The Many Roles of an Agent - Clelia Gore

Writing and Illustrating

---

The Many Roles of an Agent – Clelia Gore Posted: 10 May 2016 09:04 PM PDT Clelia Gore is an agent at Martin Literary Management in Seattle. She shared her expertise on what an agent has to handle everyday. It is more than we think at first blush. Here’s Clelia: Being a literary agent is a job that requires you to play a lot of roles. One of the reasons I love being an agent is because I think it’s a profession that calls on all of the skills that I most excel at — I feel like I am being put to my best use. When I speak to potential clients, many of them are new to the publishing industry and are not exactly sure what a literary agent does. Below, I’ve outlined the many roles that an agent must play to represent their clients. As you’ll see, we agents are the wearers of many hats! Genre Expert: For an agent to represent a genre, that means they have read tons and tons in that genre–they know what’s great writing, what’s bad writing and what’s so so writing. They know the old stuff and the new stuff. Talent Scout: Agents are reading submissions all of the time, evaluating them for quality and for that “It” factor. Agents also go after clients that they read about, hear about, encounter in some way or another, either randomly or deliberately. Trendspotter: Agents stay on top of what trends are in the genres they represent, by reading through deal listings, reading industry news, observing the market, staying on top of what is in the cultural zeitgeist, talking with other people in the field. Idea Conceiver: Sometimes agents come up with ideas that they think would work really well in the market, and they have one of their clients execute the idea. These ideas come from being genre experts and trendspotters. Editor: Before a manuscript is submitted, an agent helps a client get their manuscript or proposal into tip-top shape. As I like to describe it: an author gets their manuscript into good shape, an agent helps the author get it into great shape, and an editor at a publishing house helps the author get it into excellent shape — and then it’s ready for publication. Sometimes the editorial process at the agency level can take months, with several back and forths. Networker: Agents pound the pavement hard when it comes to networking with editors. Getting to know editors means an agent will have a better understanding of their acquisition interests, which means the agent will do a better, more precise job at submitting manuscripts, and increase the potential for their clients’ manuscripts to land a great home. This means an agent is always making phone calls, sending emails, attending conferences, having meetings, coffee, drinks, meals, etc. with editors. Matchmaker: When a manuscript is ready to submit, an agent submits to editors based on their knowledge of their editorial needs and interests. It needs to be a good match to proceed in the process– think of agents as literary yentas. Negotiator: Once an offer is made, contracts become involved and an agent advocates on behalf of their client to try and sweeten the deal as best they can. Knowledge of common industry contract clauses, the market for advances for books of this nature, standard royalty rates, and legal expectations are a must. Some agents were lawyers (like me!), which is helpful in this role, but not necessary to be a fierce advocate for a client. Publicist: Maintaining good media contacts and contacts with publicists and speakers bureaus to help support a client once their book is out is helpful, as an author should never solely count on the publisher for publicity support. Firefighter: Sometimes things go wrong–in the editorial process, in the publicity process, in the production process–really, things can go wrong at any point in the process. Agents must help their clients get through these hoops, sometimes having to mediate between them and the publisher. You gotta be tough to play this role. Therapist: Writing is so personal — a client’s book is their baby. Sometimes things can get quite emotional during the writing, editing, or other process. A good agent is also a good listener, a good advisor and knows when to give some tough love if they need to. As you can see, being an agent isn’t just submitting manuscripts and negotiating contracts–there’s a lot we have to be good at to best represent our clients! Thank you Clelia for sharing! Talk tomorrow, Kathy Filed under: Agent, article, Blog, Editor & Agent Info, list, reference Tagged: Clelia Gore, Martin Literary Management

You are subscribed to email updates from Writing and Illustrating. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

Roll of Thunder Publishing Contest

Roll Of Thunder Publishing Contest

In 1974, the Council on Interracial Books sponsored a writing contest seeking out diverse voices. Mildred D. Taylor was the winner of the African-American segment for the manuscript that became Song of the Trees (Dial, 1975), her first book. It introduced the Logan family and was followed by Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1976), which won the Newbery Medal.

