Have you ever had an editor or agent appointment where your only goal became NOT to throw
up on them?
Have you avoided an editor or agent appointment because your book isn't finished? Or it's finished, but not polished. Or you're afraid you might throw up on them?
Have you missed National conferences, thereby missing the opportunity to pitch your book-or throw up on them?
Cheer up. Put the nasty tasting pink stuff away. I have the solution.
I recently asked HODRW members, Harlequin Editor Brenda Chin, and Hopkins Literary Associates Literary Agent Pam Hopkins for their experienced take on editor/agent appointments.
How should an author prepare for an editor/agent appointment? Is it possible to sell/buy outside the appointment arena? Should an author use index cards? Business cards? Any advice to newbies?
I received some great feedback.
First, don't be nervous. HA! Like that's ever going to happen…unless, you feel inclined to use an old theater trick. Years ago, in my theater class, I was told how to rid myself of stage fright. Picture the audience in their underwear. Great visual, huh? However, I also learned, much to my chagrin, not to giggle or pass judgment. You never know, they could be picturing you in your underwear.
Still feel nervous? Wait! There's more.
HODRW member, Roseanne Boettiger's advice is to write down your pitch-"at least a dozen times. Whittle it down each time to just a few pertinent, catchy phrases. Then put it into one line." In the movies, it's called a log-line. "Cinderella meets The Terminator in an upbeat, romantic tale not unlike Sampson and Delilah's." (Uh, this is my unique--ahem, story idea, not Roseanne's) She suggests next you find anyone with ears that isn't hearing impaired and practice, practice, practice. It also helps if you can schedule the appointment before a meal.
Tami Cowden from HODRW says, "Volunteering is the thing to do."
Huh? How can volunteering help the queasy stomach in regards to editor/agent appointments?
One word: NETWORKING.
Volunteering at a conference gave Tami the occasion to moderate "A Chat With Avalon." She not only learned about the publishing house, but she was able to speak with an editor afterward who asked her about her story. In the end, the editor asked Tami for a complete manuscript!
In Tami's own words; "An unexpected opportunity arose because I was there helping."
Do you need a better reason than that? And hey, when something unexpectedly good happens, who has time to get sick? That comes (up) later.
As for business cards, HODRW member, Donnell Bell, claims they are "advantageous" whenever meeting people. A business card can say it all.
Unfortunately, we've all heard rumors at conference over the years that editors and agents throw out business cards at the end of the day. So why bother?
Here's a thought; maybe they only throw out some. You never know. Yours could be the one they keep in anticipation for the story they just asked you to send. If nothing else, write the theme of your story on the back of the card. Maybe that once in a lifetime call will come a month later because a new line has opened up and your story will fit it perfectly. They just couldn't discuss it yet until everything was finalized by corporate. Stranger things have happened.
I think everyone agrees index cards are not taboo. Nor do they mean you don't know your stuff. If they help you relax-use them. It will cut down on the uh's and um's. You don't have much time anyway (between 8 to 10 minutes), so why waste a second of it fumbling…uh…stumbling for the right words?
Remember-don't be nervous.
If given the chance, Diana Rowe Martinez, HODRW's Newsletter Editor, suggests you "choose a rookie editor". New editors are hungrier, and need to build their "stable" of authors as well as their reputation. Plus, they'll probably be just as nervous as you. It's only fair. Caution: Wear something washable.
So, what does an editor have to say about appointments? Brenda Chin, Editor for Harlequin's Temptation, Blaze, and Duets lines said, "Don't be nervous."
Yeah, got it. You don't want to shower and change a dozen times.
"Be educated on the lines I am acquiring for."
Okay, get the submission guidelines and read several books from that line. Check
She added, "It's not necessary to have a completed manuscript."
Really? Um, but…I thought….
"Ask me questions about Harlequin and what I'm looking for." She has plotted books with authors off the cuff and asked for a manuscript-from SCRATCH!
Can I be that person? Pleeease?
And what about Pam Hopkins' opinion and needs as an agent?
"I've been doing this (Literary Agent) for ten years, and during the first five years, I think I was more nervous than the authors I met in appointments." She went on to add, "It's your appointment-not mine. Make the most of the time by coming in with a specific goal. Ask questions about me as an agent, the agency, and the houses you're targeting."
Sound familiar?
Pam wants everyone to know you don't need to be nervous.
I think we're diligently working on that one.
She doesn't reject or accept on appointments. You do, however, have to have a completed manuscript when you pitch your book to her.
Rats!
She loves meeting people, and after speaking with her personally, I can say she is a true delight. (And it's okay to bring a business card. She sometimes makes notes on them after she asks you for a proposal.)
In short, get to know editors and agents whenever possible. They're fun, likeable humans. Let them get to know you. Act casually. Breathe normally. Eat light. As a creative type human, you have novels to write and sell, riches to collect, and speeches to give on how you sold your first book.
So don't be nervous!
Lee Guttierez is a Charter member of HODRW. She has loyally
served as the HODRW Treasurer for three non-consecutive years. She writes Paranormal
Historical Romance. Her first self-published e-book; Another Chance In Time, will be
available soon in paperback. See www.tiedralee.com for more details and sample
chapters.
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