Requesting email contact VS. phone call?

When I got my offers, every agent emailed first asking to set up a phone call. At that point, it's pretty obvious that you're getting an offer from them. During each call, they'd tell me what they thought of the novel, give me feedback, hear how I responded to the feedback (to make sure I was receptive to it, I suppose), and then offered rep. Then I'd get to ask my list of questions.

Every call had this same format, which makes me think it would be hard to do this just via email. What about suggesting video chat, like on skype? Then you can read lips, and get a gauge on their personalities, enthusiasm, etc., which are all very important when choosing an agent.

Otherwise, I'm SURE agents would be understanding about the hard-of-hearing issue and you could have a back-and-forth on email. Absolutely. You just want to make sure YOU have all the information you need to make the best decision.

I've wondered about the same thing myself. Though my hearing isn't terrible, I sometime have problems understanding everything said on a phone. I've considered that if the problem came up, asking about doing a skype call or chatting through email, so I would second asking about that option if the request for a phone call comes through.

I've never heard of an agent calling without emailing to set up a time. The skype is a good idea, but if it's within a reasonable distance, you could also meet in person with the agent. Or maybe they'll have some other suggestion of communication.

If an agent loves your MS enough to offer you representation, they aren't going to change their mind because you have hearing problems. Just be honest about your situation and it will all work out. Good luck!

See former agent Nathan Bransford's entry on a similar question, post #242.

I'm hard of hearing, too, and although I can understand most of the time on the phone, when I talk to my agent or some other important person, I plug hi-fi stereo headphones into my cell phone and talk with the phone held in front of my chin, walkie talkie style. It's a huge sound improvement.

MaCain said:

I've never heard of an agent calling without emailing to set up a time.

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My first contact (outside of the email full request) came in a phone call on a Tuesday afternoon with no prior warning. It was fairly brief, but it does happen.

FWIW, I felt like I stammered like an idiot through the whole thing, but that didn't make a difference in the end. If an agent does call without warning, it's perfectly acceptable to explain your situation then and ask if you can either try Skype or email or an instant messenger service, etc. If they like your book, they will be happy to work with you on the issue.

There ARE agents who call out of the blue to offer, so to avoid that just leave the number off. Most email in advance to set up the call, and then do as others say-- be honest. You COULD have someone help you, I suppose, by maybe using a speaker phone and "translating" if neccessary by saying (so you could do lip reading) or writing what osmeone says, but I could see that being awkward, too.

It would be more work for an agnet to type up revision notes, rather than talk them out with you, but other than that, i do almost all my work via email and would be 100% fine with an all-email client.

My wonderful agent called me out of the blue to offer - three hours after an email saying she was about 100pgs in and really enjoying. It was a Saturday arvo NZ time, so Friday night US and she'd figured out NZ cell number too (I don't have a landline). We ended up talking for 90 mins, and that was how I knew she was the agent for me - her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm just wowed me and I knew we'd be able to talk about anything. (Plus, she did some twitter recon and saw a conversation where I'd mentioned scheduled phone calls made me nervous as hell, so decided to just do it. )

But if phone calls are a problem, just skip the number and if the question is asked, like others have said, go the Skype way or just email.

All the best!

Buy an amplifier for your phone. You'd surprise how loud you can make a phone's volume for a few bucks.

MaCain said:

I've never heard of an agent calling without emailing to set up a time.

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My first agent called without an email. I wasn't expecting it and didn't recognize the number. I was on vacation with family. I didn't answer.

He left a voice mail and then he emailed me.

If they really want your work, they will make it work.

If it helps. I have never spoken to my agent in person or on the phone (at least partly due to time difference, and partly we never needed to)

Depending on your agent (some prefer calls but will accommodate any difficulty) it's entirely possible to do business via email