More Wisdom From Sandra Bishop

Since Chip is trying to keep his tan from fading and bleaching his hair to make us all think he's gone blond, it's probably time for me to offer a few additional thoughts.

David wrote to say, "At a conference last year, you told me you liked my writing but couldn't represent me because the timing was bad. What does that actually mean? I hear a lot of people talk about timing in publishing, but I have to admit I'm not sure what they're referencing."

David, I think I remember your submission. I think I even remember seeing your eyes glaze over when I uttered the dreaded "timing" phrase. Sorry. Rejecting material that shows promise is one of the hardest parts of this business -- especially when Chip and I rail on about how important good writing is. I must have thought your writing showed promise or I wouldn't have said so. Take whatever encouragement you can from those words and keep at it.

Here's the deal regarding the "timing" comment: I only have so many hours in the day, and I simply can't take on too many projects which I know will take an extraordinary amount of time to sell. So sometimes I'm already working with a similar project, and it's the wrong time to take on another. Other times I like a project, but it smacks of something that is already out there, so the timing is all wrong. There are many facets of the job of agenting, but when it comes down to it, selling my authors' manuscripts is how I make my living, how I serve my clients, and how I keep Chip happy (well... that and occasionally telling him how young he looks).

Let me offer an example... I've been working with an author whose story is unique and haunting and charming, and who I think has a great future. I've been showing her proposal to people for six months, and have a collection of responses like, "Wow, this is beautiful, but I don't know where we'd place it on our list right now" and "I really like this, but we just acquired another book on this same topic" and "This is nice, but we recently released a similar project, so we'll have to wait and see how that one does before acquiring more in this genre." I've just about come to the conclusion that this particular manuscript may not be the one that will launch this author's career. So what do we do? We set this one aside, move forward, and try something else. And that takes an enormous amount of energy and commitment on both our parts. Also, to be quite frank, it takes up space on my mental and physical to-do list. So that decision dominoes into further rejections for other authors whose work might be worthy of representation.

It's not pretty sometimes. I often go to conferences and see good projects that I just can't take on. But that's the nature of this business -- a literary agent chooses to work with a certain group of writers. I can't represent everyone, and sometimes the timing is just bad when I see a perfectly good project.

Julie wrote to ask, "How much do an agent's or editor's personal preferences matter when it comes to choosing who they will work with?"

That's a very good question, Julie. I've spent the better part of the last year deciding what kind of material I want (and don't want) to represent. And I've been working to get acquainted with editors and learn what they get excited about, what pushes their buttons, and what sends them over the edge. If you're an established author, you already know this, but if you're a newer writer who is just getting to know the publishing industry, here's a valuable tip: When you meet agents or editors, whether at conferences or over the phone, you need to keep in mind that they are not only people with a fair amount of influence, but with a lot of liberty. Most of them make very studied choices regarding the kind of material they choose to work with. There are exceptions -- I know an editor who loves literary fiction but whose house simply cannot sell it. Still, for the most part you aren't going to have luck selling horror to an editor who has never read or worked on anything but historical romance. The business just doesn't work that way. And I, for one, am glad for it.

I don't do blood and guts horror -- in my opinion, it's a slippery slope into darkness. I don't read erotica, which I basically regard as porn for women. I love reading children's books, but don't have a clue how to sell them. I don't handle military sagas, even though I was a Marine (been there, done that, had enough already). And I have no interest in science fiction or mystery noir. But there are plenty of other genres I do represent. And while I may still be figuring out what all I want to represent, I know what I won't read and what will fail to get my attention. I simply have to spend too much time with material to expose myself to reading stuff that doesn't interest me. (Or worse, stuff that makes me want to scream. Or run. Or both.)

An author and an agent need to match up. Not every agent you meet will be a fit for you. And you don't want an agent trying to pitch your proposal if she doesn't like it, or doesn't believe in it, or isn't enthusiastic about it. Or, worse, doesn't want to read it. Every agent has personal preferences. Finding an agent who loves your work is the way to move forward in your career.

Got a question? Send it in -- I'll stick it in a bottle and send it across the Pacific to Chip. Maybe he'll spot it while snorkling off Waikiki or something.

Comments

[Nicole]

Your answers to both questions make perfect sense, but here's the thing I see as a problem for writers. It's difficult to discern what truly interests different agents. They'll give you what you just did: what you don't like, and a general list of what they're not looking for, but when it comes down to what they truly want, they become vague and often not so easy to interpret. If an agent is willing to be a little more transparent and actually give a few examples of novels they love and then detail the specifics of what they're looking for, they might (I know, not likely) reduce their inbox queries.

[Jim MacKrell]

So few people realize just how much personal taste shapes the decision to represent or sell or even buy. Sandra, you've really made some great points. Good info. But all the writers must be aware that there is someone somewhere, some time that will be moved by your material. It may only be you...

[Danica]

Great stuff, Sandra, you should hijack Chip's blog more often.

Not that Chip's blog is bad, because we all know Chip is fabulous, and I bet he looks even younger now that he's back from vacation (am I out of the hole yet?), but hey, you've got a lot of good stuff to say.

Did I mention how rejuvenating that whole vacation must have been for a very young Chip?

[Stevie Rey]

Thanks Sandra, for the wisdom. This is the toughest business in the world to break into. I have a great idea, a great book that is the #6 Messianic Judaism Kindle book on Amazon.com and still no agent or publisher. And not for lack of trying! So, you just have to hang in there and do it for the love of writing and for ministry and for the people whose lives are impacted by your work. That's my piddling advice to folks.

God Bless y'all,
Stevie Rey
Author of The Hillbilly Bible

[the very young looking chip]

Danica has always been my favorite writer.

[Rita Gerlach]

Thank you, Sandra, for educating us on the same questions I am sure many of us writers have. I have a question. I have been contracted with a major Christian publisher for a novel that is due for release in August. I did not go through an agent. Everything has gone great. Is is always necessary for an author to have an agent?

[Robbie Iobst]

Sandra, thank you for your wisdom! Can I be a little philosophical and bring in the sovereignty of God? As a writer hoping to be published, I am fueled by the faith that God has a plan for my writing. Be it to bless my inner circle (the people who HAVE to read it and say good things :0)) or entertain/inspire strangers who "happen" to pick it up after it's published, He has a plan. Maybe what I write is to bless me alone and maybe it is just to help me become a better writer for future projects. I must keep my faith or I would go crazy. I've been to a writing conference where two sets of editors/agents gave me completely different feedback on the exact same writing. My constant has to be God.
By the way, Danica is a suck up. :0) But she is still my friend.

[Angela Meuser]

Thanks, Sandra. I heard you speak on the OCW CD of Chip's coaching conference. It's fun getting to know you better here, too.

[Cheryl Barker]

Sandra, thanks for all the insight into the many different things an agent considers when making choices about which authors and books to represent. Good stuff!

[Sandra]

Nicole,

Your question about being more transparent in regard to what agents like and don't like inspired a response much too long to put here. Stay tuned - it'll be my next blog post.

[Sandra]

And ditto, Rita, in regard to your question about whether an author always needs an agent.

The short answer is no. But, I can't possibly leave at that ...

[Danette Kirkman]

I'm not sure I'm in the right place to ask this, but what do you think of the book "So you Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore?" A friend just recommended it to my husband and I.

[Sandra Bishop]

Hi Danette,

Sorry I can't give you a valid opinion about "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore" as I haven't read it.

I'd say if you trust the friends who are recommending it, by all means read it. What have you got to lose? If nothing else, it will give you something interesting to discuss.