James Fitzgerald is head of his own agency, and he is passionate about finding books that he can be passionate about. In this interview, he explains how closely a writer works with their agent, how to best develop this relationship, and how the publishing industry is turning into a circus.
What is your role at your agency, and what makes you special as an agent?
I am the President, Founder, Owner, and CEO of the James Fitzgerald Agency that began in the early 2000’s.
I want to be interested in what I am working on, thus no knitting manuals or pet trick books for skinny girls. Being involved with the author and his work is important to me. I like to work on projects that are interesting and sustaining not only for the editors and publishing houses but for me as well. Having been an editor for 20 plus years before becoming an agent, I know how it all works on both sides of the fence and can get the car (without an accident) around the track.
How should a writer get in touch with you if they think that you’re the right fit? And what’s the best way to keep a good relationship with your agent?
The best way to approach me is through the internet initially. My web site has the information. As far as dislikes, authors who doesn’t tell you everything (their book has been all over town and it is more familiar to everyone than Perez Hilton’s scuttlebutt on Lindsay Lohan’s recent polyp removals), or authors who come roaring in on a Clydesdale with a 500 page manuscript written in script with pre-orders in position, an Oprah in the offing and author photos shot and stylized by Francesco Scavullo. Little steps, get to know the work little by little; get to know each other little by little. Develop it so it sticks to the wall. Because if this does consummate into a book contract, guess what? You have a new roommate for a few years pal.
What do you think that the future of publishing looks like, after all of the buzz about digital publishing and ebooks?
All these technological changes are sure around but they are a bit like UFOS. Everybody is talking about them but no one has really seen them yet. Well kinda, but the total impact has not hit yet. Everyone in publishing is dealing with these new changes like they are playing jazz: making it up as they go. And yes, these changes will change the market place, bookstores will start disappearing and some whole new marketplace will evolve and that is not necessarily Amazon.
Do you think that these changes are good ones? What have you done to prepare yourself in case publishing has a harder time after the digital revolution?
The world of publishing which is really an extension of intellectual property, is now changing everyday with all the new technological changes and let’s face it, people are just not reading that many books any more. I don’t even think that with all the books that are being bought that over 30% are really read. Lot of books are gifts. You have a new society that wants it in 3-D on a screen with four to five side options, internet connection and all for under ten bucks. With that in front of me, I would be a fool to not at least try and jump on this new voltaic circus wagon.
What books are most agencies trying to find right now?
What editors are looking for is what Barnes and Noble is looking for, it has come right back up the food chain: Names brands, sure bets, “come on in..the water’s warm,” type of books. John Updike’s selected quotes from the Queens telephone book would sell right now. No one would read it but you could get major coop money and a mention in the New Yorker and it would be deemed a major achievement from everyone. “John has such a way with words…”
Ouch, that doesn’t sound good. Are you looking for something a little different than the industry norm?
I am of course looking for something unique, a stance that does not bode well in the uncreative publishing world right now. 13 ways of looking at a blackbird, I want authors to present a few of those new views, not to rehash (with either a Vampire or a Zombie or Thomas Jefferson) a tried and tested formula that has worked in the past.
Speaking of something new, what’s a surprising fact about yourself that you can share with us?
What people don’t know about me is that I don’t ice skate. Many people assume that about me but the simple fact is that just don’t. I do smoke cigarettes at a pretty good rate and think about the Crusades in my off time.