I’ve grown quite used to pontificating on this semi-frequented blog, but now it’s your turn to get all Dear Abby on me.
What advice would you offer me?
This can touch on anything from how to find clients to how to deal with queries to how to maintain a social life (ha!) while working full time and reading hundreds of pages a week.
Really, you tell me this time.
Anonymous says
Please represent Fantasy in a big way.
Abey
Eamon says
Interesting question. Going to think about it. And come back (if I can think of anything useful). In meantime written a post on ‘Best bookshop in world’ if you are interested in having a look.
Anonymous says
You have only a few client books mentioned on your blog. You seem very choosy with projects. Can you talk about what kind of projects you are hoping/itching to represent?
Abey
beth says
Be more clear on what you represent. I.e., you represent YA…but I don’t see any YA in the books on your sidebar (or am I being stupid…oh, I hope I haven’t messed this up and you’ve got a link to tons of YA you represent somewhere else).
I’d suggest that agents be ultra-specific on what they want, either through examples of what they represent, or through the types of already published books they read, or just a very specific list. For example, some agents say they represent YA, but they mean general fiction YA but never YA Fantasy…the more specific you are in what you want, the better. And being more upfront with everything you represent gives me a chance to understand what you want even more!
Dave F. says
The book (printing) business is going to change as the internet grows. Try to grow with it.
150 says
Have a website with your likes, dislikes, clients, and current submission guidelines AND ALWAYS KEEP IT UPDATED. If your website isn’t the first thing that comes up for your name in a Google search, MAKE SURE ALL THE OTHER LISTINGS ARE ACCURATE. The absolute worst part of my agent search was cross-checking the Writer’s Market listings.
Nathan Bransford says
On specificity: how would I know what I’m going to like before I’ve read it?
Kelly says
Okay. I love to give advice. Here’s some for free:
1) Always make time for physical activity. Looks like you have a surfboard in your picture, so keep on surfing (or whatever).
2) Say No. And mean it.
3) Related to #2: Don’t think can be everything to everybody.
4) Stress is never worth it.
Anonymous says
If I were an agent I would not only seek potential clients who solicit me, but I would solicit potential clients by monitoring the Amazon sales ranks of independent press and POD titles, and when one sells more than 5,000 or so copies, I would read the book. If I thought it had potential, I’d contact the author directly to see if they were still represented. There is some good material lately coming out of non-traditional channels, and I’d want to stay on top of that if Iwere an agent (which of course I’m not and never will be).
Adaora A. says
@150 – Google is a revelation already when you type in ‘Nathan Bransford.’ I plugged in the genre I write for (via Agent Query), and then I googled all the agent’s names that AQ Provided. The agents who have a web presence were there an full force. And boy does it help. Plus, the having a blog advice he gave is brilliant. I actually am in the top three when I googled my first name (my blog comes up!), and now I even beat news anchor Adaora Udoji!
About advice…hmm, good question.
That’s hard. I always say that when you’re stressed and feel like you’re looking at too many words and numbers (as I often do with essays, exams, work, etc), do yoga or go to the gym. Really it helps. The stress just seeps out of you. Then go home and have a glass of red wine (I like Morgan David).
Anonymous says
If an agent requests a partial or a full manuscript, and the writer includes an SASE, it doesn’t seem that difficult to send a form rejection if that is the response.
I don’t like the boyfriend/girlfriend parallel; i.e., no response means not interested. No response can mean a lot of things.
I submitted manuscripts to a number of agents who had requested them–I’d be delighted to read, etc. . . This is month 6.
And then there is the response from the agent who says she will not read a manuscript that is being read by anyone else. I don’t know whether to give up on the 4 still holding and submit to the 1 who might say no anyway.
6 months seems long enough. Maybe not. Thanks.
Sophia says
Take care of your eyes – let them relax regularly during reading sessions by looking out of your window at distant trees or the horizon.
beth says
Nathan, re: specificty…
I meant more along the lines of genre. There’s a big difference between YA Fantasy and YA general lit; a big different in YA aimed at girls and YA aimed at boys…if you have a preference for certain things _within_ the genre, could you be clear and specific about it?
This stems from several instances of confusion. The agent represents YA, but not YA fantasy, which was what I was submitting.
You could always say, you like this genre, and these things in the genre, but you’re open to new ideas. Then I have a better idea of what would be perfect for what agent.
