Literary Agents Roundtable Interview with The Hollywood Reporter – Thanks to Dale Eldon for turning me on to this 1-hour interview a while back with Jodi Reamer (Writers House), Kim Witherspoon (Inkwell Management), Robert Gottlieb (Trident Media), Sloan Harris (ICM), Eric Simonoff (WME), and Christy Fletcher (Fletcher & Company). I’ve participated in many literary agent panel discussions like this, but I’ve never gotten one on video. So I thought you might appreciate seeing this one. It features some of the top literary agents in the industry today.
Scroll below to watch now…
Also, if you want to learn more about these literary agents or find out how to submit your work to them, click here to enter my Directory of Literary Agents. It is the world’s most comprehensive (and accurate) literary agent directory, and it’s free to access.
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Literary Agents Interview
The Hollywood Reporter
Some of the things you’ll discover:
- What’s the best, or most memorable, opening line from a query or proposal you’ve ever read… that you said, “I know this is a book I want to sign?” What about the worst opening line you’ve ever seen in query or proposal?
- What is the current state of the film and television adaptation world… the way Hollywood handles books? How much control do authors have over decisions like casting and adaptation when it comes to film or television adaptation? Should an author be personally involved with writing the screenplay or script for their book? What is the best strategy for timing the submission and/or sale of film or television rights for a book to Hollywood?
- Is television more attractive now to authors than it was a few years ago with HBO, Showtime, and Netflix, etc., investing a lot of money? Is there more opportunity now in television or feature film? How is Hollywood changing due to shifts in the economy? Why are more books than ever (including nonfiction) being adapted for television and feature film? How much does having a television or film deal before shopping a book to publishers impact the potential for a sale?
- What are the trends with young adult fiction, paranormal fiction, dystopia, and erotic fiction (like 50 Shades of Grey)? Are they past their peak? What is the new hot genre? Should agents and authors follow trends? What makes a good memoir? Who is well-known that hasn’t yet written a memoir, that should? Are there lines you’re not interested in crossing when it comes to who and/or what you represent? For example, would you have represented Casey Anthony?
- What do you feel are the best outlets for promoting books? How important are Facebook, Twitter, and the blogosphere? Do authors have to Tweet or blog? Can it help get bigger deals? What is the best way to tap into an audience and grow? How important is it for authors to have a relationship with their fans?
- What’s the most exciting thing about how the publishing business has evolved? Where are you finding new talent? How is Amazon and self-publishing changing publishing? Is there a new and growing marketing for shorter, mid-length books? How much time generally passes between publication of the hardcover and softcover versions of a book?
- What makes a literary agent valuable? What do authors need to know about writing and publishing sequels? How has James Patterson changed the entire publishing industry?
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Literary Agents Roundtable Interview
The Cast – Literary Agents Interview
Jodi Reamer (Writers House): Jodi is Stephenie Meyer’s agent and she’s an attorney. She’s been with Writers House for 15 years. Jodi handles both children’s books, from young-adult to picture books, and adult books. Her focus is commercial fiction and she would love to represent a legal thriller.
Kim Witherspoon (Inkwell Management): At age 26, Kimberly founded her own literary agency, which quickly became one of the most prestigious and successful agencies in Manhattan, with clients who are frequently published around the world. Over the past 15 years, she has represented critically acclaimed and bestselling authors of both fiction and nonfiction.
Robert Gottlieb (Trident Media): After getting started in the mailroom in 1977, Gottlieb became a department assistant in WMA’s literary department and shortly thereafter began working with the head of the department, Owen Laster. Five years later he became a literary agent, discovered Tom Clancy in the early eighties, and in 1989 was promoted to Senior Vice President, becoming one of the youngest agents to ever head the WMA Literary Department. He was then elected to the Board of Directors and became Executive Vice President in 1992. After 24 years at the William Morris Agency, Gottlieb started Trident Media Group, LLC in September 2000 where he now serves as Chairman. Robert Gottlieb presently represents many best-selling authors.
Sloan Harris (International Creative Management – ICM): Sloan is the co-head of publications at ICM, which in Variety’s words “essentially establishes him as heir apparent to run the agency’s Gotham-based powerhouse book operation in the years to come.”
