Comments on: How to Talk with Publishers and Agents https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/ Literary Agent Tue, 13 May 2025 22:20:23 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Terry Heaton https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443437 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 16:14:22 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443437 Rachelle,

I love this: “In any social situation, the key to reducing butterflies is to take the focus off yourself.” Many years ago, I worked for a very interesting, private research company. Their expertise was the study of power and influence in communities for big companies (at&t) that were thinking about doing business in those locations. These researchers had developed a unique formula for how to do this. Understand they this was highly secret research that took place outside the purview of, for example, the chamber of commerce. A part of this formula was the use of “the currency of ego” in discussions with movers and shakers. It was a slick way of interviewing big shots, because they all – to a person – like to talk about themselves, and it takes a real pro to keep moving the conversation in that direction. It enhances trust, and when the interview is over, these people think of the interviewer as a friend, simply because they played the currency of ego. Fun, huh?

]]> By: Laura C. Brandenburg https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443400 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:12:23 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443400 Thanks for this advice, Rachelle. Last year was my first attempt at pitching, and it was incredibly nerve-wracking.

Is it unwise to pitch the same story idea more than once to an agent at a conference?

]]> By: Laura C. Brandenburg https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443399 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:08:16 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443399 In reply to Peter DeHaan.

Haha! I agree! 🙂

]]> By: Wednesday links: Canada Reads, style, advertising and talking to agents | Miranda Burski https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443398 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:19:54 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443398 […] How to Talk with Publishers and Agents, from Rachelle Gardner: If you get the opportunity to speak with an agent or publisher at a conference or in some other situation, you definitely want to take advantage of it. But what if you’re not sure how to go about it? Excerpt: “When I meet with you, my goal is to get to know you and your book idea. I’m rooting for you as you sit down and we begin our conversation.” […]

]]> By: Jeff Payne https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443396 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 08:53:51 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443396 Excellent article. Very helpful. Thank you.

]]> By: Debbie Baskin https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443395 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 05:19:40 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443395 Thanks for your article. I have been reading your stuff quietly for a while.

My question, I sent a query and my book to a publisher. She responded that her team is reviewing. How long does this normally take? Should I continue submitting my book? (non-fiction working title: Broken Faith: Picking Up the Pieces.)

]]> By: Doris Swift https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443394 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 02:01:20 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443394 Hi Rachelle,thanks for the great advice.

When pitching fiction, should you allude to plot twists in the pitch? Does revealing too much take away from the allure that would cause an agent to want to see more?

]]> By: Peter DeHaan https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443393 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:43:44 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443393 My favorite part of pitching is when it’s over!

]]> By: Rachelle Gardner https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443392 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:32:16 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443392 In reply to Cindy.

Cindy, I think you should just bravely go ahead with your plans and meet with the agent, based on what you have. For fiction, the platform isn’t such an issue, it’s really about the story and your writing.

My only caveat would be: read carefully her submission guidelines, and her bio on the conference website. Some agents are very clear that they DON’T want you to pitch if you don’t have a complete manuscript. If the agent doesn’t seem to be saying this, then have the meeting.

Have fun!

]]> By: Rachelle Gardner https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443391 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:29:13 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443391 In reply to Robin Steinweg.

Hope it proves helpful!

]]> By: Rachelle Gardner https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443390 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:28:55 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443390 In reply to Crystal Storms.

Excellent! Enjoy that conference.

]]> By: Rachelle Gardner https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443389 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:28:32 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443389 In reply to Richard Mabry.

Thanks, Doc! I like “don’t be boring.” Good advice!

]]> By: Richard Mabry https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443388 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:26:50 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443388 Rachelle, Good advice. Although most writers have a different picture of them, agents and editors are real people, and acting “normal” around them is the way to go.
To the suggestions James Scott Bell gives–Don’t be dull. Don’t be desperate–I’d add the gist of your post. Be prepared.
Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Crystal Storms https://rachellegardner.com/talk-with-publishers-and-agents/#comment-443387 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 18:59:32 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/?p=15254#comment-443387 Your timing for this is perfect for me, Rachelle. I’m going to the Florida Christian Writers Conference next month and plan on putting your tips to good use. Thank you. : )

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