Technically, they represent the book, but most agents can handle most kinds of 'normal' trade book. Whether that would work if you had a techno-thriller in one hand and a cookery book in the other I'm not sure, and you might have to have a frank discussion about whether she felt able to sell both to the best advantage. Of course in any agency except a one-woman-band, you'd have the possibility of another agent within the firm representing it.

Some agents might say, 'I don't know about cookery books, go to X who does and say I sent you.' I do have a playwright friend who has an agent for her plays, another for her children's fiction, and a third for her adult fiction, but those are particularly separate things, and she's probably unusual.

Emma

Thank you, Emma. I only ask because a friend of a friend writes travel guides, and I understand she's nervous about approaching her agent with a novel she's been secretly working on.

What you say makes sense. At the very least, I'm sure the agent will be able to point her in the right direction.

I don't suppose the agent will turn a hair. Certainly for the health of the relationship I'd have thought they should be the first port of call.

The only worry is perhaps if the agent says 'that's fine, I'll sell it for you', and actually doesn't know how to sell fiction: travel guides are very different from the sort of history or science for the general reader that a lot of agents handle along with the fiction. Do they represent fiction writers at all? I have to say I'd worry if they don't, and think about finding someone else just for the fiction.

Emma

Yes, they actually specialise in fiction. I think the reason for her concern, from what I can gather, is that she's worried about putting her agent in an awkward position. Basically, she's not sure if her novel is up to scratch.

It sounds like classic writer's fear to me. I don't think she realises what a fortunate position she is in!

Oh, well, if the agent specialises in fiction, I'd have thought she'd be fine. The agent's a grown-up, after all: she's quite capable of saying 'sorry, not good enough yet'. Your friend can always approach tentatively - 'first novel - feeling my way - would love to know what you think...' rather than 'okay so how many noughts are you going to get me on the deal?'

Emma