I think one of the biggest current misconceptions about “Be An Agent for a Day” involves ignoring this little number in the rules and regulations:
6. For the purposes of this contest you are looking for queries that demonstrate publishable potential, not necessarily your genres of interest.
I was kind of surprised to see that people outright discounted certain genres that they weren’t interested in, on the grounds that agents do this as well.
Yes. We are allowed to specialize. To a certain extent. No agent I know limits themselves solely to genres they like to read for pleasure. You just can’t make a living that way. Every agent focuses on projects they are passionate about, but agents are passionate about selling. We take on things we strongly believe we can sell. Even if it’s not what we would read if we were civilians.
All that said, how do you think you did? If you had to bet, how many of the actually published books do you think you chose? Are you confident in your choices?
ryan field says
I said three.
Mira says
I’m not done yet! How can people be done.
I’m up to 32. And I have a list of possibles.
I’ve been looking for marketability. My problem is trying to figure out what is already published from what could be.
But I think that’s mostly a guessing game. Without seeing the actual writing, it’s hard to know which ideas passed muster.
But – it’s a fun guessing game. I’m off to #32. 🙂
Tamara says
I ended up with 12 maybes. That was a problem. I weighed the options, and brought that down to six. Then I rejected one I decided I in fact wanted to keep. It was really tough. I’m hoping I got three (the suspense is killing me), but this is so subjective, I may have completely bombed!
Thanks again for the experience. It was invaluable.
All the best,
Tamara
Robert A Meacham says
I feel confident in one query that I chose.
I now have utmost respect for the agent and his determenation of what sells!
NP says
Congratulations on making Writer's Digest's 101 Best sites for writers: https://www.writersdigest.com/101BestSites/?m_nYear=2008&m_sCategory=all
Eva Ulian says
After reading this post I am going back to those two manuscripts I think have been published, are being published or will be published and ask for the first 5 pages which I didn’t ask for initially since it is not a genre I enjoy reading. I am pretty confident of my choice because these manuscripts are tailor made for their particular genre- like a painting by numbers… so I know they will be successful… that’s the irony of publishing!
Jen P says
a NYT Bestseller – hmmm, missed that one then methinks – I didn’t ‘recognise’ anything. I’m still finalising my top 5 picks though.
Completed vs incomplete work?: I struggled with the CAT scan immensely, because I thought it was great but wasn’t finished – so I rejected it on the basis of Nathan’s ‘can you query without a complete manuscript – no’ – however, I wonder with hindsight if that isn’t quite the same for non-fiction, if so, I think I missed that one.
Do typos count?: I have to admit I rejected anything with spelling errors or glaring grammar or punctuation in the query or the sample – even if I loved it and thought it sellable – just because I felt that’s what agents would do – but again, maybe I am wrong?
Genre struggle: I disregarded genre being an ‘open’ agent, but found some of the sci-fi queries hard to read, because I never read sci-fi – but my brother would have probably have loved it and he is their target market – so again, I struggled with that, not knowing how sellable that material would be.
Query importance: Wow. I think I’ve also learned from this you could get too focused on following the query guidelines ‘to the letter’ and forget that your voice and style should maybe show through too – but maybe not, perhaps plot/conflict/character and showing good writing is first and foremost?
What surprised me: Two things. 1) The extent to which several people totally ignore your own blog query guidelines/FAQs and the subsequent range of standard and 2)the extent to which some ‘agents’ got too into the swing of sounding mean with their comments. I’ve been rejected lots but always professionally and politely, if only occasionally personally.
Query feedback:I know it was a game, but these were real people, so I did try and give some feedback – if mine had been included I know I would have benefited from feedback. That said, I tried to be fair to all and comment on each, and it takes forever, so I can understand more than ever writers rarely get a ‘real’ personal rejection.
However the more I spend on it, the less qualified and confident I feel, so I wonder if my feedback really will be on track and helpful, or just misleading – so I hope everyone who gets feedback takes it as the trying-to-be-encouraging but amateur opinion it is.
