Here's our Agent Symposium about how agents prepare to pitch a client's manuscript to publishing editors...
http://www.agentquery.com/symposium_pitcheditors.aspx
But feel free to post other blog posts and links about this process in this thread.
Or, for the benefit of other AQC members to read and ask questions...feel free to start a new thread in this group, citing your own experience with going out on submission
Going on Submission...
Started by
AQCrew
, Jan 15 2011 08:21 AM
16 replies to this topic
#1
AQCrew
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Posted 15 January 2011 - 08:21 AM
#2
ravage
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Posted 17 May 2011 - 10:42 AM
Ok, there are two very important factors here.
#1. The pitch. Does anyone have an example of an agent's pitch? I can't even begin to imagine how instructive this would be to the query process.
#2. Can they sell it? This goes right along with the pitch, which ios also part of those relationships they have with the publishing folks, you know, the relationships we don't have.
It seems to me, if we could see a couple pitches, we could all make a quantum leap in understanding how to shop our MS to agents.
#1. The pitch. Does anyone have an example of an agent's pitch? I can't even begin to imagine how instructive this would be to the query process.
#2. Can they sell it? This goes right along with the pitch, which ios also part of those relationships they have with the publishing folks, you know, the relationships we don't have.
It seems to me, if we could see a couple pitches, we could all make a quantum leap in understanding how to shop our MS to agents.
The aim of any fiction writer is the same as the satirist. Without satire, we are stuck with the bland truth.
#3
RC Lewis
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Posted 17 May 2011 - 10:56 AM
My understanding is that some agents write a pitch from scratch, but (many?) others have said they largely use a modified version of the query. Others who actually have been/are on submission might have more insight, though.
_-
Stitching Snow Spinning Starlight
October 2014 October 6, 2015
Hyperion Hyperion
#4
Litgal
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In between I became a "hybrid" as part of a group of six authors involved in a high concept novel-in-six-parts called "A Day of Fire" which released in November of 2014. The book, "A Day of Fire," tells the story of the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii in a way you've never read it before.
Posted 17 May 2011 - 12:42 PM
#2. Can they sell it? This goes right along with the pitch, which is also part of those relationships they have with the publishing folks, you know, the relationships we don't have.
My sense from having been on submission twice (once near-miss-but-no-sale and the second time with a book that sold) is that the rejationships the agents have with editors is VERY important. If an editor has known an agent for years (profitably -- meaning he/she has bought books from the agent before and seen what the agent has sold to other houses) she/he has a certain level of faith/trust in the agent's "taste." So when the agent comes to them and says "I have this brilliant story about 13th century sisters who were also queens by a wondeful new writer that I know will be a good fit with your imprint" the editor at least has a sense your agent isn't blowing smoke.
While I think agents "pitch" I get the sense that there is more of a conversation than a query letter pitch allows. For example I know that my agent never sent my manuscripts and his cover letter to any editor he hadn't personally discussed the book with in advance and who hadn't said they wanted to see it. Few authors have that luxuary (unless they meet an agent at a conference) when pitching agents.
I think seeing a few agent pitches would be brilliant but I can't imagine how we ever would be privy to them. And I can't imagine an agent offering real-life examples up to be posted on line.
Lit. (aka Sophie Perinot)
#5
Litgal
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Publishing Experience:My debut novel, "The Sister Queens," (March 2012/NAL), was set in 13th century France and England and wove the captivating story of sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens. My next solo novel, "Medicis Daughter," (Dec 1 2015/Thomas Dunne) traveled forward three-hundred years to the intrigue-riven French Valois court, spinning the tale of beautiful princess Marguerite who walks the knife edge between the demands of her serpentine mother, Catherine de Medicis, and those of her own conscience.
In between I became a "hybrid" as part of a group of six authors involved in a high concept novel-in-six-parts called "A Day of Fire" which released in November of 2014. The book, "A Day of Fire," tells the story of the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii in a way you've never read it before.
Posted 05 June 2011 - 10:50 AM
Very informative blog post to add to the "what to expect while on submission" canon http://betweenfactan...submitting.html
Lit. (aka Sophie Perinot)
#6
Robbin
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Posted 24 July 2011 - 08:00 AM
Very informative blog post to add to the "what to expect while on submission" canon http://betweenfactan...submitting.html
Litgal, thank you! Great site. I've added her to my google reader :)
Robbin Luckett
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#7
Litgal
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Publishing Experience:My debut novel, "The Sister Queens," (March 2012/NAL), was set in 13th century France and England and wove the captivating story of sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens. My next solo novel, "Medicis Daughter," (Dec 1 2015/Thomas Dunne) traveled forward three-hundred years to the intrigue-riven French Valois court, spinning the tale of beautiful princess Marguerite who walks the knife edge between the demands of her serpentine mother, Catherine de Medicis, and those of her own conscience.
In between I became a "hybrid" as part of a group of six authors involved in a high concept novel-in-six-parts called "A Day of Fire" which released in November of 2014. The book, "A Day of Fire," tells the story of the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii in a way you've never read it before.
Posted 03 August 2011 - 05:49 PM
An important post on why you must take a long-term view once you are agented. Submission is not for the faint of heart and it may take more than one MS to get your deal.
http://cjredwine.blo...668876803362666
http://cjredwine.blo...668876803362666
Lit. (aka Sophie Perinot)
#8
S.K. Keogh
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Posted 05 August 2011 - 10:08 PM
Thanks for the link. I found that inspiring actually.
