: bookendslit
Instagram: bookends_literary
Website: www.bookendsliterary.com
Connect with Jessica: bookendsjessica
Connect with James: jmcgowanbks
Very informative video! I'm wondering if you guys are willing to make a video about advances-differences between genres, the ranges, the highest/lowest you've seen or got offered, and what are some criteria for a heftier advance.
Without seeming to be *overly* interested in money, I TOTALLY SECOND THIS 😀
I would also love to know about this and the variance in marketing support because I know I might want a lower advance if it means greater marketing plans and whatnot.
Hi! Unfortunately, the reason we usually don't talk about advances in specific terms is because it really varies extremely depending on house, genre, age, author's previous publications, market trends, etc. We wish we could be more specific but our numbers are unlikely to be helpful due to the level of variation!
As a former Brownie and cookie lover, I prefer Thin Mints! My mom was one of the leaders, so we'd literally have an entire room filled with boxes of cookies waiting for members to pick them up to deliver them! My Pappa would always question why it was always us asking what cookies he could munch on! Ohh the memories! I'll forever have another story!📚🍪
Love your podcast, thank you. ***But James -- your microphone isn't nearly as clear as Jessica's. It sounds a bit echoey... FYI.*** Thanks again for addressing another great topic!
You two are not only informative but highly entertaining! Love the sugar rush!!!
😂😂 you two.... I needed a giggle today, you just delivered. Plus, a little insight into the mysterious pub world.
Made it to the end, and it had useful insights.
As a querying author, I’m only looking at which genres the agent represents and what sort of book they’re looking for.
Only if I were to get more than one offer would I worry about their track record. The distinction between newer and more established doesn’t seem relevant unless the agent shows interest in my book.
Until then, I’m a number to you, you're a number to me 🤷♀️ 🙂
This was the exact energy I needed 🤣 Are there any recommendations for questions authors might ask of a newer agent in the offer call that would allude to how they intend to gain those connections or something? I don't know how to phrase this appropriately and I know newer agents can be hungrier at times. Do newer agents get support from more established agents at their agency? Would it be worrisome if they're the only person at that agency to rep your genre? Thank you so much, as always! And Jessica...you should eat more cookies before videos because the energy? Immaculate.
Hi! We did do a video about questions to ask on an offer call that might help, but in the case of newer agents, they're probably expecting you to ask questions about the kind of support and networks they have behind the scenes, so feel free just to ask! Every agency is different in the level of mentorship they provide at their agency, so you can ask how closely they work with other agents at their agency, as well!
Love your videos. Always lots of info. As someone just getting to the querying phase, I did get a lot out of this, even though it rambled a bit. Thanks 😂
I've just discovered this channel and I LOVE IT, thank you so SO much for sharing all of your insight and experience. I have so many questions!!
For picture book submissions/further books to be shared if there's interest, can you include multiple books featuring the same characters/setting - potential series if you will?
I understand word counts for picture books is around 400-600 - but what about PAGE count? Coming at it from the perspective of an Illustrator, how many pages are typical?
How do you feel about Picture/Children's book submissions that have atypical printing features? For example - pop up books or books with additional or unusual paper elements? Is this something an author/illustrator can query, or is this something that's moreso requested by the publisher?
Very informative, I love y'all even with the sugar rush
Thank you for this!!
Question-- What happens behind the scenes when the agent has gotten a query, requested the full, started reading it, and decided she wants to offer on it. What does she need to do to prepare or think about it in the lead-up to the call? What time frame between that decision and the call does there tend to be? And does this differ between new and established agents?
Love your videos! My question is about picture book (text only) submissions: If an agent requests a submission package, do the stories you send in that package need to be separate from the original story queried or can they be related (as in a series)? Or, is it okay to send a mix? A sequel to the original query and other unrelated work?
Hi! Ideally, you would probably want to send different projects to show off your range of work; especially because until the first book of a series proves itself to be saleable, the sequel books aren't necessarily super helpful for the case of your career! However, if the sequel is more of a companion book (different characters, substantially different plot, etc) then you could submit that!
I love the post-cookie sugar rush energy 😂
Is it a mistake for an East Coast American writer to consider Canadian agents? What about agents who live in the Chicago area?
It’s rare but there are some agents and editors who ask for synopsis for fiction picture books, which doesn’t make sense to me. Can you explain why that is a requirement by some.
Great video, now I need to find a Girl Scout
Love Jessica’s hot take on do-si-dos….I totally agree.
I always have to turn my computer volume up to 100 to hear what you're saying. Is there a fix for that? Thanks.
Same issue here -- mostly with James, his microphone seems too far away. I can hear Jessica more clearly.
I sold so many Girl Scout cookies!
Don’t make it sound like we as writers have a selection process for an agent. I had one agent take a chance on me after 18 months of querying. It was right. I’m starting my 4th book with her over the last 4 years. She was perfect for me.
I actually do my research on agents and select based on genres they represent.
Have you tried putting the dosidos in the freezer? You’ll thank me later!!