The career novelist

THE CAREER NOVELIST

PROTOCOL QUESTIONS
There are many common worries. Should you send an outline with your
query? Common sense: if a listing suggests it, yes. If not, then it
depends on whether you can write an effective synopsis. If you can-
not, stick with a tantalizing capsule description in your letter. Should
you go ahead and send the manuscript? Common sense: it takes much
longer to read a book than a letter. Do you really want your novel to
languish on a slush pile, miles behind the manuscripts that were
requested?
Is it okay to write/submit to more than one agent at a time? Yes, but it is
also polite to let your prospects know what you are doing. Besides,
if they know the heat is on they may get back to you more quickly.
What if an agent demands to have my novel exclusively? Well, it is up to you.
Are you significantly more interested in that agent than in others?
What if that agent says yes? Will you really keep looking?

WHAT TO ASK AGENTS
I hope you enjoy your agent search. For me it is a fascinating dance.
Eventually, though, all authors hope to hear the following: "I've read
your novel and I love it. I want to represent you." The usual response
is delirious joy. Nothing wrong with that, but do take a moment to
ask some important questions.
The most urgent question is not, "How much do you charge?" but
"What do you think of my novel?" The answer to that one will tell
you volumes about the experience you are about to have.
The first thing you want from the answer is enthusiasm. For
agents, handling new novelists often means taking a loss.
Commissions do not usually cover the overhead involved in the first
few books. It is a rough road. It can take years to swing that first sale.
Even after that, problems may abound.
What sustains an agent through that? I will tell you: passion. By
that I mean an irrational faith in a writer's future or at least the con-
viction that their writing is worthy, even brilliant. You must have
that. Without it you are already sunk.
The second thing you need from the answer is a sense of your
prospective agent's editorial vocabulary and approach. Editorial?
Yes. As I said earlier, your agent is going to serve as your first and