I teach a "How not to be an asshat" course and guess what one of the lessons is? Don't make "quick" asks.
One of the fastest ways to get me bristling and annoyed ➡️ "I have a quick question." A trigger, one might say.
Perhaps quick for you to ask but almost never quick for me to answer. And you usually say "quick" cause you know you're being a bad person in some way (trying to get something for free, last minute, etc).
My default for deciding how to ask people questions related to their field without feeling like I'm freebie'ing it or devaluing them is asking myself can they yes/no/three word answer me (regardless of if just I benefit or multiple people). E.g. "What app do you use for personal budgeting?" "Do you have a book recommend for career changers?" If it's not a quick answer, I'll usually either throw it out to a group (and not tag anyone) so no one feels put upon + to get lots of weigh ins, or reach out to the person and say, "Let me know how to hire you RE [insert topic]." (I prefer people go to my FAQ or Resources pages before asking me most of those types of Qs, so I try to do the legwork on my own first before pinging someone or asking generally).
What a treat to read these articles. Not only do I learn a great deal about the ins and outs of the new career (or at least, side hustle) I am pursuing, but I laugh out loud and smile quite often.
Agreed! I’ve learned this from experience but still have the nagging voice in my head that there’s an easier way to go about it (than to actually put all those hours into research and writing)...thank you for validating the hours (and hours) of work that a good idea deserves!
This may be a topic for a future newsletter, but I’m wondering, do publishers still have ideas they pitch to agents? Or do they contact packagers/book producers, or both?
My first how-to book was contracted in 1985 by a major publisher via a packager who sought a suitable author illustrator for them. The packager's rep walked into my friend’s shop to buy a pen and saw calligraphy on the wall, and my name was passed on as a possibility for the book. After I supplied a couple of sample chapters, the publisher decided to change their plan and double the number of pages.
I asked an editor I didn’t know for social media friendship. Along with acceptance, she asked me if I’d be interested in a project – a third of a MG nonfiction, 101 things to do beore you grow up. She was obviously on a hunt, and presumably had read articles I’d written, or visited my website. My first book for kids. I sent something to them by snail mail, envelope written calligraphically, and they immediately asked if I could write them a how-to book for adults. They’d been thinking they should have one, I wonder for how long.
At the Bologna Book Fair in 2010, a Canadian company told me they had wanted to publish a book on ‘How to Draw Borders’, but never found anyone to create it, so they released a calligraphy book instead. Maybe I should ask if they still want one on borders.
At the London Book Fair, I asked publishers if they had any topics for which they would like a proposal. I gathered about 12 requests: fungi; the sea shore; papermaking; baby animals; encyclopaedia of plants; any how-to craft subject... One was desperate for a book of recipes children could cook. There are dozens on the market, but they didn’t have one in their catalogue. Not my thing, but the guy followed me down the aisle asking if I had any friends who could write it. Did they ask an agent?
I verbally pitched an idea for a book on fun lettering for kids to a publisher at the LBF. They said ‘No...but can you write one for adults on calligraphy for greetings cards and scrapbooking?’ They already had an idea of/knew what they wanted. I wonder if they had previously asked any agent if they had a client who might be interested. One of the sample chapters I wrote didn’t get included in the book, and it took a couple of months to finalise the table of contents.
This is why writers need to be in community. We can bandy about ideas and what we’ve seen in the marketplace and read without bothering agents, who work on commission, to do that work in advance.
My gut feeeling has always been that ssuch a "feeler" was a waste of time andd your excellent article explains why, in detail, but without being harsh - which I think is helpful to young writers in these - the most fearful waters (wwriting the book is easy by comparison). It is the hard work f the query, bio, market reseaarch onsimilar titles etc that is really the bugger. Thanks for the great article.
One of my new year's resolutions was to evaluate the importance of the "important" post it notes that decorate the sides of my computer. Quite a few are wisdom posts from Agents and Books. As always, thanks~~~
Very interesting to read this from your point of view! I have a detail question: Do these messages come from established writers and unknown/unpublished writers alike? Because as a writer who has only recently found an agency but has been writing for many many years I would have honestly never dared to ask an agent about something so vague. Would be interesting to hear:)! Regards from Cologne, Germany
If we were looking for a traditional book deal, and have never published a book before, would we need an agent before an editor or vice versa, or something completely different? Asking for a friend, named Camden.
