Five Things I’ve Learned Since Getting A Book Agent
This is a story about some guy – just a guy like anyone – who decided to start a blog. The next thing he knew…well. I’ll let him tell you about it. Please welcome Josh Hanagarne, the World’s Strongest Librarian.
At the time of this writing, my blog at the World’s Strongest Librarian is five months old. Somewhere around Month Two, I woke up one morning to find an email from Seth Godin in my inbox.
I read the first line. After wetting my pants and regaining consciousness, I read the rest.
“There’s a book in this,” said the email from Grandmaster G. “I’m copying my agent on this.”
Long story short, Seth noticed my blog, that agent became my agent, we wrote a book proposal (still unsold), and that brings us to today’s topic:
What I’ve learned since starting a blog and ending up with my very own book agent.
From-The-Hip, Uncited But True Statistics
The statistics about how many writers – good writers are not spared – have their work rejected are pretty staggering. The statistics about how many writers acquire good agents aren’t much cheerier. Actually, let’s look at a few statistics:
A survey commissioned by the Jenkins Group back in 2002 reported that 81% percent of people think they have a book in them and should write it. Some obviously decided to do just that, because according to a 2006 UNESCO report, 170,000 books were published in the United States of America.
Now, census data as of July 2009 estimated that 307, 212, 213 people live in the U.S. If the Jenkins Group study was true, this means that approximately 250 million people think they should be writing books.
And we already know some of them might even do it.
The Writer’s Market guide to agents lists, “550 agents who sell your work.” An agent has to have some credibility to get listed in the Writer’s Market, but there are probably more agents than that who could sell your work. So let’s multiply the available agents by 100.
That means 55, 000 agents who sell your work are spread across 250,000,000 wannabes.
Worse, even if you are lucky enough to find an agent to represent your work, that agent may not be able to do anything for you.
Before I had an agent, I had some pretty epic and naive ideas about what agents did and didn’t do. Now that I do have one, I am happy to report that she is everything an agent is supposed to be.
But there have been surprises, each delivered by the merciless, callused slap of reality.
Five of the Zillion Things I’ve Learned
1. A good agent is a book person first
This is the most encouraging thing Lisa said to me: “I want this book to succeed because I’m a book person. It’s a cool story and I want to help get it out there so I can read it.”
Sure, she’ll make money off my book if it ever gets published, but books need serious champions to push them through to that point. The lure of money alone doesn’t produce the kind of insight and intuition that agents and editors need to really create something special.
2. You shouldn’t feel rushed
“This is worth doing right,” Lisa told me after we slaved over the first proposal. Honestly, I still felt like she’d leave me at any second. Or that the first rejection would arrive in her hands and she’d say, “I knew this was a mistake, you tall imbecile!”
If an agent really believes in a project, that person gives it time to breathe and grow. You don’t have to make it all happen at once.
Once there is overwhelming evidence that the project should be dropped, though, don’t expect an agent to stick around until the end of time.
3. The waiting game stinks, but it’s a game you have to play
If sharks quit swimming, they can’t breathe. My own battle with Tourette’s Syndrome is similar, having created a pathological productivity in me so that I can swim. If I quit moving/producing/writing, my symptoms get the better of me.
So I work hard, fast, and constantly. I can bulldoze my way past anything as long as I’m my own timetable.
But when I entered the agent/writer relationship, I realized that my own timetable no longer mattered as much. All you can do is write. The schedules of editors, publishers, agents, interns, and who knows how many other people are suddenly the priority.
You can’t rush them and you wouldn’t want to rush them.
I get the feeling that some authors are very, very high maintenance and need constant reassurance and updates. It’s better to learn to wait than to burn bridges with the needy bonfire of your own insecurity.
Agents do owe you feedback and responses, by the way. You just have to figure out how and when it works best for each of you. I recommend setting very clear expectations for the relationship as early as possible.
4. Admit the things you don’t know; ask the questions you should
Holy crap, talk about being in over your head! Since I was never chasing a book deal, I never familiarized myself with the publishing world. Suddenly I was tossed around in a whirlwind of jargon, rates, contracts, emails, etc…
My volcanic need to be the smartest guy in the room and my divalicious tendencies to pretend I know everything were immediately put to the test. Suddenly I felt like I was playing dress-up in big-boy clothes. My web of lies and pseudo-knowledge was crumbling!
