FOR WRITERS: Pitching to an agent

My agent (Christine Witthohn http://www.bookcentsliteraryagency.com/ ) recently paid me a visit to Arizona to speak at my Desert Rose writer's meeting and she kindly agreed to take individual pitches from the writers in my group. I was so very proud of my friends! They acted professionally and although the nerves were high, bravely faced the dreaded pitch. Laurie Schnebly Campbell spoke at my Valley of the Sun meeting last night with a fabulous presentation on how to compose and present a pitch (she offers on-line classes as well at http://www.booklaurie.com/ ) as many of my friends will also be pitching at the upcoming Desert Dreams Conference in Scottsdale.

I was very impressed with one of my fellow writers when we had an impromptu lunch with my agent (Yes, you could find yourself with an unexpected opportunity). She asked how my agent went from nursing to opening her own literary agency. My agent smiled and launched into an explanation and I guarantee she will not forget the lady who asked this question. It meant that the writer had done her homework. It only takes a few minutes to go to the agent's website and read a bit more than what he/she accepts for submissions. Besides making an impression on your professionalism, it also shows that you are truly interested in this particular agent. This is a person that could be your partner long into the forseeable future and I can't stress enough how important it is to know that person. If your personalities don't mesh it can make for a difficult relationship. If your vision of what you expect from an agent does not match with what the agent is willing to do you are going to be disappointed.

If you can't determine that information from their website, look up the agent's authors. Most of them have contact information on their website. Ask them what the agent is like to work with. I often get queries and I have no hesitation in answering them with why my agent is perfect for me. I prefer a down-to-earth, honest agent who has my best interests at heart and strives to meet my needs. Who is interested in long-term career planning and answers my e-mails or phone calls in a timely manner, and who I feel as comfortable enough with as if she were my own sister (well, okay, this last one is an added bonus).

I would like to add one other caution, whether you're attending a writer's meeting or a conference. Be professional at all times (yes, this means even in the bathroom!) You never know who you are likely to run in to. People have long memories and a good attitude can make a good impression and provide you with unexpected opportunities.

Wishing you the best in your writing endeavors,
Kathryne

Interview with Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

I’d like to welcome our guest agent today, Kevan Lyon with The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Can you please give us a little information about your publishing background and about your new agency? How many clients did you bring over with you? What other genres do you represent? Jill Marsal?

With over 20 years in the publishing business, including 5 years as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and 17+ years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, I believe I bring an informed and unique perspective to my work with clients. My background on the buying and retail side of publishing is helpful when considering what types of books will sell and how to market them.

At this point most of our authors have come with both Jill and I to Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, which we are thrilled about.

I work with women’s fiction – commercial fiction and romance, as well as YA. For non-fiction projects, I am looking for authors in the areas of current events, narrative, memoir, environment, parenting and pets/animals.

Jill Marsal has been in the publishing industry for over 10 years, working as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency for eight years and at Dorchester Publications and Tudor Publishing, editing women’s fiction and suspense/thrillers. Jill has a very strong non-fiction list, representing authors in the areas of health, self-help, relationships, psychology, business, parenting, history, current events, and narrative non-fiction. She also works with a number of fiction authors, and is seeking clients in the area of mystery, romantic suspense, and thrillers.

What fees (if any) does your agency charge? What is your agency’s commission rate?

We don’t charge any fees and charge the standard agency commission of 15% for North American sales.

What’s your response time for queries, partials and full manuscripts?

For electronic queries our response time is up to one week, and for partial and full manuscripts our goal is no longer than 6 weeks.

What new author have you recently signed?

I just signed a new historical romance author, Rose Lerner and completed her first sale to Leah Hultenschmidt at Dorchester Publishing.

What new project made you grab for that hidden piece of chocolate in your pencil drawer?

A wonderful new historical fiction set in the pre-Civil War period, that I am now on submission with. It tells the story of a young southern woman, a strong and courageous heroine whose eyes and heart are opened to the brutality endured by the slaves who previously moved unnoticed through her world.

What can an author do to grab your attention?

Tempt me with a unique plot and great characters – something completely fresh and unique!

What houses have you recently sold to?

Within the past few months I have completed deals with Grand Central Publishing, Knopf, Dorchester and Pocket Books.

What do you love/hate most about being an agent?

I love helping an author realize their dream of getting their work published and I love finding a wonderful new story and author!

What trends do you see for the future of publishing?

Readers will continue to have many more options in terms of how they want to read books, whether it is on their electronic reader, their phone, or with a paperback or hardcover book. As long as we continue to offer great stories, I believe there will always be demand for them.

Any other chocolate nuggets you can give authors looking for representation?

Persist with your dream of getting your work published! Continue to try to improve your writing, seek feedback from other writers and don’t be afraid to put that first manuscript on the shelf and move on to the next book. If you persist, you will find that with each story your writing will improve. Finally, write what you know and love, not what you believe is the latest “fad” or trend in publishing. Write the story of your heart!

Thanks, Kevan!

Check out the agent’s website at http://www.marsallyonliteraryagency.com/

Kim Watters

Firebrand Literary Agency Opportunity

Firebrand Literary Agency is taking a holiday from query letters and has

invited you to join them! As a gift for the holidays, they've decided to

skip the query stage by announcing their first annual Firebrand Query

Holiday -- to support authors who want to spend their time and energy

perfecting their manuscripts and not just polishing their sales skills.

They want to read your first chapter!

Beginning on Dec 15 and ending on Jan 15 they will be accepting sample

chapters via a unique email address: queryholiday@gmail.com .

They pledge to review all samples by the end of January, and will respond to

those that we are interested in no later than Feb. 1.

For more information go to the Firebrand website at:

http://www.firebrandliterary.com/query-holiday