Read on Twitter
Some of the questions that you should be asking your agent when you receive an offer of representation: a thread
1. What did they like about your book (if they don't tell you already)? It's likely they will be pitching the same way to editors, so make sure you are on the same page re: the themes you consider important in your book right from the start.
2. What other book deals have they've gotten with other clients, and to what publishing houses? A lot of small presses do not require agents. If they are only successful at these, this is a cause for worry.
(Agents can't tell you about deals still under negotiation tho)
(Agents can't tell you about deals still under negotiation tho)
(2a. New agents will not have as many book deals, of course. If they are new, do they have mentors in the same agency working with them? What are THEIR deals? My agent was new; their mentor was part of the call w/ me and worked with them until I got my first 2-book deal.)
3. Their agenting style. Do they touch base with you every # of weeks? Do they revise per line, or do they give general plot critiques and would prefer editors acquiring your book to do the in-depth revisions? (Neither style is bad, but you have to be happy with it!)
3a. Will they share their pub submission list with you when your book finally goes out? How frequently will they update you regarding editors who has your book who like or pass on it? (weekly, monthly, etc.)
(3b. Especially follow up with their current client list on this one and see if they are being truthful about submissions.)
4. What if you want to write books beyond what they offer rep for? If they only rep YA, will they rep your MG, adult, etc. if you want to write those? Will someone else in their agency who reps these do so on their behalf? What happens hypothetically, if they leave agenting?
5. What happens if your book doesn't sell? What are their contingencies when this happens? (also good to ask their current client list if you know they did not get a book deal on some of their books that the agent repped)
6. What kind of networks do they have? What opportunities have they been able to find for other clients? (can be film rights, other IP work, etc. - tell them what IP work you'd love to do and they may be able to give you similar examples.)
7. If you do not share the same identity as them or if they may not necessarily understand your culture/marginalization/etc., how will they champion your book? Do they have any experiences with editors who pushed back on your book because of it? What happened?
8. Ask to contact their current client list to ask these questions too. If they refuse or get mad, it's a red flag. You can contact their clients w/o asking permission of course - this is just as a courtesy esp. if you may not know the writers on their list yet and it's easier --
for them to ask on your behalf. You can also ask for a specific writer, if you'd like. At this point, I advocate that agents already offer a list to you without you ever needing to ask them for it.
9. Also talk to their former clients if they're ok to talk to you about it! (Please be respectful, as I have heard stories. It sucks if they refuse, but they may have personal reasons / don't owe you their time.)
There are likely more questions I've forgotten, but I think this is a good set that you can start with! Don't be hesitant to ask as many questions as it would take for you to be satisfied with an agent's offer. They won't just rep your book, they'll rep your whole career.
ahahaha my apologies -- I meant "pushed back on THEIR CLIENTS' books", not "your" book. Subconsciously put in my own experiences on this one https://twitter.com/RinChupeco/status/1361459252645126146?s=20
