Do You Need Multiple Agents If You Write in Different Genres?
By Chuck Sambuchino | January 23, 2012 |
GIVEAWAY: I am (again) excited to give away a free copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. Good luck to all! (Update: Julia Monroe Martin won.)
I just got back from our awesome-yet-exhausting WD writers’ conference in NYC. During our agent panel, the four literary agents got a lot of intelligent questions from the crowd. One of the questions, which I hear frequently at events, was a complicated one: “Do you need multiple literary agents if you write in different genres or categories?” This is a tricky subject, but one that I want to address, since I myself have multiple agents.
Some writers get into writing with a clear focus in mind — i.e., penning young adult fantasy novels. Other writers want to compose books in different areas. Sometimes it’s not a far stretch to jump — from young adult to middle grade, say. Other times it’s a whole new world — like making a jump from paranormal romance novels to writing nonfiction books about gardening.
(When you’re ready to submit, check out these lists of numerous agent interviews: fantasy agents, science fiction agents, general fiction agents, horror agents, nonfiction agents, middle grade fiction agents, and young adult fiction agents.)
THE 3 PROBABLE OPTIONS
Here are the three likely ways this will happen if you have a literary agent and want to branch out into new worlds.
1. You will have an agent that represents everything you write. In fact, if you want to write in different areas, it would be to your advantage to, if possible, specifically target agents who rep all of your areas when you first query.
2. Your agent will make an exception to rep all your works. I’ve seen this before. Writers have agents who represent only adult fiction, but will make an exception for you and handle your kids works just to keep it all in the family.
3. Your agent will wish you well finding a second rep. If your agent neither reps your new area(s) nor cares to handle it/them as a favor, the only option is for you to find a second rep. This makes things a little for complicated for the writer (having two agents now, not just one), but it’s a necessary step to move forward.
UNDERSTAND THE DOWNSIDES
The major downside to addressing this question is a big issue behind it. The more you spread yourself across different areas, you more you dilute your brand and have to start over again. If you’re only spending, say, half of your time writing books about parenting (as opposed to all your time), then that’s less effort to develop a platform and network. If you can only write one thriller every 3 years instead of every 2 years because you’re spread thin, that’s less of a brand and readership, most likely.
If you’ve developed an author brand as a suspense writer, that platform and hard-earned readership will not translate to picture books, for example. In that case, a pseudonym is common — but the downside is that you’re starting over again with building your writer brand identity.
BE UPFRONT WITH YOUR AGENT
An important aspect in all this is to simply explain upfront to your agent what you’re considering. When I sat down to sign the author-agent agreement with my rep, she asked me if I wanted to write anything besides adult nonfiction. I said yes — screenplays and perhaps kids books. She said she didn’t rep those areas and had no desire to start, so I had her blessing to go elsewhere. I ended up finding a manager to handle my screenplays, and none of what I’ve been doing concerning scriptwriting has affected my work with my original books agent.
If your agent has an issue with you writing across categories, this is her time to bring it up and be honest as to why. I’ve spoken with an agent recently who said she does not represent clients unless she can be their sole agent. Others may be concerned you’re not writing enough projects that they can sell and they can be most productive parting ways. Most, I believe, will be A-OK with your decision — as long as it does not negatively impact them (and it is not likely to).
Photo courtesy Flickr’s jeeheon
Chuck Sambuchino is a freelance editor of query letters, synopses, book proposals, and manuscripts. As an editor for Writer’s Digest Books, he edits the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog is one of the largest blogs in publishing. His own books include the bestselling humor book, HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK, which was optioned by Sony Pictures, as well as the writing guide, CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. Connect with Chuck on Twitter or at his website.
Thanks for the post. :) It has my mind ticking over.
Great post, Chuck. I write in a few different genres and have wondered about this very question. It kind of keeps me from wanting to write a broad spectrum of fiction, actually, and I haven’t even gotten an agent yet!
Excellent information! I don’t think I would ever need a second agent in my line of writing, but I will file this away for future reference if necessary. The holistic approach to finding an agent who would or could represent all your writing up front is a very good idea. That way you can save yourself a great deal of hassle. Thanks again for sharing these tips!
Great post, and something I have been thinking quite a bit about lately.
This should be obvious, but isn’t always, I’ve heard: know your genre first and foremost, yes?
This great post emphasizes that the first thing a writer should do before querying agents is their homework on the agents. A checklist might be helpful. A thorough amount of time for this research benefits everyone for saving time, energy, and even money in travel, correspondence, printing, and more.