This was (is) a great mini-day-in-the-life experience – thanks to all.
jimnduncan says
I tried to pretend I would take anything that looked good. The problem was, none of the queries wowed me, including my own for that matter. This was the one big surprise for me in doing this. I knew it would be hard, but I figured the queries from the pubbed books would stand out a little clearer.
I think part of the problem may stem from not being overly familiar with the marketplace. If I knew ahead of time what the publishers I worked with as an agent were looking for, I would probably have taken a closer look at some of the queries that lined up with their interests. Agents have a clearer sense of what they are looking for, and we did not have that so much. Still, given that I expected a bit clearer indication of the published queries.
PPP says
I’m competitive, so I really tried to choose the books that I thought were the published ones, not just books in the genres I prefer.
Out of the 5 I requested, only 1 was the kind of book I usually read.
Anahita says
Actually I thought the hard part of this was trying to keep my own interests out of the decision. I don’t think I succeeded in doing that though. I came to your blog now to ask the very same thing: To what degree do agents go with their own interests. I got my answer. Thanks. Another question also came to my mind: What percentage of the manuscripts that an agent accepts to represent, proceed to being published. It probably depends on the agent, but on average, as estimation?
Anonymous says
Nathan,
This was brutal. 🙂 I narrowed it down to 8 and then struggled to narrow it down to 5.
I chose 12,24,29,43, & 50
I'm not cut out for this side of the business. Thanks for doing this.
Lindsey S.
Bane of Anubis says
Nathan, this is a game you should play with interns/new agents to stress the heck out of them (what they call “pimping” in med-school and residency 🙂
Jim, great idea and I agree about no query particularly standing head and shoulder above the others for me.
Marilyn Peake says
Nathan said:
I was kind of surprised to see that people outright discounted certain genres that they weren’t interested in, on the grounds that agents do this as well.I found this one of the most difficult parts of choosing the manuscripts for which I requested fulls. I narrowed down my final choices to five manuscripts by looking for details in the query letters that seemed to match suggestions repeatedly made by agents on their websites about how to write a strong query letter. I was very surprised that I requested two books in genres I wouldn’t normally read. After I chose those five, I still had seven remaining query letters for books I would have requested had I not been limited to five. I posted response letters to those seven people, letting them know that they almost made my cut, and I meant it. Had I been a real agent, I would have asked to see their sample pages. I felt that this was all probably very similar to an agent’s job – I made my requests based on what I think agents look for in a query letter, and agents make many of their choices based on what they think the publishing houses will buy. Great learning experience for me. I suddenly realized that a form rejection in no way means, “You stink! Step away from the computer. You should not be writing ever.”
I also finally understand why an agent needs to personally feel very strongly about a manuscript, so that they can find the energy to really push for getting it published. If I had been a real agent able to request pages for more than five queries, and if the pages had been strong enough after I received them, I would have wanted to push for publication of most of the seven manuscripts I actually rejected at the end of my selection process. Very ironic.
Jen P says
jimnduncan – yes,I liked this comment – publisher-agent-interests alignment. I suppose this just goes to show another big learning for me – that one aspect of where the value-add of an agent lies, rather than pitching publishers directly.
David de Beer says
If I had to guess, I’d say none of my picks were one of the published ones. But you know what, I read through all the queries again briefly yesterday late and I still like my 5 best of all so if I was a real agent those would still be the 5 I’d have gone with.
JSB says
Part of my issue is that nonfiction proposals can be very different from a fiction query. I didn’t have a problem taking on any genre within fiction, but I didn’t feel qualified for the non fiction platforms. From what I’ve read non fict queries often list books which are incomplete or waiting on specialists and are perfectly sellable in a way that incomplete fiction writing is not. So I think that’s where I got confused with the rule of how we were taking these on.
