Mom Writes Podcast

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Season 3, Episode 6: Little Tweaks, Big Difference Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

When you finally choose an agent to pitch (or 20 or 30), what do you do? I'm interested in sending out a series of exclusives. It's a weird strategy, and it might not work. (As a matter of fact, I might scrap the whole thing after this first round. You never know!) But for whatever reason, this is where my gut is telling me to start.

In this episode, we discuss the one cardinal rule in pitching agents: FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS TO A "T."

If the agent says they want the subject line to say your name, title, and date of your last flu shot, then by God, you write your name, title, and date of your last flu shot! It's not time to get fancy or creative because there very well may be a filter on their inbox that weeds out any email which doesn't follow this exact format.

We also discuss my first chapter and why it's essential to nail it. Frankly, I had a tiny blip early in the chapter that took Jennie out of my story.

"An agent is a highly tuned reading machine, right? She is gonna be scanning this super-fast, like, 'Oh, that's so cute. That's so great. That's so awesome. BLIP. Ugh. Done.'" -Jennie Nash, on agents reading your first chapter

In my first chapter, I referred to a conversation between two characters in the scene. Jennie wanted to see the conversation instead. She wanted to see the conversation because it allowed my main character to react to it.

It ended up being a small tweak, but a fun one to incorporate because it gave me the chance to add in a little more "Mr. Rafferty." Sidenote, Mr. Rafferty is the character that every one of my beta readers (EVERY. ONE.) said they loved (and wanted more of!). He's a retired pirate, and he's a grumpy, snarky ol' talking rat with a great big heart.

I've learned during this whole pitching-prep process that sometimes little changes make a big difference.

Season 3, Episode 5: Mo' Agents, Mo' Agents, Mo' Agents Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Today we have (surprise!) more talk about agents. What if you're pitching an agent, but you are open to eventually dipping your toes in self-publishing or hybrid publishing? Or changing genres? Or co-writing?

Jennie says, "And when you get to a conversation with an agent, these are things you might want to say: I have a million ideas! I might want to do a collaboration with someone. I might want to do a picture book. I might want to do an adult thing. And I know you might not represent all those things, but what are your thoughts about them?"

Basically, you want to know where a potential agent stands on any path you may want to walk.

What are other things that you need to consider when comparing different agents and agencies? What kind of business relationship are you looking for?

We turn to the internet and do a little digging on one agency. The Jill Grinberg Agency has a beautiful manifesto of their beliefs on their website. In it, they talk about how they approach their work with writers and how they work as a team with fluidity between departments.

So what am I looking for in an agent? My answer may surprise you! (Especially because I'm not sure if she exists!)

Season 3, Episode 4: Agents and Strategy Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Today Jennie breaks down agents and strategy in all kinds of different ways.

First, she talks about agents and what they strategically do for your career (and what they don't). Agents aren't going to say to you, "Llamas are hot right now! Bring me a book featuring llamas!" (Llama just say, I thought this was kind of how it worked.)

All agents work differently and have different personalities and styles. Some are more editorially focused. Some are great at laying out a strategic career path. As a writer pitching agents, you should have an idea of how hands-on you want them to be.

Because as Jennie keeps saying, "You get to choose, too." Choosing an agent is a two-way street. Yes, they choose you, but you can say no if you talk to them and realize it's not a good fit. Or, as I said, you can turn down the agent if s/he turns out to be a Mr. Collins. (That's for all you Jane Austen fans out there.)

Turning down an agent is very difficult for a new writer to do, by the way!

We also talk a bit about my very off-beat pitching strategy. Jennie usually suggests pitching agents in small batches, but I've decided I want to do something... different.

Because God forbid I do things like everyone else.

Season 3, Episode 3: Pitching in a Pandemic Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

I know how some of us are feeling. We've worked hard (possibly for years) on a book, and when it comes time to pitch it, there is a worldwide pandemic.

So what do we do? Do we change our stories to reflect the new "normal?" Do we hold off pitching agents? Are agents still working? Are they taking writers?

Do any of these things even matter?

Today Jennie and I talk about how the pandemic has affected the pitching process. My question to Jennie was this: is it better to pitch more established agents who already have all the connections?

Jennie goes over more pros and cons about pitching agents at big agencies vs. small ones. Seasoned agents vs. young scrappy and hungry.

