ERIC SMITH: Breaking Down the Query Letter & Life as a Literary Agent and Author

88 Cups of Tea

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Where does a literary agent find new author clients? What are specific examples of query letters that really catch an agent's attention? We get into all of that (and so much more) with today’s special guest: Eric Smith.

He’s an author, blogger, podcaster, and literary agent for P.S. Literary. As an author, his first humor book, The Geek's Guide to Dating, was an Amazon 2013 Best Book of the Year selection in Humor, as well as a Best of the Year pick by PopSugar and Wired's GeekDad. He’s also the author of the young adult novels “Inked” and its sequel “Branded”. Eric’s newest Young Adult novel “The Girl and the Grove” was just released this month.

You know I love picking our guests' brains, and I give Eric a million and one brownie points for being so transparent, genuine, and generous during our conversation.

Say 'Hi' to Eric on Twitter and be sure to head over to his shownotes page. There's a downloadable PDF featuring a query letter guide where I compiled notes, transcriptions of examples, and quotes to help ease your querying process. Be sure to download the guide by heading over to his shownotes page and scrolling to the bottom of the page. Click here!

Get ready to dive into the nitty-gritty and happy listening!

Xo,

Yin

PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!

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“The way you promote yourself is the way you promote other people.”

-Eric Smith

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

• Flashback: Eric’s earliest memory of when he first fell in love with storytelling [6:00]
• The light-bulb moment when Eric discovered his immediate connection to the YA voice and audience [11:23]
• How his job at Quirk Books led to his first book deal for “The Geek’s Guide to Dating” [12:43]
• How to approach opportunities working in different areas of the literary world [13:41]
• Is it necessary for our listeners to build a digital platform for ourselves? [15:06]
• Fun random side note in the episode: We talk about my big road trip move from California to New York and how we were hearing about each other through the community meetups in Chicago and Ann Arbor! [17:34]
• What prompted Eric to look into being a literary agent [19:05]
• Cameo featuring the one and only Auggie [19:50]
• Eric’s early days as a literary agent, learning how to negotiate for his authors, and how negotiations are made [21:37]
• Where Eric finds new author clients to bring on [23:26]
• What kinds of stories attract him most when bringing on new representation [24:55]
• Example of a great hook used to describe a novel to editors [30:39]
• Eric unpacks the “hook, book, cook” idea of writing query letters and grabbing the attention of literary agents [31:15]
• Two specific exemplary examples of query letters that caught Eric’s attention [32:27]
• What comp titles are and why they’re important to include in your query letter [35:10]
• How Eric develops and guides his authors’ careers and his role as an agent [38:38]
• We dive into our listeners' Q&A segment of the episode (If you'd love to submit your questions for upcoming guests, join our private Facebook group):
  • As a disabled writer working on an #ownvoices YA novel I would love to know: What does he feel is the most important part of a novel that is written by someone who shares their character’s marginalization?
  • As a white cisgender person, I have a hard time writing outside of my lane mainly because I’m worried it isn’t my place. Is there any advice he can give about writing diversely, while also being respectful of the fact that you are not part of those marginalized groups?
  • Who is more helpful as an assistant: Langston or Auggie?
  • Positive voices can be so hard to find in the confusing, tortuous, and anxiety-riddled labyrinth that is publishing. How do you stay human in an industry that can feel at times so dehumanizing with goal posts always moving and the only certainty is uncertainty?
  • I would love to know a little about anthology editing: How do you go about finding the authors to write the stories on the theme; where does agent representation come into it; and how you find an editor to publish the work?
  • Does he have any tips for writers balancing full-time jobs?
  • Please ask him how his corgi is doing for me because I am very invested thanks.