Liza Royce Agency (Liza Fleissig)

I would say it's not really the same as asking for a full in the query, because in that case they will still hit the reject button at some point during the query, whereas in this case they are supposedly reading the queries and liking them enough to request.

I would speculate there's an assistant involved who's making these requests (as Lisa) or if it is Lisa, she's not really reading the queries first. Which is no big deal since she'll read it eventually except that you have to give an exclusive.

On the flipside, that zombie book query had a great voice! I'd probably request just to read it

Liza Fleissig of Liza Royce Agency

Hi all,
Liza's my agent (SURVIVAL COLONY NINE, my debut, was just bought by McElderry), and she's been nothing but professional, supportive, and--most importantly--effective during the time we've been together. She worked with me editorially, kept me updated throughout the submission process, and negotiated an excellent deal with a quality publisher. Yes, she requests a lot of fulls, but no, she doesn't take on clients she can't sell. So I have no hesitation in recommending her for submission.
Best,
Josh Bellin

A.P.M. said:

Just to add-I submitted a query, got that same form request for a full, and had to tell her that the MS was already out with a bunch of other agents. I got told that it was out too wide for her to consider but if the other agencies passed to contact her again.

I'm not sure what that means, if anything, other than that she really values exclusivity.

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I would also very much like to know what this means, in the business as such. What does 'out too wide' mean? In the sense - how can that be bad? Too many people have seen it? But it's not like it's patented secret formula - only one agency will represent it and only one publisher will publish it.

And a second question, in case someone knows the answer: how is submitting to publishers at the same time bad? Even supposing this gets in the way of making the best possible deal once an agent does get involved - isn't an agent someone with whom you will work together for many more books and years? Isn't an agent someone who sees your potential as a writer, not as a single book?

There's got to be a simple explanation to all this, which I don't have, not being a pro in this level of the field.

dondomat said:

And a second question, in case someone knows the answer: how is submitting to publishers at the same time bad? Even supposing this gets in the way of making the best possible deal once an agent does get involved - isn't an agent someone with whom you will work together for many more books and years? Isn't an agent someone who sees your potential as a writer, not as a single book?

There's got to be a simple explanation to all this, which I don't have, not being a pro in this level of the field.

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For the second part of the question - my understanding is, if the editors have read and rejected the story already, the agent won't be able to submit to that editor/publishing house, whereas maybe they could have pitched the book in a revised form with their editorial help.

Some agents take on clients. Some agents take on books and will require you to almost "re-query" with your next book.

Someone else may have a different take on this, but that's what I've learned throughout the years.

Just got a request for a full. Fingers crossed!

^ Everyone who will query Liza will receive exclusive full requests

bershka said:

^ Everyone who will query Liza will receive exclusive full requests

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That's very true, based on this thread--but it takes the fun out of it by knowing...

On QueryTracker, it shows that some have been turned down- and additional ones listed in the comment section. It's true that she does request a lot, but the fulls that are requested must stand out in some way. Good luck to all!

For those who have hit the end of the exclusivity period, has anyone heard back from this agency on their full - R or offer?

JJPie said:

For those who have hit the end of the exclusivity period, has anyone heard back from this agency on their full - R or offer?

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Liza's request for exclusivity on my manuscript covers six weeks, starting March 19th. I haven't heard back, though the time has not yet elapsed.

JJPie said:

For those who have hit the end of the exclusivity period, has anyone heard back from this agency on their full - R or offer?

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She rejected my full, about 4wks after she requested it.

Yeah, same with me too, I got my R around 3-4 weeks after request.

Undercover said:

Yeah, same with me too, I got my R around 3-4 weeks after request.

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Thanks for all the status updates! Good luck to everyone in their queries!

Just wanted to chime in here to say that Ms Royce also requested an exclusive full from me last summer.

Exactly 4 weeks later I got an email from her that she'd like to have a phone call, which I, of course, was absolutely ecstatic about. Ultimately there was a lot she liked about the novel, but she also saw some major issues, and wasn't prepared to rep it. She simply wanted to give me feedback – which was so, so amazing. She also encouraged me to send her more work in the future.

I'm very happy about my experience with this agent. I can only think highly of her.

Best of luck to anyone who has work with her.

Has anyone had their requested full out longer than 4 weeks? It seems there have been several no's right at 4 weeks. Mine's been out longer, so I was curious.

So, I got my Full request today. Same note. Only now we're at 7-8 weeks exclusive. Fine by me. I've got other projects on the table. I will update with my stats when avail. Good Luck to you with Fulls out!

I had an interesting email exchange with Liza. She asked for the full of my Paranormal novel, but it was already out with agents and she wanted an exclusive. When it became available, she said she had too many paranormal books in her list and asked if I had anything else. I told her about my sci-fi novel I wrote in 2011 and after giving her a bit of the old query, she did seem pretty interested, so I sent that to her instead.

The email exchange was very polite and professional, so I'd definitely reccommend her to anyone looking for an agent.

WriteStarfish said:

Has anyone had their requested full out longer than 4 weeks? It seems there have been several no's right at 4 weeks. Mine's been out longer, so I was curious.

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I am finishing week 5 on my manuscript. Any news on your end, WriteStarfish?

Polite, but unspecific pass at 6 weeks for me.

Ah, sorry to hear. I'll update with my stats when I hear back.

Queried Liza yesterday, received a request for full today. I know that doesn't make me a special flower, but I'm still enormously pleased to have a legit agent looking at a full. I haven't had a full request in months.

*****More info
I balked at the 7-8 week exclusive request. I know that the agent search can take years, but it made me nervous. Liza was firm about it, but sent me several emails to discuss it. Very candid and polite, and willing to explain things to a noob like me. If she is willing to respond so quickly, and take so much time to talk to a barely published author who isn't in the process yet, I can only imagine that she is equally awesome with her clients. I granted the 8 week exclusive, and Liza helped me not be nervous about it.

***Even more info.
When it rains it pours. No ms requests for months, and today I had two. The above and a request from Frances Black of Literary Counsel. Now I have to tell them that it's out on an exclusive, which is exciting and scary all at the same time.

Nice critique on my mss, but a pass after a little over 6 weeks.

JJPie said:

Some agents take on clients. Some agents take on books and will require you to almost "re-query" with your next book.

Someone else may have a different take on this, but that's what I've learned throughout the years.

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Thanks, JJ! Hadn't though of the 'representing the book' bit, but it makes sense. I suppose most new authors are first seen as a book only, and only gradually turn into real people with whom one can have a durable working relationship.

dondomat said:

Thanks, JJ! Hadn't though of the 'representing the book' bit, but it makes sense. I suppose most new authors are first seen as a book only, and only gradually turn into real people with whom one can have a durable working relationship.

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I think it's agent-by-agent. I had a friend who had an agent at a reputable place and when the agent couldn't sell the book, they parted ways. I know other people who have signed with agents after they found their own publishers and used it to snag an agent for future books.

When you get that call from your future agent, you can always ask if they sign the author or just the book.

Oh, I've thrown my hands up in disgust for now and am proceeding with the 'publish quality stuff with quality magazines and publishers in order to snag agent later' model. Hey, that's what we do? We try stuff, and then other stuff, and then yet other stuff.