Meeting Agents

Geist · Jun 23, 2007

Before signing with an agent, do you think it's imperative to meet with them in person? I mean, someone might sound good on the phone, but...

Ed

Jamesaritchie · Jun 23, 2007

Geist said:
Before signing with an agent, do you think it's imperative to meet with them in person? I mean, someone might sound good on the phone, but...

Ed

It's great, if you can arrange it, but hardly necessary. An agent's track record is what counts.

Hillgate · Jun 23, 2007

I think it's good to ask why THEY would want to sign you without meeting you? (however great your work is)

job · Jun 23, 2007

I never met my agent and she's done a super super job.
I picked her because I did a lot of research, and she has a great reputation in my genre.

And why would she need to meet me?
She can tell I'm sane by talking to me.
Other than that, she just needs the ms.

swvaughn · Jun 23, 2007

Meh. It's great if you can, but not necessary. I got extremely lucky in that I happened to be in NYC for a week while I was querying, and I signed with my agent the day I arrived, so I did get to meet her.

But I think it's safe to say that the majority of writers never meet with their agents, and usually not before signing on with them. It's not often feasible, and not necessary. Telephone interviews seem to do the trick -- Miss Snark *sniffle long live the Snark* (no, she's not dead) actually recommended talking to agents before signing (they'll want to talk to you, anyway), especially if you have more than one offer.

I wonder if I'm making sense? *shrug* I need more coffee...

ORION · Jun 23, 2007

I did not meet my agent until after she sold my book (I signed in July and met her the following April and again in June. It is not the norm to necessarily meet your agent in person. Those who live close to New York may but I know successful authors who have never met their agents.

Toothpaste · Jun 23, 2007

I met my agent but we were in the same city and she worked in the same neighbourhood I lived in coincidentally (when submitting my full to her, I just walked it over in person, no worries if it got lost in the mail!). We had an awesome five hour chat at a pub and got quite tipsy. Very professional of us! Anyway, I was lucky. I hardly think it is necessary to meet in person as so many authors and agents are separated by large land masses usually. But it is fun to!

Novelhistorian · Jun 23, 2007

It's my impression that agents are usually too busy to meet new clients and are probably selective about whom they'll give time to among those clients already in their stables. My (ex-) agent didn't call to offer me representation, but when I called him, he was what I came to know as his crusty old self. I'd think a phone call is a good idea, as it would be with a prospective editor, but personal chemistry is probably a matter of luck.

Geist · Jun 24, 2007

Hillgate said:
I think it's good to ask why THEY would want to sign you without meeting you? (however great your work is)

Good point. So, who should pay for the arline tickets?

Ed

Geist · Jun 24, 2007

swvaughn said:
Meh. It's great if you can, but not necessary. I got extremely lucky in that I happened to be in NYC for a week while I was querying, and I signed with my agent the day I arrived, so I did get to meet her.

But I think it's safe to say that the majority of writers never meet with their agents, and usually not before signing on with them. It's not often feasible, and not necessary. Telephone interviews seem to do the trick -- Miss Snark *sniffle long live the Snark* (no, she's not dead) actually recommended talking to agents before signing (they'll want to talk to you, anyway), especially if you have more than one offer.

I wonder if I'm making sense? *shrug* I need more coffee...

Good advice. Thanks.

Geist · Jun 24, 2007

ORION said:
I did not meet my agent until after she sold my book (I signed in July and met her the following April and again in June. It is not the norm to necessarily meet your agent in person. Those who live close to New York may but I know successful authors who have never met their agents.

I can see what you mean by that. I worked at a particular job where I used a recruiter for two years and never knew what she looked like, but we talked on the phone and e-mailed.

Thanks for the advice.

Hillgate · Jun 24, 2007

Geist said:
Good point. So, who should pay for the arline tickets?

Ed

My apologies to everyone living in the US: you're absolutely right: travel can be a major expense. I was thinking of London where it's normally very easy to meet (eg a thirty minute drive or train journey maximum if you actually live in London) which is the equivalent of living in Lower Manhattan and meeting NY agents.

I eat humble pie.

Almost every day. :flag:

Geist · Jun 24, 2007

I lived in England for 8 years. I've been to London many times. My claim to fame is driving through Picadilly at 5PM on a Friday. I lived in in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Ed

Meeting Agents

Geist

Jamesaritchie

Hillgate

On location

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

swvaughn

adrift

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Novelhistorian

Geist

Geist

Geist

Hillgate

On location

Geist