I get my best ideas at night. Lying in bed. Usually, they sound great in my head. I've got a great script lined up, only I'm too lazy to get out of bed and write it down. "I'll remember it in the morning," I tell myself. Sometimes I do remember, and the story ends up going on to the computer, though never verbatim as it was in my head last night. Still, it finds it's way on to the paper.
Last night I decided, for the first time ever, I think I'll jot this one idea onto a note pad! So I jumped out of bed, wrote down that great thought/conversation verbatim, and quickly fell asleep.
That note didn't make it's way into the computer this morning but it sure helped me sleep faster. Sometimes we need to hold on to our ideas a little longer and let it simmer into something nice before delivering it somewhere else : )
I love this! Always looking for advice and a proper insight into the minds of agents. I've been so excited about the book I'm working on at the moment that there have been times I've wondered if I should do this. But I was aware that this was purely driven as excitement and that there is nothing more important than the first impression on my dream agent - I cannot blow it on a 'quick note' when I could keep working and working until I have something finished and incredible to send them. It's always a risk but creativity always is; the most important thing is having faith in your ideas but most importantly, faith in the outcome of hard work. Enjoyed reading this, thank you!
So true. Writers who have good writing partners also get this kind of necessary and early feedback. Saving everyone, including the writer, time and potentially the embarrassment of a rejection at idea stage. Your post addresses this very kindly.
😂 👏🏽 🎉
I teach a "How not to be an asshat" course and guess what one of the lessons is? Don't make "quick" asks.
One of the fastest ways to get me bristling and annoyed ➡️ "I have a quick question." A trigger, one might say.
Perhaps quick for you to ask but almost never quick for me to answer. And you usually say "quick" cause you know you're being a bad person in some way (trying to get something for free, last minute, etc).
My default for deciding how to ask people questions related to their field without feeling like I'm freebie'ing it or devaluing them is asking myself can they yes/no/three word answer me (regardless of if just I benefit or multiple people). E.g. "What app do you use for personal budgeting?" "Do you have a book recommend for career changers?" If it's not a quick answer, I'll usually either throw it out to a group (and not tag anyone) so no one feels put upon + to get lots of weigh ins, or reach out to the person and say, "Let me know how to hire you RE [insert topic]." (I prefer people go to my FAQ or Resources pages before asking me most of those types of Qs, so I try to do the legwork on my own first before pinging someone or asking generally).
Thanks for spotlighting this, Kate!
Very very helpful! This takes a lot of the fear out of pitching. Thanks
I needed to hear this! Especially the last paragraph... Thank you!
What a treat to read these articles. Not only do I learn a great deal about the ins and outs of the new career (or at least, side hustle) I am pursuing, but I laugh out loud and smile quite often.
Agreed! I’ve learned this from experience but still have the nagging voice in my head that there’s an easier way to go about it (than to actually put all those hours into research and writing)...thank you for validating the hours (and hours) of work that a good idea deserves!
Thanks for this reminder!
This may be a topic for a future newsletter, but I’m wondering, do publishers still have ideas they pitch to agents? Or do they contact packagers/book producers, or both?
My first how-to book was contracted in 1985 by a major publisher via a packager who sought a suitable author illustrator for them. The packager's rep walked into my friend’s shop to buy a pen and saw calligraphy on the wall, and my name was passed on as a possibility for the book. After I supplied a couple of sample chapters, the publisher decided to change their plan and double the number of pages.
I asked an editor I didn’t know for social media friendship. Along with acceptance, she asked me if I’d be interested in a project – a third of a MG nonfiction, 101 things to do beore you grow up. She was obviously on a hunt, and presumably had read articles I’d written, or visited my website. My first book for kids. I sent something to them by snail mail, envelope written calligraphically, and they immediately asked if I could write them a how-to book for adults. They’d been thinking they should have one, I wonder for how long.
