Has anyone ever been asked to go and meet an agent? What sort of questions do they ask you?

As I recall, how the book came about, a bit about you and your writing and other lives, and they discuss the book to get a feel for how you see it, and see if that fits with how they see it. They'll want to know if any editors have seen it, and if any other agents have it at the moment. If they've got revisions in mind, they'll want to talk through those, and discuss where it fits in the market and therefore which editors they're thinking of sending it to.

The main thing is that you come away knowing whether you're comfortable with their style and - most important - with how they see the book. And you need to be sure what kind of a commitment you've got from them, if any, before you decide whether to set to on any revisions, or withdraw the book from anywhere else you've submitted it.

Emm

'show me the money!' is a good one.

Only joking, I've spoken with an agent on the phone, never met one is real life although I've heard they can be found if you go into Soho at lunchtime. The guy I spoke to wanted to know some basic stuff about me, my day job, what writing I've had published, the Lit Idol competition. I had the feeling he was 'sizing me up' for potential saleability. Then we moved onto the work and we had a good chat about the authors and books we both like, the direction he felt my work needed to go in. Suggested some improvements. It was all fairly causal and agreeable. Nice guy.
Since then there's been a few emails and he always responds to my stupid questions. No deal yet though.

It's not much I know but hope it helps. Let us know how you get on (I assume you're going to meet an agent?)

L

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I have a date I'll let you know if anything ensues!

Excellent news. Good luck with it!

Emma

Fantastic news!

The first person I met was a publisher not an agent, but I'll tell you what happened because it might well be relevant.

This lady asked me the kind of questions Emma's listed, but also seemed to want to know I had more books in me. I think they're keen to establish you're not a one-hit wonder.

I have to say,everyone I've met in the publishing industry is keen to put you at your ease, and this editor was no exception. She was absolutely lovely, and I was able to eat my lunch without choking with fear. At the end she said, 'Any more questions?' and I said, 'Er, are you going to take my book?' because she hadn't made an offer outright. She said she had to go back and discuss it with her team and I thought that meant No, but she did come back with an offer two weeks later. So don't panic if that happens.

My agent at the time said to me, 'All they want to do is meet you and check you're not mad'. So rein in the manaical laughter, SS, and you should walk it!

Yes, I think what you're planning to write next is definitely one thing you'll be asked, or want to volunteer.

Emma

Thanks guys, that's really useful. I actually have a bunch of projects & ideas and am trying to work out which to focus on next. Do you think saying that will make me look disorganised - I should probably fix on one before I meet her, I guess.

'All they want to do is meet you and check you're not mad'.

yeah, that's what I hoped!

Hurrah, good luck, think it's a good sign

SS, I'm sure it's right that it doesn't matter all that much but you could always put a positive spin on it. Something along the lines of, 'I find ideas come at me from all sorts of places, but the project I'm most excited about at the moment is...' and pick the one that you can make sound most enticing in two sentences. She won't hold you to it.

Though this

does

become relevant if she starts talking about two-book deals...

Emma

<Added>

Needless to say, I meant italics, not quote box. I also meant to say Good Luck!

Thanks Emma, that's good advice, I will try to "spin" it! And thanks so much everyone for your good luck wishes!

Thanks Emma, that's good advice, I will try to "spin" it! And thanks so much everyone for your good luck wishes!

Hey Leila, you're obviously so excited you're repeating yourself!!

Hey, I'm late to this, but I wanted to wish you luck. And congratulations, too! I'm looking forward to hearing the outcome.

When I met my agent it was a bit like a job interview, only slightly less formal and with questions that were slightly more personal. I think everyone else has given you excellent advice, though, so I won't say any more.

Good luck!

Luisa

Hi, SS. This sounds like a great opportunity, so good luck with it.

Tony

PS How do mad writers get agents?