WHAT TO ASK AN AGENT ON THE CALL
- What did you like about my book? (Make sure your visions align)
- What changes do you foresee for the book?
- Is there a timeline for revisions?
- How long is your average turnaround for reading/notes?
- What is your communication style and frequency?
- How often will I get submission status updates when we go on sub?
- How detailed will the status be – will I get info which publishing houses and their feedback?
- Do you have editors/houses in mind for this project?
- How would you pitch it?
- How many editors will you pitch in the first round on sub?
- How many rounds do you have in mind?
- How do you manage the editor/client relationship? How involved do you want to be in communication between me and and editor?
- Can I get a blank copy of the agency contract just to look it over?
- Discuss long-term career goals/visions to make sure they coincide
- Mention other potential future projects:
- If I want to try other age categories?
- Or other genres?
- Mention other potential future projects:
- How does the agency handle subsidiary rights like audio and film?
- Recent or notable sales?
- Can I talk to some of your other clients?
- At what point would we start discussing my next book idea? How involved do you want to be in the planning/drafting stages?
- How will we work together after my book has been sold? What is the plan if this book doesn’t sell?
- Can I take two weeks to contact other agents who currently have a query or the manuscript?
STUFF THE AGENT MAY ASK
- Going over what they like about the book, as well as thoughts for the kinds of revisions they’d be looking for
- What sort of career path you want, including what authors have the type of career you’re looking for
- Which authors influenced your work the most
- What sort of agent relationship you’re looking for
- Their general submission plan for the book and career/deals up to this point
- What sort of time frame you’ll usually need for working on a book (revisions and new projects)
...and it's writing. 