A few years back I was on a panel at a writer’s conference, and one of the best audience questions came during my panel with literary agent Ginger Clark, who was my colleague at Curtis Brown at the time.
Eden Lane asked us what it was like taking on our first client compared to what it was like taking on clients now. Ginger and I looked at each other for a moment and confessed that taking on our first clients was kind of petrifying.
UPDATED 5/30/19
What it’s like to be a young literary agent
When I took on my first clients as a literary agent I wasn’t nervous because because I didn’t know what I was doing — I had been in training as an assistant for years. Sort of like Rocky running up the steps, only with manuscripts and Pub Lunch e-mails.
I was nervous because I couldn’t answer the questions “Who are your other clients?” and “What have you sold?” Umm… I…. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE your book and think you’re a literary genius??!!!
How a young agent can help
Here’s the thing to remember: Every agent starts out with zero sales. They need someone to take a chance on them and place their faith in them, and quite honestly, a young agent can really do wonders for your career.
They’re hungry, they’re going to give you 110%, they tend to be more willing to go the extra mile working with you on revisions and polishing diamonds in the rough, and everyone starts somewhere.
If you hear from an interested young agent without any sales or a limited track record… don’t hang up on them!
Double-check their credentials
However, it’s extremely important to find out what kind of experience they’ve had in the industry. Make sure that they’ve had at least a couple of years of experience working with a reputable agency or publishing house. There’s really no replacement for that kind of experience.
I was an assistant at a very reputable agency for two years before I took on a single client. I had sold audio book rights, worked on reprints, knew which editors liked what kind of books, and had incredible mentors I could turn to at any moment if I had a question or problem. I was ready.
Get a sense of their experience and knowledge, and then use your best judgment.
And if you’re ever in doubt, remember the best story I’ve seen about taking a chance on a young agent, courtesy of Nicholas Sparks. (Needless to say it all turned out just fine.) He recounts his first conversation thusly:
“Well. . . how long have you been a literary agent?”
“About six months.”
My heart sank and I swallowed.
“Well, have you ever sold a novel before?”
“No.”
“Okay,” I said, “You’re hired!. . .”
Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!
For my best advice, check out my online classes (NEW!), my guide to writing a novel and my guide to publishing a book.
And if you like this post: subscribe to my newsletter!
Art: Der Gelehrte mit seinem Schüler by Anonymous
Yes, but what was the first sale like? Less terrifying, I’m guessing.
bryan-
Like victory.
Great post – we’d all like the all-stars w/ proven credentials, but it’s hypocritical not to take a chance on newbie agents (but excellent point about checking into their backgrounds; if they’re the hungry types, they’re likely to expend more energy on you than the agents with a full list of clients)…
I love that Nicholas Sparks story! I read it several times before I got an agent, just hoping and crossing my fingers and wasting valuable time I should have been actually writing or querying. Sparks’ entire “Notebook” experience is proof that even though it doesn’t really happen like that, every now and then it does.
Taking a Chance on a Young Agent?It’s a novel waiting to be written…
I loved the link to Nicholas Sparks agent story. I’ve seen several articles recently about experienced editors who left their positions (voluntarily or otherwise)due to the economy, and began their own literary agencies. While they might be “new” agents, they would still have tremendous knowledge about the industry. I’m going to keep my list wide open and see what happens. 🙂
Good point, Bane. The newbies are more likely to have extra time to devote to you.
And to second Nathan’s comment on getting the deal, I think for any salesperson in any industry, that first sale is sweet victory. And so is the most recent one.
WORD VERIFICATION: inearown. A list of things on layaway.
Well, all you young and hungry agents out there, I’m totally unbiased when it comes to newbieness. Just write me via these blog comments and I’ll tell you where to send the contract. And I have a feeling there are enough writers who feel like I do that you will have no problem landing clients. ONE of us is bound to have something salable. Just remember, Lupina invited you first!
Loved this post! I love anything that allows me to feel more empathetically with those I may encounter in this business.
I’d love to connect with a young agent for the reasons you note.
Perhaps I’ll start with them in my next round of queries.
Then my 110% can combine with theirs for 220%…that’ll improve the odds 🙂
THX
What a great post! Everybody has to start somewhere – even all-powerful agents 🙂
Everyone needs a chance. How incredible it would be to find a new agent and have a long, productive career, growing together in the industry.
I have to say, though, Sparks’s query letter seems like it wouldn’t fly today (he sells himself well, but the story description seems a bit lackluster).
https://www.nicholassparks.com/WritersCorner/Query.html
BofA-
I definitely would have requested to see more after I read his first paragraph regardless of what came afterward.