Forty years later, in partnership with We Need Diverse Books™, Penguin Young Readers celebrates this momentous publication by launching a debut children’s fiction contest to find talented, ethnically diverse authors writing for readers ages 8-14.

Submit your manuscript for a book about diversity for ages 8-14 and you could receive a publishing contract from Penguin Random House LLC!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:01:01 AM Eastern Time on April 26, 2016 and 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on June 21, 2016. Open to people of color (or those who self-identify as other than white) who are residents of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions, aged 18 and older.

PRIZE: The confirmed winner will receive a book publishing contract for the publication of a novel for ages 8-14 by Penguin Random House LLC, with an advance of $35,000, plus royalties as follows: (i) on hardcover, 10% up to 50,000 copies and 12.5% thereafter; (ii) on paperback, 6% up to 50,000 copies and 7% thereafter; (iii) on audio, 8% of net; (iv) ebook, 25% of net; (v) world rights/all subrights at a 50/50 split; and (vi) an option on their next children’s or YA novel.

Judging will begin on or about June 28, 2016, and one winner will be chosen from the final group of ten (10) submissions narrowed down from all entries received. Entries will be judged based on (i) overall storytelling; (ii) creativity; (iii) originality; and (iv) writing ability, with equal weight given to each criterion.

** Please note the following: There is a line in the Official Rules under “How to Enter” that says “All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.” To clarify, this means that Penguin Random House LLC will not return physical or digital copies of entries submitted. This is not a grant of rights from entrant to Penguin Random House LLC. **

Click Here to Submit.

Good Luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Filed under: earn money, Middle Grade Novels, opportunity, Places to Submit Tagged: ethnically diverse authors writing for readers ages 8-14., Mildred D. Taylor, No Fee Publishing Contract Contest, No Fee Writing Contests, Roll Of Thunder Publishing Contest, We Need Diverse Books™

STORYTELLERS

Storytellers to gather up on the mountain. Will you be there? It's time Arkansas had its own gathering of creative geniuses, don't you think? Join us, won't you?

July 16-17 at Sky Vue Lodge on top of the Boston Mountains south of Winslow, Arkansas. Writers create in many ways: Storytelling is only one. We write plays, poems, novels, non-fiction, we paint, sing, write and play music. Visit our website/Events

Sheboygan Children's Book Festival

http://sheboyganchildrensbookfestival.org/2016-authors-and-illustrators/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Announcing%20Authors%20%20Illustrators&utm_content=Announcing%20Authors%20%20Illustrators+CID_bdf08b99ddac5563b50651fac61cddda&utm_source=Email%20marketing&utm_term=authorillustrator%20pages

Sheboygan Childrens Book Festival

Joyce Sidman Poetry

http://www.hbook.com/2016/04/authors-illustrators/five-questions-for-joyce-sidman/

What is Creative- Non-fiction

https://www.creativenonfiction.org/online-reading/what-creative-nonfiction

SPRINGFIELD WRITERS GUILD

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWGforum/1166396193400038/?notif_t=group_activity&notif_id=1461336868317656

Types of Thrillers to Write

https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/types-of-thrillers/
Been contemplating writing a thriller, so I bought a couple of books to see what I could learn. Matthew Branton explains the type of thrillers that are being written in his WRITE A BESTSELLING THRILLER

SCBWI DAKOTAS

http://dakotas.scbwi.org/

Avalon Full Manuscript Writer’s Retreat

https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/avalon-full-manuscript-writers-retreat-2/

I would love to attend a retreat like this.

Darcy Pattison Upcoming Novel Workshop

Master Class in Novel Writing 2016

< Return to WorkshopsJune 14 – June 17, 2016

Darcy Pattison

Published in nine languages, children’s book author and writing teacher Darcy Pattison has been published with Harcourt, Philomel/Penguin, Harpercollins, Arbordale, and Mims House. Her books received recognition for excellence with starred reviews in Kirkus, BCCB and PW. Twice her books …

Read More…

    

Workshop Description

You’ve been writing at a professional level for a while, but you still need to learn and challenge yourself. Come and join a deep discussion of practical issues that will take your next novel to a new level.

