Writer Asks: How do I get an agent?

I would like to know how one goes about finding an agent to help them to publish a novel as my oldest daughter is currently working on a few novels.

(Please note I am not an agent. This advice comes from my observations while working with and talking to agents.)

Research

The first step is to develop an understanding of the publishing industry and the role agents play.  Learn what agents do and what they don’t do. Know what the standard business practices are and what the new trends are. You certainly don’t have to become an expert but you need to know enough to ask the right questions and make informed business decisions.

Prepare

Don’t start querying until you are ready. Though many agents will edit for clients, do not expect to get an offer of representation on your rough draft. Make sure your manuscript is complete and thoroughly edited. Get critique partners to review it for you or take it to a writer’s workshop. You only get one first impression so only submit your best work.

Query

Though you should query as many agents as you can, it is unwise to simply blanket the industry. Once again, research is key. Look up the agent’s current list and sales history to get a sense of the work they do. Then prepare your query. There is no perfect query letter but you can find plenty of templates online. The most effective ones I have seen include the word count, genre and/or intended audience, a synopsis, and a bio. Pay careful attention to the agent’s submission guidelines and follow them.

Repeat

This is a long process. Be patient. Be persistent. Keep writing.

Accept

Before accepting representation think carefully. Are you comfortable with the terms of the contract? Are you comfortable having a close business relationship with this person? If you are unsure about something, ask. Make sure you get the best agent for you.

Hope that helps!

Armchair BEA: Beyond the Blog

I’m not a writer in the strict sense. I’m a communicator; the written word just happens to be the way I choose to maximize my reach. I used to write for school publications, and in the future I may contribute an article to certain media outlets, but as a rule I only write for myself. I have so much to say and I don’t really want to spend time delivering someone else’s message.

So I have no intention to get “beyond the blog” so to speak. My blog is part of my brand; it helps me establish myself in the industry and stay relevant as a publishing professional. Hopefully this blog will become a resource for readers, writers, and other bookish people. 

What kind of info would you like to see an “industry insider” blog about? What else would you want to know about me? Let me know in the comments!

Armchair BEA: Networking—Leonicka does Festival of Trees

Bonus post! Networking is fun for me (under the right circumstances), so I’m happy to share another fabulous industry experience I had last month. Because she is an amazing human being, children’s literary agent Ali McDonald took me to the Forest of Reading Festival of Trees in May.

Oh. Em. Gee. Thousands of kids running around along the harbour screaming out of excitement for books. It was a beautiful sight. 

It was a little rainy in the morning so Ali and I had to huddle under umbrellas and awnings to stay dry as kids introduced the authors of their favorite books and explained why they wanted that book to win. I could always tell which book would win by how ear-splitting the cheers were. “Is that book good?” I asked the little girl behind me. “Yeah! You should read it. Even if you’re a grown up.” A glowing endorsement if I ever heard one. 

Between award presentations, Ali and I had lunch. Strengthening old relationships is as critical as forming new ones, y’all. I don’t even remember what we talked about but after several of these one-on-one chats, I totally feel comfortable asking her for professional advice. It’s great to have a mentor. It’s better to have several.  

Other highlights of the day included a lovely talk with Kari-Lynn Winters, a prolific children’s book author; a visit with Angela Wood, one of the founding members of Kids Can Press; and the best party ever at Groundwood Books.

Overall  it not only a fantastic day for making contacts but an eye-opening one in terms of my career path. I had always considered children’s publishing  a completely different realm that I could never understand. I was wrong. It is a different world but I could see myself thriving in it! I am now 100% sure that my career will include children’s books one way or another. Not bad for one day of networking, am I right?

Armchair BEA: Introductions

While most of my co-workers are having fun at Book Expo America in New York City, I’ll be sitting at home. Most likely in bed, wearing pajamas  and surrounded by my computer, my Blackberry, and lots of books. 

I’m at Armchair BEA.

All this week, book bloggers from across the interwebs will have their own virtual convention. And it starts with introductions:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I’m not a book blogger. This isn’t even a book blog! I’m a young publishing professional in Toronto. I want to enable the dreams of writers. Right now I do that by editing. One day I’ll do that by agenting. (Or publishing… who knows?!) This blog is about 4 years old but its current purpose is to be a hub for my thoughts, adventures, and advice regarding the publishing industry.  Welcome!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I’ve read some fabulous books so far but my top three would be Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan, The Headmaster’s Wager by Vincent Lam, and Salsa Nocturna by Daniel José Older. I’m currently reading manuscripts! But next on my pile is The Beauty of the Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

The re-launched version of this site is still very new but check out this post about my (current) favorite children’s book! 

