Thanks for coming back for Part 3 of the Representation 101 series!
If you are just now joining me, let me review where we've been!
In Part 1, we covered the basics and discussed the similarities and differences between Literary Agents and Literary Managers!
In Part 2, we discussed scenarios where you would need an agent, a manager or potentially both. We also discussed how you know WHEN you are ready for representation and more importantly, how to know when you are NOT quite ready for representation. We covered a LOT.
And now, in Part 3, we will discuss the myriad places (and ways) in which you can actually meet these elusive representation types, no matter what kind of writer you happen to be. We will also cover the certain rules of etiquette for when you DO meet representation. And trust me on this, it can make or break a potential professional relationship if you don't use your brain and follow some common etiquette. I don't think these "rules of etiquette" are a SECRET by any means, but I am more than happy to remind you of them, just in case! You may find them helpful. So let's get started!
There are several places (and ways) go about meeting agents and managers, although sometimes it may be a multi-step process that involves patience and persistence.
1.CONFERENCES-
The number #1 place for writers (both fiction, non-fiction and screenwriters) to meet agents is at writing conferences or workshops. The number of these events is truly astounding, so be sure you choose wisely (i.e. make sure it is for your genre of writing, or have an obvious reason for why you are attending).
While attending a conference or workshop may seem obvious, many writers don't think about the fact that they may meet an agent UNLESS they have actively signed up for a pitch. But this isn't always the case.
TIP #1: Literary Agents usually stick around both before and after their specific portion of the conference, wether it be a breakout session, panel or pitch session. They too may attend a class or grab a drink at the venue bar or for the networking hours built into the conference schedule. BUT, sometimes they take their name tags off! So, unless you researched ahead of time and know what they look like, you may not even know you are talking with an agent (this happened to me once, so it does happen).
TIP #2 -Always be prepared for the fact that you may run into an agent and not even know it! In this case, have your elevator pitch ready. Be confident enough and prepared enough to explain your idea or concept at a moment's notice. A simple hello could lead to a million things.
TIP #3: If you don't happen to run into/get a chance to talk to an agent at the event, what do you do? Get upset? NO! Most likely, you will run into someone (a fellow conference attendee) who already has found representation. Use that opportunity to ask about their agent/manager.
And if their agent sounds like someone who could REALISTICALLY help you, ask your new conference friend if they would be willing to make an introduction via e-mail.
This is the two-step process I was talking about, and it doesn't always work, but even if you can get an introduction from an established client of theirs, an agent may be willing to answer some questions and point you in a good direction. You simply never know.
The number #1 place for writers (both fiction, non-fiction and screenwriters) to meet agents is at writing conferences or workshops. The number of these events is truly astounding, so be sure you choose wisely (i.e. make sure it is for your genre of writing, or have an obvious reason for why you are attending).
While attending a conference or workshop may seem obvious, many writers don't think about the fact that they may meet an agent UNLESS they have actively signed up for a pitch. But this isn't always the case.
TIP #1: Literary Agents usually stick around both before and after their specific portion of the conference, wether it be a breakout session, panel or pitch session. They too may attend a class or grab a drink at the venue bar or for the networking hours built into the conference schedule. BUT, sometimes they take their name tags off! So, unless you researched ahead of time and know what they look like, you may not even know you are talking with an agent (this happened to me once, so it does happen).
TIP #2 -Always be prepared for the fact that you may run into an agent and not even know it! In this case, have your elevator pitch ready. Be confident enough and prepared enough to explain your idea or concept at a moment's notice. A simple hello could lead to a million things.
TIP #3: If you don't happen to run into/get a chance to talk to an agent at the event, what do you do? Get upset? NO! Most likely, you will run into someone (a fellow conference attendee) who already has found representation. Use that opportunity to ask about their agent/manager.
And if their agent sounds like someone who could REALISTICALLY help you, ask your new conference friend if they would be willing to make an introduction via e-mail.
This is the two-step process I was talking about, and it doesn't always work, but even if you can get an introduction from an established client of theirs, an agent may be willing to answer some questions and point you in a good direction. You simply never know.
| Conferences For Literary Writers: WDC {Writer's Digest Conference} AWP {Association of Writers and Writing Programs} San Francisco Writers Conference Northern Colorado Writers Conference Greater Los Angeles Writing Conferences Not to mention all the genre specific ones! | Conferences for Screenwriters: Austin Screenwriting Conference London Screenwriters Festival Nashville Screenwriting Conference Toronto Screenwriting Conference ScriptFest Story Expo And these are just the BIG ONES! |
2. FESTIVALS (BOOK AND FILM) -
This is another great place to meet Literary Agents and Managers. Festivals tend to be much less structured than conferences, so, in that same vein, keep your interactions with potential representation low-key. Always be professional of course, but don't expect to pitch them! Don't do it!
For Literary Writers- Agents will sometimes accompany their writers to book festivals, so always be on the look out to say hello!
For Screenwriters- Film Festivals are also a great place to meet directors and producers (along with managers and agents)! Again, these things are way more low key, so play it cool when meeting potentially awesome contacts. It will serve you well in the future.
This is another great place to meet Literary Agents and Managers. Festivals tend to be much less structured than conferences, so, in that same vein, keep your interactions with potential representation low-key. Always be professional of course, but don't expect to pitch them! Don't do it!
For Literary Writers- Agents will sometimes accompany their writers to book festivals, so always be on the look out to say hello!