We’ll take two topics and explore them in depth: plot and point of view. Taking a wide view, we’ll explore various ways of working with plot and bring it to a practical level with tools and techniques that will help you make it personal to your work. Exploring point-of-view will expand the options for the voice of your next novel.

Led by writing teacher and author, Darcy Pattison, you must have either attended one of her previous Novel Revision Retreats or be a published novelist to attend. Our aim is to challenge the established writer to step out and take new risks, to work in a new direction. Some advance reading required before the workshop.

Mornings will be spent in lectures, interactive activities, and writing challenges and prompts. Afternoons are reserved for writing and evenings will be group critiques and discussions focused on the day’s challenges. You’ll have ample time to write and try interesting ways of working. Come and explore the possibilities.

Limited to 8 writers.

Our all-inclusive price means we provide:Transportation from the airport, lodging, all meals, unlimited snacks, and wireless Internet access.

Workshop Information

Begins at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14 with an optional tour of Highlights for Children and Boyds Mills Press; ends on Friday, June 17, after lunch.

Event Cost: $1195

    

Village on the Lake Writers & Poets

YOU ARE INVITED! ENJOY A WORLD RENOWNED PERFORMANCE -- BE ENTERTAINED!

THIS WEEKEND - SATURDAY, APRIL 9th
2nd Saturday Series & Open-Mic Night from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Village on the Lakes Writers & Poets
Sponsors, Artist Retreat Center & Bella Vista Library

Held at the Artist Retreat Center in Bella Vista, AR found across from the Bella Vista Lake along Hwy 71. A Non-Profit - Admission is free. However, the ARC requests reservations at 479-268-6463.

The Fantastic HOUSTON HUGHES performs! Houston is a Performance Poet & Educator whose work covers comedy, drama, tragedy, storytelling, and political commentary, all expertly worded and performed with a tremendous stage-presence which lends his words even more power.

Hughes was introduced to poetry slam in 2006, and by 2010 had already made finals stage at the Individual World Poetry Slam, placing him among the top 12 performance poets in the world!

Submarine Stories

https://www.facebook.com/submarinestories/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

ARKANSAS WRITERS CONFERENCE

http://www.arkansaswritersconference.org/

Spring Leaped

From a its dormant stage

into full bloom.

I am dancing

among the flowers

and weeds.

I do hope spring

didn’t come too early.

King Frost is known

to be watching

from the tops of the trees.

Watching a gardener

filled with eagerness.

King Frost can sneak in

on the wings of the wind.

Then he’s gone

Leaving death among plants

and disappointed gardeners.

Gardeners are a hardy bunch

they spring back to go again

with one eye on the sky.