#9
Litgal
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Publishing Experience:My debut novel, "The Sister Queens," (March 2012/NAL), was set in 13th century France and England and wove the captivating story of sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens. My next solo novel, "Medicis Daughter," (Dec 1 2015/Thomas Dunne) traveled forward three-hundred years to the intrigue-riven French Valois court, spinning the tale of beautiful princess Marguerite who walks the knife edge between the demands of her serpentine mother, Catherine de Medicis, and those of her own conscience.
In between I became a "hybrid" as part of a group of six authors involved in a high concept novel-in-six-parts called "A Day of Fire" which released in November of 2014. The book, "A Day of Fire," tells the story of the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii in a way you've never read it before.
Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:32 AM
Oh yes, I did too.
Lit. (aka Sophie Perinot)
#10
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Posted 06 August 2011 - 10:59 PM
Thanks for sharing. Her About Me section had me in tears. Of course, I'm probably way too lovey dovey on fellow Johnny Depp lovahs.
#11
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Posted 27 September 2011 - 05:24 PM
I'm not surprised to see you still got it, Litgal. Great posts.
In terms of pitch's ravage, the process is different between writer/agent and agent/editor. However, they are similar in personalizing, but that may be the only similarity. As far as expanding the query, as RC points out, that's what my agent did. At firsdt, I was stunned because it didn't fit my idea, but that's where the explanation of personlizing the editors came in. Sure I embarrassed the hell out of myself, but I'll never have to ask that question again. =}
In terms of pitch's ravage, the process is different between writer/agent and agent/editor. However, they are similar in personalizing, but that may be the only similarity. As far as expanding the query, as RC points out, that's what my agent did. At firsdt, I was stunned because it didn't fit my idea, but that's where the explanation of personlizing the editors came in. Sure I embarrassed the hell out of myself, but I'll never have to ask that question again. =}
The greatest personal defeat of any writer is not what they have written, but is afraid to write.
#12
Jean Oram
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Posted 10 January 2012 - 12:58 PM
While I haven't actually seen 'the pitch' my agent sends to agents, I have been privy to some of the back and forth between him and editors. And can I just say that his arguments for my work are AMAZING. He stuns me. For example, an editor asks him a question about my platform (He's sending out nonfiction) or the market and he provides them with an incredible argument for the book. This is something that I could not do on my own. In fact, he saw what I had and the timeliness with what's up in the world at the moment (something I hadn't connected the dots to) and put them together. He's an amazing cheerleader for the project.
As it has been suggested, going out on submission is not for the faint of heart! And I certainly would not want to do it alone. There is so much more than just a pitch sent off willy-nilly to an editor.
As it has been suggested, going out on submission is not for the faint of heart! And I certainly would not want to do it alone. There is so much more than just a pitch sent off willy-nilly to an editor.
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#13
RileyRedgate
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Posted 10 January 2012 - 05:37 PM
I'd like to put in a plug for BBC's awesome blog series about the mysterious submission process. It really shows how different people's experiences can be, and what to anticipate. It sounds stressful, but in a weird terrifying quasi-masochistic way, fun! (much like querying heh heh)
Yay BBC!
Submission Hell: It's True. Yes... it's the SHIT.
Yay BBC!
Submission Hell: It's True. Yes... it's the SHIT.
author of SEVEN WAYS WE LIE and NOTEWORTHY
rep: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
i tweet!
#14
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 09:28 AM
Thanks for sharing this, anticipa. Ms. Winters' book sounds intriguing. I hope I can keep up the good fight as she did.
#15
thrownbones
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Posted 22 January 2012 - 04:52 PM
An important post on why you must take a long-term view once you are agented. Submission is not for the faint of heart and it may take more than one MS to get your deal.
http://cjredwine.blo...668876803362666
Exactly. I went out on submission, and it didn't go. Wrote another book, which Agent Lady really just didn't dig. I then wrote ANOTHER book, which she dug, and it went out, and sold within a few months. It's really about "the long game". Regarding what or how Agent Lady pitches, I think her rep allows her to say to editors "hey, you just gotta read this, man!" and they give it a shot. She's INSANELY great with regards to finding the RIGHT editor for the RIGHT book. She really leaves no stone unturned, and that's what a good agent does for their clients when going through the submission phase of the relationship, imo.
The first Mark Mallen novel, Untold Damage, is now available via Midnight Ink! Look for the second Mark Mallen novel, Critical Damage in April of 2014 (Should we all be here, natch).
#16
C. Taylor
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Posted 23 January 2012 - 02:37 PM
When I was out on submission, I did see my agent's pitch letter (for my fiction, versus non fic), and it was a modified version of my query. Actually, looking at it, I was sort of like "Damn! So THAT's what my ideal query would have been." lol. But yes, the long haul, not only with the agent but the agency. I lost my agent half way through submission when the agency stopped repping adult fiction.
#17
Litgal
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Publishing Experience:My debut novel, "The Sister Queens," (March 2012/NAL), was set in 13th century France and England and wove the captivating story of sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens. My next solo novel, "Medicis Daughter," (Dec 1 2015/Thomas Dunne) traveled forward three-hundred years to the intrigue-riven French Valois court, spinning the tale of beautiful princess Marguerite who walks the knife edge between the demands of her serpentine mother, Catherine de Medicis, and those of her own conscience.
In between I became a "hybrid" as part of a group of six authors involved in a high concept novel-in-six-parts called "A Day of Fire" which released in November of 2014. The book, "A Day of Fire," tells the story of the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii in a way you've never read it before.
Posted 14 June 2012 - 08:18 AM
Another blog on submission. This fellow is a little more downbeat but all perspectives are doubtless worth sharing. http://bookpregnant....me-to-hell.html
Lit. (aka Sophie Perinot)
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