For Screenwriters- Film Festivals are also a great place to meet directors and producers (along with managers and agents)! Again, these things are way more low key, so play it cool when meeting potentially awesome contacts. It will serve you well in the future.
| Festivals for Fiction/Non Fiction Writers: BEA {Book Expo America} Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Library of Congress National Book Festival Brooklyn Book Festival Texas Book Festival |
3.INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS, PANELS & CLASSES:
For the Literary World:
For writers of all kinds, workshops and master classes are the way to go when it comes to developing a true relationship with a potential literary agent. Often times, groups like Writer's Digest or the Greater Los Angeles Writer's Society, invite agents or managers to lead Q&A's, talk on panels or conduct master classes for aspiring writers. Writer's Digest offers many resources and you should check their website often! Their master classes, on-line webinars and online classes are often taught by agents actively seeking new clients! This is a great way to meet/find agents to talk to! Not only do they impart their priceless wisdom, you often get the chance to really develop a relationship with the agents leading the workshop/class! This is truly an invaluable experience.
For the Literary World:
For writers of all kinds, workshops and master classes are the way to go when it comes to developing a true relationship with a potential literary agent. Often times, groups like Writer's Digest or the Greater Los Angeles Writer's Society, invite agents or managers to lead Q&A's, talk on panels or conduct master classes for aspiring writers. Writer's Digest offers many resources and you should check their website often! Their master classes, on-line webinars and online classes are often taught by agents actively seeking new clients! This is a great way to meet/find agents to talk to! Not only do they impart their priceless wisdom, you often get the chance to really develop a relationship with the agents leading the workshop/class! This is truly an invaluable experience.
For the Screenwriting World:
In the same vein, industry mixers abound and are a great place to make industry contacts! I seriously feel like there are panels, mixers, and events every night in LA and NYC offered by groups such as the International Screenwriter's Association, Stage 32, New York Film Loft and independently run events through groups such as MixKnowledgy and others. Another place to check is through specific guilds (like the WGA West and East, the Director's Guild, SAG, etc).
These events allow you to mix and mingle in a more intimate environment than a large conference setting, but the biggest take away is don't be afraid to say hello!
It would mean the world to them if you take the initiative to thank the agent or manager for their time (often times they aren't being paid for the event), mention something they said that really impacted you, and offer them your card. Then be sure to follow up! Play it cool and be sure to FOLLOW UP with them. Take them out for coffee!
ONE FINAL NOTE on ETIQUETTE-
DO: Use your brain.
DON'T: Attempt to pitch an agent or manager if they are preoccupied, surrounding by lots of people, trying to "use the facilities" {trust me, this has happened} or they are in a hurry to get somewhere.
DO: Hand them your awesome business card and follow up at a better time. They will appreciate your ability to read the situation, plus they will actually remember your pitch when you give it to them at a better time.
DON'T: Email them once a week after sending the initial email {unless they ask you to}.
DO: Email them once, and then follow up in a month. And if they asked you to send them a log-line or synopsis or one-sheet, don't forget to include it, both times! Emails get lost, too. Especially if you get 500 emails a day.
Final Tip: If you don't have the budget to attend these conferences/film festivals/events, call the organizers and offer to VOLUNTEER!!!! Don't think it's beneath you to volunteer either. IT truly is a win-win for everyone involved! YAY!!!!
That is it for today! In the final Representation 101 installment, we will discuss how long it generally takes to secure representation and what to do if you have been trying for a long time to secure an agent or manager and still have had no success. They will be really informative, so be sure to come back. And remember, a simple hello could lead to a MILLION things. So, don't give up.😊
Happy Writing!
Whitney
"Everyone has a story. Write Yours."
In the same vein, industry mixers abound and are a great place to make industry contacts! I seriously feel like there are panels, mixers, and events every night in LA and NYC offered by groups such as the International Screenwriter's Association, Stage 32, New York Film Loft and independently run events through groups such as MixKnowledgy and others. Another place to check is through specific guilds (like the WGA West and East, the Director's Guild, SAG, etc).
These events allow you to mix and mingle in a more intimate environment than a large conference setting, but the biggest take away is don't be afraid to say hello!
It would mean the world to them if you take the initiative to thank the agent or manager for their time (often times they aren't being paid for the event), mention something they said that really impacted you, and offer them your card. Then be sure to follow up! Play it cool and be sure to FOLLOW UP with them. Take them out for coffee!
ONE FINAL NOTE on ETIQUETTE-
DO: Use your brain.
DON'T: Attempt to pitch an agent or manager if they are preoccupied, surrounding by lots of people, trying to "use the facilities" {trust me, this has happened} or they are in a hurry to get somewhere.
DO: Hand them your awesome business card and follow up at a better time. They will appreciate your ability to read the situation, plus they will actually remember your pitch when you give it to them at a better time.
DON'T: Email them once a week after sending the initial email {unless they ask you to}.
DO: Email them once, and then follow up in a month. And if they asked you to send them a log-line or synopsis or one-sheet, don't forget to include it, both times! Emails get lost, too. Especially if you get 500 emails a day.
Final Tip: If you don't have the budget to attend these conferences/film festivals/events, call the organizers and offer to VOLUNTEER!!!! Don't think it's beneath you to volunteer either. IT truly is a win-win for everyone involved! YAY!!!!
That is it for today! In the final Representation 101 installment, we will discuss how long it generally takes to secure representation and what to do if you have been trying for a long time to secure an agent or manager and still have had no success. They will be really informative, so be sure to come back. And remember, a simple hello could lead to a MILLION things. So, don't give up.😊
Happy Writing!
Whitney
"Everyone has a story. Write Yours."
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