© by Mary Nida Smith

Overused Words in Writing

Over Used Words (Continued) Posted: 30 Mar 2016 10:04 PM PDT Since Erika talked about overused words yesterday. I thought I would point out how AutoCrit helps you spot commonly overused words and sentence constructions that weaken your manuscript, including generic descriptions, passive voice, adverbs, and more. The the analysis sidebar shows you the number of words found in a category and recommendations for improvement. It is important to remember that this is a suggestion only and not a hard number. They compare your manuscript to samples of successful published fiction, including mass market paperbacks and bestsellers. If the number of overused words in your manuscript exceeds the average found in those published works, we’ll highlight the problem in your manuscript for quick analysis and editing. For example, published fiction typically has about 10 adverbs per 1,000 words.  If your manuscript has 30 adverbs per 1,000 words, AutoCrit will suggest that you remove about 20 of those. Below is a screen shot of my sidebar report for overused words for my 78,000 word novel. I have found it very helpful picking up things that you don’t notice. The words we look for fall into several categories. For more information on each of these writing pitfalls, click the category below. § Adverbs: Those –ly words, such as quickly or happily. They rely on a weak adjective or verb (quickly walked); they can almost always be replaced by a single strong adjective or verb (ran, galloped, bolted). § Generic Descriptions: We look for descriptive words that could be replaced with more specific adjectives; words such as nice, good and pretty are generic and tell instead of show. § Passive Voice Indicators: Words such as has/had and was/were are classic indicators of passive voice; this sentence construction can be clunky or confusing for the reader. § Sentence Starters: Sentences that start the same way too frequently, including initial conjunctions (conjunctions such as but, and, or so) and sentences that start with –ING verbs. (Using this structure too often can be distracting to the reader, and many writers use it incorrectly). § Showing versus Telling: Words like was/were, hear/heard, watched/observed/noticed, and went may indicate you’re telling the reader instead of showing them. § Unnecessary Filler Words: That, just and other filler words creep into our writing but can be eliminated in almost all cases. The Bottom Line While using any word is fine in moderation, overusing a particular word or sentence structure can sap the energy from your writing.  Make sure every word earns its place on the page. AutoCrit will highlight the words you could work on to eliminate. It also, gives you a list of words which you can click and walk you through each one letting you decide whether that word can be corrected. It points out repeated words and phases, too. And as you can see from the sidebar, it gives you a little pat on the back when it compares your writing to other books in your genre. They have a 7 day free trail and I was offered a discount when I decided to purchase. Check it out. Talk tomorrow, Kathy Filed under: Advice, authors and illustrators, Editors, opportunity, Process, revisions, Writing Tips Tagged: AutoCrit, Overused Words

You are subscribed to email updates from Writing and Illustrating. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

HEROES BENEATH THE WAVES FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/submarinestories/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

The Easter Story

Easter Story

 The Easter lily was brought to United States from Japan, by the World War I soldier, Louis Houghton. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat, fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress.

 The Legend of the dogwood flower has two long pedals and two short pedals, the cross and at each edge is a dot for that symbolizes the nails and the center the crown of thorns. It was a firm and strong timber to be used for the cross. It was once big as an oak, because the tree felt so sad for what it was used for – God said it would never be strong again, but slender and dainty.

The egg and the rabbit were started as a symbol for new birth on Easter.

Missouri Writers Guild Conference.

http://missouriwritersguild.org/2016-mwg-conference/

Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.

http://www.owfi.org/#!2016-conference-schedule/ci1v

ARKANSAS SCBWI CONFERENCE

https://arkansas.scbwi.org/events/arkansas-scbwi-conference-2016
/

Manuscript Editing Software

Manuscript Editing Software for Fiction Writers

Strengthen Your Writing
Control the Editing Process
Publish Confidently

You can sign up for a free 7 day trial. I just did and it’s a real

eye opener. Check it out!

Readers, Reviewer and Authors

How many readers, reviewers, and authors have used Netgallery?

Heroes Beneath the Waves Interview

http://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2016/03/q-with-mary-nida-smith_87.html

Eureka Springs - check them out for they provide a lot of writers workshops.

Submarines

 Submarine Stories and Military Writers
http://submarinestories.blogspot.com 

ARKANSAS WRITERS

http://ArkansasWriters.com/wordpress

ArkansasWriters.com

A Regional Guide to Writers and Writers' Groups

Ghost Towns in Arkansas

 
The Friends of Baxter County Library

will have their monthly meeting

this Wednesday, February 24 at 1:30 p.m.

Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County

Knox Meeting Rooms A & B 

Program:

Diana Roller will present

Ghost Towns in Arkansas

Arkansas Literary Festival

http://www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org/

Poem for Kids

Playful Leaves
 

I love to watch dry leaves

Come alive before my eyes.
Several join in the race
Across the yard
I see, what I thought
Was a rabbit looking at me.
I sat… and sat, watching,
the rabbit never moved,
Not one ear
Or a nose twitched
It just sat, frozen.
As I walked toward it
It skipped away
To join other leaves,
And flew into the air
to return to a tree
With other leaves
Still anchored
To a big Oak tree.