Nathan Bransford says
beth-
I’m a generalist, so honestly, if it’s anything within YA I’ll take a look. Same with the other genres I list.
Despite my morose post yesterday, I’d much rather err on the side of seeing more queries than to get caught up in trying to slice and dice which particular segments of each genre I want to see (and then possibly miss out on something).
Other Lisa says
In terms of business…well, I suck at that stuff, and I’m pretty sure you don’t.
In terms of life, I have to second (third?) the suggestion of exercise. Yoga is great. The gym is great. Walking is great. Anything that gets you outside and in some fresh air is great. I think these kinds of things are what recharge a person creatively, help problem-solve, and keep one’s head from exploding.
The first rule of triage is that the caregiver has to take care of his/herself.
beth says
Nathan–
That’s one reason we love you! Now if only other agents could be more like you (minus the Hills, maybe… š
Sera Phyn says
I don’t know… I think you’re doing a great job! You were the fastest response ever on both query letter and partial, AND you gave me some wonderful encouragement. Besides the fact that I didn’t sign a contract with you and you’re not trying to sell my book somewhere (le sigh), I can’t think of anything I would have liked you to do differently.
Now, if you’re asking for advice on life, I’d like to second the last two of Kelly’s list. Anything that stresses you out (bad, pulling the hair out, want to slit your wrists stress. Not wedding planning stress ;)) isn’t worth putting up with and trying to please everyone is one of those things.
I’d say your best bet is to keep doing what you’re doing. š
Charlotte says
I have no idea how to be an agent, but it sounds like you suffer from stress, so I could recommend yoga.
Oh, and cake. Cake is good.
Anonymous says
Take a sabbatical from reading one day a month (and that means reading anything – books, queries, manuscripts, emails, blogs, whatever). Spend the time doing something fun that gets you out of the house.
Most people don’t read enough, but I’ve noticed writers, editors, and agents tend to have the opposite problem (including me).
Lisa
Jay Montville says
Check your email less often.
I know that sounds cccrrrraazzzzyyy, but seriously. I’ve managed to whittle myself down to three times a day (morning, 11am, and 4pm) and I am *stunned* by how much more I get done when I’m not jumping at every little thing.
And don’t tell me you can’t do it. LALALALA! I’m not listening. It takes a little getting used to (“what if I’m MISSING SOMETHING!!!!!” You’re not. You can reject that author in three hours just as well as you can right now), but give it a shot and it will make a noticeable difference in your ability to get things done, and in your mood.
cynjay says
Get a good assistant.
Anonymous says
I’d say, if you are “open to being surprised” -perhaps you can have a month a year that you specifically invite experimental work submissions, novellas, short stories,(gasp) poetry, etc.
You mention being wowed by many historical works that were experimental at the time.
Could have a stupid (waste of time) or amazing result.
But for now, from what you have put out, I would think you are throwing any new forms back out to other agents.
Anonymous says
I think (judging from yesterday’s post)- – You need a good trip to DISNEYLAND . .
The happiest place on Earth. . Come on now . you know you want to š
Dwight Wannabe says
One word:
Supercuts.
Anonymous says
Tell me up front if you want to be involved in projects that I decide to work on (so you can guide me like you want to and I don’t produce novel after novel of things that you don’t think you can sell).
And please tell me how your submission process works up front. If you aren’t going to send me a list of the editors you send my book out to, then tell me so I don’t anticipate one.
And please don’t be afraid of hurting my ‘sensitive’ feelings. I’m an adult, and this is a business. You can treat it as such, because I know I am.
(Just agents in general, not Nathan!)
Parker Haynes says
Nathan,
First: Keep on bloggin’. You’re GREAT and more appreciated than you realize!
Second: As to your query quandary, consider no longer accepting email queries and go to a submissions form like some agents/agencies use. This would at least eliminate the mass queries cluttering your inbox. You might even include a few questions that could be answered correctly by someone who has actually researched you personally. Wrong answer, message pops up “Sorry but your submission cannot be accepted.”
Third: More of a request than Dear Abbey advice. With all the consternation over genres, would you be willing to spend a few blogs defining the various genres as you see them?
Fourth: As to your social life, get a girlfriend who is so darn alluring and demanding that she draws you away from work early, at least a few times a week!
Best of luck with it all!
Josephine Damian says
1. Hire an assistant to slog through the query/slush pile. This means more time for personal life, watching bad reality TV, taking care of clients, less hair pulling and agita in general.
