Irene Goodman, the President of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, really likes The Godfather. In this interview, she explains why this book is full of great business advice, why being an agent is about passion, and how writers can get a useful critique and help a worthy cause at the same time.
How have your agency and your writers dealt with the economic problems in the publishing industry?
I don’t know. 2009 was our best year ever. We must be living in an alternate universe, but our authors are thriving.
How do you think technology, like ebooks and digital readers, will change publishing?
Technology happens. Reading is still reading.
What’s a little-known fact about yourself?
I think The Godfather is the greatest business book ever written.
Your company has been around for over 30 years. How do you keep from being jaded about this business?
I always do things that are fresh and quirky and different. For example, two books I sold recently are Stuff Parisians Like by a young French sommelier, and Their Last Suppers , which is about famous people in history and their last meals. But at the same time, I love being at the top of my game. Turning down a lot of money because I know I can get more just never gets old.
What advice do you have for young college graduates who are thinking seriously about becoming an agent (besides interning for a literary agency)? Is it worth it any more, or would suggest another career path?
It’s totally worth it because some things never change. The job of book agent didn’t happen because someone once decided to invent it. It started because authors felt a need for it. My first agent mentor was an expert in science fiction and fantasy because he loved it, and he became an agent because so many of the authors in that field persuaded him to do it. No matter how much the technology changes, a great story will never go out of style, and agents are the guardians of the dream.
You have what’s called the Power Summit. Is this offered for all your current clients? Why is it so important?
It’s certainly available to all of our clients, but we try to do it when it’s called for or the time is right. It’s important because it gets everyone together in the same room with a lot of positive energy and a win-win attitude. It’s greater than the sum of its parts.
How could a potential writer get in touch with you? What is the best way?
All queries should be sent to queries@irenegoodman.com. Everything gets looked at, however briefly. If they see anything I might like, they forward it to me. Another way is to participate in one of my eBay auctions, held monthly. I offer critiques of partial manuscripts, with all proceeds going to charity.
Wait a minute: do critiques, even for charity, straddle the line between ethical and non-ethical, and why or why not?
Absolutely everyone, including the Association of Authors Representatives, has embraced and applauded this concept. I cannot even describe what deep satisfaction it gives me to give something back to the business I love and to benefit Hope for Vision and the Deafness Research Foundation at the same time. Anyone who is interested in getting a personal critique from me should go to irenegoodman.com and check out the auctions. Everything is explained there. Past recipients have said “Extremely worth it. A+!” and “Your review far exceeded my expectations.” I’ve been doing this a long time, and I know my stuff. But I also have to give credit where credit is due. I’m not the first person to do this. A very good author, Brenda Novak, raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation with a huge charity auction every year in May, featuring critiques from many different editors, agents, and authors. Anyone interested should check out her web site.
Having been in the business so long, what mistakes did you make when you were younger that you would never make again?
You know, I don’t really see mistakes as mistakes. We all make them, of course, but everything happens for a reason and we learn as we go along. I could answer you by saying that I used to work like a madwoman and hardly ever took time off. I still work like a madwoman, but now I work smarter.
Why is The Godfather the greatest business book ever written?
Let me answer this by giving you some of my favorite quotes from The Godfather and explaining what they mean:
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
Why is that good business advice? Because no matter what else you’re doing, you should still remember dessert. Remember to celebrate your successes before reaching for the next rung. I’ve seen so many authors who forget how to be happy because there is always some new goal to reach. Goals are great, but so is gratitude. Let the joy in.
“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
Yes, well, we all know what that really means. It means that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“It’s not personal, it’s just business.”
People often forget what Michael says later on in the book, which is that it’s all personal.
“I’ll reason with him.”
The book explains what Don Corleone knows, which is that reasoning with people instead of trying to strong-arm them actually yields much better results. It also creates long-term relationships instead of short-term resentment. And good relationships are the cornerstone of good business. Of course, if reason doesn’t work, it may be necessary to take stronger measures (not so strong as Don Corleone might suggest), but first try reason.