~Jana
Marilyn Peake says
Nathan,
Where do we post our final choices? For the record, I requested full manuscripts for the following queries:
# 2 – SHIMMERING DESTINY
# 9 – IF IT AIN’T BROKE
# 10 – ON ONE HAND
# 17 – INUGAMI
# 39 – THE COPYCAT KILLER
PurpleClover says
I may have accidentally selected three on the vote and meant to select two but I’m not sure.
Anyhow, I think one of the ones I selected was a premature flick of the wrist and should have waited. I believe I may have captured two. However, it could be two that agents will request but haven’t been pub’d yet. The other three I chose were probably personal interests.
However, there were two solid queries that I thought would definitely appeal to an agent but they seemed like their market would be so slim that the agent would probably only pass due to this reason. They had interesting concepts but again…money is what matters in the end. I guess…
Marilyn Peake says
I said:
I narrowed down my final choices to five manuscripts by looking for details in the query letters that seemed to match suggestions repeatedly made by agents on their websites about how to write a strong query letter.Crikey, I’m tired. It was a loooong day and night participating in this contest. I forgot that I narrowed down my top three queries that way, then tried to figure out two more queries to make my final five choices. By the end, I started fumbling my own name on the keyboard a couple of times and had to fix the spelling of my own name.
I’m awake now … kinda. Gonna go get some coffee and write.
:)Ash says
Nathan:
The truth is, I really only know the current trends of MG and YA, because that’s what I write. So, while I didn’t intentionally discount any particular genre, I simply don’t know much about psychological thrillers, for example. I don’t know the typical word counts, the popular themes, etc.
Elizabeth says
NYT Bestseller? Hmm. Methinks I missed that one.
I know for sure I got one, as I recognized it immediately. The other four were a combination of what I thought would sell, and what appealed to me.
One I didn’t request, I would, however, buy. That Trucker book sounded really interesting. Always wondered what their life was like on the road.
Mira says
You know what I find interesting, as I read through the comments?
People are turning down things because they are like other things – Dan Brown, too many werewolf novels, etc.
My understanding is the opposite.
If publishers see that something sells, they will flood the market with copies of the same thing endlessly.
I think agents would be much more likely to take on something that follows the trends, rather than the new and different.
Just my thoughts.
I’m up to 34.
Dara says
I think I maybe got two. Considering I only requested four, that’s probably the best I’ll get. 😛
After thinking about it, I realize I should have requested one of the nonfiction ones, but I couldn’t narrow down which one would be more likely to catch an agent’s eye.
BTW, most of the ones I requested were ones I’d probably not gravitate to in a bookstore, simply because they were a genre that I don’t find interesting. But I saw something that would make a great story, so that’s why I “requested” them.
RB Ripley says
Nathan,
First, thanks for creating this arena… What a great experience on so many fronts.
Mira brought up something that was repeating in the back of my mind during the entire exercise – lots of readers rejected queries based on familiarity (theme, plot, protagonist, concept). My question is, are publishers looking to buck a trend, ride the wave (or maybe both?!) That impacts your decision making a great deal.
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Sooki Scott says
No second guessing here. I’m still comfortable with my choices, even after a second read. I also requested outside my personal genre preferences.
There were only two entries where my ‘this has promise’ radar went up, but I passed due to lack of, what I suspect is, an agent’s knowledge of the genre and marketability.
Confucius says, “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.”
Kaiscomet says
I think I did ok, but it makes me nervous when I see which queries others selected, and I didn’t choose any of theirs.
I based a lot of my opinion on the authors past experience, or if there was an editor who had expressed some interest.
For the record, I chose #10. I thought the story sounded great, and I am interested in how a Wal-Mart clerk could be one of the “greats”.
#29 was selected largely because of the work I do. I meet with many people who would be interested in a book like this.
I chose #30 even though it was a behemoth (136K) for a first book, but when the author mentioned that someone at Baen books had expressed interest, I thought it sounded good.
#39 was selected because of the authors awards, the length, and the fact that they have other books. Although I do not read books like this AT ALL, it seemed like the type of story that would sell well.