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

This answer changes depending on which books I have read recently but I am always drawn to strong women. I’d love to break bread with Janie Crawford (Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston) and Aminata Diallo (The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill). Both of these women are remarkable in different ways and it would be a joy to learn from them.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

So many choices! I think I’d visit Hogwarts in the springtime. It’d be gorgeous with everything in bloom and the air just a little crisp. I’d spend hours in the library and then bring as many books as I could carry out to the lawn.  I would definitely get lost (my sense of direction is bad enough without shifting staircases) but then I could just take wander and take in all the history and beauty of the castle. Yup. I’d go to Hogwarts.

Editing with Love

I’m not known for mincing words or being gentle when I edit. It feels disingenuous to write comments and queries the way I was taught in my copy-editing course (lots of sugar coating and rhetorical questions).  As a result, editorial notes I send by email sometimes come across as harsh and nit-picky (Especially when it’s for a friend who just wanted me to “look this over” not “tear it apart.” Whoops?) Still, I firmly believe that honest, clear, and direct feedback is best. How else will the writer improver their craft?

Because of this, my favorite way to critique is in person. There’s something to be said about meeting a writer for a coffee and talking about their work. Writing, like other arts, is intensely personal and I like being able to gauge the writer’s reactions to my comments. Do they understand what I mean or do I need to clarify a point?  Are we on the same page or did I completely misunderstand their vision? Are my comments helpful and encouraging or is the author freaking out? It takes more time and requires a closer relationship with the author but I’m happy to do it if it means they walk away feeling energized and excited to improve their manuscript. I’m a tough editor, but I do it with love.

What kind of feedback do you like receiving from editors or critique partners?

Lessons from UTSO

This past school year I had the opportunity to work with the University of Toronto Sustainability Office as part of the work-study program. I am not studying anything directly related to the environment or sustainability so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned and and how germane the topics were.

I was part of the Outreach and Communication Team, which gave me insight into public relations on a smaller scale. Some of the tasks we accomplished include hosting an art show that communicated sustainability, improving the signage throughout the university to increase the office's visibility and most importantly completely changing the UTSO website.

I quickly learned how difficult it is to effectively market a message. It's not enough simply to be visible. One would like the audience to get the right message. We spent a lot of time looking at colors, font size, and word choice when designing the new signs.

I also learned that every mundane task is important. In preparation for the launch of the new website, I had the task of finding images to complete the site. I sifted through hundreds of University of Toronto photos and thousands of stock images. I had to find pictures that were the right size, had the right color palette, and once again, conveyed the right message. It was tedious work but in the end the website look much more polished and professional.

Another benefit to working at the Sustainability Office was I learned what kind of working environments I did not like. I realized that I am not comfortable working alone. I thrive off of team work and cooperation. I found the individualistic workplace stifling and found myself eagerly awaiting team meetings. I enjoyed discussing my work with my peers and brainstorming to come up with new ideas.

I enjoyed working at the Sustainability Office for the technical skills I learned, such as building a website, and for the exposure to a different side of the workplace. Ultimately I learned two lessons: green is the new black and cooperation is key.

Welcome! Bienvenue! Bienvenido!

I had always known that speaking several languages was excellent for a resume. I did not however realize how invaluable it would be on the job.

I should have guessed as much. I currently work in the tourism industry in Toronto, one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Yet I was still surprised when I was required both French and Spanish on the same day.

The first was a man who tentativly approached the booth. As I began my sales pitch he shook his head and asked, "You speak French?" He beamed when I answered in French that I did. Apparently he had been in the city for a week and I was the first person who spoke French. I left Montreal when I was eight years old so my French is by no means perfect, but he was happy nonetheless.

I suppose in a small company word travels quickly. My manager had overheard me giving a customer the pickup time in Spanish. Next thing I knew a coworker led an entire family to me. He explained that they were visiting from Paraguay adn spoke little English. It was time for me to work my magic.

Once again my Spanish was less than stellar. I studied Spanish in highschool, but had not had to use it in over 2 years. It was better than nothing. The family seemed to understand everything I said and happily used our services.

In an increasingly globalized world, speaking different languages is an invaluable skill. Gone are the days where your native tongue was enough. I am glad I took the time to learn foreign languages and as I encounter different peoples, both at work and in the course of my daily life, I am eager to learn more.