I was never sure if I want an agent BECAUSE I have different interests and don’t like being “stuck” writing in only one genre. Your post gave me a lot to think about, thank you. Then again, I’m facing another problem of not being based in an English speaking country, yet writing in English (this is my way of saying that you shouldn’t consider me in the contest :) ), so my choice in agents is rather limited.
Transparency seems to be the solution to so many things in life. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for this great post, Chuck! I find myself in this category and your insight gave me some great ideas. I write nonfiction for kids, but also fiction of different genres. Am still searching for an agent, but will now be sure to target the ones that represent what I do – or at least be sure to discuss it with an agent if I get an offer.
Nice information. I usually don’t read posts like this, but…
This is interesting, though I wonder if in today’s economy agents are opting for options 1 and 2 more often. They need to eat too, after all.
Thanks for the book offer (hope I win!)
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Great advice, Chuck. I struggle with this question because I write in more than one genre. Of course, finding one agent would be a great start. Thanks for this post.
Great advice–thanks! (And the book giveaway sounds great!)
It is so important to do your homework first in researching agents. You will save your time (as well as the agent’s time) if you look more closely at how diverse your needs may be for representation.
Thanks, Chuck. I may be in this situation. I’m hoping to find an agent this spring. I’ll make sure to discuss this before making a commitment.
Thanks for this post! I am seeking agent for general fiction and middle grades fiction. This is a question I’m thinking through right now.
Thanks for clarifying the multiple agent scenario, Chuck. Great post!
Helpful advice.
This is timely, as I’m almost ready to start querying agents for my current WIP — women’s fiction. BUT my other WIP is in the mystery genre. I am so happy to read your advice, even knowing I have some serious work ahead of me to identify the best agents to submit to as well as how to proceed with the query process. Thanks for a very helpful post!
I’ve never worked as a literary agent, but I spent years working for commissions as a headhunter. One thing I saw over and over again: Commission dependent professionals tend to be more motivated when their clients are loyal to them.
I liked the topic because it was very specific and not one I’ve seen covered before.
I’m happy to see that I’m not the only person who has ideas that in different genres; it will be useful in the future.
Very interesting post — I write cookbooks and children’s books, and was thinking it would be hard to find an agent to represent both since they are such different areas.
I may be speaking from ignorance on this, but I am unconvinced that an agent should tell a writer what he is allowed to write. If an agent will represent only work in a certain genre, that’s their choice based on preference, connections, etc. Why insist on those same restrictions for the writer?
It’s like asking a woman to give up her girlfriends when she marries. Not healthy.
Multiple agents? I would be thrilled to secure one agent! I enjoyed reading your informative article. Thanks for the great advice.
I was wondering about this question last night.
Thanks for answering lol
Your generosity of spirit is much appreciated. My first book, a memoir, was self-published 4 years ago. I was then 66! I now have a book of essays ready for publication and am hoping to find an agent to re-publish my memoir (now that I have writers such as Wally Lamb lending his name and comment to its cover) and my book of essays also has some impressive folks supporting it. The problem is that I’m exploring (for the first time) ways to get a professional agent to represent both books, so your offer would be ONE grand way to begin my search.
Thanks again for thinking of writers in need of all the help we can get!
This is really interesting information. It’s something that may seem so simple when explained but can confuse so many until then.
Thanks
Wow, this post came at a time when I needed help in this area. I write adult fiction and YA fiction. I thought one agent would do until I found out they’ve never repped YA. Thanks for this valuable post.
Though this may not apply to me, at least where I am now, I wanted to read to show my support *smiling* (and thus I will take my name out of the running for the book, since I’m just dropping by to read!).
Hi how are you? I like this post because I have been involved in reading conversations about same. Most of the persons who have been writing for years say the same thing. The ones who are newer say the same thing. So it must be a tried and true thing that they share with you to do. And also I think it depends on what you write. I didnt find an agent for poetry but Iam hoping to find an agent for mystery. But first I have to finish my novel which I am hoping to do within this year. And I am hoping to have it reviewed and possibly picked up if I am lucky. But I am realistic. That even withut an agent, I may not get it published or with an agent. But an agent will help me shop it around to those who would be interested. So that is something that I like to do.
