STATUS: The appointment schedule is firming up! Get ready for some posts on what editors will be looking for in 2012.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THIS IS IT by Kenny Loggins
It's pretty simple. We agents go to conferences and really drive home the fact that writers need to master their craft. Wow us with masterfully written opening pages. Stop butchering the English language.
Then a work comes along and blows that advice out of the water.
Readers have called 50 Shades of Grey any number of things: campy, fun, spirited, hilarious, worth the money, a fast read.
But well written has not been one of them.
So what do we say when a novel inexplicably becomes wildly popular, sells like crazy, and part of the cultural lexicon?
You got me. Maybe I can say this is a one-in-a-million happenstance of all stars aligning.
But I can say it does make our jobs harder. There will be any number of writers who will be convinced they can do same. Gosh I hope my query inbox doesn't become inundated. No matter what 50 Shades is, I would not have been the agent to spot its "genius."
Plain and simple.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Friday, May 04, 2012
Fridays With Agent Kristin: Episode 7 - What is A Plot Catalyst?
STATUS: TGIF! I actually had a great work week. Yes, I need to read some stuff over the weekend but I'm feeling almost caught up. This means I'm forgetting something huge I'm sure.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? YELLOW by Coldplay
Okay, so I taped this segment a couple of weeks ago. I'm particularly fond of how I start with "good morning."
Oh well, the content is still good.
In honor of the first video webinar I did (which tackled how to craft the query letter pitch paragraph in your novel), I thought I'd give some tips for those who couldn't attend.
When I teach writers how to craft the perfect pitch paragraph for their query letters, it all starts with the plot catalyst.
So what exactly is it? I answer that question in today's vlog. Enjoy!
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? YELLOW by Coldplay
Okay, so I taped this segment a couple of weeks ago. I'm particularly fond of how I start with "good morning."
Oh well, the content is still good.
In honor of the first video webinar I did (which tackled how to craft the query letter pitch paragraph in your novel), I thought I'd give some tips for those who couldn't attend.
When I teach writers how to craft the perfect pitch paragraph for their query letters, it all starts with the plot catalyst.
So what exactly is it? I answer that question in today's vlog. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
A Sad But Celebratory Day!
STATUS: Mixed day! I feel like I'm still catching up on emails.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? REALIZE by Colbie Caillat
It had to happen eventually. Today Jamie Ford is not on the New York Times bestseller list--ending our phenomenal run of 130 consecutive weeks on the list. That is two and half years without dropping off.
Wow. Just wow.
Maybe I shouldn't be having a blog entry announcing this fact but you know what, Jamie? It's an incredible achievement no matter how I talk about it.
So I raise a glass of champagne to you and your wonderful debut novel: Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter & Sweet.
For us, there has been no bitter.
And I have a feeling that this week isn't the end and that we will be popping back on in the not-so-distant future.
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
The Concern Is Perhaps Premature
STATUS: All my Texas blog readers, Kristin Callihan's FIRELIGHT is going to be included in the romance round-up on Good Morning Texas tomorrow, Wed. May 2. Station WFAA-TV channel 8. It's the ABC affiliate in Dallas/Fort Worth. How cool is that. I wish I could tune in.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? DOMINO DANCING by Pet Shop Boys
When I was at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference last week, I had a writer rush up to me in a panic to ask a question. She was incredibly worried that she had not established her social media platform for her novel yet.
If her release date was in 4 weeks, then I would say she had cause to panic.
But given that she hadn't actually finished writing her work-in-progress (let alone begin querying for her agent search), I found her concern a little premature.
*grin*
I advised her that at this point in her professional career, she should focus on writing the best novel she possibly could. Plenty of time to get the social media cranking while it's on submission. I personally don't know any agent who would say no to an author for a project they love just because the publicity platform isn't there yet.
I can build that with an author. I imagine most agents feel the same.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? DOMINO DANCING by Pet Shop Boys
When I was at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference last week, I had a writer rush up to me in a panic to ask a question. She was incredibly worried that she had not established her social media platform for her novel yet.
If her release date was in 4 weeks, then I would say she had cause to panic.
But given that she hadn't actually finished writing her work-in-progress (let alone begin querying for her agent search), I found her concern a little premature.
*grin*
I advised her that at this point in her professional career, she should focus on writing the best novel she possibly could. Plenty of time to get the social media cranking while it's on submission. I personally don't know any agent who would say no to an author for a project they love just because the publicity platform isn't there yet.
