Not So Secret Agent is an email newsletter all about the inside scoop on cookbook publishing from senior literary agent, Sally Ekus. Make sure you never miss a post. Subscribe!
Dear Not So Secret Agent readers,
Yesterday over in the Substack app (which you can sign up for below—yay another tech platform you should download!) I went live to have a quick vent sesh about what NOT to do re agent rejections. In the early days of this newsletter I wrote about how I frame rejections and what leads to offers for representation. Perhaps give those a read and then watch this short video.
Although I am getting fired up by a few people’s poor form, it is also important to keep in mind YOU DO YOU.
Sometimes agents say unhelpful things like “you need to have 200k followers to even get an agent” which, without context, is not necessarily true! Or recently I heard a POC author share that they were told to essentially white wash their recipes to be “more approachable.” GROSS.
When it comes to feedback, take what is helpful and leave the rest.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: There have been scenarios where I have passed with feedback and the author has resubmitted and later been offered representation. I will never forget the client who was given a list of homework and re-pitched me 6 months later having completed all the items on the list. The time they spent building their platform and understanding why it was so important, was invaluable. Plus they showed me the type of hardworking client they would be as an author.
Expertise cannot be rushed.
I encourage you to leave a comment on this post with feedback that has been helpful to you along the way.
Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing the Not So Secret Agent newsletter. Last week I heard from another agent colleague who said that her whole agency now subscribes to my newsletter and they debrief/discuss as a team. I can’t begin to tell you how much it delights me to think that I am stirring discussion across the industry.
Thank you NSSA readers for being in this community. Truly!
~Sally~
As a reminder, next month’s AMA will be for paid subscribers only. You can submit questions ahead of time and it will be recorded. Equity spots are available. Date to be announced.
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