The literary agent gives us an honest take on how publishers market books, her advice to authors, the different advance levels, and the highlights of the job...
This was a great interview, Phoebe! So insightful. I've just been rejected by Juliet 😂 😭 But it was a very nice and a personal rejection. I've had 12 books and several short stories published and am looking for a new (and hopefully better!) agent right now - as of next week, I'll be writing a series of articles about how to find an agent, query them, write a pitch and a synopsis. You can share my journey (tears, advice and all) on the other side of the fence from Phoebe! And will be linking to Phoebe's articles, which have excellent advice!
"What do you think the number one reason is that some authors never find an agent, or a publishing deal?" I'll take this one : ) That writer is invisible. When the agent googles their name, they get nothin
I've got a question about querying! At what point should a writer let other agents know they've had interest from one agent? When they get an offer of representation? Or earlier, like if they get a full request? And if that happened, should they let the interested agent know that they're waiting to hear back from other agents? I feel like that's a bit rude!
When you have an offer of representation is when the clock is ticking and I think it is in the writer's interest to let other agents who have requested the full manuscript know so they can fast track your manuscript up their reading pile. I would let the agent who has offered you representation know, that's polite and fair.
Thanks for this, Phoebe. I really think you must be the Graham Norton of behind-the-scenes book-ish Substacks; you get all of the best guests to interview!
Amazing interview, enlightening and inspiring.
Thanks for reading!
Excellent interview. Thank you Phoebe. 💚📚
Thanks for reading, Jane!
This was a great interview, Phoebe! So insightful. I've just been rejected by Juliet 😂 😭 But it was a very nice and a personal rejection. I've had 12 books and several short stories published and am looking for a new (and hopefully better!) agent right now - as of next week, I'll be writing a series of articles about how to find an agent, query them, write a pitch and a synopsis. You can share my journey (tears, advice and all) on the other side of the fence from Phoebe! And will be linking to Phoebe's articles, which have excellent advice!
Ah thank you for reading!
Another enlightening interview - thank you, Phoebe and Juliet!
Thanks Simon!
Love Juliet! Fantastic and honest interview - thank you both
Thank you for reading!
Juliet Mushens catapulted from agent to icon so every word is valuable.
She is excellent!
"What do you think the number one reason is that some authors never find an agent, or a publishing deal?" I'll take this one : ) That writer is invisible. When the agent googles their name, they get nothin
Thanks for this!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much Phoebe and Juliet!
I've got a question about querying! At what point should a writer let other agents know they've had interest from one agent? When they get an offer of representation? Or earlier, like if they get a full request? And if that happened, should they let the interested agent know that they're waiting to hear back from other agents? I feel like that's a bit rude!
When you have an offer of representation is when the clock is ticking and I think it is in the writer's interest to let other agents who have requested the full manuscript know so they can fast track your manuscript up their reading pile. I would let the agent who has offered you representation know, that's polite and fair.
Thanks Kate, that's really helpful! I mean, it's wishful thinking on my part, but best to be prepared for the best, right?! 😆
Kate is right (and also a fab lit agent herself!)
Thanks Phoebe! Yes I actually had Kate on my short-shortlist of agents and very recently queried her agency! So fun to be at this stage now!
A great interview, I always pick up something new that I didn't know in your posts. 🙏🏻
That’s so lovely to hear!
we were discussing the state of literary fiction in the UK - anyone to watch out for ?
Watch out for in what sense? New writers?
yes .. any new voices outside the commercial fiction genre mill ?
interesting ..
Thanks for reading!
A brilliant interview. Juliet is AMAZING!
I really love the transparency that comes across in your posts Phoebe, so interesting.
Thank you for reading!
A fantastic read, thanks for posting it.
Thanks for reading!
Another great interview, learned loads about the reality of how it all works
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this, Phoebe. I really think you must be the Graham Norton of behind-the-scenes book-ish Substacks; you get all of the best guests to interview!
Hahaha