Help! need to choose between two agents

wombat · Jul 1, 2007

This is unbelievable after many years of rejections, but I've just got offers from both of these agents to represent a mystery I have written:

Ellen Pepus:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29253
and Prospect Agency, Emily Sylvan Kim: ARGH, there is a thread, but I can't get the link to work no matter how I edit it... sorry

I spoke to Pepus on the phone on Thursday. I had a really good feeling about her. I still had the ms. out to Prospect and emailed to ask if she was still interested and she asked me to give her till Monday. I just got an email from her and she is also very enthusiastic. I have not spoken to her yet.

They are both new agencies but Kim seems to have more of a track record. I don't think I can make a decision till I speak to her on the phone also - I mean, this is a very personal kind of business relationship and I should feel comfortable with her, right?

But otherwise I am so freaked out I can't think straight and would love to have any feedback you guys could give me.

reenkam · Jul 1, 2007

I'd say definitely talk to Emily Kim to see if there's a good connection there. And then, if you write in genres other than the book they both want to represent, ask them each if they'd want to continue to represent you with anything you want to write.

Other than that, it's AWESOME that you've got TWO offers!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
:PartySmil

Don Allen · Jul 1, 2007

That's a problem we all wish we had, do the research and trust your gut....congrats... Thats great..

Susan B · Jul 1, 2007

Congratulations!! Great news!

Yes, definitely have phone conversations with both, you'd be surprised how quickly you can get a sense either way.

Susan

JeanneTGC · Jul 1, 2007

Wow, GREAT news! Please keep us posted. Both agents seem very good, so you should be in good hands whichever you choose.

Saundra Julian · Jul 1, 2007

Congratulations! :snoopy:

Bufty · Jul 1, 2007

Great news. Congratulations.

DaveKuzminski · Jul 1, 2007

Perhaps you could talk them into a celebrity death match and go with the winner?

herdon · Jul 1, 2007

DaveKuzminski said:
Perhaps you could talk them into a celebrity death match and go with the winner?

Oh, sure, and leave one less agent for everyone else.

KAP · Jul 1, 2007

Can I have the leftovers?

Congratulations.

stormie · Jul 1, 2007

Ohh, what fun! Yes, talk to the other agent by phone. Have a short list of questions ready. Congrats!

Christine N. · Jul 1, 2007

I vote for Prospect, but that's me.

You talk to both, you decide

mysterygrl · Jul 1, 2007

Very cool!

One thing I highly recommend: After talking with both agents--and asking all those important questions--talk to a couple of their clients.

Claudia Gray · Jul 1, 2007

Congratulations!

As others have said, phone conversations with them and with their clients (and if they're good, they'll give you a couple of client names and/or e-mail addys) will give you a sense of which way to go. Good luck!

wombat · Jul 1, 2007

Christine N. said:
I vote for Prospect, but that's me.

Why?

I like the death match idea. Or an Iron Agent cooking contest. Oh, or does this board let you do polls? Anything that won't make it my fault for making the wrong choice...

Christine N. · Jul 1, 2007

Because Emily Sylvan Kim sells a lot of books. And because they rejected my book, but were really, really nice about it. Even asked to see the next thing I write.

rugcat · Jul 1, 2007

Publishers Marketplace lists seven books sold by Emily Sylvan Kim since December 2005. Five are Fiction/Women's Romance and two are Children/Young Adult. You state that your book is a mystery--does it have any romance elements? Or she may be trying to branch out.

Ellen Pepus has no deals listed, but PM deals are self-reported by agents--there are well-established agents who do not post there, so it shouldn't be taken as meaning she has no sales.

I think the advice already given that you should talk to them both is excellent. You may find more rapport with one than the other, and that is a big factor.

Christine N. · Jul 1, 2007

Oh, yeah, that's the other reason I liked Emily...she sells YA and there aren't that many that do.

I

wombat · Jul 1, 2007

Pepus is very new and it might be right that she has not yet sold a book on her own. I haven't pressed her on it yet. When I was assuming she was my only offer I decided I didn't care - after all, everyone has to sell their first book sometime, and it means she'll really be on fire to sell something, right?

Here's the thing: If one agent has sold nothing or next to nothing, and the other has sold seven books not in my genre... Does seven trump nothing automatically? Or can the 'rapport' thing override the numbers? They are both pretty new - it's not like I'm choosing between the biggest agent in New York and someone who's just starting - so I am not sure what to make of the numbers at this level.

I suppose I should ask both of them if they have a plan - have they already thought of publishers or editors to approach. I hope that will give some idea of what they know about selling the genre even if they haven't previously put that knowledge into action.

Also, I have realized - I don't know what I would ask any of their clients. I mean, I'm assuming they will say nice things because if they didn't like their agent, they'd get a new one - so what would I learn? What do youall think I should ask?

rugcat · Jul 1, 2007

wombat said:
Also, I have realized - I don't know what I would ask any of their clients. I mean, I'm assuming they will say nice things because if they didn't like their agent, they'd get a new one - so what would I learn? What do youall think I should ask?

I would ask, how easy is it to communicate with her? Does she answer your questions adequately? Does she reply in a timely manner to emails? Does she keep you informed of who she's submitted to? (My agent not only kept me informed about who she submitted to, she informed me of their replies within a day of receiving them)

Did she help you with getting the ms in the best shape possible, if that was warranted? (Does she have any editing experience, and do you feel your ms could use some polishing before submittal)

Most important, did she sell your book?

NiennaC · Jul 1, 2007

CONGRATS!!!
I agree with everyone else on this. I would have a phone conversation with both people, and see how it goes.

jordijoy · Jul 1, 2007

A big congrats from this struggling writer to one on his/her way to bigger and better things.

MissLadyRae · Jul 1, 2007

Ooh! To have this dilemma!

Just chiming in to give my congrats! Let us know how it goes!

ORION · Jul 2, 2007

There are several questions to ask at this point.
Does the agent have publishing contacts, do they have a client list, have they made sales?
This is when a PM subscription is worth its weight in gold.
Many times on Agentquery.com you can find out which agency an agent came from as this can also indicate experience and possible publishing contacts.
I know it is exciting to get offers of representation but it is crucial to think carefully at this point. You want someone who has a clear idea of where and when they would submit your book. I would not worry so much that the sales did not match exactly your genre- it could be the agent (like you say) is branching out or has had specific requests from editors for your type of book.
Hope this helps

wombat · Jul 2, 2007

ORION said:
it is crucial to think carefully at this point.

I know, and all I can think is things like "I have to call that agent now and take notes... where is my lucky pen???"

I really appreciate all of your feedback and congratulations - I will keep youall posted.

Help! need to choose between two agents

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