Eric Simonoff (William Morris Endeavor – WME): Eric graduated from Princeton University in 1989, with a degree in Classics. He began his publishing career at W.W. Norton as an editorial assistant. He joined Janklow and Nesbit 1991 and rose to co-director. He left Janklow & Nesbit for William Morris Endeavor in 2009. His switch in agencies was considered a major event in the publishing industry. He represents three Pulitzer Prize winners, as well as over a dozen New York Times bestselling authors.
Christy Fletcher (Fletcher & Company): Christy began her career at the Carol Mann Agency. After three years, she left to help start Carlisle & Company (now part of Inkwell Management) where she continued to build a strong list of bestselling and award-winning writers. In 2003, Christy left to co-found Fletcher & Parry. She launched the agency’s move into feature film and television production and management in 2006, and acts as producer on several client-based projects.
To learn more about these literary agents or submit your book to them click here to access my Literary Agent Directory. It’s the most comprehensive (and accurate) literary agent directory in the world, and it’s free to access.
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Feedback Questions
I want to know what you think, so share your thoughts below!
- Did you enjoy this literary agents interview?
- What was the most valuable insight you gained?
- What follow-up questions do you have?
I’ll respond personally.
– Mark
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
Excellent interview. I wanted to hear all they had to say and felt they were invested in the authors they represent and love to get the books to the audiences they are intended for. Helped me to see the Literary agent as a real person.
I have a new perspective on where my blog could be important to my writing and how I can possibly promote my book even before it is published. I haven’t been totally invested in twitter but I want to learn more about how to connect with the audience.
Thank you Debra… and glad to hear it!
Have a good night and
see you again soon,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
This was very interesting and hopeful for the next generation of authors trying to get published. I hope they truly are more open minded about new less traditional subject matters and ways to be published. The Y/A monopoly on the publishing market is great in that young people are reading but is closing the market to more innovative cross genre and older protagonists centered novels. Dystopia has died will Y/A go with it?
Hi Helen, glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful… and hopeful! Regarding your question about genres, you might find this article interesting and/or helpful as well: https://literary-agents.com/book-genres/.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark,
Thank you for providing access to this meeting of top voices discussing authors, publishing, agenting and the writing forecast. People would pay good money to be a fly on the wall during this meeting. You have allowed us to be that fly on the wall.
Thanks,
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
🙂
Glad you enjoyed it and found it valuable.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow! You’re the man, Mark! Thank you so much for sharing this–and for free too, ha ha. It’s been incredibly insightful and helpful. I’m a little more than half way done with my new NA romance, and I can’t wait to send it out to them and see how they feel about it.
Thanks again, Mark. You’ve been by far the most helpful man of my career so far.
Hi Adam, glad you enjoyed the video… and thank you… as always… for the love.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing that interview with your readers. What I liked and got most out of the interview was that now agents are paying attention to books that are now being published as e-books online rather than traditional agent queries and rejections. They are finding that they have more time to find authors that have salable products which give authors a better chance to be discovered. As I have my book published on multiple sites, I have a better chance of success now then ever before.
Hi Bob, glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for sharing such a positive comment.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
P.S. Not enough space in previous message to say thanks for this interview. The top agents were gracious with information and appeared understanding of the constant changes in the industry. Was very pleased to hear them concerned with the careers of the writers and not just profit for the books they produce. Thank you again.
Thank you Calvin, much appreciated…
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hummmm. I feel the same as Doree. I have since the start of my novel felt that traditional publishing was the only route but am I hearing now that it’s a combination of self and traditional? I hate to admit it but the industry has changed during the time it took me to write it. Is self publishing worth another look, or is just another way to gets agents attention? I would rather get their attention with the writing and story then chase a white rabbit. Thoughts?
Hi Calvin,
Read these articles before you do anything else: https://literary-agents.com/best-publishing-companies/, https://literary-agents.com/should-i-self-publish-my-book/, https://literary-agents.com/self-publish-a-book/, and https://literary-agents.com/its-not-what-you-say/.
The next thing you should do (if you haven’t already) is click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark – What a trip this was. The agents are not only savvy but also generous in their candor. Listening in on their narratives and watching their comfortable exchange with peers humanizes the individuals. This rapport is vital to me as I craft my own imagined dialog with any potential new colleague in a query, a synopsis, or in preparing for an initial one-on-one meeting. Thanks for this introduction to the personality of top pros. I have a new respect for the profession. Onward.