2. Hire me, Josie D. as your assistant to slog through the query/slush pile.
*millions of wanna-be writers scream: NO!*
I can guarantee the number of queries/partials/fulls I pass along to you will be few, but of high quality – they’d have to be stellar to get past me! This means more time for (see above).
3. No more email queries! Use snail mail only (I know, I know… the trees) ok, so do excatly what Agent Jonathon does: use an online form with a STRICTLY enforced word limit.
4. Make an honest evaluation of your own reading tastes in conjunction with your editorial contacts, and perhaps narrow your scope of types of books you say you’ll represent.
Instead of just saying, “I represent mysteries” be more specific: list some titles you’ve liked, or say “I like it cozy with not too much emphasis on violence/murder – something more character driven.”
Or “I like YA’s written in the tradition of ARTEMIS FOWL.”
That kind of thing.
But from what I see, your biggest time suck is these emails from every wanna-be on the freakin’ planet. I’ve said to you before – email/chat with folks here in your usual friendly way – but no more email queries! Find a way to force people to keep it to one page, whether it’s one sheet of paper, or an online form with a strict word limit.
5. Ask your clients to refer their writer friends to you- those friends who have written books generally similar to what you’ve already sold – manuscripts that your clients have read/screened for quality/assess level of craft.
6. Blog less. Cut down on the number of days a week you blog. Take Friday off from blogging to get a head start on weekend plans with the fiance/ get some reading done. Or no blogging on Mondays cause Mondays are crazy enough.
Anonymous says
Start a family. Then you’ll see how much time you really had before. It’s also a good excuse to go to Disneyland, like the other poster mentioned.
Kidding aside, I’m a firm believer in Nature as the cure to stress. And you live in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. The beach, the mountains, wine country, Yosemite, etc. etc.
Focus on the fun.
Keri Ford says
Anon 12:09 had a neat idea. just every once and while do a, “I don’t usually rep ‘this’ but I’m in a mood to read it. Hit me with your best shot.”
Though, this only works if you’ve got the editor contacts to sell whatever genre you happen to be in the mood for.
I agree on the webiste thing. I know Curtis Brown USA is getting one together, but until then, how about a client list? For you and the other agents at CB. A place where we KNOW this is the latest submission guidelines.
for relaxing, if you don’t like getting away from your work, even though it makes you nutty sometimes, what about taking a manuscript to the beach to read? A fresh atmosphere can do wonders. Or take fifteen to twenty minutes in the morning and afternoon if you can spare it, leave your computer and go take a brisk walk.
Nathan Bransford says
Thanks so much for everyone who has already posted their ideas. I wish I could have an assistant, but as a young agent that’s not yet possible. Someday!
Meanwhile, the Olympic torch is scheduled to pass right outside our offices and it’s already madness outside. Should be really interesting when the torch comes by (if it makes it this far).
Anonymous says
Keep in good contact with your clients, and when one has already sold a book and is working on his/her third or fourth, take the time to have a chat with them about where their career is going.
As a writer with an agent at a big agency, no one has ever had this talk with me, and I’m baffled on where to go next. I’d love to have this talk with my agent, but her advice thus far has never been helpful. When asking how I could help promote my book, for example, she said, “There’s nothing you can do but hope it sells.” So with poor advice like that, I’m guessing this conversation is not forthcoming. Yet she sells my books and switching would be disloyal. I just wish she took more time to help me make a longterm career plan.
Anonymous says
Golly, guys, I can’t believe no one’s said the obvious! Write something yourself, Nathan B! Your voice is totally engaging and fun, and you have, how you say, a platform. You know you want to …
nightsmusic says
What would I have you do personally? I don’t know that I’d have you do anything. I really enjoy your blog and though I get the distinct impression you don’t handle what I write, I am still learning and I appreciate that. š
Now, agents in the collective term…
I have a novel I want to pitch, paranormal romance set in 1840’s Scotland. Do you know how hard it is to find an agent who ‘likes’ that? You query one who lists that they like romance, but they don’t do paranormal. Or, you query one who does paranormal and does romance, but doesn’t do them mixed. Or you query one who does paranormal and romance but doesn’t do the time period, even though they say they do historical and also ‘commercial fiction’ which I still don’t understand! What the heck really falls under that category?
