Last week I shared how my first literary agent and I had differing ideas of what my book project should be. While it’s always a bummer to come to a creative impasse, this stutter step was a gift because it helped me realize what I wanted (and what I didn’t). And once I knew what that was I could go out into the world of unanswered query inboxes (just like every other writer who ever wanted an agent) and find the right fit for the project in the end. I had to do it the old fashioned way—through grit, tenacity, connections, and a crystal clear idea of what I was writing and who I wanted to represent me.
Understanding (the hard way) that my former agent had comps (comparable titles) in their head that were not what I had in my head (honestly I was unsure of what mine were but I knew they were not that) led me to do the work on finding my comps.
Was my book going to be a prescriptive practical and tangible guide? Would it look to inspire the reader? Did my book bring a big idea to the table? Would it be well researched and academic? Or would it have a focus on personal growth and business? Would my book be great to give as a gift or something someone picked up when at their wits end? Would my book be personal and heartwarming? Or a rallying cry or a motivational kick in the pants? Would it be a reported expose or a vulnerable memoir? Would my book make a case or a critique for something or against something? Would it be of the time, timely, or timeless?
I knew for sure that it was non-fiction but beyond that—what was it really?Knowing this was crucial in whittling down my list of agents I was going to reach out to.
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