I definitely spread myself too thin. Perhaps I have creative ADHD. I have several blogs, several facebook pages and several twitter handles, one for each of my genres. I’ve often thought I should just pick one thing and stick with it, but I’m equally passionate about each one. Definitely food for thought here. Thanks!
I have creative ADHD too. I refuse to see it as a problem.
Chuck, this is quite an enlightening discussion as a potential poet/YA author/Experimental Fiction/…whatever I choose to do the following week. I have been wondering for a while how one would go about writing for multiple genres and still maintain one agent and now I see that the solution seems to be not necessarily thinking one will be all I need. Though it seems one will always be the easiest path to go.
I’m just out, so have only one genre so far, but will certainly keep this in mind. Good advice- as usual, thanks. Mike
I’ve actually been nervouse about this for a while, and I’ve never heard of getting two agents at once. That’s a great idea. Thanks for letting me know that’s a viable option!
I’m a published author, but I’m not ashamed to say that I find the whole world of agents a bit confusing. I write primarily non-fiction, but I’m not ruling out the possibility of writing fiction in the future. I’m still working on getting my first agent, so the prospect of having to get a second is bit daunting. Oh, well, I guess if being a professional writer where easy, they wouldn’t pay you for it.
Thanks for the information. I have been writing in lots of different genres and it really sounds like agents would prefer you to stick to one!
Great information. I don’t think I’ll need two agents, but one never knows.
Hi Chuck! Thanks for sharing this helpful post.. I was really thinking about getting an agent or not. Now, you helped me decide by reading your blog.
Good post.
I do think it’s common for agents to want to keep their clients close (ie not share with other agents). This is understandable, but not necessarily good for a writer if the agent doesn’t have experience in the ‘other’ areas they want to write in. It’s one thing to have an agent make an exception for a client, it’s quite another for them to actually be qualified to do so. Just because you’re an agent doesn’t mean that you’re good at selling everything. Agents tend to specialize. Sure they can represent multiple types of books, but when you look at sales’ history the numbers often times skew in specific directions (ie an agent represents thrillers, romance, YA’s, and horror, but their sales indicate that they’re mainly selling thrillers). This is something all authors should be aware of when querying any agency/agent.
Of course, now there are other things to take into consideration before you query like is your agent also a writer? Do they write in your genre? Is the agency trying to be a publisher? I suppose that’s a blog for another day. ;)
I’m hoping for just one agent but this is good information. I would love the book, by the way! : )
Hey Chuck!
I hope you recognize my last name. I’ll give you a hint. I saw you in November.
I was hoping to come to NYC this year, but alas, my book still needs a lot of work before I pitch it. But hopefully I’ll see you another time.
I never actually thought about multiple agents or writing in multiple genres. I have a tendency to stick to Fantasy, whether it’s YA or adult. But I have written a screenplay in high school, and I do have an interest in dark thrillers like Darkly Dreaming Dexter and I Am Not A Serial Killer. I love those types of characters.
There’s always a possibility that my tastes will change, and this gives me something to think on. Thanks.
Courtney Sikora
I’m the same way, I have my genre for novels I write in, but I also would like to do screenplays. Great post!
thanks so much for the info. it’s greatly appreciated!
Really nice text! And I really would like to have that book;)
Garsh, I better find me an agent who wears lotsa hats because I’ve got a women’s fiction novel, a poetry chapbook, and a cookbook all simmering simultaneously. :)
Thanks for the info. I may find myself in this quandary.
I would love to win a copy of this book…I have always wanted a new version of this book but could not afford it so maybe I will win this one…..I love my writing….It means more to me than anything….
Love the post and thank you so very much…..
Melinda Elmore
Great post. I have been bookmarking different agents for different genres, as well as those who represent more than one genre. That’s because I have written a YA contemporary novel, but am working on a current adult novel and also have a project that would fall into the nonfiction self-help/recovery/ spiritual section.
Nice to have an update on the current options.
Great info for an emerging writer! Writing poetry, youth fiction, picture books and quilt pattern books may be varying my audience so widely that I can’t generate momentum in any one place. Definitely a kick in the pants to clearly define my goals!
My first novel is in revision. A second idea bubbles, but it is in a different category, making your post an eye-opener. I hear finding an agent is hard enough. Never thought of two as a possibility. Frankly, though, duh! I’ve worked a commission-based job. I appreciated someone who stuck by me. And, yes, I worked hard for them. That loyalty was discussed up front and continued while building our relationship. If I couldn’t give it, I said so; same for the client. I’ve been in creative mode long enough to forget that reciprocation. Many thanks for the reminder and the offer of a book that will help target agents with the similar philosophy.
