![[The Talbot Fortune Agency, Inc.]](logo02.jpg){kind=logo} |
A large part of success comes with a proper attitude.
The most successful authors I know enjoy the process of learning and got into the business from the pleasure and challenge of writing.
Impatience, mistrustfulness, and competitiveness with other writers can be very damaging to a career. Focus on your own content, find your own best voice, and enjoy the ride. This can be a wonderful business. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Note: The following comments are from a recent edition of THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BOOK EDITORS, PUBLISHERS AND LITERARY AGENTS, edited by Jeff Herman.
Note: The following comments are from a recent edition of THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BOOK EDITORS, PUBLISHERS AND LITERARY AGENTS, edited by Jeff Herman.
1. What are the subjects/categories you are most enthusiastic about agenting?
John Talbot: Narrative nonfiction can cover almost any subject, but history,
current events, participatory journalism, sports, pop culture,
business, and Christian spirituality are particular interests of
mine. Newspaper and magazine experience is helpful; many books are
generated from concepts first tried out in articles. A marketing
platform, i.e. a Web site or Blog with a fan base in the tens of
thousands or a list of corporate clients and customers, and a track
record of speaking engagements and media appearances can be the
deciding factor in getting a nonfiction sale.
In fiction, I’m keenly interested in well-crafted thrillers with new
or unusual hooks, and good genre fiction in growth categories such as
paranormal romance. In general I am also looking for the fresh and
occasionally edgy voice, no matter the subject or genre. Writers with
minority backgrounds and unusual experiences and perspectives
interest me, as do writers of what Sue Miller calls domestic realism.
Previous publication in literary journals and magazines is a plus.
Gail Fortune: I am most enthusiastic about representing narrative nonfiction ,
commercial women’s fiction, historical fiction, and romance novels.
Narrative nonfiction can cover almost any subject, but history, food,
travel and Christian spirituality are particular interests of mine.
Newspaper and magazine experience is helpful; many books are
generated from concepts first tried out in articles.
In fiction, I am looking for a voice that grabs me and a narrative
that keeps me turning the pages. I like original voices.
2. What are the subjects/categories you are definitely not interested in agenting?
John Talbot: I do not represent children’s books, science fiction,
fantasy, Westerns, poetry, or screenplays.
Gail Fortune: I do not represent children’s books, science fiction,
fantasy, Westerns, poetry, prescriptive nonfiction or screenplays.
3. What is the best way for a prospective client to initiate contact with you?
Query via email only. See
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES page.
4. Do you have a reading fee policy?
We do not charge reading fees.
5. What is the approximate mix of clients between nonfiction and fiction?
50/50.
6. What is your commission structure?
15% on all domestic sales, including film and subsidiary rights.
Commissions on foreign rights sales are most often 20% but can go to
25%, depending on the co-agent.
7. Approximately how many titles did you sell last year?
Thirty-five.
8. What is the approximate percentage of all submissions (from queries through manuscript) that you reject?
The acceptance ratio for cold queries is approximately one or two for
every few hundred.
9. Please list some representative titles you have sold.
John Talbot:
Fiction:
Non-Fiction:
Gail Fortune:
10. What is your description of the Client from Hell?
The client from hell doesn't respect our time. They fail to recognize
the publisher's justly proprietary attitude towards marketing, book
design, and other facets of publication. They won't take suggestions
for change, no matter how minor or well reasoned. They complain about
writing and treat being published as a right instead of the
opportunity and privilege it is.
11. What is your description of the Dream Client?
The dream client respects our personal and professional lives. They
trust us. They are open to input from their editor. They love to read
and they love to write. They are enthusiastic about their ideas and
about what they do.
12. What are the most common mistakes potential clients make when soliciting you to represent them?
Not following the submission guidelines. Pitching multiple projects
in one query letter. Sending queries that ramble. Using pressure
tactics. Knocking published authors. Not trusting us or the business
in general. Thinking someone's going to steal their idea. Relaying
incomplete representation, submission, or publishing histories. Not
being truthful or straightforward.
13. What can writers do to enhance their chances of getting you as an agent?
Please respect our time. Make sure your query is clear and succinct,
and includes all of your contact information. Make sure your proposal
(for nonfiction) or manuscript (for fiction) is complete and ready to
go if we're interested.
14. How would you describe what you actually do for a living?
We help authors manage their careers for the long-term. We find and
put projects that we're passionate about into the hands of equally
enthusiastic editors.
15. What do you think about editors?
Editors are without a doubt the hardest working and most idealistic
people in book publishing.
16. What do you think about publishers?
Publishers represent the best opportunity for gifted writers to get
wide distribution, readership, and money in what is an often
difficult business.
17. Suggested Resources
18. Pontifications
A large part of success comes with a proper attitude. The most
successful authors we know enjoy the process of learning and got into
the business from the pleasure and challenge of writing. Impatience,
mistrustfulness, and competitiveness with other writers can be very
damaging to a career. Focus on your own content, find your own best
voice, and enjoy the ride. This can be a wonderful business.
1. What are the subjects/categories you are most enthusiastic about agenting?
2. What are the subjects/categories you are definitely not interested in agenting?
3. What is the best way for a prospective client to initiate contact with you?
4. Do you have a reading fee policy?
5. What is the approximate mix of clients between nonfiction and fiction?
6. What is your commission structure?
7. Approximately how many titles did you sell last year?
8. What is the approximate percentage of all submissions (from queries through manuscript) that you reject?
9. Please list some representative titles you have sold.
10. What is your description of the Client from Hell?
11. What is your description of the Dream Client?
12. What are the most common mistakes potential clients make when soliciting you to represent them?
13. What can writers do to enhance their chances of getting you as an agent?
14. How would you describe what you actually do for a living?
15. What do you think about editors?
16. What do you think about publishers?
17. Suggested Resources
18. Pontifications
The Talbot Fortune Agency, LLC
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