2010 WW Conference - Panel of Agents

Agent Panel


Panel of Agents:

Paul Fedorko – N.S. Bienstock Agency
Scott Miller – Trident Media
Jenny Bent – The Bent Literary Agency
Matt Hudson – William Morris Endeavor (Fantasy, Speculative Fiction)


Question: Women’s literature – chick lit:

Old, out: Single girl in city looking for love.
In: Older protagonist, about family and friendship – not finding a guy.


Question: Blogging, internet – how important before book?

Scott Miller: Useful tools for building and audience. When – as early as possible. 1 ½ years before book comes out; start when starting to write a book.


Question: Women’s non-ficiton. Sub-categories?

1) Women’s lifestyles
2) Self-help
3) Dating

Matt Hudson: To find subcategories: Read from women’s non-fiction and research.


Question: What book have you read in the last year that inspires you?

Scott Miller: (?)
1) Sick City
2) Art of Racing
3) Little Book

Matt Hudson:
1) Shine Darts


Question: What is hot in thrillers right now?

1) Women’s protagonist stories
2) Business Thrillers – eg. Kristofer Reich

Jenny Bent:
1) Cozy Mysteries: No blood, violence, scare – violence off-screen – eg. Lilian Jackson Vaughn


Question: Agent Etiquette: If not heard back from in 3-4 weeks (sometime more than a month):

1) Follow-up: Have you had a chance to look at query?
a. Makes agent look at it
2) Says it is okay to query other agents at same agency if one turns you down
3) Also, can check for info on Twitter


Question: Pet Peeves:

Paul Fedorko: Too personal with strangers.
Scott Miller: Agents are “whores”. Not so big of a deal.


Question: Women’s Fiction: In:

1) Like high concept
2) Heartwarming
3) Small town stuff


Question: Finding Agents: Finding Books Similar to Yours:

1) Author website
2) Publisher Marketplace (Writer’s Market Place?)
3) Google
4) Acknowledgements in front of book
5) Author Query


Question: Word Count:

1) Women’s fiction: 80,000 to 100,000 words
a. In general, not totally a stickler about
i. There are always exceptions
ii. Many clients do do things wrong
2) Fantasy – No such upper limits
3) Lower Limits: 80,000 words


Question: Quality of Work versus Commercial Success:

Have to have both together.


Question: Mixed Genre – Ideas:

Matt Hudson: Structure Industry. Agents need to know the category in able to know who to send it to. All novels need categories. Institutional Pressure for 1 Genre. (Which shelf should Barnes and Noble put it on?)


Question: Title?

Title is always buried inside the manuscript. The first thing a reader will look at.


Question: Memoirs? Dead unless famous?

1) Anonymous People – Has crested and reached saturation.
a. Still some opportunities though.
2) Jenny Bent – Needs a hook
3) Reader has to be changed at end
4) Publishers: Looking at platform
5) Agents: Looking for good story


Question: Query – get turned down: redo book, send back to same agent?

Okay, but let agent know you’re sending it back a second time.


Question: Letters of Recommendation?

1) Stupid
2) Never heard of before.
3) Forget


Question: How important is it in query to list market?

Matt Hudson: Articulating market – good to know and be aware of market, but really that’s agent’s job
1) Agent meant to work with author for life
Aside: Don’t come across as crazy.


Question: If writer wants to change genre?

1) Depends on how successful first book is.
2) Multiple genres ok – tell agent as soon as possible


Question: E-publishing (e-books):

Field changes week to week.

Matt Hudson – Thinks more conservative approach better.
Jenny Bent – Ebooks are only a small percentage of book sales but growing fast.
1) Agents keep e-book rights
a. Authors share in royalties
i. In contracts today


Question: Literary Fiction versus Commercial Fiction:

Paul Fedorko: Literary Fiction: He reads slowly -- Commercial Fiction: He reads faster.
Scott Miller: Commercial: Plot and Character Driven; Literary: Form – how story is told.


Question: First time authors:

1) Need credits, publications:
a. Short stories


Question: Hardcover versus Paperback

Scott Miller: Need lots of success from hardcovers.


Question: What agents want:

All rights:
1) International Sales
2) Film Rights
3) e-publishing rights


Question: Formatting:

Not as big of a deal as people think:
1) Readable fonts
2) Double-spacing
3) Numbered pages
4) Title page


Question: Self-published authors:

Some say yes. Some say no.


Question: Blockbuster mentality:

What agents live for. Writer who blows socks off.