What could be a better start?
Thanks Chuck, this was a very clear explanation. I understand about not spreading yourself too thinly too, good point.
I enjoyed your pitch seminar at the WD Conference. It gave me more confidence for the pitch slam which resulted in several requests from agents. Now my writing will need to stand up to their scrutiny.
Thanks for this article. It’s a question I’ve been stewing about for a while.
Thanks for this resourceful post! It is a question I have wanted serious answers to since I first began my agent search. I definitely learned some new perspectives here I hadn’t read anywhere else.
I always wondered about this conundrum since I write both fiction and nonfiction. Thanks for explaining it so well!
Great! The takeaway message is to be upfront & honest with your agent and yourself.
This is extremely useful – I like to write light-hearted chick-lit and just finished my first historical romance, but I LOVE to write literary fiction and I’ve been looking for an agent who will rep both of those genres, but in all my searching for The Answer to this conundrum, I haven’t found much useful info, so thanks!
Thanks Chuck – This is extremely useful – I like to write light-hearted chick-lit and just finished my first historical romance, but I LOVE to write literary fiction and I’ve been looking for an agent who will rep both of those genres, but in all my searching for The Answer to this conundrum, I haven’t found much useful info, so thanks!
Thank you for the information. Being straight forward, honest, and researching your agent is clear cut invaluable advice.
This is great to know! I, too, attended the Writer’s Digest Conference this year and was glad this question was asked. I think a lot of multi-genre writers are afraid to admit the variety in their work. A lot of us think it’s an unspoken rule that you have to pick a genre and stick with it.
Very informative. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the great information, Chuck. As always it seems, honesty is the best policy. :)
You mean you didn’t tell your agent you would be writing Gnome books forever??
I think I would only look for second agent if the first is animate about not wanting to rep the new genre. Other than that, it would be another part of the business that’s not writing which would need time and attention.
Thanks for another enlightening post, Chuck! I like the tip on making sure the agents you query rep all the genres you want to write in.
This has been a question I’ve always wanted answered! Thanks :)
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I’ve wondered this for a long time since I write both historical and fantasy… and beyond. Thanks for posting this!
For a beginning author, the article gives me information to
ponder.
Just one agent would be a step forward!
I’ve always liked the story of how JK Rowling “chose” her agent from a list because of his name (Christopher Little). She thought it sounded like a character in a children’s book. Sadly, I read they have since split up …
Great post. But here is another question for you. I self-published a children’s book in 2007 and now have an historical novel under consideration with a top agent. I haven’t mentioned the children’s book because I did not market it aggressively and gave most of the books away to family and friends. What should I do in this case? Forget about the children’s book or bring it up to the agent?
This is definitely a huge question for me and worth the clickover (still groaning that WU won’t run full feed). Your posts are always awesome, Chuck!
How to Survive a Gnome Attack! Funniest title I’ve read in years. Gnome Sweet Gnome. zzzzzzzz.
Very good article on writing in different genres.
This is a really interesting conundrum. Coming from the music industry, I’ve seen the good and the bad sides of artists being represented both separately for their different genres and by one manager who who was trying to work in a genre they weren’t as familiar with just to keep in “all in the family.” I don’t think there is one easy answer and I love the advice you’ve given here. A lot of communication is the key, because you don’t want one person on your team ticked off and only doing a half- job for you because you went an got another agent. At the same time, if your current agent can’t effectively represent all of your work, that’s not the best situation either.
Thanks!
Always appreciate information from people who are in the know.
Great post on something that’s been on my mind quite a bit lately!
Wow Chuck I was just thinking about this very subject last week. Thanks for pointing out the downsides as well, it’s nice to see all sides of a decision like this!
Patti
Excellent advice! Most of the agents I query work in multiple genres and I have two novel series I want to be published someday, so I’ve got my work cut out for me but at least I’m ahead of the curve.
Glad to read this. I write adult and teen fantasy. Its nice to know i might be able to use a single agent.
My goal is just to get a SINGLE agent ;p
Good qustion to address – wondered about that myself because I’m interested in MG, picture books, TV/sitcom, & movie screenplay myself. The other half of that question is (and please forgive me if I’m being naive but I’m an absoluute novice) do you pay an agent a monthly fee or do they get paid only when they get you published, & from your earnings from sales? Thanks!