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Anne Buckley's avatar

Thank you for these insights, Renee. For several years, I worked as the Muse & the Marketplace Volunteer Manager. Our small but mighty team worked tirelessly to bring qualified agents to our manuscript mart, and I have taken a number of those meetings myself. I treat every meeting as an opportunity to advance my work and better understand the agenting landscape. Every meeting has provided valuable information, even where it didn’t lead to a request for further pages. In my opinion, the author should be putting at least as much work into the meeting as the agent, likely more. Research the agents ahead of time, choose your meetings carefully based on what you are writing and what stage you are at, listen to podcasts and read interviews about the agent(s) you’re meeting. Basically do your homework so that the meeting is fruitful.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Absolutely, 100% Anne! I can't say it enough. Having a list of questions. Asking things that you want to know -- or asking them what maybe you DON'T know that you should. Use the time to your advantage. Get everything you can out of it.

You also brought up a very good point in regard to these events -- the volunteers. They are SO IMPORTANT in regard to writing events. You guys do such a fantastic job and without YOU, the writer would pay even more to attend these functions, not to mention things would go off the rails quickly at the event. So, thank YOU for all you did and do, Anne.

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Your work sounds amazing, Renee. I just discovered you. I'm building a business and am a writer with publishing ambitions. (books) I've been published in magazines, papers, etc. and I'm meeting with a publishing co. I appreciate your candidness and professionalism in this essay.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Welcome, Robin! It’s nice to be discovered. I am nothing if not candid :) Hopefully you find my other articles helpful as well.

Congrats on meeting with the publishing company — hopefully you’ve thoroughly researched them — can’t say it enough. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Thank you, Renee, I appreciate your response. I just subscribed and will check out more of your work.

Thank you, I hear you-- research is essential. They are very good and will learn more after my meeting.

Reach out anytime and stop by Wildlands, a creative revolution in healthcare for flora and fauna and collaborative community projects with health initiatives and ecological restoration-conservation.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Sounds great, Robin. Good luck with the meeting!

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Robin Motzer's avatar

Thank you, Renee!

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Robin Motzer's avatar

I appreciate your good wishes. Would it be ok to share my experience with you for feedback?

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Absolutely

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michael mclaughlin's avatar

Good article. I learned something. I have never had a literary agent, but I have had a theatrical agent. Folks need to be reminded that the agent works for the client. The agent wants you to succeed---they do make a living on your creativity. My other comment is literary agents now want you to self-promote your book with websites, promotion sites like Good Read. The bad news for all of us who write, I just read this this morning, was that reading comprehension and literacy for young people are at an all-time low.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Thanks for your input, Michael. If that's true about the literacy rates, it's a sad statement about the future.

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Zena Ryder's avatar

Tbh, I'd never heard the "shady" accusation before (and I've been hanging out with writers and reading about publishing since 2018). But now I'm prepared if I ever do come across it!

I did not know how much work agents put into conferences for very little (or no) financial reward! Thanks for sharing.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

I see it here on Substack, Zena. It’s what prompted the article. Thanks for your support in the event you do come across it.

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Kate Crawford's avatar

I've been to unnamed conference and the agents go all out--just take a look at them the afternoon of the last day--you think you're tired? All the important breaks I've had in my career have been attending this and other conferences. Had a chance to zoom pitch Renee this time. It was most helpful--and fun.

Ever since I started writing, I've been amazed at how open and giving the writing culture is, and the agents and publishers are in the lead.

Hats off to Renee and the rest for all they do.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Awww, thanks, Kate :) It's great you find value in the events. Fun is just another bonus.

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Janie Gardner's avatar

It was ironic reading this mere days after "meeting" you Saturday at the Cincinnati Writing Day Workshop (I was the curly-haired volunteer who popped on your screen a few times to check audio after it was reported as spotty. No I am not IT, no I am not the tiniest bit tech savvy...just a volunteer trying to help an author out, lol)! Thanks for your transparency in the article :)

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Hi Janie, great to hear from you and it was so nice to "meet" you. You guys did a fantastic job - and I was just saying in a previous comment how the volunteers are a HUGE part of these events. Without you, things would go off the rails quickly. So thank you for all you do.

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Janie Gardner's avatar

Aww we appreciate the thanks! (fun fact: while I myself was pitching a nearby agent, I could hear you at the next table just fine, hahaha) Have a great weekend!

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Ha, no doubt. I wish the headphones worked, but oh well.

I think the hotel's internet was a bit spotty - so some people were getting glitches. I had no issue with anybody from that side.

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Sally Ekus's avatar

Wow, I had no idea people thought the work we do as agents at events is “shady”. I’m motivated by wanting to help writers, give back to the industry to help it thrive, and because it’s fun & rewarding.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

100% agreed, Sally. We do it all in good faith. It's certainly not about the money...

Sadly, I've seen a few instances where new writers asked well-known authors what they think about agents at writing events and that's the term they used... "shady".

