Question for Publishing Veterans

[WmHopper]

I need info from anyone who's been in the publishing trenches, so to speak.

I have recently had the good fortune of attaining representation for my work.

When I would query publishers before, the MS would hit the slush pile where it sat until someone got fed up of the pile of MSs and shot off rejection letters en mass. (At least that's what I figure happens...)

How is it different when you have an agent? I mean, there are a lot of agents out there. Do they have a secret door into the publishing house marked AGENTS ONLY? Is the process any faster or better with an agent?

Granted, I can now finally query publishers I could never query before, but beyond this I would like to know how the process works.

Anyone?

[popmuze]

Yes, if you get the right agent, they do have a secret door. Now you can get your rejection sometimes in a week or less.
One thing troubles me about your post, however, once you get an agent, it's the agent who does the querying. Now and then you might suggest a publisher, but it's best to leave it all in your agent's hands.

[WmHopper]

She will do the querying. I just wanted to know what the process was.

Yes, if you get the right agent, they do have a secret door. Now you can get your rejection sometimes in a week or less.
One thing troubles me about your post, however, once you get an agent, it's the agent who does the querying. Now and then you might suggest a publisher, but it's best to leave it all in your agent's hands.

[WmHopper]

I was also wondering if they present it and talk to the publishers, or if it is just mailed as per a slush pile application but with an agent cover letter or some such thing.

[bethany]

You should ask your agent what their submission strategy is. Some send blurbs, or do phone pitches before sending, some send entire manuscripts, some have lunch with editors. There are other aspects of submission technique that might be useful to know... does the agent follow up with editors, if so, how fast. Will she send to multiple editors, if so, how many, how will they be organized...(first tier, second tier)

Only your agent can answer these questions.

[Medievalist]

I was also wondering if they present it and talk to the publishers, or if it is just mailed as per a slush pile application but with an agent cover letter or some such thing.

These are actually questions you ask before signing; the agent's responses, and their list of published clients, are how you pick the agent.

[WmHopper]

You are, of course, correct. However, I have a time-sensitive novel and no other offers. Can't hurt I figure so long as I sell into the US market (instead of the Canadian market as I have always done) then I will be happy.

I look at it as a ladder to be climbed, learning the business end on the way from folks like you.

These are actually questions you ask before signing; the agent's responses, and their list of published clients, are how you pick the agent.

[WmHopper]

Though I do know that this agent repped an Oprah book to overseas markets...

These are actually questions you ask before signing; the agent's responses, and their list of published clients, are how you pick the agent.

[eqb]

I was also wondering if they present it and talk to the publishers, or if it is just mailed as per a slush pile application but with an agent cover letter or some such thing.

Generally speaking...

You and your agent will discuss a plan for submitting your novel to publishers. You and s/he can bounce ideas back and forth about which editors are the best fit, and how many of those to submit to for a first round.

Once you and your agent are happy with the list, your agent will either call or email the editors to sound them out. You might go through another round or two of brainstorming possible publishers.

Then your agent will send the manuscript by email or snail mail, along with a cover letter. The agent will write the cover letter, btw.

Then you wait. Your agent's job at this point is to nudge the editors as necessary, and to keep you from climbing onto that window ledge. Your job is to write the next book.

[scope]

Yes to all the advice you already received. I hope you established a consistent method of communication with your agent and that she's agreed to communicate all the information you require. Critical.

[Good Word]

Is your agent a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives?

http://www.aaronline.org/

Check out their membership qualifications and canon of ethics.