My Life in a Literary Agency

[Gravity Defier]

OOPS.

*likes-thumbs up*

[Yebra]

I'm vaguely disappointed by the lack of existence of an 'oppsometer'. You've let me down again Internet.

[Eaquae Legit]

A book client?

[Eddie Pinz]

Stick it to the man Kel, stick it to the man!

[Young Val]

Now that the first wave of panic is over, I should elaborate.

The "client" is a long-time friend of mine, Amanda. She is a very prominent fixture on the online crafting/sewing/small business owner scene. She has been getting approached to contribute to books or write magazine columns for years now, and the build-up has recently gotten so out of hand that she decided she needed an agent. But she doesn't yet have plans to write a book of her own. So, basically no established agent is going to take her on just to field her permission requests.

But I would.

So when she asked me if I would be willing to handle negotiations and offers for her, do the heavy-lifting of all the rejections, and vet any contracts that came her way--of course I said yes. I have no problem using my experience to help out my pals. But it was only when she brought up the topic of payment, etc. that I realized she was interested in having a professional relationship wherein I would officially represent her and her work.

Like I said, oops.

I gave her full disclosure: I am not certified by the AAR (1. not that I need to be to legally represent her, and 2. I could be recoginzed by them as an Associate--though not yet an agent--by next week if I got my ducks in a row). I also told her that I was more than willing to field her permissions without payment (Agents don't generally take a cut of permissions fees from their clients because the money generated is SO small, unless it's an Estate--such as MLK's Estate; my boss pretty much lived off the commissions for "I Have A Dream" alone, forget all the rest of his work) so long as she was comfortable with me adding the gig to my freelance resume and would be willing to give me recommendations in the future (assuming, of course, she is pleased with my work).

I also told her I'd be ahappy to just advise her when offers come along. Give her my professional opinion and let her handle the requests herself.

So she's not officially a client yet, so I don't officially have to worry about it.

It has made my head spin, though. Reaffirming how quickly I could be recognized as an Associate by the AAR and just...set up shop and start taking submissions pretty much by this afternoon if I wanted... that's a little insane.

And definitely not financially responsible. In fact, I absolutely could not afford to do it full time right now.

Plus, I had already recognized that the sun had set on my agenting career and it was time to move into the editing sphere.

Nothing may come of it, but it's a lot to think about.

[Young Val]

ANOTHER friend just crawled out of the woodwork and wants me to help her understand her book contract. At least all this random stuff is keeping my mind sharp!

In more legitimate news, I applied for a production assistant job today. The company seems great; the books they publish aren't exactly my cup of tea (childhood development and educational non-fiction--which I find very interesting and all, but working with fiction is my true calling. Still).

Their benefits are AMAZING and I think my vast childcare experience coupled with my publishing mojo should make me stand out a bit. Although, I thought I was a shoe-in for the last job and we all know how THAT turned out. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Young Val]

When it rains, it pours.

My second favorite independent press just announced a job opening. I have a connection there, and I want this job MUCH more than I want the other I just applied for--despite the fact that the other will probably pay far better.

This job is essentially a glorified receptionist position. I am definitely over-qualified. But it's at my 2nd favorite small press out here; I love their list, I love the staff, I love the building, I love their objectives, I LOVE this press. And all I really want is to get my damn foot in the door. I'd rather be a receptionist than an intern. I'll probably be taking a pay cut and absolutely be taking a wound to my pride, but I WANT THIS ONE, DAMNIT.

Please, oh please give me an interview, please, oh please...

[Oliver Dale]

Ooh, this is exciting. Keep us posted!

[Young Val]

Interview for the production assistant position tomorrow! I'm so thrilled and terribly nervous. I have to take a copyediting test. Ugh.

[Rei]

Hurrah! Hopefully the test isn't too awful (either in terms of dull or difficult, although I'm guessing the former).

[Eddie Pinz]

WTF Kelly?

We were all obviously expecting an update today.

[ValentineNicole]

WTF Kelly?

We were all obviously expecting an update today.

This.

*waits impatiently*

[Young Val]

Sorry, sorry!

It went rather well, I think. The last two gentlemen I spoke with liked me a lot, I know. The team is small, but seems like a cohesive, lively lot; I think I could get on well there. The work will be well-paced, but dull. The building is HIDEOUS which, ok, I know shouldn't matter all that much, but it DOES. Go back to the begining pages of this thread and look at my first-ever office and understand why I am so spoiled.

The copy-editing test was a breeze. The gave me a dictionary AND a copy of THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE, so if I failed then I deserve to be shot.

I won't hear for two weeks at least.

My fingers are crossed (but they're even a little bit more crossed that I'll get called in for an interview at the other press!).

[Eddie Pinz]

Very nice. I have my fingers crossed for you as well.

[Young Val]

Well, I won't be getting an interview at the other press I applied to, as they've filled the position. Damnit.

Won't hear back from the press I interviewed with until the end of this week at the earliest. I'm so impatient.

Did discuss with David my ideas to take an internship if all else fails. He's supportive, which is important as he'd be supporting us both financially if it comes to that.

*sigh*

[Young Val]

It hurts SO MUCH to hear from friends in New York who have been in the industry far less time than I have whose careers are now rapidly, rapidly soaring.

It is so damn hard for me to be happy for them.

[Young Val]

Apparently "Elena" didn't get the job at Redleaf.

Why they're sending ME Elena's rejection letters, I have no f****** idea.