Hi Larry… pleasure speaking with you this week… and I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Great agents bring a lot more to the table than many authors realize… so I’m glad that I was able to share this inside peek with everyone… very different than just reading an agent website or blog.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Interesting conversation but about an author-stage most of us can probably only dream of. I for myself thought that my novel Enchanting The Swan would be a warm classical music love-story based on a familiar theme by Saint Saëns but when I pitched that with Paul Levine, who does books to film promotion, he did not think so. It all depends on what one writes, how good it is, and how likely it is to make money, given the huge investments at stake. In other words: outside my reach so far.
Hi John, glad you found the video interesting… and every successful book gets rejected by lots of publishers… so you can’t get too discouraged by what one (or some) of them say. You only need one, and that’s usually how it works!!! 😉
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
This was terrific. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. You are terrific. I recommend your site and you all the time. I got my agent by querying 29 people on your list.
Hi Deryn, glad you enjoyed the video and I’m… of course… elated that you got an agent using my site… and you’re recommending it to others. I love it. Thank you for letting me know and make sure you let me know if/when your book is coming out!
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thanksalot for the video, Mark; it’s loaded with current info. 2 questions: what to call my book that I term autobiography, or ‘my story’?? There are other names like essay, narrative and nonfiction. Atm I’m only planning a sequel, in time. I don’t consider myself a fictional story teller. That being said, would great agents be interested in my book, knowing I picture limited product?? Or, from the video, do they see other outlets as possible more mileage?? I humbly bow to your expertise…..
Hi Doree, take a look at my book genres website at http://book-genres.com, which will help you figure out your genre. Look at memoir as well. I don’t understand your other questions. If you clarify them, I’ll get back to you ASAP and do what I can to help.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
P.S. I understand the principles and mechanics of platform. I’m doing case studies of MG authors. But, I’m just starting to write my novel, under a pseudonym, and obviously don’t have an agent yet. I’m trying to grasp what kind of content I could offer on a successful platform this early. Is it enough to create a business plan for a platform, and gather content, now, while I’m in these early days of writing, and then put my platform into action later?
Hi Jack, yes… the best thing you can do is get help now to create a simple but powerful list of things you can do to start building your platform now. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. It just has to fit your unique goals, personality, skills, and resources. But anyone can do it. Mark
I was interested in the conversation about the best media outlets. The blogosphere is important for YA but not for MG. I would have liked to have heard more about how they feel MG authors can connect with MG readers via media outlets. Do kids that age read blogs or use Twitter and Facebook? I wouldn’t think so. Where can I learn how to start developing a platform for my MG novel to impress a great agent? (Not having a web presence of any kind right now.) What sites do MG kids frequent?
Best way to figure out what works for any audience is read websites/blogs/forums with authors of that genre who are actively promoting. What are they doing? Start going to some book signings and readings as well for your genre. Talk to booksellers and librarians. You’ll learn an amazing amount of information in a short period of time. Mark
I don’t want an Agent who can see trends – I want someone who will have the guts to read my material and set trends. I am the “Susan Boyle” of the commercial, Hollywood literary arena and I seek the kind of representation to prove it. Are you the kind of folks who will take the time to find out if I’m full of shit or full of talent?
Paul J. Alex
714 337 2521
Hi Paul, you should want both. But I see your point. Check out this article, you’ll like it: https://literary-agents.com/book-genres. Then listen to the fr*ee audio training that you can see here on my homepage: https://literary-agents.com. After that you should post another question for me here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-ideas/. Or sign up for a coaching call here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Either way I’m happy to help. As long as you know I’m a coach/consultant… no longer an active agent. Mark
Dear Mark,
As you and Ingrid know I have been working with you 1 on 1 for a couple of months now. Your game plan from the beginning was to establish my brand and build a dedicated tribe of followers who I can communicate with personally via my web site and other social media. Once that was done approaching an agent would be backed by a proven following and demand for the book.
It made sense to me at the time we first started talking and now I have heard it from the horse’s mouth. All 6 literary agents can see that a new age is upon us where the author now has the power to connect directly with the readers (and potential readers) and build a fan base. Agents and publishers are not risk takers and your strategy, as seen in the interview, reduces the risk for an agent to take on an unknown author. Thanks for posting the interview, more power to the author who can now build up a following instead of being placed in a holding pattern, waiting to be discovered by an agent.
Hi Bryce,
Glad to hear it, and thank you taking time out of your busy day to stop by. I know you’re busy creating your own empire, so it means even more seeing you here. By the way, I like how you described what’s happening in publishing… that authors are now more empowered than ever (I really believe that). The flip side of that (most authors don’t want to think about it) is the fact that that the new empowerment comes with a new responsibility to do more early to get an agent’s attention. Those who do (like you) are much more likely to achieve their goals (and quickly). Those that aren’t, don’t deserve to dream. Here’s to doing the work!
Talk soon,
Mark
It’s always nice to hear from some pro’s and get an idea of how they think. I enjoyed/appreciated hearing someone in the group say that even agents have to be open to new ways of thinking, since things have changed so much in the publishing world. Also that an original approach can be the hardest one to sell because it hasn’t been done yet.
Hi Ellen, I’m going to try and post more things like this in the future. I’m glad you liked it. Literary agents aren’t so bad after all, are they. That’s the impression a lot of authors have gotten after watching this video. Now, here’s to being original and creating a breakout book! Have a great week and talk to you soon. Mark
Hi, Mark. I enjoyed the literary agents interview very much. Something I was surprised to learn came from Jodi Reamer, who had mentioned that she doesn’t pay much attention to queries, but rather the actual manuscript itself. I wish more agents were like this. You can be a great writer but still write a bad query. I also liked the fact that Robert Gottlieb said agents need to be more open-minded with material. Literary agents aren’t so bad after all! Thank you for sharing this with us.
HI Ron, I caught that statement too, but it irked me. Although I’m sure she meant it, queries are critical and most agents give them a LOT of weight (sometimes too much). But the reason it’s that way is that it takes a lot more time to go through writing samples (chapters) than it does to go through queries. You’re right though that there are great writers that can’t write a decent query. That’s why I’m here. 😉 I liked the Gottlieb statement as well. Glad you enjoyed the video. Mark
Thanks so much for this! I found it fascinating, more so because of the higher level. I watched many of the segments over and over. I would love to get in a room with these people (even if I had to take them hostage – of course, that being the last resort) So much wonderful information here and I loved the fact that everyone was in agreement that things have shifted and there are no longer any ‘Absolute’s” and they were all interested and excited by this shift.
Hey Gil, I love your enthusiasm. That’s how I’ve always felt about this business, at the very beginning… and still now… I love meeting more successful people and/or learning from them to see what new things I might pick up on. Hope you’re having a great week. I’m just about to end a 10-day fast. Insane, but awesome. Going to talk about it in my column this week. Have a great day and see you again soon. Mark
I just enjoyed being a fly on the wall. Sort of a nerd for the business end of things, and to see what agents enjoy reading. Glad you got a good post out of this :^) I thought you could.
Absolutely, there is a lot of great content like this out there. So thanks again. I just hope people take advantage of it and appreciate it. And I hope to post more like this in the future. Have a great weekend and keep writing. Are you enjoying the extra writing time, now that you’re not blogging as much? Mark
Awesomesauce! Yep, getting a lot done :^)
Interesting, but most of this is for advanced level people, not much for people breaking in. It felt like these people were talking to each other and their clients. I didn’t see a date–when did this interview take place?
Good point, it is higher level. That’s actually why I liked it so much. It’s easy to find lower level content. But it can be difficult to hear discussion by some of the most successful literary agents in the business today. Thanks for asking about the date, by the way. It was April 12, 2013. I’ve updated the post so it’s listed. Mark
Not to take away from this discussion, lots of good information for anyone interested in the trade. Yes it’s easy to find “lower level” content, but much of it is repetitive and out-dated. Would be nice to have a panel of this quality, both interviewers and -ees, deal with some of the fine points, perhaps some of the same topics, like non-traditional approaches to publishing, aimed at authors who are trying to break in.
Thanks for adding that. Yes, that’s the challenge. It’s difficult to pin these guys down and get them to talk about anything because they don’t really need more exposure, so there’s little upside to them for doing so. That’s partly the void that I’m trying to fill with what I’m doing here. I agree that a discussion about non-traditional publishing as a path to traditional publishing is a hot topic and one that many people would want to listen in on. I’m going to put that on my to-do list. Mark
Hhmmm, now I’m feeling confused about the fact that a while back you said traditional publishing is the only way to go, Mark; not to self publish. Here you sound as if either is fine. What did I not see that is the filler to this?? Perhaps it’s not that simple…
Hi Doree, 9 times out of 10 I recommend self-publishing only as a last resort. Take a look at this: https://literary-agents.com/best-publishing-companies/. 🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com