Monday, June 3, 2013

Laura Cummings of Foreword Literary



Laura Cummings is an assistant agent at Foreword Literary.
When we followed one another on Twitter, I wondered what exactly an assistant agent does. I also thought it would be interesting to get her perspective on the publishing industry. She enthusiastically agreed to be interviewed. Thanks, Laura! 

Before I dive into this interview, I’d like to thank the fabulous Theresa for inviting me onto her blog. Also, to any readers out there, please feel free to ask me more questions in the “comments” section. I’d be more than happy to answer them!


I see from your description on Foreword Literary that you’re the assistant agent to Laurie McLean. How did you become an agent assistant?

The short answer: Connections I’ve built over the years.

The long answer: At the beginning of the year, my internship with another agent—the fabulous Verna Dreisbach—came to an end. When I told Verna that I’d like to continue interning in the publishing world, she very kindly recommended me to Laurie McLean. I sent my resume to Laurie, we chatted back and forth a bit, and then met at the San Francisco Writers Conference for an interview. She graciously took me on as her assistant, and I’ve been working under her ever since!


What does an agent assistant do?

It feels like my job changes every day! My tasks are always varied, but a few constant ones are:

·      Sorting through the query inbox. (One of my favorite parts of the job! It’s such an honor to be able to read all the queries sent in, and to experience the genius of writers first-hand.)
·      Evaluating requested partials
·      Reading requested fulls (Laurie always makes the final decision on whether to reject fulls, but she very kindly allows me to give my opinion.)
·      Answering questions from writers.  (Another one of my favorite parts! I love dealing with writers hands-on, and helping them through the submission process.)


Do all or most queries go through assistants first?

It really depends on the agent/agency and their personal policies.

Here at Foreword, Laurie is an extremely hands-on agent, so she reads most of the queries that come in. However, it’s my job to read them more in-depth, evaluate them, and pass along the golden ones to Laurie.


What types of manuscripts pique your interest?

Young Adult will always hold a special place in my heart, although I also adore New Adult. I’d love to see some more Fantasy or Sci-Fi NA, and YA with a male MC and a truly accurate voice. Also, any novel with a kick-butt LGBT character will likely make me break out in fan-girly squealing.  


Is there a genre or category that’s big right now?

Well there’s NA, which has recently exploded in popularity, largely due to indie authors. It just received its own category at PM, which seems to have many publishing professionals giving the genre a closer look.  

I’m also noticing a large surge in the amount of serialized novels being put out, probably sparked by the success of Hugh Howey’s WOOL series. And I think we’ve all noticed the huge amount of erotica published since 50 Shades of Grey became a phenomenon.  


Can you tell us the process from reading the query to an offer of representation?

The process at Foreword Lit is pretty typical for a literary agency. There’s always some variation, but it usually goes something like this:
1.     The process starts with the discovery of the author, whether through a conference, pitch session, or query.
2.     A partial is requested.
3.     The partial is read and evaluated.
4.     A full is requested.
5.     The full is read and evaluated.
6.     If Laurie likes the full, she sets up a call with the author.
7.     The author and Laurie chat, and if they both seem like a good fit, then an offer of rep is given.
8.     If the offer of rep is accepted, then lots of hugs and chocolate and cupcakes are distributed all around!
    

Where do you see your role in the publishing world in 5 years?

As for the general role of agents and their assistants, I see it changing over the years. I think indie authors are going to more frequently become clients, and I believe many agents are going to have to change their policies/perspectives to accommodate for that. I think digital publishing is also going to add a whole new twist to the industry (it already has!), and agents will have to rapidly shift with the constantly-changing digital world.

As for me personally, I’d like to think I might be an agent in five years-time. But, as for now, that remains a dream.  :)


Since you’re younger than many long-established agents, do you think you have a different perspective on the state of publishing or what would interest younger readers?

Yes and no. Some literary agents, like the agents at Foreword, are totally understanding of the changing industry and the interest of young readers, and our views are very similar. And, despite the advantage of my young age, I think the agents at Foreword have a way better grasp of those concepts!

However, there are other agencies that don’t seem to be adjusting to the changing times. In those cases, yes, I think I might have a different perspective than they do. I’m a huge supporter of indie authors, digital publishing, and incorporating diversity into plots/characters. I’ve seen agents who don’t agree with these views, so it seems my opinions do clash with some agents.

That being said, I will always have something to learn from established agents, and I fully respect their varying opinions. :)


44 comments:

  1. New Adult!? Well that's new for me!!

    Thank you lovely Theresa for this fab interview! Hello Laurie!! It'll be great if a super duper MS with an amazing LGBT character lands on your in tray!! About time! Take care
    x

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    1. Old Kitty, I got excited about the LGBT character too. I'm about to query a YA with 4 sister main characters who kick butt. 1 sister is a lesbian, but we don't find out until book 2. I hope I can sell book 1 as a "standalone novel with series potential."