Meaning, I do understand that an agent might cover a broad variety of genres but, a bit more specificity in those genres would be most welcomed. Such as ‘contemporary romance’ or ‘historical suspense’…anything that can give an author a better idea of who they should be subbing to so they’re not wasting their time or the agents.
Thanks!
nm
Michelle Moran says
Yes. I would definitely buy your guide to the world of agents/publishing!
McGirl says
“What Advice Would I Offer An Agent?”
I’m not an agent and I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone how to do that job, but I do read a lot of agent blogs. š So here’s my blog-focused agent advice. (None of this is for you, though, Nathan, as you’re king of the agent-bloggers. *smile*)
1. Have a blog. I will go to conferences and make an effort to get to know prospective agents in person, but blogs really help to speed up the “getting to know you” slash “will we work well together” discovery process. To make it fair, I’ll have one too, so you can get to know me.
2. On the blog, stay professional. That doesn’t mean talk about nothing but your profession: occasional chit-chat about TV shows, celebs, pets and other safe topics is one of many ways professionals connect with each other and make business personal and fun. But it shouldn’t be *all* chit-chat. As a prospective client I want to get an idea of how you think about the industry and your job.
3. On the blog, stay positive. Not every sentence of every post – everyone’s human. But if the blog turns into a litany of complaint, I’m bored, and I’m turned off. I have eliminated a couple of prospective agents because they sound bitter, angry or overly impatient.
150 says
nightsmusic–I have a paranormal YA in 1840’s America. We should do lunch. š
nightsmusic says
And don’t you find the same thing, 150?? You try to query but it never quite falls into one of the twelve categories the agent says they rep?
And I love lunch, as long as it’s rabbit food… š
Elyssa Papa says
I teach high school English to seniors and sophomores and I’m 12 years older than my seniors, and have had a crappy day of teaching.
So my advice to you is stuff I need to follow too:
1. Don’t lose your temper. People know you’re boiling points, and will push you to them, just because they can.
2. Beauty does not equal painfree. High-heel shoes, ’nuff said. So as a really weird comparison, intelligence does not equal common sense. People can be smart but still do stupid things (i.e., saying you’re attractive in a query letter which is so unprofessional imo)
3. Chocolate can make anything better. Or if not chocolate, a glass of bourbon. (Never had bourbon so not sure if you drink it in a glass or not). And if you don’t want to eat or drink, read Ian McEwan or Cormac McCarthy.
4. Don’t change who you are. People respect and love you because of your honesty, humor, intelligence, and down-to-earthness. It’s hard when you feel you’re talking to a blank wall and don’t feel as if you’re listened to, but you can only be who you are. Just remember it’s not you that has the problem, it’s other people who don’t get it. You’re clear in what you want and expect, and if people don’t get that, then boo on them.
5. And seriously, if these things don’t work… watch The Hills. Spence, Heidi, LC… what more could you want?
Keep us posted on the Olympic Torch… the news in NY has been mad with reports on the San Fran protests.
Elyssa Papa says
Sorry about the typo in my post above.
Also, I wouldn’t say this is a semi-frequented blog. I read it every single day but don’t comment when it seems like the topic is closed or if I feel out of my element.
green ray says
Nathan, you are so cool that I have no advice for you. (And I give advice for a living!) But I agree with the poster who said that it would be great to get a response on requested material. Six months is nothing compared to how long I’ve waited with no response or reply to email follow-ups. I finally took charge and withdrew the ms from consideration. So my advice would be: if you request something, respond to it please! As for you, Nathan, I advise you to keep doing what you’re doing. It works!
Anonymous says
I would advise you to write a novel and try to get it published.
And then report back on your progress. š
Anonymous says
Write a novel, but let us all read it. Post it on this blog for us to critique.
Revenge is sweet, Mr. Bransford. Revenge is sweet.
Just_Me says
On specificity:
Don’t just list “sci-fi” tell us if you want hard core sci-fi with lots of technical details, or and intrepid youthful character, or if you’d really love to see a sci-fi hero over age 60. Sci-fi, fantasy, romance… those are huge genres and if I know you’re looking for sci-fi crossed with cyberpunk and horror when I write sci-fi with a romantic twist I know not to make you my first query because I’m not what you’re looking for. I might still query you but I won’t expect you to fall in love with my piece.
Conversely, let us know what you DON’T want. If you never want to see a vampire romance again please let the authors know…
For personal adivce: stay healthy. Eat healthy food not junk food (I have no clue what you eat but this is always good advice), try not to stress out….