YOU ARE THE HEAD OF THE HR DEPARTMENT. My original email, which you copied, has my name at the bottom. Followed by my signature which includes all of my contact info and also MY NAME again. I introduced myself to you WHEN WE MET FOR ONE OF THREE INTERVIEWS. The email address to which you sent my rejection letter IS ALSO MY FULL NAME.

GETTING MY NAME RIGHT IS SORT OF THE WHOLE f****** POINT OF YOUR JOB, HR DIRECTOR.


Obviously this is a blessing in disguise, right? Who wants to work with such blatantly careless people? God, I f****** hate it here.

[Eaquae Legit]

Hey Kelly,

I don't remember if this has been asked before, but does the publishing industry dread the end of NaNo? I imagine there's got to be at least a slight increase in manuscript submissions...

[Young Val]

David talked me into opening my own literary agency. Oh god, oh god, oh god.

ETA: Ali, a very, very belated answer to your question: I never noticed an particular influx of manuscripts post-nano. The most obnoxious thing about nano from a publishing perspective is this.

Friend of a Friend at a Bar or a Party or Wherever: So, what do you do?
Me: I work in publishing.
FoF: Oh, hey! My cousin's roommate just wrote a book! Yeah, he wrote, like, a whole book in a month or something. It's really good. It's about, like, this guy who goes on a road trip after his girlfriend dumps him, but he, like, gets lost in Middle America somewhere and, like, rescues a stray dog and meets this tattooed chick at a gas station, and like, it's about, like, finding yourself or whatever. It's really, really good. The dog is, like, the best part. Do you have a business card or something? Because I should totally put you in touch with my cousin's roommate. The book is going to be huge. Best seller and s***. You could, like, publish his book.
Me: Actually, I work for a literary agency, not a publisher.
FoF: What's that?
Me: You know Jerry Maguire?
FoF: Yeah, totally.
Me: It's like that, but for books instead of sports.
FoF: Seriously? That's like, a thing?
Me: Yeah.
FoF: SHOW ME THE MONEY! Hahaha. Great movie. So how about that business card? For my cousin's roommate. The book is called like, GAS STATION GOLD MINES or something. Maybe GOLDEN GAS STATIONS. "Gas Stations" and "gold" are in there somehow. It's so good, dude.
Me: Oh...I don't have any of my cards on me at the moment. Sorry. Um. I'm gonna...go get a drink. Bye.

[Dr. Mobius]

David talked me into opening my own literary agency. Oh god, oh god, oh god.

Yay! (?)

[Young Val]

It is a huge, terrifying yay.

Unlike other times when I've done this sort of informally, or tossed the idea around casually, or leant my expertise to friends, this time I am actually opening a business. Registering an S-Corporation. Paying quarterly taxes. Printing business cards. Starting the certification process for AAR. This will actually be real.

I'm still a little bit dazed from the shock of it.

I've toyed with the idea ever since leaving New York, and kept finding excuses and putting it off. After a long, long car ride, where it began as a hypothetical discussion and eventually became a serious one, I realized that there are thousands of reasons to do this and to do it NOW, and there's only one reason not to: because I'm scared.

And that's a pretty terrible reason not to do something.

So...here I go.

[steph]

Wow! Good luck, vibes, chi and prayers all sent your way!! You. Are. Awesome.

[Syphon the Sun]

Can I ask why you went S-corp over LLC?

And, of course: best of luck!

[Young Val]

To be honest, I haven't made that decision yet, and am still thoroughly in the researching stage. An LLC is definitely still a serious option. When I was writing the above post I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. I still haven't even decided on a company name yet, as this decision was only made late last night! As of right now I want to spend the month of June solidifying my business plan, completing my research, and getting my ducks in a row. I'd like to start making things offical in July.

[starlooker]

Good for you! Many hugs and much support!

[Rei]

Good show! That sounds absolutely brilliant (and terrifying)!

[LilBee91]

Eek! Exciting! And scary! You'll do awesome. Best of luck!

[Petrie]

You were made to do this, Kelly. Go get 'em and good luck. :)

[Petra456]

How exciting! Good luck!!!

[Luet]

You were made to do this, Kelly.

This. You rock! I hope everything works out however you envision it.

[Young Val]

Thanks for all your encouragement, guys!

I have only told a few select people about my plans as of yet, but I have been so overwhelmed by all the support I've been given so far. It's also really, really amazing to have people supporting you through something positive as opposed to something negative. I am truly grateful.

Things are moving fast and my head is spinning. I still cannot come up with a decent name for the company; typically agents name their boutique agencies after themselves, but my full name is so perky and cheerleader-ish, it just doesn't sound right. On the other hand, if I don't use my name I run into equal trouble, because I don't want any puns or word play or anything too cutesy or clever. *Sigh* I have lists upon lists of names that don't sound right, and am just hoping to hit on the right thing soon.

I've been reaching out to my industry contacts and they've all been amazing. I'm sketching out my submission policy and drafting my agency agreements. I've got to dig out my old boiler plate contracts from the dark depths of my filing cabinet and look into getting a business phone line. So, so much to do. I'm also looking into taking an accounting class to brush up on my skills, which are a little rusty from misuse.

I don't think I expected things to explode in quite this way, but the train has most definitely left the station.

[Claire]

Wow! Congratulations on taking the leap!

[steph]

Kelly, you are amazing and inspiring.

[Eaquae Legit]

Good luck and congratulations to you, Kelly!

[mr_thebrain]

that's pretty cool. congrats and good luck! running a business is a lot of work. mostly paperwork. but it should be fun and rewarding on top of being a stressful pain in the ass.