I can build that with an author. I imagine most agents feel the same.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Why Don't We Take on Any Old Thing If We Think It Will Sell?
STATUS: Will I or will I not catch this cold? Verdict is still out although I stayed home the last two days hoping that would tilt it in favor of the "will not."
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? AIN'T NO SUNSHINE by Bill Withers
Selling a book is not the same as selling a widget--at least for me (although I do know any number of agents who treat it that way and take on a whole lot of projects, throw them out there on submission, and hope maybe 2 out of 5 will stick).
On Facebook, I mentioned that I had recently seen a sale for a project that I read all the way through but in the end didn't decide to take on and that I was thrilled for the author. One commenter just couldn't fathom why I had passed if I could see the sell potential in the project.
The simple answer? Time. I only have so much time to offer to a new client and I simply have to love love love it to make the time investment.
Often times I work with the author through one or two revisions before submitting to an editor. It's not like I offer rep one day and throw it out there the next. I want it to be the most amazing I can make it be. After all, it's been a tried and true way for me to get really amazing money for my authors.
And what if the project doesn't sell? Then chances are very good I'll be spending a lot of time helping them get the next project into shape. And if I only took on a project because of its sell factor, chances are good I may or may not like the writing of the new project. That feels a bit risky to me.
I like taking on the things I feel passionate about because of the very fact that books aren't widgets. Otherwise it's just about the money and though that is one way to agent, it's not right for me.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? AIN'T NO SUNSHINE by Bill Withers
Selling a book is not the same as selling a widget--at least for me (although I do know any number of agents who treat it that way and take on a whole lot of projects, throw them out there on submission, and hope maybe 2 out of 5 will stick).
On Facebook, I mentioned that I had recently seen a sale for a project that I read all the way through but in the end didn't decide to take on and that I was thrilled for the author. One commenter just couldn't fathom why I had passed if I could see the sell potential in the project.
The simple answer? Time. I only have so much time to offer to a new client and I simply have to love love love it to make the time investment.
Often times I work with the author through one or two revisions before submitting to an editor. It's not like I offer rep one day and throw it out there the next. I want it to be the most amazing I can make it be. After all, it's been a tried and true way for me to get really amazing money for my authors.
And what if the project doesn't sell? Then chances are very good I'll be spending a lot of time helping them get the next project into shape. And if I only took on a project because of its sell factor, chances are good I may or may not like the writing of the new project. That feels a bit risky to me.
I like taking on the things I feel passionate about because of the very fact that books aren't widgets. Otherwise it's just about the money and though that is one way to agent, it's not right for me.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Because You've Asked For It….
STATUS: Another Gorgeous day! Repeat yesterday's status.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? LADY IN RED by Chris de Burgh
Or maybe you didn't but are a glutton for punishment anyway. I'm doing my very popular Agent Reads The Slush Pile as an online Webinar coming up on May 2, 2012 6-8 pm MST.
If you can't make it to Denver for the LitFest version of this webinar put on by Lighthouse Writers (where the price is not to be believed but the travel to get there might be rough!), here's your chance to finally experience it for yourself.
A couple of things before you click on that button:
1) This webinar is not for the faint of heart. It's brutal. Now trust me, I will be as helpful and honest as possible. This is not to ridicule writers. But don't kid yourself, it will be tough. If you are feeling fragile or that feedback might crush your writer dream, now is not the time for this workshop. If you are tough as nails, just about to submit, want an immediate honest response, then this might be worth doing.
2) It needs to be the actual, opening first 2 pages of your manuscript. If you have a prologue, skip it and grab page 1 and 2 from your chapter one.
3) We can't promise to read every single entry but we are definitely going to try. If I only have a few left over, I'll respond on the sample pages and we can send to those writers privately. Right now, I know we can get through them all.
4) You can "audit" the class. Sign up to be there and listen in but you don't send on the 2 pages. This is for those who are curious about it but not ready to have sample pages read.
If you've ever wondered how an agent could make a decision so fast on whether to read on or not or to ask for pages, this webinar will definitely answer that question!
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? LADY IN RED by Chris de Burgh
Or maybe you didn't but are a glutton for punishment anyway. I'm doing my very popular Agent Reads The Slush Pile as an online Webinar coming up on May 2, 2012 6-8 pm MST.
If you can't make it to Denver for the LitFest version of this webinar put on by Lighthouse Writers (where the price is not to be believed but the travel to get there might be rough!), here's your chance to finally experience it for yourself.