I won’t, however, tell you definitively that I would have anticipated that THE NOTEBOOK would have become THE NOTEBOOK.
I have a young agent, and he’s great! As Nathan suggested, Chris has been very involved in my revisions, and his enthusiasm is buoying. His relative youth means he’s in touch with new technology, and how it’s changing publishing. And he’s interested in authors’ careers over the long term. As a new author who’d like to someday be an old author, that was important to me.
Nathan,
He definitely sells his credentials well, but if he didn’t have those, would you have requested something?
And, yeah, it’s hard to know what might take off – another good reason to take a chance on a newbie agent – they’ll more likely take a chance on something that might not seem to shine, but is that proverbial diamond in the rough.
The thing is most writers looking for agents are new too-taking a chance then goes both ways and they’re in the same boat.
I’ll take a young agent over a seasoned one any day: I’ll have to trust them as they do me. And we’ll both have to believe in each other.
Great post, Nathan! Thanks!
(Hey, I’m in the high teens/low 20s in comment posts! How ’bout dat?)
~MKC
I can totally see my reaction being similar to Nicholas Sparks. I’m always telling my parents that I’m querying this newer agent and blah, blah, blah. And they’re always saying, “Well, be careful. New agents may not be the best route, etc.”
In my opinion, you have to start somewhere. I mean, it’s like a writer who queries for the first time. You’ve had no experience doing it before, but you may succeed. Then again, you may not. Corny, but life is full of taking a chance.
On a completely seperate side note (and I didn’t see anything on this in the archives, though you may smack my hand if it is there and I missed it):
When you have a quote inside of a quote, do you use (“)s or (‘)s. Okay, looking back at that, it may not make sense…but does anyone see what I’m sayin’? lol
Thank you for a great post, Nathan! I have read Nicholas Sparks’ story before and I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped.
I will be sure, however, to keep in mind that young agents need a chance. I hope to be one myself in the next few years. 🙂
Cheers!
Thank you very much for this. Really.
Audrianna, “‘use one quote'”
I totally agree with this post. It’s a risk, but one well worth taking. I signed with a new agent. It was his passion and drive that got me on board. There have been some learning curves, but all-in-all, I wouldn’t change a thing.
My agent (Chris Richman) worked his butt off for me, he continues to, even when I’m doing my panicky author dance.
Bane of Anubis – Thanks so much. I’ve been OCD-ing over it for the last three days.
Thanks, Nathan, for this post – it’s inspiring to think that an unpublished author like me might still have a chance with a newbie agent. I’m passionate about my novel – and 125% devoted to the marketing aspect – and I’d like to think that a hungry, well-connected agent could be, too.
But I do have a question. While I realize that the author-agent relationship is essentially a business one – and therefore, an author is entitled to feel comfortable before signing on the dotted line, I can’t help but wonder… How responsive are most agents to an author’s questions about their background and experience? If an agent isn’t responsive, is that necessarily a red flag?
If I like them and feel they “get me”, that’s all I need to know.
Good stuff, Nathan.
I interrupt this comment section for a WELL-EARNED CONGRATULATIONS!!!
WRITER’S DIGEST
101 Best SitesBest websites for 2008:
Agent Nathan Bransford’s Blog
nathanbransford.blogspot.com
San Francisco agent Nathan Bransford dishes the dirt on being an agent. Also, his series called “The Essentials (Please Read Before You Query)” is, well, an essential read.
I’d only add that this site is easily in the TOP TEN of websites for writers!!!
Wish there was a nice one-stop shop to find the new agents. Though, I hate to think what that would do to their inboxes.
I would think that a new agent would definitely be a hard worker and willing to go the extra mile. BUT, would they have the connections of a seasoned agent? And really…if an agent called me tomorrow (which won’t happen because on my email queries, I included ZERO phone numbers assuming they’d email back. I now hate myself and want to hide in a hole), what questions would I ask of them? I’d like a list of 10 must ask questions. Perhaps you have that. I’ll check your past posts.
I think my only concern is that you can take someone new and that is fine and dandy (trust me I won’t complain). But how do you really know they are legit? I mean if they are fairly new is it rude to ask for references? Or past employer info?
I think that is what scares me. Is it safe to assume that if they are listed on Agentquery and Publisher’s Marketplace they are legit and no references are needed?
What was your first rejection like? Did it make you feel all powerful or slightly scared that you might be passing up on something.
Sorry that should have been once sentence.
Great post Nathan. A wonderful confirmation that we were all newbies at something, at some point in our lives.
