Showcase: Working with Your Agent
We asked the writing community for their top questions on working with a literary agent. See what our viewers asked in the comments.
This event originally aired Sunday, January 12, 2020.
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the beginning of this video cut out some of Natascha’s thoughts on our first question. Sound resumes at roughly the 3:00 mark. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Natascha spent most of her childhood in a leather chair with her nose in a book. Her editorial philosophy stems from the idea that all books should be well written and entertaining. Some of her favorite authors include Molly Idle, Sherwood Smith, Ann Rinaldi, Sabaa Tahir, and Meg Cabot. Check out her Pinterest for a quick look at her favorite books.
Natascha is primarily looking for picture book, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, historical fiction, and narrative non-fiction. She is also looking for artists that speak to her creatively.
How long does it take to get an agent…
Should you submit multiple stories to an agent?
If you land an agent in another state, is a face-to-face meeting expected or necessary, in order to sign contracts, etc?
How would you describe your ideal client?
How do you determine if a manuscript is something you’re really interested in? Do you read the pages and query then decide, or just the query?
Hi! Looking forward to the talk. The sound is really muddy. Not sure if that’s on my end or not.
It’s very hard to hear! Not sure if it’s like that for everyone else
Same.
Hey Natascha! You rejected one of my queries a while ago and woo, I totally agree with that. Can you just kinda beat us over the head with really awesome query sites, query books, etc? I’m trying so, so hard to make this query thing click. I’m getting better! But it’s still rough and choppy. Goodness knows I already watch everything Bookends.
Do you have any advice for international authors outside of the US? Is it harder for someone like that to get published with a US agent?
What do you look for in a manuscript? Is YA contemporary still in?
What publishing trends are you noticing?
When is the best time to query?
As a first-time author, what does the revision/editing process look like with an agent? (I thought a manuscript was supposed to be completed and polished BEFORE submission)?
Impossible to hear. Too much feedback in the background. You sound like you are underwater.
For those looking to watch, the audio clears up at about 3 minutes.
I’m really having trouble with the sound on this one. Other sessions have been fine. Suggestions?