Literary agent, Ann Collette of Helen Rees Literary Agency was like many good agents a former editor. As an associate agent, Collette gave us some real insight into what editors are currently seeking and why she’s become more discriminating than ever on who she signs.
Here is what she had to say:
What’s your official title and why are you the best agent in the universe?
I’m an associate at the Helen Rees Literary Agency. I’m one of the better agents if you’re looking for someone who’s very hands-on; I’m willing to work with an author on their manuscript, and do the job of an editor until it’s in the best possible shape to send out.
What have you done to brace yourself for the economic changes to the industry?
I’ve become much more discriminating about who I’ll sign; in times like these, you can’t really afford to take the chances that you took a few years ago.
What can authors do to avoid eating Ramen noodles and counting pennies?
For authors: keep writing, but back it up with a real-world job!
What do you think about all these technological changes happening? How have they changed the marketplace?
It’s easier to self-publish, but the price the reader pays is there’s more mediocre stuff and no easy way to distinguish between an A+ book published by a reputable house and a B- that was self-published by the author.
What’s hot now, what are editors looking for?
Vampires continue to be immortal in publishing as well as in life; editors never tire of thrillers with endless twists and turns, though they seem to prefer for the plot to be more dialogue-driven than in the past.
And what type of manuscripts and proposals are you currently looking for that never seem to get?
Personally, I continue to look for that Western that blows me away. Really, I’m looking for anything that’s a fresh take or variation on almost any kind of category fiction, because that’s what I love best. Exotic locales also appeal to me, especially anything set in Southeast Asia.
What’s the best way for writers to approach you?
Email works best.
And what’s one of your pet peeves when writers query you?
I particularly dislike the query that starts off with a long description of the author instead of the book, or that includes the author’s entire life story even though it’s not pertinent to their query.
And finally, what is something about you that very few people know?
A lot of people know that I love opera and martial arts films, and some people know that I enjoy beading. Not many people know that one of the few remaining goals I have in life is to be Billy F. Gibbons’ one night stand.