Interview with Agent Erzsi Deàk

Literary agent Erzsi Deàk (pronounced AIR-zhee Day-ahk) of the international agency Hen & Ink Literary is kindly answering my questions today and next month in a two-part interview.

Thanks for "stopping by," Erzsi. Let's start macro: What trends are you seeing in middle-grade and YA novels?

In both realms, contemporary--or realistic, is still in high demand. That said, in MG, adventure – high-stakes, fantastic, or realistic – are also in high demand. Mostly, tightly-written stories that touch the heart and tickle the funny bone are what everyone's looking for. I've seen a number of dragon books published for this age group, so if you have a dragon book, you might want to think about a magical aardvark or some other original creature. Editors are looking for literary middle-grade with rich layers (THE FAMILY FLETCHER, THE PENDERWICKS, THREE TIMES LUCKY, A SNICKER OF MAGIC, THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY). And there's always room for hysterically funny middle-grade for girls and boys á la Andrew Clements, Louise Rennison, and Louis Sachar, illustrated and not--and hooky chapter books. Whatever the plot and the genre, give us characters we want to hang with and root for, and VOICE to die for!

In YA: Contemporary romance with subplots that challenge the reader to question choices made, etc. are hot (example: THE TENDERNESS OF THIEVES, MY BEST EVERYTHING). “Everyone” is looking for the next Sarah Dessen, Jay Asher,or Jenny Han. There's been a lot of near-future and sci-fi recently and some are terrific and fun (ILLUMINAE is coming) and almost interactive. I have had a request for highly-designed and/or illustrated YA projects and high-fantasy YA. For the record, genre is often less important than the story and characters.

“A terrific character (flawed is good) + emotional complexity + original and emotionally-compelling plot lines + a romantic element no matter the genre = pretty good chance you’ve got a great story!”

 And finally, evocative and novel world-building (a magical story outside of medieval Europe interests at least one editor).

I’ve also heard about requests for badass video-game-nerd-girl/boy protagonists, again, with great heart, humor, and world building. Got one of those handy? :)

Uh, no, sadly I don’t. Okay, more micro: What genres do you personally love to represent?

From picture books through New Adult, I love funny and heartfelt stories with characters and voice I can’t forget. I’m not your go-to high-fantasy agent, but I do like magic and near-future stories, as well as contemporary. While I majored in history, I’m not a huge historical fiction fan. BUT, if the voice is amazing, I’m listening…

What does VOICE mean to you?

It's the flavor of the characters, the writing. It's ownership of the work, whether the words or the pictures. It's making a connection. It's what we hunger for. 

What should, (ahem), a newly-published author be thinking regarding his/her long-range career?

I think the saying, you are only as good as your next one is something to keep in mind. The main thing is to keep writing and let the agent (and if you have a manager) and publisher figure out how to position you. This will become clearer with books 2 and 3 and probably 9 and 10. That said, today, a writer needs to be out there promoting and hitting all the relevant media. The first 8 weeks after publication are the most important, so figure on being out in the world pushing your book through traditional and non-traditional means.

What advice would you give writers searching for an agent?

Do your homework – see who they represent, what they sell, what they want to see. And what they don’t want to see.

Are you an editorial agent?

Yes. To a degree. I need to see work as finished as possible, not just with potential. I'm sorry to say that I just don't have the time anymore to completely reinvent the wheel with a creator, but I'm very hands-on. I also try to be kind, but don't mince words. You don't necessarily need the skin of an armadillo, but you do need to be able to step back from your work and see if anything I say resonates with you. If it doesn't resonate, I won't "cut you out of the will" if you can convince me otherwise about whatever I'm debating with your work. 

Do you work with editorial consultants/coaches?

I don't personally, but I do steer my clients that might benefit from working with an outside editor to consultants and coaches, and know some excellent ones. 

Thank you, Erzsi!

Next time (June 24) we’ll cover the nitty gritty: submission policy, cover letters, the ideal client, turn around time, submissions to editors, recent sales, and her fondness for illustrators. 

