The Agent Game

A literary agent. Yes, I'm anonymous. Yes, my colleagues know I do this.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Ask your agent questions! If you don't understand how some aspect of the industry works, or what a specific term means, ask (especially if it's part of a contract you're about to sign)!

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Please remember that during this pandemic your agent is probably going through the same stress and anxiety as you are (especially if they're in NYC). Cut them a little slack.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

No matter how great your editor is or how much push your publisher has put behind your career, when it comes down to it they don't own you and they don't own your art. You're just licensing them the right to publish it.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Don't call an agent on the phone to ask them if your email query arrived safely (or, even worse, to discuss your query). #querytip

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Sometimes your agent has to drop everything to help you in a crisis. Sometimes you're not the author who's having the crisis. #jugglingact

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

You are not your agent's boss. You are a client of their agency, and usually one of many clients.

[Monica Byrne @monicabyrne13]

New post: The only publishing advice I ever give. https://t.co/SSzl7Dvtjs

[Fantasy-Faction @FantasyFaction]

Explaining to a friend why I don't recommend self publishing your first novel. Exceptions, obviously, but....

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

If your novel is far past reasonable word count, don't spend a paragraph of your query explaining how it can't possibly be cut or split.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

1) Don't write fiction if you don't like to read fiction. 2) If you write anyway, don't mention your dislike of reading in your query.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

If you & your editor agree to change a delivery date, title, etc., tell your agent! And not via social media. #whatiswrongwithyou

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

The other side of the coin is that having the most generic pitch possible for your book is a bad idea. #shouldbeobviousbutapparentlyisnt

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

What makes your novel different from others in its genre? What makes it uniquely yours? The answer is what makes your query stand out.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

I don't think your "outside the box" query is getting you the kind of attention you were looking for. #justfollowthedamnedguidelines

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

@barrygoldblatt We all know it's effortless for you!

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

If you're querying strategy is to only query agents who seem cool on twitter, you're missing out on a lot of great agents. #querytip

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

@wordwiselit No, in these cases it was the freelance editor writing and sending the actual query on behalf of the writer.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Are the holidays a good time to ask your agent to launch into a big, time-consuming project for you? No. No they are not. #waituntil2015

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

No matter how great your freelance editor was at helping you with your manuscript, they shouldn't be querying for you.

[The Agent Game @agentgame]

Yes, your agent gets to take the weekend off and not be available. Nights and holidays too.