Meet Ann Rose - Literary Agent for Prospect Agency
ANN ROSE is a literary agent for Prospect Agency . She’s passionate about her writers, getting their books published, and loves sharing her knowledge of the publishing industry.
I’ve always been interested in learning about who and what goes on behind the scenes in the publishing world. Considering how often agents are bombarded with submissions, sweating over deadlines, and competing for getting a book they love on the market, I was nervous to approach one for this Q&A. Still, Ms. Rose was happy to answer some of my questions with an open heart and mind. Check out her take on hot topics like self-publishing, what she looks for in a potential client, and how she keeps a level head in a chaotic industry. You’ll soon discover, she’s more than an agent - she’s a coach, an editor, and a fighter for a story she believes in…
Before taking the plunge into becoming an agent, you experienced editorial work as well as mentoring literary agents. What drew you into assuming the profession itself?
If I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would have to be the time I did a reading for one of the agents I was working for. There was something special about the book I couldn’t let go of. As soon as I finished reading it, I typed up my read report with a seven-page editorial letter. Like I said there was just something special about the project. And I told the agent she had to read it and take it on. I even offered to help get the manuscript into shape. Unfortunately, months and finally years passed and nothing ever happened with that book, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. That’s when I knew I had to be an agent. Because there were amazing books out there that just needed someone like me to help be their champion.
Like many high-profile literary agencies, Prospect Agency is based in New York City, yet some of its agents actually live elsewhere. How do agents who reside outside the literary market's shiny apple keep in-the-know and on top of the latest trends in publishing?
I am actually one of these agents. Currently I live in Texas which isn’t as far from NYC as my home state of California, but it’s still a hike. Like any other business, a lot of what we do in publishing can be done online. In my previous career, I used to manage a portfolio of applications and had to coordinate with people not only across the country, but also all throughout Latin America. So, living somewhere else isn’t new to me. Nowadays, a person doesn’t need to be in NYC to be able to reach out and make connections with other agents and editors. Everyone is an email, DM, or phone call away. I also attend conferences which bring industry professionals together. So even though I can’t grab a drink or a cup of coffee doesn’t mean I can’t do my job.
Many writers picture literary agents either curled up on a comfy couch in their corner office or at home in their pj's with a laptop and a latte in hand. Is this an accurate assessment? What's a typical day or week for an agent beyond query reads?
Well, its usually yoga pants and a hoodie with a cup of regular coffee, but still, that’s pretty accurate for me. I work from home so just about anything goes, and it also means work doesn’t stop at the usual 9-5. Reading queries is only part of what I do. I’m constantly researching, editing client manuscripts, answering emails, arranging phone calls, reviewing contracts, and doing interviews like this.
Nearly every career has its ups and downs. In the literary world I'm sure there are some perks and pitfalls as well. What are some things you love about your job? How about some not-so-fun aspects an outsider may not think about?
There are lots of things I love about my job. First, it is always changing. There is never a dull day or moment. Second, I love my clients. They are incredible people and incredible writers. I love watching their work transform. Third, and this goes along with the last one, my clients work really hard. Together, we work really hard to create the best possible book, and there is nothing better than giving a writer a challenge to make something better/stronger and them succeeding. For me, it’s not just about selling one book, it’s about fostering a long career. I’m in it for the long haul, so helping my clients consistently write better and better books is one of my favorite things of all.
As for not liking, I think the toughest part especially since I’m still just starting out, is the fact there are no guarantees. I can work days/weeks/months on a project, and if it doesn’t sell, I don’t see a dime. Agents take a huge risk bringing on a project. We invest so much of ourselves and our time with the hope that we will get paid for our work. Can you imagine any other business working that way? A chef cooks a steak and hopes the patron enjoys it enough to pay for it? An administrative assistant assists all day in hopes their boss likes the job they did enough to pay them? We work and work and hope an editor will love it enough to buy it. It’s extremely stressful.
