BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

The Author Enablers are here to answer your questions about writing and publishing. Together, Kathi and Sam have more than 25 years of experience in book publishing. Kathi is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. They are also proud members of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock band founded by Kathi in 1992.

Enter the Author Enablers Writing Contest!

In our February column we made up a book title—When the Sparrow Cries Wolf—to make a point about the experience of first-time novelists. Judging by the response of countless readers (meaning we didn't count), this is a novel that is crying to be written. Therefore we are announcing a contest. E-mail us the first paragraph of your version of When the Sparrow Cries Wolf by May 1, 2005. Prizes will be awarded to the best entries, chosen by the scientific method of Sam and Kathi deciding which paragraph we like most. Prizes include an autographed copy of And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You, a copy of the "lit-rock" CD, "Stranger than Fiction," and an autographed Rock Bottom Remainders T-shirt.
 

Going undercover to find an agent

Dear Author Enablers,

Most publishers discourage sending manuscripts "cold" and recommend finding an agent. How does a not-yet-published author find a good agent? Do agents specialize in a particular genre?

—Linda in Lockport

Dear Linda,

It's true that publishers look more seriously at projects that are represented by literary agents, and that's only one of the reasons why having an agent makes sense. Agents know the editors and how to pitch to them. They can set deadlines for responses to a proposal, identify problems in your contract that you might not notice and act as your designated nagger when you need information from your publisher, allowing you to be the sweetheart in a good cop/bad cop scenario. Agents usually have specialties, and a good place to start looking is a publication called Literary Market Place, available in libraries and online at www.literarymarketplace.com. LMP lists reputable agents with a brief description of their focus. If you promise you won't tell anyone, we'll share a secret trick for identifying an agent. Look at some books by contemporary authors who write in your genre—mystery novels, let's say. Turn to the acknowledgement page and see who they thank. If the same agent's name turns up repeatedly, then you know that agent does a good job for mystery writers and you might want to start your inquiries there, using the contact info you'll find in LMP. Just a thought, and remember—this is a secret!

Dear Author Enablers,

I have written a proposal for a nonfiction book and was lucky enough to find a highly respected agent who represents best-selling authors in the same genre. Two months later, after the book had been rejected by six publishers, he asked me to revise my proposal—for the third time. I'm getting the impression that he isn't very enthusiastic about the book. Meanwhile, I've met another agent I think I'd enjoy working with, and I'd like to ask him to review the proposal. If he likes it, I'd explain to the first agent that I don't think I can do any more revisions and would prefer to terminate our contract. My major concern is that I do the honest and ethical thing, without being foolhardy. What do you suggest?

—Confused and Concerned

Dear Confused,

This is a complicated situation that brings up memories of bad prom dates. Of course you have to honor the contract you signed, but we're guessing that you didn't sign anything that said you can't show your proposal to anyone else. We'd suggest having an honest discussion with Agent #1 in which you propose a reasonable expiration date for the contract: if there has been no sale in three months, let's say, then you're both free to move on and explore other options. He might be as relieved as you are to have an out. It would also be useful to know why he wants revisions. If this request is based on feedback from editors who have seen the proposal, one more revision might be worth considering. It's true that by severing ties with one agent you risk ending up with neither agent; only you can assess if switching would be worth the risk. Meanwhile, we think it's OK to show your proposal to Agent #2, in a casual and noncommittal sort of way, to see what he thinks. But then, we got in some trouble with our prom dates, too...

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS