At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. It’s Gia’s first real job: her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and her first romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive. Purchase a copy of Mercy and Grace on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
Managing “The Call” with a Literary Agent
You’ve spent a year (or six) writing a 90, 000-word novel.
You’ve poured sweat, love, and too much midnight oil into it—coming up with an
original plot, fleshing out characters that are relatable and memorable,
minding the pacing . . . Phew! Then you dive into the querying process and the
pain begins to kick in. You research agents like a forensic scientist. You
submit queries like it’s a full-time job or depending on your approach, perhaps
you submit to only a select few. And then, if your experience is anything like
mine, wading through rejection letters becomes a second full-time job. The
advice out there is you shouldn’t take it personally and you should develop a
thick skin. Hah! Easier said than done—every rejection feels like some angry prophet’s
judgment on your soul.
It’s hard to keep going, but you do. In my case, there were
copious amounts of chocolate, wine, and tears—not always in that order. You
wait and wait, and one day your email pings with a request for a full
manuscript. And then you wait again. I’m a chronically impatient person, and
although motherhood was supposed to imbue me with patience, it never did.
Playing an endless cycle of the waiting game makes you question your writing
abilities, makes you almost throw in the towel, and in my case, chew your nails
down to nubs.
By now, you’re as jittery as a junkie. After one hundred
and fifty rejections (but who’s counting?) you decide to let the manuscript eat
its head off in a drawer and start something new. That’s when your inbox pings
with the magical words, “Can we talk?” But how do you prepare for this crucial
conversation? Here are some tips to help you manage the call with a literary
agent effectively.
Before the Call
Research the Agent: Familiarize yourself with the agent’s
background, the books they’ve represented, and their agency. Understanding
their interests and successes can help you gauge how well they might align with
your work and goals.
Prepare Your Questions
This is your opportunity to learn more about the agent’s
vision for your book and their working style. Consider asking questions like:
• What aspects of my manuscript excite you
the most?
• What is your strategy for pitching my
book to publishers?
• Can you tell me about your communication
style and frequency?
• What are your expectations regarding
revisions?
• How do you support your authors through
the publishing process?
Revisit Your Manuscript and Query
Be prepared to discuss your manuscript and any potential
revisions. Refresh your memory on key plot points, themes, and character arcs.
Also, review your query letter, as the agent may reference specific elements
that caught their attention.
During the Call
Be Professional and Personable: Treat the call like a job
interview, but also let your personality shine through. This is as much about
the agent getting to know you as it is about discussing your book.
Ask Your Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask the questions you’ve prepared. This call is a two-way street, and it’s important to ensure that the agent is the right fit for you and your work.
Discuss Next Steps: Before the call ends, make sure you understand the next steps. Will the agent send you a representation agreement to review? Are there revisions they’d like you to work on before moving forward?
After the Call
Reflect on the conversation: Take some time to consider how the call went. Do you feel confident in the agent’s ability to represent your work? Were they enthusiastic about your manuscript? Did you feel a good rapport?
Follow Up: Send a thank-you email to the
agent, expressing your appreciation for their time and interest. If you’ve
agreed to make revisions, keep them updated on your progress.
Seek Advice if Needed: If you’re unsure about anything discussed during the call, don’t hesitate to seek advice from writer friends, mentors, or other industry professionals.
Take Your Time: If you receive an offer of
representation, remember that this is a significant decision. Take the time you
need to evaluate the offer and ensure it’s the right fit for you and your
career. The call with a literary agent is a critical moment in your journey as
a writer. By preparing thoroughly, asking insightful questions, and reflecting
on the conversation, you can navigate this step with confidence and clarity.
Remember, this is not just about landing an agent—it’s about finding the right
partner to help bring your literary dreams to fruition.
About the Author
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Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, THE RUMMY CLUB which won the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT, an excerpt of which was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, NO ORDINARY THURSDAY, and MERCY and GRACE. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere Review, DoubleBack Review, and the Ornament anthology, among others. Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator” —she worked in state and federal courts for many years before she replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College of California and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship. She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, and is the mother of two admirable young adults.
You can find her
online at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/
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