Representing clients can be a tough market to work in - fast pace, negotiation challenges, etc. Selecting, promoting, and thus releasing works by established or debuting authors seems like a gamble - there's no assurance money spent will be recouped. How do you assess who's a good match for you to take such risks? How does it compete nationally or worldwide?
There are a lot of moving parts to this question, so I’ll do my best to answer. I choose clients based on their work. Do I have a clear editorial vision for the story? Do I see them having a long career vs just a one and done novel?
Agenting is working on the trust factor. We have to hope that the client we choose to work with won’t just use us and walk away. Yes, it’s scary. I can’t speak for other agents, but I know I put my heart and soul into each one of my clients. I put days and weeks and months into them with the same hopes that someone will love their story as much as I do. Agenting is working on a promise that we hope to fulfill. Agents want to sell the book just as much as the author wants to see their book sold. So yes, it’s a gamble with no guarantee of a payoff and it’s equally important for the author and the agent to feel like they can trust each other for the process to have any chance at success.
Working with domestic writers (residents of the USA) can be hard enough, but more and more bookstores are featuring international names from all over the world. Have you found this to be true in your query submission log? Do you accept writers from outside the USA? Why or why not?
I see submissions from all over the world and have made offers to work with clients in other countries. It’s really about logistics. If you know the time zone they and you are in, there are always ways to make it work.
Writers these days are becoming more and more independent in self-publishing their work. How do you feel about this market? Is it good for specific genres or for a new writer to test his/her credibility in the literary market?
I see this question come up a lot, and I think there is a bigger discussion to have here. It isn’t just about self-publishing vs traditional publishing. Or what genre is “selling well” in either. Each of these methods of publishing come with their pros and cons. What it comes down to is the author. What are their goals? And, what do they hope to see for their career?
There isn’t a one size fits all, and what works for one person might not work for another. There is no right or wrong. There is just what is right for each person.
Similarly, hybrid publishers are becoming a hot bed for debate. Some writers are die-hard supporters of this track which can be extremely expensive and a toss-up for recouping money spent. How would you advise a writer considering going this route? Do agents ever work with writers that have previously released work this way?
This really goes along with the last question. And I would say, yes, being a hybrid author is a viable option for some. Once again, it comes down to what the writer wants, and how much control they want over their work. I have an amazing self-published author on my list. Not all agents work with self-published authors. This is where research comes into play.
Often money is one of the biggest set-backs for new writers. Conventions, editors, webinars and memberships of select genre association groups can drain an already struggling artist's pocketbook. If you were to advise a new writer to make an investment on his/her writing career, what area would you recommend and why?
Invest in yourself and your craft. In the end, it’s not going to matter if you are a part of this group or that, or have gone to this convention or that one, it’s going to come down to the work. Find a critique group, start one online if you can’t find one locally. If your goal is publication, make sure the others in your group have the same goal. Writing is a great hobby, and for some that’s all they want from it. But if you want to be a professional writer you need to surround yourself with like-minded individuals because those are the people who are going to push you to do better.
Ms. Rose believes in an open line of communication with her writers and expects equal doses of integrity and honesty - exactly what a writer needs from their agent. Right now, I’m unpublished and aspiring to get an agent, but she’s inspired me to continue to write, submit, get rejected, and repeat the process over and over until…well, until something sticks. Knowing someone else in the literary world shares in many of my feelings about it - the scary, cold truth, and risks involved - is comforting. We’re all struggling to reach the top of our game, but in the end, it’s a dice-roll. Here’s to hoping my next toss will get be closer to the high-stakes table.
Thanks for reading…
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Simply Sally
“I’d never consider myself to be someone’s hero. I’m just your normal everyday girl who is working their ass off trying to make things happen. I get rejected just like writers do. I suffer from Imposter Syndrome like everyone else in this business. I question myself daily about things. Sometimes I feel isolated and have no idea what’s going on outside my four walls.
I’m a human being like anyone else, with dreams, and fears, and aspirations. I’m unapologetically loyal - which opens me up to get my heart broken pretty easily. When I take someone on as a client, I want it to be forever—so this especially leaves me feeling vulnerable.
In the end, I’m just me. ”