Agent Interview - Katherine Boyle of Veritas Literary

I've always liked reading blogs that interviewed agents and editors; the information gleaned taught me so much about writing and publishing.  I thought I'd pay it forward for any aspiring writers out there by interviewing my own agent and editor. For today's post, I'm talking with my agent, Katherine Boyle, founder of Veritas Literary Agency. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

 I majored in English and Psychology in college, due to a compelling interest in what literature calls character and psychology calls personality or, more classically, psyche. After school I worked for several small presses and agencies in the Bay Area before establishing Veritas in 1995. The name means “truth,” of course, but I’ve always loved Emily Dickinson’s quote “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” Sometimes the deepest truth is found in fiction.

What genres do you represent?

There are two of us at the agency; Michael Carr represents the adult genre categories: thrillers, fantasy & sci fi. He also does a lot of women’s fiction, whereas most of the serious nonfiction titles are mine, which is not the standard assumption of authors who submit to us. I also handle most of the memoir, narrative nonfiction, MG and YA.

Where do you see the YA market heading in the next year or two?

I hate to make predictions because YA trends are so frustrating for authors; so many write good novels that just happen to be out of fashion or victims of a glutted marketplace. Personally I love nuanced stories with strong character development.

What words of wisdom would you give to an aspiring writer?

Stay inspired by reading, and read as much as you can. Find a few critique partners who are working at your level and rigorously evaluate each other’s work. Send stories to some of the most competitive literary journals you know of, and keep stretching. Writing is not easy, and I commend everyone who has the patience to spend years perfecting their prose. That’s what it takes.

What kind of YA books are on your wish list? (What kind of projects would you love to receive a query for?)

I’m a sucker for an unusual voice and contemporary scenarios with just a hint or suggestion of the supernatural. I like realistic yet eerie stories, whether the dark element is coming from plot or something psychological.

How much time do you spend each week reading?

Around 30 hours.

How many queries do you get a week?

Hundreds, and during certain hectic periods we just can’t answer them all. I regret that, because I know how hard it is for authors.

How many new clients do you sign a year?

Somewhere between eight and ten. We never want more than we can reasonably develop at one time.

What turns you off in a query and what instantly draws you in?

Clichés, or any kind of hard sell turns me off. A beautifully written (not overwritten) query can charm me into asking for something that’s a little far afield.

What are your favorite YA novels (please say mine, please say mine, please say mine)?

Of course I love everything I’ve signed, including Lynn Lindquist’s The Secret of the Sevens, which was a bulls-eye in terms of personal taste.  E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is one I read recently that blew me away.

What are the top three things a new author needs to know or do to survive in publishing?

Stay informed. The publishing world of today is very different from the scene a decade ago. I don’t encourage authors to chase trends, but it doesn’t serve you to write in a vacuum either. It all comes back to reading—read as much as you can.

Describe your typical day:

The first two hours usually go to urgent emails and calls, and in the remaining time before lunch I face rest of the email pile-up. Longer talks with authors and editors fall in the afternoon and, if I’m lucky, a block of time for submission and editing. 

Thank you for your time, Katherine. As I've said a hundred times, you're the best! 

Katherine Boyle can be found at www.veritasliterary.com.

"...it's impossible to put the book down. Conspiracy, loyalty, secrets, oaths, lies, and riddles flourish, making this the perfect book for readers who love to untangle mysteries by puzzling things out."  -BOOKLIST 

"At the end of the day, it’s Talan and his endearing combination of bravado and vulnerability, coupled with the crackling chemistry he shares with Laney, that will keep readers turning the pages. A satisfying read for secret-society fanatics and romantics alike."   -KIRKUS REVIEWS

Lynn Lindquist (Chicago, IL) lives with two overly social sons who provide fodder for her young adult novels and growing anxiety disorder. Her contemporary thriller Secret of the Sevens is set for release on June 8, 2015 from Flux Publishing.  To learn more, follow Lynn on lynnlindquist.com or on Twitter at @LynnLindquist.