I gave up and gave in. I asked questions and asked more until my jaw ached.
One good thing about the email or telephone relationship with your agent is that the agent can’t see you nodding dumbly. You have to give answers to their questions and clarify that you understand. A good agent makes you do it.
5. Getting an agent is just the beginning
Getting that email from Seth was wonderful. Getting those initial emails and phone calls from Lisa was just as good. Signing the contract to be represented by her and her agency was even better.
But all that meant is that I have an agent. I have not signed the contract for a book deal. I have not written a book. Back when it began, I hadn’t even written a book proposal. No publisher had ever heard of me. No one was offering me any money.
It was a thrilling beginning, but just a beginning…
A Piece of Advice I’m Always Stealing Without Giving Credit (until now)
My good friend Kat Ricker always says, “Keep it fun or you won’t keep it.”
So far, that perspective has helped me stay on track with blogging, work, the book proposal, and my relationship with my agent. Few of the hassles and headaches and worries that come with being a writer (or being alive, come to think of it) are actually life and death.
If you’re trying to get an agent – or if you’re trying to do anything at all, really – keep this advice in mind: Keep it fun or you won’t keep it.
Once you have an agent, tattoo that advice on your arm, because you’ll forget it if you start sitting around and staring at your telephone or hitting refresh for your inbox every five seconds while you wait for good news.
It should be fun.
Josh Hanagarne is the twitchy giant behind World’s Strongest Librarian. Unless someone figures out what a poser he is, you may soon have a memoir called The World’s Strongest Librarian in your hot little hands. Subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates to stay updated.
32 Responses to “Five Things I’ve Learned Since Getting A Book Agent”
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Josh,
Love the story of how you got your agent. Absolutely inspiring. Maybe one day Seth Godin will email the rest of us and say he wants to hook us up with his agent (*sigh*). Until then, all the best. You deserve it.
Suzannah-Write It Sideways´s last blog ..What Not To Name Your Characters
Congratulations! I remember when I was contacted by Top Floor to write a book about Internet recruiting; that was back in 2000 or so. Quite a rush. And how fantastic that it was your writings in your blog that attracted such a great response!
‘course, anyone who can appreciate kettlebells certainly deserves the best in success. They rock!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..INTENSE Guerrilla Marketing examples
Really good post this, Josh. I became ‘with agent’ this Summer too, although for my already-completed novel rather than non-ficiton.
Having an agent has been great and so, so helpful. Without any song and dance, together we’ve worked to improve the book and get it to a state where we’re both reallty happy with what we’ve submitted to publishers.
And that’s the important thing, I think, working together. An agent is just the start and the biggest mistake would be to rest on the ol’ laurels. Knowing your ludicrous post rate, I know that won’t be a problem for you!
Good luck with the proposal.
Iain Broome – Write for Your Life´s last blog ..Ignore anyone who tells you to write, write, write!
That is a great story Josh!
It is clear that you deserve all the success you get.
You work extremely hard, you are talented and you have a unique story/angle.
With those three ingredients anyone can be successful in any field.
John Bardos´s last blog ..We Live in Amazing Times!
Josh – once again, you amaze me. I think what I admire about all of this is that you continue to remain humble and true to yourself. You’re so not a poser – but that comment did make me laugh. Hopefully you’ll be visiting NYC soon and we’ll grab a coffee. Congrats friend.
Laura – The Journal of Cultural Conversation´s last blog ..Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Hi Josh,
Impressive post. Enough that I signed up for your blog.
It does sound like you have a story to tell. Now write the damn book so I can buy it (smile).
Mary
Josh – great post! #4 is my favorite – a tough one to do – especially when it’s one of those history class nuggets that borders “I might be an idiot because I don’t remember this..” – but still – better in the long run. It’s so interesting to read about the book publishing process – sounds like this really intense, partly scary, completely awesome experience. Can’t wait ’til the book is out!
Josh,
That’s great advice—as you say, if you’re trying to do anything at all. My favorite version of that was also stolen: “Love the one you’re with.”
