Q&A Friday
Sometimes we need to make the time to spring forward when it comes to career. As writers, springing forward can mean trying our skills in a different subgenre, refining our writing process, or it can mean sending out queries to editors and agents.
What are some of the best tips you can offer about how to research editors and agents?
Labels: researching editors and agents
posted by Mo H @ 4:40 AM
6 Comments:
Agent and editor names are often listed in an author's acknowledgements. I take note of the ones in books that I like, and who they represent. I haven't researched any yet, but I'm taking in information. From Preditors and Editors. From agent/editor websites. From agent/editor blogs.
When I'm ready, I may contact authors with whom I have some familiarity that are represented by the agents or have worked with the editors.
I want to find out everything I can and use internet sources like Preditors and Editors. I always check out their websites, but I do a Google search too.
But for me, the most important thing has been face to face contact. And I listen to my own perceptions about them. There have been times when I observed certain clues of a doubtful nature, then chose to ignore them. I was always sorry.
Keep your eyes and ears open when you are in RWA Chapter meetings and such. Predators and Editors is a must.
If you attend the RWA Conference, go to the workshops where agents are speaking.
Subscribe to the free Publishers Lunch (just google publishers lunch) and see who is selling in your genre.
But my best advice is to ask those more experienced than you are, published authors or Pro Members of RWA. You don't have to ask them who their agent is (for some reason some authors prefer to keep this information private) but ask them who they recommend for a writer breaking in to the business.
Another thing about agents that I've noticed over the years is that everyone wants/needs something different from their agent. One author wants LOTS of feedback, another doesn't. One author wants to have their hand held, the other doesn't. It is true that a great agent could be somebody else's horrible agent. I definitely use word of mouth and google the agent to see if there are interviews. I look for an agent who is professional, who communicates, and who is honest. Use your instincts, too!
I hate to admit this, but I've never heard of Preditors and Editors. Will someone enlighten me?
Thanks!
Pris, here is the website for preditors and editors:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealm.htm
scroll down and got to "Agents/Attorneys" and you'll see a listing of agents and whether they are recommended, etc.
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