CS4W: Please tell us about yourself and what a typical day at Harvey Klinger, Inc. is like for you.
AS: Previously an agent at Vigliano Associates and the Don Maass Agency, I joined Harvey Klinger Inc in the spring of 2005. My list spans the spectrum – from commercial fiction to literary, from adult to middle grade, and all types of nonfiction. Recent books to hit the shelves include Jim Thompson’s Cubicle Survival Guide (Random House), Meaghan Mountford’s Cookie Sensations: Creative Design for Every Occasion (Rutledge Hill), Paula Quinn’s romance Lord of Seduction (Warner), Mitch Bartoy’s The Devil’s Only Friend (St. Martin’s), and Paula Jolin’s young adult novel, In the Name of God (Roaring Brook, fc).
Every day is different, but is usually composed of some variation of the following: constructing marketing plans for my clients, pitching projects, negotiating contracts, putting out any fires, editing manuscripts, composing submission letters, answering queries, lunch and/or drinks with editors. All reading gets done after hours.
CS4W: What subjects/categories are you most interested in representing?
AS: I'm actively seeking both fiction and non-fiction, including literary, commercial, young adult, genre (romance, mystery, sf/fantasy) memoir, pop- culture, how-to, self-help, humor, interior design, cookbooks, business, and health & fitness.
CS4W: What are the most common mistakes writers make when contacting you?
AS: Not including the opening pages of their manuscript. So much of whether I take a book on depends on the voice and whether it resonates with me.
CS4W: Why won’t some publishers read unagented submissions?
AS: Editors have so much they need to do these days. Between getting their authors’ books ready for publication, going to scores of meetings, and trudging through agent submissions, there’s not much time left over to spare. Over the years agents have taken on the role of “gatekeeper”, and editors, who have more than enough on their plate, are happy to let them do so.
CS4W: Many authors seeking an agent often get offended by form rejections or no response at all to their queries. Please explain to our readers why it’s sometimes necessary for agents to work this way.
AS: I can certainly understand authors’ frustrations --- at times publishing can seem like a very cruel industry! One thing to remember is that, first and foremost, an agent’s primary responsibility is to represent their clients. Oftentimes, if they don’t have time to respond to unsolicited queries, it’s because they’re spending that time supporting their authors’ careers. And once you find representation, you’ll be happy to have an agent who is likewise devoted to your success.
CS4W: Do you accept unsolicited queries? If so, how many do you receive in any given month? How many of those do you actually offer to represent?
AS: Yes, I do. I receive around 500 a month. Of those I’ll typically offer representation to one author.
CS4W: Once you sign with a client, what happens from the initial call to the time you start submitting their work to publishers?
AS: I get to work on a marketing plan that I then discuss with my client. I also help the author get their manuscript or proposal into the best shape possible for submissions.
CS4W: I’ve heard stories about unagented authors receiving an offer from a publisher, and in their excitement, verbally agree to the terms of a contract only to be disappointed later on. Do you think this is a wise decision on the author’s part? Should they immediately seek representation before agreeing to a contract?
AS: Yes. Authors, by themselves, have little room to negotiate, both in terms of advance and in terms of the contract. Any reputable agency has a boilerplate contract with a publisher, with terms that they have negotiated for their clients over the years.
CS4W: I’ve heard some funny stories about writers chasing down agents and editors at conferences and even going so far as to slip their manuscript under a bathroom stall. As funny as it may sound, it amazes me that people can be so unprofessional. Have you ever had an overzealous writer go to extreme lengths to get your attention? Isn’t behaving this way a surefire way of killing your career?
AS: I don’t have any anecdotes of my own, but I do think it’s important to be professional – or, at the very least, non-stalker-like. The agent/author relationship is a partnership. Part of what an agent considers is whether they’ll be able to have a good working relationship with a client.
CS4W: What advice would you like to share with our readers who are seeking an agent?
AS: Perseverance is so important! This is such a subjective business. What does not resonate with one agent will be a perfect fit for another. Just keep trudging away, and don’t take rejection too personally.
For more information about me and my client list, please feel free to check out the following links:
http://www.harveyklinger.com/bio.cfm?agent=5
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/asomberg/