Nett
Woohoo! Congrats on the Writer’s Digest, Nathan!!!
Wow, just read the link to Sparks. HILARIOUS! I love it. A match made in a heaven.
Although I have to admit I don’t know that I would have had the patience to wait on the other agents. lol. I just hope if it ever happens I can hold out.
B of A –
I have to agree with you (again! – sheesh)… I don’t think I would’ve been blown away by Sparks’ query letter either. His credentials were impressive – and the story sounded sweet and poignant – but the query seemed to ramble a bit.
Let’s face it – even if you follow all the “rules” – this query business is such a crap shoot. You just have to spell everything correctly, do your best to pitch your story and express your voice, and hope that you’re hitting an agent at the right moment. Perhaps a newbie will just be less jaded – and more open – than those that have been around a while and heard it all before.
I’d be happy to have any agent interested in taking me on. I wouldn’t care if they just started yesterday! 😉 Thanks for the blog. Guess who’s googling new agents?
A lot of the questions about whether it’s okay to ask for references and what to look out for are at this site:
writer bewareThey say the same thing Nathan does; new agents are fine as long as they have experience in the publishing industry and they should be happy to provide references.
Another good site is:
Guide To Literary Agentsand they even have a new agent listed at the top of the page! It’s a good resource. I did see a list of questions you would want to ask an agent before signing somewhere but I can’t remember where.
I wonder, though, if Sparks’s story as he tells it is really the best example. When the agent answers “About six months” and ‘No,” I think she missed the opportunity to say, “About six months–but before that, I was assistant to Jane Doe, so I have more experience with….” or “Not yet, but I’ve been making new connections with editors at….”
I think this would be a better sign, because then when editors asked, “The book sounds interesting, but has this guy ever published a novel before?” the agent could be trusted to give an upbeat answer.
Of course, things turned out okay for Nicholas Sparks anyway.
Thanks, Laurel, for the links.
Very helpful indeed.
I like this post! I’m always hearing about checking sales, asking questions (those lists!) and “you want an experienced agent.” But they always seem to leave out the FACT that there are new agents who need to be new to be old.
Consider the scenario (mine) where the only agent offering is the newbie. There were questions (those lists!) that would have been ridiculous to ask. It is a leap of faith. And it’s a leap of faith with more experienced agents, too. You can’t really know how a person is, will be, unless, until, you are working with them.
Sure, Laura.
Everything we need to know is out there somewhere, it just takes some time to hunt it down. Since I would rather do that than edit, I hunt.
I have concluded that the soul crushing drudgery of editing is the yang to the thrill of writing yin. It’s not just boring; it’s when you realize that stuff you really liked kind of sucks.
Great post! I’ve been looking at a couple newer agents to query next and this confirms what my gut was telling me- one of these folks might be the one.
I would say that things really did work out well for Nicholas Sparks! I’ve read through the Writer’s Corner section of his website numerous times. He has some great advice there.
I would be happy to sign a new agent who worked for a reputable agency. We could be new together! LOL
It only seems fair if the new writer takes a chance on the newbie agent, as long as the agent knows how to lead when dancing.
Laurel, I know exactly what you mean. I LOVED writing my novel – but at 212,000 words, it is NOT in fact ready for its agency close-up. And I’m finding it incredibly painful to strip half of it away… I begin wondering if my debut novel should’ve been a simple coming-of-age tale as I’d originally intended – and not the complicated, multi-generational story that I pursued instead.
Ah, Hindsight, you fickle wench. 😉
I think, considering all the query hoopla today, writing an agent saying… this in my new book “entitled” would be automatic Pasadenaed!
A book has a title, but is not entitled to be published…
Oh well, water under the culvert!
Haste yee back 😉
Just want to emphasize the CHECKING THE CREDENTIALS bit.
I thought my “newbie” agent would be great – she was totally excited about my book – until six months went by and I started to realize the “experience” she said she had was mostly by implication, and those sales she said she was about to make never happened. A lot of authors wasted a lot of time and hope on her before she closed up shop.
Make sure you get good, hard, concrete facts about newbie agent’s experience before you sign.
Hey, Haste yee back!
I hate to contradict you, but “entitle” has multiple meanings, including “to call by a particular title or name”…
Am I missing an inside joke? That’s possible. 😉
Great post Nathan…man, I tell you, the thing we writers love to hear are the success stories like the one you mentioned. Very inspiring.
Having said that, I’d rather take my chances with an experienced agent, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers. 🙂
Loved this! I clicked on the story as well as the query…just phenomenal. Thanks NB!