Makes plowing through the rough spots (of publishing or a day’s work) a lot easier, having a little mantra to help you keep your obviously awesome attitude.
I’ll bet that’s what attracted Mr. Godin’s eye. Everyone’s got a story to tell, but not everyone can tell it with awesomeness. Congratulations, and thanks for the advice!
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog ..How NOT To Sell in an Email
Hey gang, I’m flattered by all the encouragement and kind words. I’m off to swing kettlebells around and make myself cry for an hour, then I’ll be back to respond to some comments.
One quick thing: I killed my newsletter after i wrote this post, so that link in my bio doesn’t go anywhere.
We’ll talk soon, teamo supremo!
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Three Great Autobiographies About Very Different Subjects
Hi Josh,
Congrats on making a huge step forward to publish your book! It sounds so exciting.
I am one of those wannabe published writer. So this post was very informative. And I love your advice to keep it fun ^_^
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog ..How To Ascend
@Suzannah: I may find a way to mess it up yet! Don’t give up on me!
@Barbara: Absolutely. I give the kettlebell 100% of the credit. You sound like a genius. It must be nice. Is it nice?
@Iain: Congratulatons! How’s the project coming? I’m so happy for you. Well-deserved.
@John: What you are calling talented an increasing number of people are calling demented. Oh well. The result’s the same. Glad to see you over here and everywhere else..
@Laura: In the Vanilla Ice movie “Cool as Ice,” he tells the heroine, “Be true to yourself, and true to nobody. Straight up fact, yep yep.” Man, it rang too true.
@Mary: I’m writing it, I’m writing it! As fun as this all is, now the work really starts. But it’s fun work so far.
@Kelly: thanks. I accept your nomination of being awesome.
@Akemi: what are you interested in writing? I love talking to writers about writing.
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Three Great Autobiographies About Very Different Subjects
Hey, thanks for responding!
I want to write about how to read one’s own Akashic Records and how to use this resource as the ultimate personal / spiritual development tool. Akashic Records are the energetic records of all souls. (I do the reading professionally)
Some of the things that will be included are: what starseeds are and how knowing one’s starseed group can help you to be the person you are meant to be (I’ve been writing a series on starseeds on my blog), who are spirit guides and how to communicate with them, and how a past life trauma may be affecting us mentally, emotionally, and physically. The last one is a big issue, of course, so I might just show several examples to illustrate the method.
I checked your blog. Interestingly unique.
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog ..How To Ascend
Josh,
Excellent article and something I needed. I’m working on a book proposal at the moment and I appreciate the insight into the process.
Some authors make it look so easy, but it sounds like you really have to want it to make it happen. That’s a good sign, because it separates the believers from the unbelievers.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Mike and I Talk Shop about Blogging
Nathan, I think you’re absolutely right. If there are people that this comes naturally to, I don’t want them around. I’d be too jealous. But the work that it takes to do this right will certainly weed out a lot of the competition. I think a lot of it comes to numbers, as in…how many days am I willing to punch the clock on to make this work? How much rejection do I think I can take? How long am I willing to wait?
How many words am I going to write today? etc. Can you tell us what you’re working on? Just curious.
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Three Great Autobiographies About Very Different Subjects
Hey Josh — good stuff. People ask me all the time now to get published, and my first answer is, “get an agent.” (It should be second, right after “write a killer book.”) What I don’t tell ‘em is that it’s almost as hard, and quite necessary.
One little quibble — I actually don’t like quibbles or quibblers, but this out there. I know you acknowledge that you’re guessing here, but the fact is, working agents are listed in directories (and they include film agents as well as book agents) and actually your original number is much closer to the truth — there’s more like 1000 agents out there, nowhere near 55,000. That’d be over 1,000 per state (I know, there’s no agents in Alaska… but I’m making a point), and since I live in Oregon, where there may be one, maybe two of them, same with Washington, not at many in Idaho I’ll wager… the agent-writer ratio is much scarier than you say.
Which means, getting one is a Big Deal (and keeping one connects back to the “write a killer book” advice), so congrats on that, on your new book prospects, and your cool site. I’m on my second agent, and having published four books, with a fifth out in three months, I know you can’t get to second base without one. Now… write that book, dude.