She also takes some time to dig deeper into one agent on my list. She dives into the internet to try and figure out what she can about him, illustrating that sometimes you have to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes when researching agents.

Season 3, Episode 2: How to Choose Which Agents to Pitch Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

Today we talk about what to expect when you’re pitching agents. From what to do with your documents to how to keep track of agents, Jennie lays out all the things you need to consider when starting the pitching process.

(And I have one word for you, folks: spreadsheets.)

I also fret because my top, wish-listed agents represent some pretty big names. But Jennie has some good advice for me there, too.

“They're not usually like, 'Well, that's it. I got one really big one! I'm done!' They're in this game for good. So, there is no aiming high. Like if you're aiming for people who represent really prominent, famous authors, they're just as likely to take your book and love your book as anyone else.” -Jennie Nash on pitching agents with famous clients

I talk a little about how I narrowed down the agents on my list that I wanted to pitch and why. Jennie explains choose agents to pitch is not so much a science as it is an art.

So how do you go about choosing what agents to pick? And what makes a good agent? What if you don’t hear back from an agent? What if you hear from multiple agents at once? All these questions plus a few more on today’s pitching prep episode of Mom Writes.

Season 3, Episode 1: Pitching Prep Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Season Three of Mom Writes is all about pitching your completed manuscript to agents! Book coach Jennie Nash walks me, Abby Mathews, through the process of pitching my middle grades novel in hopes of finding an agent, and in turn, a publisher.

But let’s start at the beginning. The first eight episodes are dedicated to preparing your pitch and your agent query.

Today, Jennie talks about the number one thing people get wrong when they pitch their books to an agent: they RUSH.

We also talk about the two things you have to get in shape to pitch: your materials and your mind. What do we as writers need to do to make sure our book is pitch-worthy? First, I asked myself, “Is this book something that realistically an agent can sell?” And the answer was no.

So, I made some changes to my story that I felt would make it easier to sell my book, and we talk a little about that. I had to kill a few darlings in the process, but in the end, I think my manuscript is in better shape to sell.

We also talk about the idea of your book being “good enough” to pitch. It was my friend KJ who said, “It has to be good enough to go out, but not so good I can’t change it.” Because one thing you may or may not realize is agents and editors will all have suggestions for your story. These suggestions help you craft a story they can sell. What you have to have crystal clear on the page is your big vision for this story. And you have to find an agent who can catch that vision and run with it.

Here’s where we move from a purely creative realm into the realm of BUSINESS. And this is a hard thing shift!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. To start, you need a query letter and a “good enough” manuscript. So welcome back to Mom Writes as we present pitching prep!

Remember, you can find these show notes on my website at abbymathews.org.

Mom Writes Season 3 Update Oct 04, 2020

Show notes

Hi, everyone! We have a Mom Writes season 3 update.

One important announcement I have is that Mom Writes is moving! You will no longer find our current show notes on the Author Accelerator website. Seasons 1 and 2 still live on the Author Accelerator site, so all our old show notes are there. But anything new from this point forward will be…here! On my website www.AbbyMathews.org.

And you guys, I spell my last name with ONE T. Like the everyone’s least favorite subject in school, math.

Just kidding.

Kinda. I mean, some people love math. I just said that so you would remember my name has one T in it, like math. ;-)
Season 3 is going to be structured a wee bit differently, since we are headed into uncharted territory (or at least it’s uncharted for ME). Season 3 is all about pitching, and when you query agents it gets unpredictable. So, whereas you could previously count on me to write my 20 pages every other week on Seasons 1 and 2, I don’t really know what kind of rhythm Season 3 will have.
That said, we’re starting out with 8 episodes where Jennie lays out pitching prep, and we’re going to release them pretty quickly. Most likely M W F, M W F, M W and then I’m going to hit send on my first query letter as close to “live” as we can get it. (As a matter of fact, Jennie is going to be on the phone with me when I hit send, for moral support. Because she’s awesome like that!)
Mel is still around, even if you don’t hear her voice at first. FEAR NOT. She is alive and well! But like Mom Writes, Mel has also made a big move across state lines. She just needs a little time to settle and adjust before jumping into the fray! So, as long as I don’t mess up the tech on my end, look for a new episode coming Monday, October 5, 2020!

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