Ask the Agent: Working with agents and others

We’ve been getting a variety of questions about working with agents…

“I am seeking an agent for my new book and have created a website to promote it. What does an agent want to see on that website?”

A great design, that fits your brand, and makes potential readers like you. Specifically, I’d probably like to see some background or biographical material, introductory material on your books, your book covers and ordering information, media links, social media connections, and some sort of contact information.

“If an agent rejects your manuscript and has given some idea as to why, is it okay, after having done substantial revision, to re-query the same agent?”

It depends on the agent and the situation. In my experience, most people who have said “no thanks” aren’t going to be terribly excited about looking at the same project again, even if it’s revised. That’s why, if something intrigues me but just isn’t quite right or isn’t ready yet, I’ll often reject it and include a note that says, “When you’ve made your changes, feel free to run this by me again.” I like to make sure authors know when it’s okay to revise and come back. But what’s wearying is the author who sends something in, gets rejected, revises, sends it in again, gets rejected again, revises again, sends it in again… The fact is, some ideas don’t need revising – they need to be set aside so the author can write something else.

“I am working with a ghostwriter for my memoir.  Will agents work with authors who use ghostwriters?”

Sure they will, if it’s done well. But the contemporary publishing scene is probably going to suggest the writer’s name is on the cover or title page as a collaborative writer, rather than having it hidden as a ghost writer. There’s nothing at all wrong with getting help on your manuscript from a collaborative writer.

“When collaborating with other writers on a series and the contract ends, can someone use your characters in another book? For example, could someone create a suburb of Mitford and have Father Tim and other characters show up?”

Nope. The characters are the artistic creation of the author, and another writer can’t borrow them to use in his or her own stories. (So no “Harry Potter Comes to Dinner.”) Sometimes a publishing contract will even prohibit the creator from using those characters anywhere else – the license calls for the author to only use those characters at one house.

“What are the pros and cons of creating books with other authors?”

The pros of working with another writer: Another creative mind at work on the project. Someone to fill in your gaps, give the manuscript a fresh set of eyes, or to talk through questions. Someone to lift you up or protect your back during difficult times. Someone to blame if it all falls apart, I suppose.

The cons of working with another writer: You don’t get to make all the decisions. You have to rely on someone else, and trust they’ll do their part. It takes longer, since there are two people who have to read and decide on the book. Most people who have done this will tell you it’s harder to collaborate with another person on a book. I think it takes a certain type of author to make it work.

What have you always wanted to ask an agent? Send me your question and I’ll try to get to it this month.