Finally, I selected #43, because I have a ten year old daughter who would love to read this book. And I admit, the idea of a child trying to get a roman emperor to go to war sounded interesting.
Cheers
Sarah says
Hi Nathan,
Just wanted to say that while I’ve not been able to participate, I have loved reading the queries. Definitely gives me food for thought when I come to writing my own. I am so curious to see what grabbed whom, and what was and was not published. It also showed me the importance of hooking the reader in the first line of the query – I paid much more attention then, rather than my usual cursory skim.
It is also great to see you say ‘but for me, passion and saleability are one and the same’. It is lovely to see someone enjoy their job so much. Really inspiring. Especially for those of us in the creative professions during this recession.
Thank you once more for posting these! (oh and thanks for replying to my emails re Amazonfail too)
Sarah BB
(who will stop gushing like an idiot and go back to editing)
PurpleClover says
Mira –
I think the reason the werewolf one was shot down was because of the length. It seemed short even for YA. But also, agents seem to get inundated with these types of stories. So it really has to stand above the rest. I think that is why people were saying they’ve seen it. Writing about werewolves still sells but it really needs a new story.
Of course we will all feel stupid when this book is released next month. 😛
Kristi says
I will be completely surprised if #27 is not a soon-to-be-published novel, so I feel pretty confident on that one. The other was a sci-fi which I don’t normally read but loved the query (#10). I only picked 2, not 5, as I just didn’t love anything else enough. The NYT bestseller may not have had to have a stellar query if they were already a best-seller, so I’m guessing it’s a different one than the two I picked.
I thought that because reality shows are “hot” now, the one about the child reality show (#6?)would probably be publishable, but I could not find the internal excitement level to want to sell it. That’s why you are a great agent – I know I couldn’t be passionate enough about some topics that would probably be great sellers.
Scott says
I said two, but commented when I thought it might be one of the published, or soon to be published, pieces. A few of these were non-fiction or fantasy, which I probably wouldn’t represent.
In the end, I decided to make my list consist of those that interested me at least a little that I thought would sell, and others that were close which I knew could go the distance with my help.
So in my heart of hearts, I think I got all five! 😉
Lupina says
I think I picked three correctly but not 4 or 5 so I didn’t miss those poll buttons.
My main surprise was at how many pitches sounded like very tired old plots, without a fresh take to justify them. One, I swear, was a Magnum P.I. episode (not saying which Q or which Magnum).
The ones I chose were ultimately those with plots that intrigued me, and those written well enough to believe some real agent and/or publisher would have offered a contract.
Really looking forward to results!
Nathan Bransford says
scott and lupina-
There were only three published ones.
Scott says
Oh. Oops. Well, I think I might’ve got two! 🙂
melissablue13 says
We take on things we strongly believe we can sell. Even if it’s not what we would read if we were civilians.Color me confused by this comment. Not taking on things you can sell, makes sense. But, how do you become passionate about a project that isn’t something you would read in your spare time? Is this when the theory a good book is a good book comes into play?
Just curious.
Becky says
Hi Nathan,
This has really been an eye-opening (and intimidating) process to watch. My apologies for the off-topic comment, but I’ve been trying to send you a query, and it seems like your system is determined to flag it as spam. (I’m getting a hard rejection notification)
The effect on my authorial confidence notwithstanding, is there some way I should be formatting the subject line to ensure it will get past your (well-intentioned and necessary) first line of defense?
EMC07 says
I have no clue if I chose any of the correct ones. I tried to keep an open mind and at least one I chose was a non-fiction, which I don’t really read much. I knew of one for sure that is getting published, but didn’t comment on it, as I knew who the author was already. I think I may have 1 or 2 but probably not more than that.
I’m sure there are people that think they are right that are going to be in for a real wake up call!
Nathan Bransford says
melissablue-
Yeah, in some respects a good book is a good book, but it’s also, if there’s a market there’s a market. I don’t take on everything under the sun, but I also don’t by any means limit myself to books I personally would read.
becky-
I’m sorry about that. You might try removing any links and formatting that you’ve introduced into the e-mail and try again. Otherwise you might try to send from a Gmail account or something common like that, because sometimes domains are blocked if they’ve resulted in too much spam.