Saying no to authors (even me- sigh) is okay. Readers don’t want bad books. If I go spend money on a book and it’s awful beyond reason I blame the agents and editors for letting some delusional quack put something on the shelf.
Keep smiling and for the days that really don’t work try some yoga or swimming š
Nick Travers says
I guess the big question is: does what you do now work as compared against your contemporaries? Certainly your blog attracts lots of queries from writers, and although it must attract dross too, I would guess it puts you a little ahead of the game. Reading everything in case you miss something, sounds like an eternal search for the big deal. Solid businesses are not built on big breaks, they are built on a steady supply of average stuff. So my advice:
Specialise more.
Get a better filter ā an assistant (or two) sounds a good idea.
If you are in it for the long haul rather than the quick burn, get a life.
Introduce wild cards so you sometimes read stuff you would pass straight over.
Let the secretary pick something out of your slush pile (no Iām not kidding). They are great at seeing past all the technical/business stuff and hitting on something for no better reason than they like it or it makes sense.
Write something.
Keep on with the blog – it’s great.
Steph says
Take on people like meeeeee! š But no, really, I think you’re a pretty nice agent as it is, Nathan. Some agents I’d say, “Reply to equeries even if you’re not interested!” or “How can it take you three months to reply to a query??” But you’re quick and you reply. You keep a blog. You help out.
As an agent, I think you’re pretty much as nice as they come.
– Steph
Lorelei says
Just the fact that you would think to ask this question tells me that you are not in need of any major advice.
Look both ways.
Tip your server.
Take your vitamins.
Anonymous says
Sorry, but I don’t get this. I keep seeing comments saying that Nathan should be more specific about what he likes and doesn’t like to receive. I think it’s pretty clear. He says, “When in doubt, query me.” So just query him already! The worst that’ll happen is he’ll say no.
Amy Kinzer says
Hi Nathan:
This is more to the industry than you in particular.
I find this whole submission process to be a bit 19th Century. Agencies without web sites, everyone with different submission requirements, snail mail queries, looooong response times.
What about some standardization in the industry to make things easier for everyone? Agents and writers both. It would be nice if you could look up all agencies online, send them a query, 1 page synopsis, and first 5 pages.
I like agent blogs, and I suspect having one and accepting email queries gets you first shot at a lot of submissions. I wonder though if the decline emails are necessary? How much time a week do you spend sending these? They’re nice, but I wonder if you update your blog with stats once a week with the number of queries and your requests for more if it wouldn’t meet the needs of letting us know you passed. You could set your email to send an automated response when an email is received so it’s no doubt you got it, then on Friday you post the stats.
The blogs are helpful to us writers going through the submission process.
And of course, don’t miss The Hills.
Anonymous says
I’d like:
Putting some percentages on the blog about what most of your clients write. I know you accept YA, but if you only have 2 YA clients or have only sold 3 YA books and the bulk of your writers and sold books are Adult cozy mystery or Adult thrillers, that would be good to know.
I appreciate your “when in doubt query me” attitude, but the lack of quantifying what type/tone of YA excites you — what type you usually sell leaves us with no clue if you’re a viable agent for us.
Example: fantasy, edgy, literary, and Gossip Girls type series YA don’t sell to the same editors — where do the bulk of your editor contacts lie?
jjdebenedictis says
Teaching vrs. Agenting
When you blog or go to conferences, you are teaching writers about the publishing industry.
As a teacher, you need to be endlessly patient. The student might never learn enough to pass the test (i.e. write a query letter that doesn’t make you apoplectic), but they can always learn something, and that’s what you want to focus on.
When you are NOT blogging or at conferences, however, you are not a teacher. You can be terse; you can be unhelpful; you don’t need to feel guilty about it.
Get Zen about it. Let those bad queries just sluice past you. When you’re not wearing your teacher’s fedora, they don’t count.
Quality of Submissions:
Sorry to say it, but if you want a large portion of your most abysmal queries to go away, switching from equeries to snail mail queries would probably help.
However, I like trees. I’d rather you just took a more relaxed view toward the truly abysmal queries. That, or start using an online system which is just sufficiently complex enough to flummox those people who couldn’t locate their own bum if they used both hands.
~~~
Anon 2:26PM,
You’re coming across as a free-floating entitlement complex with its own keyboard. Nathan doesn’t have an attitude. Why are you scolding someone for being human?