Hello I have two appointments with agents at a writers festival in June. In advance, I will send them a query, synopsis and first chapters. The appointments are for 15 minutes. Any idea what preparation I should do? Talking about the plot feels a bit redundant as I'd just be repeating my query, and they'll have read the synopsis so will know what happens. So other than saying, "my book is great," what do I say? "Erm, did you like it?" Are they likely to give feedback on what they've read? Are there common questions asked by agents at these things? Any advice would be much appreciated so I make the most of the opportunity!
Never been to one myself but I'd adopt a shut up and listen policy. You've given them everything they need already so I'd imagine they'd have plenty to say. All the conferences I've seen like that are paid events so I'd hope you'd get your money's worth.
When you made the appointment, did you get specific instructions to send a query, chapters, and synopsis? Like is that part of the deal that you paid for? It's in writing that they will have read what you've sent?
I've never been to one but plenty of my writer friends have. The agent should have read your material before the appointment and will tell you her thoughts and ideas for improvement. She's likely to ask you to send her the full manuscript - as far as I can tell, this is pretty much a given.
Yes, that's what they ask for. I chose which ones to meet based on their profile/ submission requirements and have to send it in a month before. 15 minutes doesn't feel long but also could feel very long, depending on how it goes! I just don't want to look an idiot
You could have some backup questions prepared... like, hopefully they'll do most of the talking and you can just sit there and take notes and think about it all, but if there are awkward gaps... You could ask how they see the market for your genre - growing, shrinking, etc. You could ask for tips on making your work more appealing etc.
They read your stuff beforehand, and then they appear, and are, very helpful for fifteen minutes, sincerely. You walk away with a good feeling. Like the interview, you did not get the job, no, probably not, but you did very well regardless. You think so. They liked you. Only later, lying in bed, the walls close in to a new darkness. From the ceiling descends the massive rubber stamp. 'Sucker' the sanction is to your head, it won't wash off, for six months you are downcast until the next time.
