What Agents Are Looking For and How to Pitch to Them with Julie Gwinn

What This Agent is Looking For (An ACFW Primer)

For the last decade or so, I have worn many hats, first as a marketer and then as editor for two different publishing houses. In my new role as a literary agent with The Seymour Agency, I have noticed that the query letters and pitches coming from prospective authors are the same but what I am looking for has changed. Hopefully my explanation will help you hone your pitches for ACFW.

As a fiction editor, I was looking for a great story with strong characters set in a unique location or situation to make the book stand out in a crowd. I wanted strong writing but was willing to work with an author if I could see there was potential. I came to writer’s conferences and ACFW with my matrix in hand so that I knew exactly what I needed to round out my publishing plan by genre. The ideas that fit into that plan were given priority. I was looking at the short-term.

As an agent, I am still looking for a great story with strong characters in a unique location or situation that makes it stand out in an increasingly saturated market. The difference for me though is now I am looking beyond the one book to see if the author has other ideas as well.  I am now looking long-term.

I am looking for an author/writer who has a lot of ideas beyond book one and who needs my help setting priorities based on the current market to put those ideas into a strategic publishing/writing plan. I am excited at the prospect of finding someone I can guide and nurture and help grow. Personally, I want someone with a passion for their message and for learning everything they can about their craft. I am looking for a great writer who captures me immediately or a good writer who is willing to learn.

I am also looking for a business partner who is willing to work as hard as I will to see their project published and then marketed and sold into the hands of readers. Someone who understands the role discoverability plays in becoming successful and is interested in cultivating a following of fans and readers to help with that important component.

Ultimately trust is key. The author needs to trust me, my experience, my knowledge, and know I have their best interest at heart. And I need to trust that the author will be open, honest and do their part in making this a successful venture.

So as you set appointments for ACFW, know that pitching to agents is different than pitching to editors, and tailor your message accordingly. The appointments are like speed dating and each one is wanting to hear something specific, but in general we are all there to hear from you!

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Thank you, Julie, for letting us in on what agents are looking for. We are thrilled to have you at The Writer's Alley.

Does anyone have any questions? Thoughts? Things to add?

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Pepper Basham writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She’s a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate. She writes a variety of genres, but enjoys sprinkling her native culture of Appalachia in them all.  She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she works with kids, searches for unique hats to impress her friends, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends on The Alley. She is represented by the amazing Julie Gwinn.