Hi all – I’m new here but I’ve been lurking on these boards for a while and gotten some really useful information that has gotten me this far. Now I was hoping I might be able to get some specific advice.
I have a good problem. I wrote a middle grade/YA novel (about 250 pages and a relatively sophisticated adventure story) and submitted to a bunch of agents not expecting a whole lot to be honest – but I got a number of positive reactions and I now have two offers of representation. Problem is – I don’t know enough to really distinguish between them. They both seem great, but I’m a complete novice at this. I know the general answer here tends to be see which one you have a better rapport and fit with – but to be honest, I really liked them both, each seemed pretty insightful and think I could work well with either – so that’s not helping. So I’m stuck splitting hairs.
Both are from very legitimate NY agencies and similar in many ways. They are both from smaller (5-6 agents) agencies, have founders who have been around for 30+ years and represent smaller as well as big-time authors (defined as people or books you’ve heard of). The contract language is almost identical and very author-friendly in both instances. Both claimed to sell between 10-20 books a year and describe a very similar editing and submission process. Here are the particulars of the agents:
Agent A has never done a YA book but is trying to break into it with this book. The agency has done a few YA books, but is more known for political fiction and non-fiction. Even the YA seem to have some ideological slant. That is not what this book is. Agent appears to be very successful (has been an agent for 15+ years), has a track record of selling award-winning books and seems eager to try and sell this one. My concern is whether a lack of strong contacts will be insurmountable. When I asked, Agent said they don’t have lunch with these editors every day, but knows them.
Agent B is younger (with 7-8 years of experience) and does 50% fiction/non-fiction – but only maybe 10-15% YA – so maybe a couple each year. However, Agent B sold a similar YA series within the last few months and indicated that while reading 5-6 editors immediately came to mind who would love it. Agent B also indicated that due to some unique circumstances will typically only have 2-3 projects at a time (which is apparently less than normal?) and is offering what appears to be significant effort to get it published.
So the question is – all other things, including fit being roughly equal – do you go for the more experienced agent who probably has a longer, more impressive track record who is trying to break into the genre or the younger agent who seems very good and at least has some contacts in the space?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
I have a good problem. I wrote a middle grade/YA novel (about 250 pages and a relatively sophisticated adventure story) and submitted to a bunch of agents not expecting a whole lot to be honest – but I got a number of positive reactions and I now have two offers of representation. Problem is – I don’t know enough to really distinguish between them. They both seem great, but I’m a complete novice at this. I know the general answer here tends to be see which one you have a better rapport and fit with – but to be honest, I really liked them both, each seemed pretty insightful and think I could work well with either – so that’s not helping. So I’m stuck splitting hairs.
Both are from very legitimate NY agencies and similar in many ways. They are both from smaller (5-6 agents) agencies, have founders who have been around for 30+ years and represent smaller as well as big-time authors (defined as people or books you’ve heard of). The contract language is almost identical and very author-friendly in both instances. Both claimed to sell between 10-20 books a year and describe a very similar editing and submission process. Here are the particulars of the agents:
Agent A has never done a YA book but is trying to break into it with this book. The agency has done a few YA books, but is more known for political fiction and non-fiction. Even the YA seem to have some ideological slant. That is not what this book is. Agent appears to be very successful (has been an agent for 15+ years), has a track record of selling award-winning books and seems eager to try and sell this one. My concern is whether a lack of strong contacts will be insurmountable. When I asked, Agent said they don’t have lunch with these editors every day, but knows them.
Agent B is younger (with 7-8 years of experience) and does 50% fiction/non-fiction – but only maybe 10-15% YA – so maybe a couple each year. However, Agent B sold a similar YA series within the last few months and indicated that while reading 5-6 editors immediately came to mind who would love it. Agent B also indicated that due to some unique circumstances will typically only have 2-3 projects at a time (which is apparently less than normal?) and is offering what appears to be significant effort to get it published.
So the question is – all other things, including fit being roughly equal – do you go for the more experienced agent who probably has a longer, more impressive track record who is trying to break into the genre or the younger agent who seems very good and at least has some contacts in the space?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
I agree B sounds like the best bet, not that I have any experience in these matters, but that's the way I lean.