BC WRITING
Saved by @Mollyycolllinss

As we’re heading into the #PitchWars showcase and since the conversation seems abuzz...here’s a thread of questions I would recommend you ask not only potential agents during The Call, but references, and clients you reach out to personally:

 1) What happens if we don’t sell this project? Are you willing to look at a pitch in the same genre?

I heard a panel recently where half the writers were dropped by their first agent after they pitched their second project. Be sure to ask around outside of the agent on this one.
2) Are you an editorial agent? Why or why not?

Meaning, will they revise the manuscript with you beforehand or just do small edits and send it off to editors. Both have their pros and cons, and one might matter to you more.
3) How many clients do you have and how do you juggle your workload with your clients?

In other words, how much time do they have to devote to you and your career. You can also ask, on average how long does it take to get a project on sub?
4) How would you describe yourself as an agent? What are some ways that others have described you as an agent?

This one I think is rarely in questions lists, but I think it’s a fun one to see how passionate an agent gets about their career.
5) What are some projects you’ve recently sold or signed?

This one is to see if they are signing and selling projects like yours. If you write sci-fi and all they’ve sold recently are contemporaries in a different age group that’s good to know!
6) Do you have ideas on where we could send my manuscript already?

This will allow you to see if they are excited to send to large publishers or are leaning more toward mid-sized, etc. This might matter more to you one or the other way.
7) What changes do you think the manuscript needs if any?

If there are things you are not willing to change that the agent mentions, better to have the conversation before. Many agents won’t tell you everything, you can always mentions some things you don’t want to change too.
8) How much do you think my project would sell for?

If this is super important to you, you can definitely ask about money up front and the value they think your project has.
9) How do you typically develop a writers career?

Career building and planning is definitely something that your agent should have some idea on. A lot depends on what happens with project one, etc, but just an overall idea if this is something they do with clients is good!
10) What are your favorite books and writers?

I’ve found that a lot of my agent sibs and I have a similar commercial style and it makes me feel like I’m in the right coven. Knowing that your writing fits into what your agent likes to read will make you feel confident.
11) Do your clients talk to one another? Does your agency do any type of conferences or events for writers within the agency to meet?

Last year I attended KT’s bi-annual retreat for the first time and got to know some of my amazing agency sibs and my agent. Definitely is a plus!
12) How does your agency handle foreign and television/movie rights?

This is a business and knowing that your agency has access and experience with other avenues that will make your $ is awesome! If they can give you examples of this even better!
13) What happens if you leave the agency? Can you take me with you?

Some agents can and some can’t. Some may leave the industry entirely. Important to know what will happen to you if any of this happens.
14) How does your agency support marginalized writers/writers of color?

This might be important to you even if you are not a marginalized writer. Some agents/agencies are sadly are sometimes racist, etc. Good to know beforehand!
15) What happens if we part ways? How long would it be before I can put projects you’ve sent out/worked on on sub again?

At KT, I think it’s one or two years before I could use a manuscript again with another agent if (Gods forbid) my agent and I parted ways. Important to know!
Hope this has been helpful!

I also love Jim McCarthy’s list of questions here: https://t.co/JtWuqOu3XG

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