             ©By Mary Nida Smith

Candy Simonson's photo.

1 hr · 

‎Candy Simonson‎ to Springfield Writers' Guild Forum

2 hrs · 

“How to Write a Great Short Human Interest Story”

Michael Pulley, OTC English Instructor and newspaper columnist to speak at Springfield Writers’ Guild February...

See More

ALL WRITE NOW! Conference

Join us for The Third Annual

All Write Now! Writers' Conference

Saturday, July 16, 2016

in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

CREATING AN ELEVATOR PITCH

Shared from Kathy Temean's newsletter. 

Creating an Elevator Pitch – Erika Wassall

Erika Wassall the Jersey Farm Scribe here on

Creating an Elevator Pitch

Whether you’re getting ready for a conference, prepping ideas for a Twitter party, or just want to put your best foot forward to anyone who asks about your book, having a quick, engaging and powerful elevator pitch is important.

First of all… what IS an elevator pitch anyway?
________
El-e-va-tor pitch

noun — informal

* A succinct and persuasive sales pitch
* A short summary used to quickly and simply define a process, product, service, organization, or event and its value
________

The idea here is that in the 20-30 seconds of an elevator ride, you could present your idea. Us humans are fickle creatures with VERY short attention spans. We make snap judgments, and unless we’re already intrigued, we’re likely to have already mentally moved on.

Job interviews. “Objectives” at the top of resumes. Sales positions. Convincing a spouse of what restaurant to go eat at. Convincing a boss about your new idea. Impressions are made quickly. Not that minds can never be changed later. But the fact remains…

The first 20 seconds is your BEST opportunity to make a good impression.

All right. So that’s the basic CONCEPT.

Uh, that’s it??? Hello? E-Z!!! I know my book. I know what makes my story special. Of COURSE I can describe it in 3-4 sentences!!! I wouldn’t even need to practice.

……here we go……

A young girl is caught in between…

Wait. No! It’s so much more than that. Let me start again.

When insomnia brings Tris to the brink of desperation…

Ugh, that sounds so cliché!

Conception is reality. Tris must prove her sanity and win the right to live out her dreams in more ways than one.

Yuck. That says ab-so-lutely NOTHING. Okay. So this is harder than it sounds.

Elevator Pitch Tips:

Don’t Over Pack the Pitch:
For me, the biggest tip I ever got for an elevator pitch is not to try to shove my entire story in there. This was a HUGE relief. If the plot line is too complex to explain in a few lines (or the tiny 140 characters we Twits get), don’t even try. Concentrate instead on the unique voice. Have the pitch portray the main character’s biggest flaw or most powerful victory. Highlight a powerful scene or even quote a climatic moment.

Feel Free to Ruin:
If pitching to an agent, there’s nothing wrong with giving away the end. They’re professionals. Trust the story, and be confident that the writing and development along the way will keep them engaged even if they know the twist end. (Obviously keep in mind different agents may feel differently about this. Always research agents for preferences)

OBSESS over Nouns:
Obsess over every word really, but look extra closely at those nouns. Could they be more powerful? More emotional? More visual? Even in our limited word count, can we do more showing and less telling?

Show Uniqueness in Specifics:
Agents hear a LOT of pitches. Being conceptual isn’t enough. We must express specific aspects of THIS book that make it different from the other 400 they may have received, over the past 48 hours. The idea may be excellent, creative and powerful. But from their perspective, they’ve likely heard it before. As humans, they’re naturally assessing it, lumping it in with other things similar. Specifics are your weapon here. Use details, voice, character, setting, etc, to make THIS particular story stand out from that crowd.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE:
Say it out loud. A lot. Then say it some more. The manner in which it rolls off the tongue is important, as is confidence in delivery. Bonus: Once you have it down, you may be surprised at how frequently the opportunity is presented for you to use it.

Our manuscripts are complex. They cannot be put in a box. No 20 second opportunity can fully grasp the extent of their awesome. Don’t let that goal overpower you. Instead create intrigue, and answer the question of why they should want to hear or read more.

Your manuscripts are worth it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erika Wassall is a writer, a farmer and a liver of life. She is a member of SCBWI and a proud Mad Scientist, bringing science experiments right into children’s classrooms, and hearts. She has a small farm in New Jersey with sheep, chickens, pigs and vegetables. Check out her new website at www.TheJerseyFarmScribe.com where as a first generation farmer, she often takes the long way, learning the tricks of the trade on The Farm. On her website is also The Shop page with tips and a free Q/A from her husband’s mechanic shop, and The Writer page where she shares stories, experiences and characters from the heart. Follow her on Twitter at @NJFarmScribe. She’d love to hear from you!

Look for Erika’s articles every other Wednesday on Writing and Illustrating. Thank you Erika for another great post.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Rate this:

1 Votes

Share this:

• Facebook1
• Email
• Pinterest
• Reddit
• Twitter
• Print

1 Comment

Posted in Advice, article, Author, demystify, inspiration, Process, Tips | Tags: Elevator Pitch, Erika Wassall, The New Jersey Far

New Book Review

Submarine Stories and Military Writers: The New Book Review: Interview: Wife of Submarine ...: The New Book Review: Interview: Wife of Submarine Vet Shares Experiences

MEET THE AUTHORS KIMBERLING AREA LIBRARY

Fourth Annual Free Event More information Ozark Writers league Facebook page.

 Meet the Authors Festival Kimberling Area Library Saturday, February 6, 2016 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Meet more than 40 regional authors, Listen to these 11 interesting speakers. Speakers 9:50 AM---McQueen, Newman, Racing, and Sailing--Fred Harshbarger 10:10 AM—Winds of Deception--Cover-up by President Johnson--Tierney James 10:30 AM—History of Fort Leonard Wood--Paul William Bass 10:50 AM—History of a Professional Baseball League in the Ozarks--J. B. Hogan 11:10 AM—What’s the Big Deal about Ginseng--Madison Woods 11:30 AM—Orbit the Famous Dog--Peter Longley 12:00 PM—I’m One of the Hillbillies You’ve Heard About--K.D. McCrite 12:20 PM—Your Tongue Determines Your Destiny--April Shenandoah 12:40 PM—Choices Along our Path--Diane Yates 1:00 PM—Fate and Timing Changed My Life and History--Billie Armstrong 1:20 PM---Bringing Out the Best in Our Youth--Eddie Bowman (Chester Drawers) A door prize will be given after each speaker’s presentation. Complimentary Coffee and Cookies will be served throughout the day.

 For more information go to: www.authors.kalib.org or call 417-739-2525 45 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling City, MO 65686

OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE
FEBRUARY 20, 2016
http://ozarkswritersleague.org


https://www.facebook.com/OzarksWritersLeague/photos/a.408625505956618.1073741828.293634407455729/542108665941634/?type=3

Books in Bloom Literary Festival: a Celebration for Writers and Readers to be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at The Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. http://booksinbloom.org

I will be there, selling my book: Heroes Beneath the Waves: Submarine Stories of the Twentieth Century.

Lucidity Ozark Poetry Retreat 2016

Lucidity Ozark Poetry Retreat #23 - 2015 | Wix.com

Lucidity Ozark Poetry Retreat #23, April 21-22-23, 2015 Eureka Springs, Arkansas Tuesday April 21 - Registration 3-5PM First Session 7-10 PM,…

FORTBENDPOETS.WIX.COM

Ground Hog Day

Ground hogs we are

We dig holes

You don’t like.

We are useless.

Yet, some of us

Are held high

As weather forecasters

February second

We are told

We must predict

Spring is arriving

Or winter extended

Why do humans

Choose who is

Important

And who is not.

© by Mary Nida Smith