Question: (heh heh) My WIP is an erotic paranormal thriller. In looking for agents, should I concentrate on erotic, paranormal or thriller? Or does it matter?
Where to go first (agent search)
- Thread starter Ruth2
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I'm not agent shopping yet, but I am agent... lurking? I'm starting to bookmark likely people.
So far I'm finding a lot fewer agents willing to look at erotic, but a lot willing to consider the paranormal. I expect if you focus on people willing to consider erotic you'll find the list narrowed down for you.
I would also suggest asking yourself where you want to sell the manuscript. I'm agent lurking for a novel-length WIP that is lighter on the sex, heavier on the science fiction because I think I know where I want to place it - but I'm probably not going to bother with an agent for any of my erotic stuff, as most of the places that would buy it don't require agents.
So far I'm finding a lot fewer agents willing to look at erotic, but a lot willing to consider the paranormal. I expect if you focus on people willing to consider erotic you'll find the list narrowed down for you.
I would also suggest asking yourself where you want to sell the manuscript. I'm agent lurking for a novel-length WIP that is lighter on the sex, heavier on the science fiction because I think I know where I want to place it - but I'm probably not going to bother with an agent for any of my erotic stuff, as most of the places that would buy it don't require agents.
Hi KathleenD! Thanks!
My WIP is heavy on the erotic but I'd like to market it more mainstream-- paranormal thriller-- and not go for an erotica publisher. I don't think it has enough sex for that. So I'm in the same boat as you are. (Here's an oar...)
My WIP is heavy on the erotic but I'd like to market it more mainstream-- paranormal thriller-- and not go for an erotica publisher. I don't think it has enough sex for that. So I'm in the same boat as you are. (Here's an oar...)
[Thanks for relocating the question, Ruth. You first reply is exactly what I was talking about.]
I'm no expert, but I think it comes down to where your book would be shelved at the local Barnes & Noble. Does it contain enough sex that it would be in erotica, or does it contain so little that it would be a good fit with paranormal thrillers?
It sounds as if you believe, or at least hope, it's the latter, in which case the thing to do is get thee to the bookstore to buy a fat handful of paranormal thrillers, read or skim each one, and determine the amount and heat level of their sexual content. If yours has way more, it could be a hard sell to agents repping paranormal thrillers. If it's similar or only a little hotter, then go for it.
Maryn, great at the non-answer
I'm no expert, but I think it comes down to where your book would be shelved at the local Barnes & Noble. Does it contain enough sex that it would be in erotica, or does it contain so little that it would be a good fit with paranormal thrillers?
It sounds as if you believe, or at least hope, it's the latter, in which case the thing to do is get thee to the bookstore to buy a fat handful of paranormal thrillers, read or skim each one, and determine the amount and heat level of their sexual content. If yours has way more, it could be a hard sell to agents repping paranormal thrillers. If it's similar or only a little hotter, then go for it.
Maryn, great at the non-answer
Hmm, good point Maryn. I don't see it having any more sex than the latest Laurell K Hamilton and she's still in paranormal, at least here. The descriptions might be longer but after mine gets whacked on by an editor, that could change.