We have an author who wrote a wish-list – covering everything from money to passion to PR – and gave it to us, saying ‘this is what I want from my publisher’. It got me thinking what my wish-list would be for the ideal author. NB all agents’ wish-lists would differ; such is the beauty of this creative-business. What are the points on my wish-list?
1/Brilliant writing – I want the writing to be original and I want to be completely absorbed when I read it. Distractions are a constant – especially as I work from home – but when I have a great manuscript in front of me, I close the door and that’s it, til I finish. I read Marcus Sedgwick’s new book this morning – his work is always wonderful and a gift to sell.
2/Passion and commitment to writing – I want my authors to love writing and to be wholly committed to being a writer. This doesn’t mean that they have to give up their day jobs, some people truly write ‘on the edges of the day’ (Toni Morrison) – check out Twitter to see who is up at 6am hammering away at the computer. The minute the writing becomes a chore, it ceases to be fun – this doesn’t mean there won’t be tough times, writing a book is really hard – but the passion has to be there.
3/Professionalism – I love a bit of maverick-behaviour. I love the creative spirit but it’s a business at the end of the day and I need writers to respond to emails and phone calls, to sign agreements and to be professional.
4/Seeing the bigger picture – I represent the journalist and author, Suzy Greaves, who is currently writing her next book. But she’s not just writing the book, she’s working on the bigger picture. This is easier to do for non-fiction, than fiction, but she’s already set up a slot on BBC Radio Kent, is about to launch a blog and website connected to the book and is pitching articles and columns to national newspapers. She bubbles with ideas and I love that.
5/Flexibility – I don’t edit my authors’ manuscripts with a fine-tooth comb but I do offer comments here and there, that I consider important. Whether these comments are taken on board or not, are always the author’s decision but I’d like to think they are considered – if eventually ignored!
6/Looking into the future – authors should always be aware of what they will be writing next – the second book is always, I think, the hardest book to write – and sometimes takes the longest so it’s good to be thinking of the future. Publishers will ask the question: what is she/he writing next? So I like authors to be thinking long-term.
7/Likeability – quite simply I need to like all my clients. Publishing and agenting is a curious mix of business, creativity and people and to get the blend right, for me I need to like not just the writing but the person.
If you are a writer, ask yourself what are the seven points on your wish-list that you truly want from an agent or a publisher? Be honest – what are your priorities – money? Recognition? Someone to champion you and your writing? Have your list handy – well, in your head – when you meet agents. Be clear about what you want and you will be far more focussed and ready for when an agent comes your way.
6 Comments
A have a real thirst (and have been “parched” for many years) for my novels to be read, the more readers the better; as simple as that. I can’t think of anything more warming than other people to be be reading my words and enjoying my stories. After all, that’s the main reason I write (as it is for the majority of writers, I’m certain).
Money and recognition would be a natural product of selling lots of my books. And very nice too, although my priority has always been getting novels in front of people’s eyes. So the first on my wish-list that I’d want from an agent is simply:
1. One who is able to find a good-quality publisher, who can hopefully sell a lot of books (for the primary reason given above)
The rest in no particular order:
2. Empathy and patience (once I finish my third, I’m hopefully going to write another every year and a half or so. But this might be 2,3 or even four years).
3. An agent who is prepared to keep an eye out for/suggest any PR opportunities (being more experienced than I)
4) Although I realise agents are busy people, someone who is relatively quick to reply to any worries/queries/suggestions I might have as an author
I really can’t think of any more at the moment; perhaps more will present themselves if I ever find an agent again…
Thanks for your list David. Keep on the search for another agent - they are looking for authors aswell. Its just a matter of finding the right one.
Great post! I agree with the likeability factor. Even the best agent couldn’t work with the best author if they didn’t like eachother. I just can’t see it happening. I want to have an agent that I would long to meet in person just so we can share jokes over lunch. That would motivate me even further to do my best with my manuscript and marketing so that I can do things like conferences and tours all the way in New York.
Great post! Very insightful. I’ll keep this in mind when I’m writing. It’ll definitly turn into one of my check lists :]
Thanks, you are very right - jokes over lunch - its such a personable business, the agent/writer relationship is really important and I always tell writers not to leap at the first offer (unless its a good offer!).
Kirsty.
Thanks. Remember to write your own checklist. One of our authors actually decided upon our agency, because we actively criticised her work (all the other potential agents just heaped praise on it). She had really made a mental list of what she wanted.
Kirsty.
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