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  2. Great interview. I always wondered what an assistant agent does. Sounds like Laura is right in the thick of things helping to decide which queries to pursue. I'm glad to hear that Forward Literary is one of those agencies that is changing with the times. I definitely still see a benefit to having an agent and it'd be great to have one who could help sort through all the changing choices available to us.

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    1. Natalie, I agree that writers need an agent to sort through this changing publishing world.

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  3. Thank you Theresa and Laurie. I enjoyed reading this Q&A. I'd certainly have to agree that the breakout of New Adult has been a rapidly growing thing to behold, especially as a writer of YA that can tend towards the upper YA/NA border.

    I'm curious about your mention of Indie authors and more of them becoming agent clients. What are a couple of examples of ways today's agencies can adjust to taking on more Indie authors?

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  4. That is a fascinating look into a world I know next to nothing about. Thank you, Laurie and Theresa, for giving us this intriguing look!

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  5. It's great to meet you, Laura! You have a sweet and honest voice. I can only imagine how exciting being an assistant can be from time to time; although, I'm sure you work really hard.

    Thanks for sharing Laura and her experience with us, Theresa. It was nice to see 'behind the scenes' for a bit. :)

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  6. Thank you both so much for this very informative interview! I think it's so interesting that indie authors are helping to shape the way that the digital market is evolving. I keep hearing about books in the NA category, which is really cool and promising. I like that the gray areas are getting covered!

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    1. NA must be taking off because I've been hearing about it everywhere these days. I wonder if it will be a short trend or stick around.

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  7. It's very interesting seeing the inside from the agent angle. These ladies must be speed readers, big time!

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    1. Crystal, that's a great question. Laura, how many queries and pages do you read a week?

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  8. I have a feeling your agency will survive much longer because it recognizes those changes.

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  9. Interesting interview. Hmmm. Wonder if I can turn my novel into NA... (Probably not.)

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    1. Liz, funny you should say that. Before NA became big, I had a few people trying to turn clear NA/adult books into YA. But the protagonists were too old. I'd tell them it was NA. They didn't want to do it because YA was the big thing at the time. My advice is to be true to your story and not to bend it to fit a trend. Unless it works better. I wonder if Laura would give the same advice.

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  10. I love how you're networking with agents, Theresa. No one is more determined to succeed than you. Your dreams will all come true you smart lady.

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    1. Ha, Michael. This is all about providing information. Next month I'm featuring an independent editor. I have no plans to hire an independent editor, but other writers might.

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  11. Great interview, Theresa and Laura.

    (Laura, do you and Laurie get mixed up a lot by authors because your names are so similar?)

    The industry is changing even more rapidly than I expected it to five years ago. If we don't write NA or YA, where does MG figure in all of this? Will there still be agents who look at it?

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  12. Thank you both for this insightful interview! It helps to see and understand the process on the other side of the fence.

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    1. Karen, I like to see the process on the other side of the fence too.

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  13. Interesting take on the publishing industry particularly Laura's views on the impact of indie writers in the marketplace.

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    1. J.L., I agree. More agents are talking about self publishing options.

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  14. Hi Theresa and Laura - such an interesting guest and posting - very informative read .. and I'm sure the publishing world is full of sloths, some futurists .. and realists - it will be interesting to see how it all develops. But Laura you seem to have slipped into your chosen path and are relishing the journey - good luck with those dreams .. and you too Theresa ..

    Cheers to you all .. Hilary

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  15. Great post, Theresa! And thanks to Laura for giving us a behind the scenes look from an agent assistant's point of view. :)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Nutchell, after interviewing her, I have a much better idea of what agent assistants do.

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  16. It's always so interesting and informative hearing from someone on the "inside" ;-) It sounds like Laura works for a great agency.

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  17. Great interview! I haven't read a lot of YA books with male MCs, but the ones I did read were pretty good; I tend to read more books with female MCs. And I think that working as an assistant to an agent would be cool, because then you'd get to learn what works and what doesn't when it comes to writing and publishing.

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    1. Neurotic Workaholic, I tend to read books with more male MCs too.

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  18. This is a great interview. I've wondered what assistant agents do as well. It seems like she would be a great person to work with!

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    1. Melissa, she does sound like a great person to work with!

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  19. Great interview. I like an agency that celebrates with hugs and chocolate and cupcakes!

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    1. Missed Periods, there should be more celebrations with those items.

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  20. It was fascinating to read what goes on behind the scenes. I'm also interested in what's trending. Fantastic interview.

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  21. Loved the peek inside the agent world. Interning is a wonderful way to learn and network. Congratulations to Laura.

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  22. Excellent interview. It always helps knowing what goes on in the agent's world while the writer is checking her email 100 times a day!

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    1. Christine, you're right. This writer checks her email way too often!

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  23. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Laura! It's always nice to see things from the "other" side :-)

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