Laura D says
I know I’m wrong because I only chose two. Besides, the two I chose are also subject to the saturation of the market, which I had trouble deciding to go ahead no matter the time. In the end, I chose products that I figured would sell despite the market because they are just that well written (and hopefully so is the story) and I had faith that their idea was clearly presented and developped.
How much does the downswing or upswing or trying to get in on the ground floor affect an agent’s decision?
KC in SF says
I don’t think I would be a good agent because I would pass on every single fantasy or science fiction query. I can hardly read the queries without losing interest, I can’t imagine having the passion needed to sell a book if it felt like a chore reading it.
I guess I better not quit my day job. 🙂
KC in SF
Just_Me says
I’m not quite finished. But, out of my list of favorites, not all of them are genres I read.
If a book jumps out at me and says, “I’m special!” even when it isn’t my favorite genre to read I really notice. There’s a broad appeal in those stories, or at least the queries. But I haven’t narrowed it down to 5 yet. Right now I’m still trying to decided what I could rep well. After that I’ll decide if it can sell.
Other Lisa says
You know, I rejected one that I almost requested because I thought it sounded too much like something that had already been published, and now I’m thinking…oops. Maybe because it had been? Heh.
I definitely let my personal tastes dictate my choices too heavily – I mean, I did pick things in genres that I don’t read, but there were a couple of the big commercial premises that I knew probably had commercial potential, but I was just tired of seeing books like that. This was a mistake, I’m sure.
lesleylsmith says
Wow. Thanks Nathan. This exercise was very educational! I do feel like I understand agents a little better. I’m pretty confident I picked all the published/to-be-published novels. 🙂 I did try to pick sellable books that weren’t necessarily in my favorite genres. To the query-authors: Thanks for letting us see your queries! I did notice some conflicting constructive criticism…so take it all with a grain of salt.
RainSplats says
Nathan,
I found myself passing on non-fiction because I’ve only studied up on the steps to getting fiction published.
I know non-fiction can be queried *before* the book is complete. Many people didn’t even know that much.
-Rain
Anonymous says
I think I got at least a couple. I didn’t recognize any as published works, so no “cheating” involved. I tried not to look at what other people thought so I wouldn’t be overly influenced by their selections. My choices: 6, 10, 17, 35, and 46. A near-miss was #14. Dying to know how I did!
Jenn says
Nathan,
I thoroughly enjoyed this exercise. As a new writer, it was an incredible learning experience for me.
I think I picked 2 of the published books, but who knows, lol!
Thanks again for this contest and your blog in general. You’ve captured another faithful reader.
Jennifer
Marilyn Peake says
I thought this might be relevant here. Stunning video that demonstrates how talent can win out despite overwhelming odds: Susan Boyle, singer, Britain’s Got Talent 2009. Wow!
Anahita says
I just thought of another effect that your contest could have. I always think of ways of exposing my sons to different careers, so that they are not clueless when it is time to choose. My suggestion is to make it a virtual tour, a one day experience, of being a literary agent. Wouldn’t it be nice for teenagers if there was a virtual one day experience available for every job?
melissablue13 says
First, thanks for answering the question. Second, a few light bulbs lit above my head. Advice I’ve seen for years makes sense.
thin says
I noticed a lot of queries for genre / commercial fiction. They were all terrific, well-structured queries, and I got really critical at my own query tries. But then I thought… commercial fiction is often more structured than literary fiction.
Do "literary" queries pale in comparison to those of commercial lit because say, the storyline is more flexible or … more of a freestyle?
Also, are you more inclined to request commercial lit because it might sell better?
is that a bogus question? 'cause I'm not even sure on the exact classification of commercial & literary. Thanks.
Anonymous says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzpBJGCOGUs
Marilyn,
You made me think of a trailer I did for my amazon short story Daimon’s Disguise