At the Bologna Book Fair in 2010, a Canadian company told me they had wanted to publish a book on ‘How to Draw Borders’, but never found anyone to create it, so they released a calligraphy book instead. Maybe I should ask if they still want one on borders.
At the London Book Fair, I asked publishers if they had any topics for which they would like a proposal. I gathered about 12 requests: fungi; the sea shore; papermaking; baby animals; encyclopaedia of plants; any how-to craft subject... One was desperate for a book of recipes children could cook. There are dozens on the market, but they didn’t have one in their catalogue. Not my thing, but the guy followed me down the aisle asking if I had any friends who could write it. Did they ask an agent?
I verbally pitched an idea for a book on fun lettering for kids to a publisher at the LBF. They said ‘No...but can you write one for adults on calligraphy for greetings cards and scrapbooking?’ They already had an idea of/knew what they wanted. I wonder if they had previously asked any agent if they had a client who might be interested. One of the sample chapters I wrote didn’t get included in the book, and it took a couple of months to finalise the table of contents.
Packagers do come to agents looking for writers! You can read more about that here. https://katemckean.substack.com/p/just-tell-me-what-to-write
This is why writers need to be in community. We can bandy about ideas and what we’ve seen in the marketplace and read without bothering agents, who work on commission, to do that work in advance.
My gut feeeling has always been that ssuch a "feeler" was a waste of time andd your excellent article explains why, in detail, but without being harsh - which I think is helpful to young writers in these - the most fearful waters (wwriting the book is easy by comparison). It is the hard work f the query, bio, market reseaarch onsimilar titles etc that is really the bugger. Thanks for the great article.
Great post and I love the way you wrote it so inclusively so it didn’t feel like a criticism!
One of my new year's resolutions was to evaluate the importance of the "important" post it notes that decorate the sides of my computer. Quite a few are wisdom posts from Agents and Books. As always, thanks~~~
Very interesting to read this from your point of view! I have a detail question: Do these messages come from established writers and unknown/unpublished writers alike? Because as a writer who has only recently found an agency but has been writing for many many years I would have honestly never dared to ask an agent about something so vague. Would be interesting to hear:)! Regards from Cologne, Germany
Someone will always do the thing you wouldn't dare to do. :) Writers of all stripes do this, including me! lol
If we were looking for a traditional book deal, and have never published a book before, would we need an agent before an editor or vice versa, or something completely different? Asking for a friend, named Camden.
In traditional publishing, the agent comes before the editor. comb back through the archives and you'll find a lot about this!
Thank you so much! I was already looking through it weirdly enough.
I get my best ideas at night. Lying in bed. Usually, they sound great in my head. I've got a great script lined up, only I'm too lazy to get out of bed and write it down. "I'll remember it in the morning," I tell myself. Sometimes I do remember, and the story ends up going on to the computer, though never verbatim as it was in my head last night. Still, it finds it's way on to the paper.
Last night I decided, for the first time ever, I think I'll jot this one idea onto a note pad! So I jumped out of bed, wrote down that great thought/conversation verbatim, and quickly fell asleep.
That note didn't make it's way into the computer this morning but it sure helped me sleep faster. Sometimes we need to hold on to our ideas a little longer and let it simmer into something nice before delivering it somewhere else : )
I love this! Always looking for advice and a proper insight into the minds of agents. I've been so excited about the book I'm working on at the moment that there have been times I've wondered if I should do this. But I was aware that this was purely driven as excitement and that there is nothing more important than the first impression on my dream agent - I cannot blow it on a 'quick note' when I could keep working and working until I have something finished and incredible to send them. It's always a risk but creativity always is; the most important thing is having faith in your ideas but most importantly, faith in the outcome of hard work. Enjoyed reading this, thank you!
Purple dinosaurs from Mars. Whatta ya think? OK, never mind, just blowing off steam!
So true. Writers who have good writing partners also get this kind of necessary and early feedback. Saving everyone, including the writer, time and potentially the embarrassment of a rejection at idea stage. Your post addresses this very kindly.