Sweet 16
my work anniversary + lessons as a literary agent
Not So Secret Agent is an email newsletter that delivers the inside scoop on cookbook publishing from senior literary agent, Sally Ekus. Make sure you never miss an email. Subscribe!
Dear Not So Secret Agent readers,
This past weekend, on February 8th, I celebrated my work anniversary. Sixteen years of learning and representing authors as a literary agent. Strange because I am still in my 20s! 😉
If you know me well, you know that I have been informally training for this my whole life, having grown up around food and culinary media.
The Ekus Group was originally called Lisa Ekus Public Relations and was founded by my mom, Lisa Ekus, in 1982. I grew up collating press kits for 10 cents a pop and answering the phone -- “Mom GMA is on the phone!” -- at just seven years old.
But I never had any pressure to follow in my mother’s footsteps.
I went to Ithaca College and majored in sociology with a double minor in psych and women’s studies. I was on track to get a master’s in social work, to become a therapist. I ended up deferring from grad school and moving home to get my feet under me while I figured out what was next. I started helping at the agency because I needed a job and Lisa needed help mailing proposals out on submission. In those days (way back in 2009), all proposals still went out via hard copy to editors with personalized cover letters and return postage. It took forever to get answers back. Also, copy paper costs were high!
Fast forward a bit and what was originally meant to be a temporary steppingstone, turned into a budding career. I realized I had a knack for editing proposals, reviewing submissions seeking representation, and negotiating deals. It dawned on Lisa that she may have a succession plan after all.
During a one-month medical leave during which Lisa had a knee replaced (the first time she ever took extended time off), I got thrown into the fire when two proposals that were out on submission got major bites.
The proposals became the books Serve Yourself by Washington Post food and dining editor, Joe Yonan, and Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook by journalist and food writer Kim O’Donnel. Lisa, while holed up in her room recovering, dove headfirst into hyper-mentoring me. I remember sitting next to her in bed drafting negotiation emails and studying major deal points.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: “Deal points” is an industry terms for the major points that your agent negotiates at the initial deal stage. These include (but are not limited to) advance amount (including the payment schedule), royalties, and subsidiary rights splits. Your agent negotiates the “general deal terms” in your book deal first. Once agreed upon, you then wait (often weeks, month, or more) for the draft contract to come in. The contract is then negotiated further before being finalized. ***
After fielding and negotiating multiple offers, I closed my first two deals. I was hooked.
Now believe me, I know how lucky I was. I had a level of mentorship and access from day one that most agency associates or junior agents only dream of. Perhaps that’s why, to this day (why am I talking like I am some ancient agent?!), whenever someone reaches out to ask me about breaking into culinary representation, I jump at the chance to pay it forward and share as much insight as possible.
I will never forget the first editor meeting I ever sat in on with Lisa. We had traveled to New York City and were meeting with Jennifer Williams, who, for many years, was an Executive Editor at Sterling (now Union Square & Co—which was acquired by Hachette at the end of 2024).
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: I don’t live in NYC and never have. People often say that the epicenter of publishing is in New York City. While it may be a concentrated industry hub, I am a staunch advocate for showcasing agenting outside of that area. Today, with remote positions, this has never been more true. Shout out to my West Coast agent friends as well! ***
As Lisa and I waited for Jennifer to come into the meeting room, I glanced over our printed “available project lists”, which had a one-paragraph summary of each proposal ready for acquisition or in development. My job was to be able to answer any questions Lisa might ask me about an author’s platform, news, or anything else!
What few of our clients realized at the time, was that the young and inexperienced (but rising) agent in training actually knew all the crucial and specific details of their work. I like to think I was only one sad blue sweater away from being Anne Hathaway whispering in Lisa’s ear as if she were Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep).
Jennifer couldn’t have been warmer. I also was so fortunate that my first meeting was with her. It set the tone for what I have come to expect from the industry at large – talent, humility, and humanity. Was I was naïve to think this bar would be met from here on out? Of course I was. However, since I still carry those expectations (and always do my best to live up to them myself), you could say that my naivete has served me very well.
Looking back on those early years of my career has me feeling all the feels.
Lisa is coming up on two years since her retirement. She is an epic grandma and she’s busier than ever with her volunteer work.
This past January marked one year since The Ekus Group merged with JVNLA, another second-generation women-run literary agency that has a deep legacy. In fact, Jean V. Naggar was Lisa’s first publishing employer when Lisa took on her first internship. Talk about full circle!
As I look back at the past 16 years and forward to what’s ahead, I wanted to share 16 totally biased Not So Secret Agent secrets with you! I could devote a whole newsletter to each one. After much deliberation, I decided not to give these any context so you could let these mean whatever they need to for you as you read them now, and in the future.
