Agent likes manuscript- what now?

[MsScribbles]

An agent has read the full manuscript of my first novel and likes it. We're talking on the phone next week.

I'm excited, and feel tentatively positive- it's one step towards achieving my dream.

But I have very little idea of what to expect from this conversation, what to ask, what to ask FOR, how to prepare etc.

I also don't know what the importance of the chat (and, I assume, the subsequent meeting- if all goes well) is. Is it like a pitching session or job interview? Do I need to sell my book to them? Do I need to prep/research as I would for a job interview? Is this the moment when the agent would decide whether or not they want to work with me, and vice versa?

SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Would appreciate advice from authors who are further down the publishing road... Thanks in advance.

Congratulations!

On the phone I'd try to get a feeling for them; their personality, working style and what changes they'd want to your MS. In the meantime the only prep I'd do is seeing what they are selling (look in Bookseller online) in your genre lately to think about whether they're the agent for your work. Also perhaps practising a pitch for any other ideas you have in case they ask.

If you get to meet them, it feels like walking into a combination of a job interview and a first date! But if you're right for each other the meeting can become fun quite quickly.

Thanks, Somerville

Very good advice- and great point about preparing a short pitch for my next novel, which I've started.

One more question- if you don't mind: I'm really open to an agent helping to shape a rewrite of my novel, in fact I'm very keen for guidance on rewriting. Do you think an initial conversation would be the place to talk about their thoughts on the book itself, or is it more of a 'getting to know you' vibe?

ooh exciting! I think you can see it as she is pitching herself to you. You have done your bit - produced the goods she likes - now she wants to be the agent you go for.

So, I think you can relax a little here, listen to what she offers, hear how she sees the book, what kind of market she envisages etc, etc. Of course, ask any questions you have, talk about number 2, but the main thing ( I think) will be her trying to get you on board.

Congrats! This is a huge step and you've dome so well to get here. At my meeting, I think my agent was trying to suss out how amenable I was to the editorial process, what I'd be like to work with, whether I would be happy to write sequels and stay in the same genre for a while as publishers want one book a year. We also discussed the current book just to see if we were on the same page, ideas wise. I asked about publishing contacts, current clients, social media use, that sort of thing. There was mention of a standard representation contract. But mainly I smiled till the points of my cheeks hurt and stopped myself from screaming "yes, yes yes!!" when they offered representation.

Thank you, thank you. This is all very useful indeed.

I think that's the thing Can'tFeelMyFace- I'm so delighted that an agent is interested that I'm worried I won't ask any of the right questions to protect and get the best for myself.

I mean the idea of writing a book a year, and getting them PUBLISHED and getting PAID for it, is just wonderful. I almost feel like I'd do it for nothing.

So when you sign up to an agent, what do you actually sign?!

Just wanted to update: I spoke to agent and we got on very well, she totally 'got' the book (which feels important), we chatted about the characters like they were real people- and I just generally got a good feeling about her. So I'm going to sign- hurray!

I've got the contract and now trying to decipher what it all means.

Thanks again for advice :)

Wow! Congrats!