Have you ever wondered how an agent reads the fiction submission slush pile? What an agent is thinking during the first opening pages? What makes an agent stop and what makes an agent read on?
If you have ever wished to be a fly on the wall during that process, this workshop is your chance to get the inside scoop without metamorphosing.
Literary Agent Kristin Nelson will read the first 2 pages of any submission, the “slush pile”, and give honest feedback as to why she would or would not read on for the sample pages in front of her.
A couple of things before you click on that button:
1) This webinar is not for the faint of heart. It's brutal. Now trust me, I will be as helpful and honest as possible. This is not to ridicule writers. But don't kid yourself, it will be tough. If you are feeling fragile or that feedback might crush your writer dream, now is not the time for this workshop. If you are tough as nails, just about to submit, want an immediate honest response, then this might be worth doing.
2) It needs to be the actual, opening first 2 pages of your manuscript. If you have a prologue, skip it and grab page 1 and 2 from your chapter one.
3) We can't promise to read every single entry but we are definitely going to try. If I only have a few left over, I'll respond on the sample pages and we can send to those writers privately. Right now, I know we can get through them all.
4) You can "audit" the class. Sign up to be there and listen in but you don't send on the 2 pages. This is for those who are curious about it but not ready to have sample pages read.
If you've ever wondered how an agent could make a decision so fast on whether to read on or not or to ask for pages, this webinar will definitely answer that question!
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Criterion For Evaluating An Agent
STATUS: Gorgeous day! Must. Leave. Early. Chutney seconds that.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? TAKE MY BREATHE AWAY by Berlin
This week, Blogger decided to completely reformat their dashboard. I honestly cannot find anything or tweak the colors. Took me five minutes to find my previous postings so I could do my after-posting editing for Friday's entry. LOL. I should never blog in a hurry but sometimes, I have to do it on the fly or it's just not going to happen.
I want to expand a little on Friday's post. I think the most important criterion to evaluate before querying an agent is that agent's record of sales. Agents should be agenting and therefore selling stuff on a fairly regular basis. And they should be selling stuff that is in the genre of the work you are pursuing representation for.
If an agent is fairly new but at an established house, they should still have a track record of sales since they are using the agency's reputation when approaching editors. Their stuff will get looked at and since they usually read in front of an established agent and have "training" so to speak; they have honed their eye and will know what will sell.
How can you find out what agents have sold and recent deals? Well, Publishers Marketplace is an excellent resource. Keep in mind, however, that not all agents list their sales there. So that's not the end all be all. I've actually not been announcing a lot of stuff lately for a variety of reasons.
Still, a lot of agents will have pages on Publishers Marketplace or dedicated websites which will show covers of recent releases etc.
If an agent has been "agenting" for awhile (such as 3 years or more) but doesn't have a lot of sales and to the major publishers, well, I'd take that as negative indicator of their agenting ability.
Also, just in general, agenting is a full-time job. I'd also be hesitant about agents who have been established for a long time but are doing a variety of other jobs on top of agenting.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? TAKE MY BREATHE AWAY by Berlin
This week, Blogger decided to completely reformat their dashboard. I honestly cannot find anything or tweak the colors. Took me five minutes to find my previous postings so I could do my after-posting editing for Friday's entry. LOL. I should never blog in a hurry but sometimes, I have to do it on the fly or it's just not going to happen.
I want to expand a little on Friday's post. I think the most important criterion to evaluate before querying an agent is that agent's record of sales. Agents should be agenting and therefore selling stuff on a fairly regular basis. And they should be selling stuff that is in the genre of the work you are pursuing representation for.
If an agent is fairly new but at an established house, they should still have a track record of sales since they are using the agency's reputation when approaching editors. Their stuff will get looked at and since they usually read in front of an established agent and have "training" so to speak; they have honed their eye and will know what will sell.
How can you find out what agents have sold and recent deals? Well, Publishers Marketplace is an excellent resource. Keep in mind, however, that not all agents list their sales there. So that's not the end all be all. I've actually not been announcing a lot of stuff lately for a variety of reasons.
Still, a lot of agents will have pages on Publishers Marketplace or dedicated websites which will show covers of recent releases etc.
If an agent has been "agenting" for awhile (such as 3 years or more) but doesn't have a lot of sales and to the major publishers, well, I'd take that as negative indicator of their agenting ability.
Also, just in general, agenting is a full-time job. I'd also be hesitant about agents who have been established for a long time but are doing a variety of other jobs on top of agenting.
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