Please read on to enjoy a mix of philosophical and hyper-specific lessons/recommendations:
1. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
2. Mentorship is a two-way exchange. And it never stops.
3. Do the thing that scares you.
4. Initiate/Create the conversation you want to be a part of (or expert in!) if it doesn’t yet exist.
5. Invest in memberships and meaningful industry networking. Specially for those in the food writing space, I recommend IACP and Cherry Bombe. Also, listen to the entire Everything Cookbook podcast.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: For my non-comprehensive but complete list of go-to suggestions of resources for cookbook authors, see here and here.***
6. Don’t say “pick your brain”. It just sounds gross. Instead, try “brief informational interview”.
7. Read Publisher’s Lunch and send congratulations to your colleagues when you see them get promoted. It is a small industry and you will continue to cross paths.
8. Collaboration is better than competition.
9. I once heard an agent say if she sold 100% of the projects she signed, she wouldn’t be taking enough risks. This has stuck with me ever since.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: Last year, I sold 12 of the 13 projects I pitched with 4 going to auction, meaning more than just a few houses were interested. The one project I didn’t sell was because I pulled it from submission after too many passes came in citing platform size (too small) as the reason. The client is an OG blogger with a direct line to thousands of long-time readers. With the changes happening in social media, our time to revamp and re-pitch is coming. Whichever publisher lands this project will be very lucky to do so because this author has an audience primed and ready for their debut cookbook.
10. Dance with those that brung you. This is a saying Lisa has instilled in me, which was passed down to her by my poppy, her father the radiologist.
11. Follow the joy and ease. A practice I learned and follow daily thanks to my other life as an improvisor.
12. You don’t need to be the one to speak first. Or, silence (when negotiating) can go a long way. And yes, I still negotiate on the phone!
13. It’s not just about finding any agent, it is about finding the right agent.
14. Right, Not Rushed.
15. The better the book proposal, the better the book deal.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: There are scenarios where authors sign book contracts without writing a proposal. This happens when editors approach them directly and offer large advances to sort of “figure it out after the deal.” While this can sometimes (often) lead to a very lucrative book deal. This is not my preferred approach to agenting. The process of mapping out what you want your book to be and how you will bring its success to fruition is a wildly important exercise if you want to be/stay in this industry in a meaningful way as an author long term. But Not So Secret Agent Sally, what if I am going for just one blow out book?! In that case, maybe take the money and run 😉.***
16. Be willing to work hard. Very Hard. Oh, and be nice and work with good people.
Speaking of good people, in the past two months this small and mighty newsletter has grown by more than 470 new readers. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that you are sharing this newsletter so widely—thank you!
I have heard from emerging writers interested in landing their first deal who’ve said my proposal guidelines is now a favorite tab on their browser. I am honored! I’ve also heard from editors that I sell six-figure books who tell me they love my posts. Wow, thanks! I even had a client text me that even after authoring over a dozen books, they are still leaning here. Incredible!
Now all you have my curiosity piqued.
Not So Secret Agent started out as my way of pulling back the curtain on cookbook publishing and offering insider access and insights. Please fill out this VERY BRIEF survey so that this sociology major at heart can better understand who is here and how I can be of service to you.
Thanks for being exactly who you are,
~Sally~
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UPCOMING NOT SO SECRET AGENT ways for us to cross paths:
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: March 5-8th, Women in Publishing Summit. Where to Begin: How to Start a Non-Fiction Book Proposal, on the 5th at 1pm ET! Please note that the link I just shared is an affiliate link. This means I earn a small commission for bringing people to the summit – I wouldn’t teach at an event I am not super stoked to promote.
IN PERSON WORKSHOP April 4-5 in Nashville, Tennessee M.F.K. Fisher Symposium for Women in Food & Storytelling. I am on a panel, hosting a hands-on workshop, and participating in agent speed dating. This weekend is designed to be specific and practical professional development for food writers. Scholarships are available and one equity spot to my workshop will be chosen once all applications for scholarships are in.
IN PERSON April 12th in NYC Cherry Bombe’s Jubilee.
JUST ANNOUNCED: IN PERSON in NYC September 17th: The AALA People of Publishing Conference (this is an industry event for agents, editors, and publishing professionals).
Sally, I love this! Everything you write I read, read again and then read again a few more times. There’s so much insight and valuable information for aspiring cookbook authors and writers of all kinds contained in your newsletters. I use it all like a Bible! Thank you!
Congratulations! Exciting to see your journey continue...