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Sally Ekus's avatar

Yikes

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Noor Rahman's avatar

Thanks for being so transparent Renee, I didn't realize how much time agents put into being at these writing conferences! Totally agree that authors should do their research on agents and verify relevant experience before they agree to work with someone. Your skills and background are so impressive, I wish you accepted sci fi queries because for sure you'd be on my agent wish list :)

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Noor, to be clear, not all event ask for that amount of upfront work. However, some will make up for it when you're at the conference. I had one event where I had to hold multiple roundtables to go over first pages -- I had 65 total for that and then I had around 10 1:1 pitches where I'd seen the work prior but just had to make my notes for discussion.

It's not to say it's drudgery. I met a lot of nice people at that show whom I still stay in contact with. Sorry about the sci-fi thing... but I'll help you any other way I can :)

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Noor Rahman's avatar

Thank you so much! (Just sent you some DMs :)  

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Laura E Bailey's avatar

I have benefitted both as a writer and a human being from the generosity, kindness and professionalism of more than a dozen agents and editors at conferences, … so I want to thank you Renee for the investment you make and for paying it forward. 🙌🏼🙌🏼 You rock! (and not at all in a shady kinda way🤨).

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Thank you, Laura. :) I'm glad you also had a positive experience with industry professionals.

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Angelique Fawns's avatar

Loved your honesty and perspective

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Thank you, Angelique.

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Patti Go's avatar

I’ve never attended a conference except once online via Grubstreet and it was great to meet the agent and get her feedback, I could see how hard all the agents were working and I definitely felt that it was well worth the investment. Ditto for the agents I met through Jericho Writers. It’s a UK organization but there were a lot of US agents and for a very reasonable fee they would critique query letters, pages, and synopses in a 15 minute call. They were such a big help in polishing my pages and my query letter which led to me finally getting my amazing agent! Thank you so much Renee for all that you do to help aspiring writers!

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Thank you, Patti for your positive, informed input. I think the on-line versions can be just as helpful as the in persons events in a lot of cases.

If you're not taking a bunch of classes -- such as Killer Nashville who has some really fun topics -- then meeting an agent over Zoom to discuss your pages or query is just as effective.

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Patti Go's avatar

Thanks Renee! Yes I agree, and they’re a boon to people like me who don’t live in the US. I did three Novel in Progress courses on Grubstreet, they were extremely helpful and taught me so much. And helped me build a writing community as well!

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Renee Fountain's avatar

That’s what matters. People are so quick to dismiss everything because they’re tired of being “sold to” that they don’t realize they can benefit from the RIGHT thing, by the right person.

I feel if you just learn 1 new thing that helps you, the whole thing is worth it. So great you not only improved your craft but became part of the community as well. That’s what it’s about.

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Patti Go's avatar

Exactly! People just need to research so they can make informed choices.

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Hieronymus Hawkes's avatar

Thank you for doing what you do. That's a lot of work and I'm sure the writers you saw were probably nervous to present to you and likely thrilled at the same time.

I did one of these many years ago and got to pitch to an agent and she was great in person, actually had comps for my novel off the top of her head and requested pages. It was a huge diappointment when she ghosted me after that. I would much rather her just tell me it wasn't for her. I will admit the writing was not up to par then, but after meeting her in person it felt much more personal to get ghosted. I've done well over a hundred subs and been rejected univerally, but none of them hurt. That one actually did.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

I can totally appreciate your feelings on this. I can't speak for the agent, as to what happened. Sometimes we get overwhelmed, and lose track. I know I try to do all the things... and that can often backfire for me and the writers.

I guess we'd have to look at the good things from this experience, you were able to discuss your book, she gave you good advice and comps at the time, so that's a plus. I know it's never fun to be ghosted. Agents deal with that too.

Early on it was tough for me to tell the writer to their face that their writing just wasn't good enough (yet). However, I realized it was much more valuable to them to be told the truth - to be given the guidance of where and how to improve.

Pitching to me today is a much different experience. I'll tell you where I think the improvement is needed. I'll also tell you when something isn't for me -- because it's much easier to do it in the moment than it is to give false hope and prolong the inevitable.

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Hieronymus Hawkes's avatar

100% agree. I don’t regret it at all. It was a great learning experience. I will say it again, in case you don’t hear it enough, but thank you for what you do. It really is so valuable.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

Thank you for your kind words.

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Wyse Harbor's avatar

Yikes! You either love encountering new writers or are a glutton for punishment. Either way, a tough job.

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Renee Fountain's avatar

The writers are always great—not kidding about that. It’s the traveling and schedules that can be brutal. I am also a huge glutton for punishment. So there is that 😉

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Posy Churchgate's avatar

I appreciate this insight- saving this fir future reference

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Renee Fountain's avatar

It’ll all be right here when you need it. Glad you liked it.

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Hilde S. Palladino's avatar

A scam? Really? I have a Norwegian agent for my abroad sales and she works her ass off to pitch my books to the international marked. If it was for her and her team, I wouldn’t be an internationally published author now ❤️🙏🏻

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Renee Fountain's avatar

That’s fantastic, Hilde, congrats. 😃

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Kevin Farran's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and obvious experience. There is a plethora of valuable information in your article. The only incalculable aspects, without a price tag are time from family and for self, yet you share . Thank you. K

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Renee Fountain's avatar

You’re welcome, Kevin. I’m happy to do it.

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