Larry (maybe the world’s strongest novelist)
Larry´s last blog ..Your Story – An Analogy That Can Get You Published
@Larry: Thanks on all counts. With that 55,000 I was trying to pick a number that sounded ludicrous. Sounds like I picked a good one. It also sounds like you’ve had a great track record. On my way to check out your blog right now!
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Three Great Autobiographies About Very Different Subjects
Congrats on getting an agent and learning the game. So many writers do not get that this is a business and they need to learn it. It’s great to write, however at some point you do have to learn what the heck is going on. I look forward to seeing your book on the market.
Hi Josh,
as ever inspirational stuff and thanks for sharing it. I think the advice about keeping it fun is important. Overall, I think a key element of the creative process is that its fun. We have to be disciplined of course but if starts being more work than fun, well then maybe we’re on the wrong path.
Keep up the great work,
regards, Jimmy
Jimmy Kelly´s last blog ..Oct 8, Life drawing class
@Jimmy: So how do you get back on course if it stops being fun? How do you know when to have fun, and how do you recognize those days for what they are when you just aren’t in the mood to work? A lot of people I know take this advice to mean, if it isn’t fun every second, I have permission to jump ship and fuss about it forever after:)
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Poll: Do You Have Any Irrational Fears?
reat article on getting your book deal, and the stats are astounding.
This makes me wonder how some of the recently announced e-book publishing deals (like smashwords/sony) will impact the publishing markets. Based on the statistics, you’d think there will be a flood of new book available (in ebook form) over the next 1-2 years. Might be interesting.
Greg´s last blog ..Poll: Do You Want To Grow Old?
@Dr. Wright: Thanks Doc. I look forward to having it on the market:) If it’s true that most writers “need to learn that this is a business,” why do so many of them not learn it?
@Greg: The ebook/online world is a fascinating, growing movement. There are issues with intellectual property, how authors should get paid, and so on. I think there will be a huge flood and it’s never going to stop. I think the biggest deals will usually continue to go through publishers and people with clout, but as easy as it is to start a blog and get out there, who knows what the publishing world is going to look like a few years from now? I suspect it will surprise us all.
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..Guest Post Ultra-Marathon Update Four
Great story Josh,
My concern on having an agent and the whole publishing business is that it reminds me of health care, only the fat cats get fatter. Is your agent honest about what you might take home per published book once it hits the stands if it ever does? Not to be Debbie Downer or anything, but from what I have read, authors get about $1 per book sold at a price of $16.95 per copy. Not a great payback in my math class.
What say you?
@Dave…there’s much more to be gained from publishing a book than the money…I’m sure you understand that.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Saturday Project Update
@Dave: Normally what happens is that the fat cats lose money and the author doesn’t make any in the long run. It must be a terrifying time to be a publisher. When I’ve looked at the cost of what is actually involved in making a book, I’d be thrilled to get that $1. But one interesting has been that there are some new royalty models, some of which are very exciting.
Obviously, all I can do is speculate at this point, but your point is well-taken and I’ll be back with updates, whether they are good or bad.
Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..World’s Strongest Librarian Is Six Months Old!
Josh:
Congratulations on the hookup and the agent! And good for you for not being an ar-TEEST (as James calls them). My own fiction plan spans 20 years because I know how slow the whole process is. In the meantime I keep writing and improving. I’m confident in my writing and certain at some point I’ll make the right connection with a great agent and then get the book contract taht I hope for. It just takes patience. Thanks for the reminder!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..Taking a SLOW Journey: Aukje van Gerven Interview
3. The waiting game stinks, but it’s a game you have to play
I agree. Waiting is not really a pleasurable thing to do. But as they say, “Good things come to those who wait”. So, I think waiting is the best option than quitting. Thank you for sharing this very interesting and informative post.;)
Hey Josh!
I’m really late to this party, but I’m here to raise my glass to you.
You have an awesome site and are dazzlingly deserving of getting The “G” Man’s notice as well as landing a book agent.
You have the chops, dude!
I see you also got the attention of another one of my heros, Larry Brooks. Shaka that!
Good show, interesting post, and huge high 5!
Keep on keeping on, strong man.
Lori´s last blog ..Chillax and Unplug