Agent²

Margo Olaffson represents a new type of pre-agency, Agent², that promises to help authors target agents. While agents submit an author’s book manuscript to publishers, pre-agents use their in-depth knowledge of agents (and their agencies) to submit to them query letters. Where the agent represents the author’s manuscript, the pre-agent represents the author’s query letter. The pre-agent will also assist in any contract negotiations with agents. Their goal is to bring a new level of representation to authors.

What do you do that’s different from what an agent does?

Well, first of all, we don’t represent novels. We represent queries. Now that agents are joining publishers in only accepting solicited queries, authors are going to need us—pre-agents—to submit queries to agents. Our job is to get you the agent who will get you the publisher who will buy you the bestseller placement your book deserves. And to get there, it all starts with the perfect query. You can pay for query writing workshops and seminars and there are many of them, or you can work with Agent², enjoying a lifelong partnership submitting queries to agents.

And what about comparables or comp titles?

Comparables are as important as queries. They’re a part of your elevator pitch and they have to be perfect. As agents will tell you: The comp must be perfect, no comp is better than a poor comp. Comps are a shorthand that tells the agent where your book belongs on the shelf.

Don’t genre and last name dictate where books go on the shelves?

Think of it as the shelf in the reader’s mind—their “favorite books” bookshelf. You want your book to be just like the books that are already there. That tells both agents and publishers that you know what your job is.

Shouldn’t an agent base their decision on the author’s manuscript?

There is a reason we represent queries, not manuscripts; and why we’re convinced that authors need Agent². Think of yourself as a salesman. The query is you, your business card and your foot in the door. Your novel is a vacuum cleaner. Do you know that authors spend thousands of dollars every year attending courses and seminars on queries? Do you know that some authors spend two months just researching comp titles? Maybe they could have written a collection of stories, a play, a new book of poetry, or even another novel. They could have, but we believe that’s not the best way to prioritize an author’s time and talent. Just think what you—the author—could accomplish by writing the perfect query. We think you should be writing queries because ultimately, you’re not selling your vacuum cleaner, you’re selling yourself. Your agent and publisher are a part of your team; and if you’re not thinking of their success, then you’re not think of the team’s success.

Your agency represents queries, but do you have advice as regards novels?

Look, before beginning a novel, every author should be asking themselves: What novel do I want my novel to be like? What novel am I going to compare my novel to? Readers are looking for the next book that’s just like the one they’ve read. The author’s responsibility is to demonstrate their knowledge of that market. No agent or publisher wants a book that readers haven’t read before. As part of your relationship with us, we will help you identify who you are writing like, what characters, plots and themes you have borrowed and which books, in general, you have imitated. If we can’t find those elements in your writing, then that’s a problem area we can address. Just as we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good, we can’t let originality be the enemy of the marketable.

But what if the author is writing an original book?

As I say, this is just one of many obstacles our partners will work with you to overcome. Look, when you go to the bookstore, on what shelf does Barnes & Noble shelve the “original book” genre? Where do you shelve originality? It’s simple: If nobody has read your book before, who is going to read it again? But really, there’s no such thing as originality. Or let me put it this way, there’s nothing wrong with being original so long as your book is recognizably like other original books in the same genre and on the same shelf. It’s our motto: We don’t believe in originality; we believe in success.™

Why is your company named Agent²?

We multiply the power of an agent by two.

I notice a lot of agents and publishers are very interested in knowing whether an author already has an online presence and following.

Publishers are a business. We might be selling a vacuum, but we cultivate the salesman. The most successful authors come to publishers pre-monetized. These are authors who come, for example, with an established online presence and audience. If you are that author, then with your audience, our pre-agent 15% cut, the agent’s 15% cut, and the publisher’s 88% cut, the sky’s the limit. We are ready to partner with you.

So, it sounds like the most desirable authors are those who don’t need you?

Every agent wants the author who will be the perfect fit. If you can sell yourself, if you can represent yourself, if you can market yourself and successfully publish yourself, then, for us, our success is your success.

So can you explain what services your agency provides authors?

Absolutely. Thank you for asking. We have comprehensively researched agents, what authors they’re working with, what genres they prefer and, most importantly, the kinds of queries they have accepted. Query us with the first 30 words of your query, a synopsis of your query, and query-comparables. Knowing what queries your queries compare to is part of your elevator pitch and helps us readily identify which agent’s bookshelf we should be targeting. It has to be perfect. No pre-comp is better than a poor pre-comp. For that reason we strongly suggest you consider one of our seminars in pre-query queries—$79.99 for a ten day course, all inclusive. This will include group question and answer sessions along with one on one coaching. Our partners will clarify, according to our research, what fonts you should use, what kerning, line spacing and margin widths. The deluxe package will break down recommendations on a per agent basis. Remember, if you don’t know what your agent prefers in their query—teak floors or Persian carpets, displays of rare books or Chardonnay, the sauna or the hot tub, Venetian blinds or French drapes—you’re never going to sell them your vacuum cleaner. Once we’ve agreed to represent your query, we will research what comparables your comparables are comparable to, resolve problem areas, and submit your bespoke queries to targeted agents deemed to be the best fit. Lastly, we will help you to negotiate any contract with the agent of your choice. We represent you.

Is there anything else you want to add?

Yes, thank you. Not only do I think that you, Patrick, would benefit from our services, but we would love to offer you a discount on an upcoming seminar. As part of this interview, you were kind enough to share with us your own queries. Based on what we’ve read, we are confident that we can triumphantly turn around your record of unremitting failure. We’ve identified numerous shortcomings in your queries, would love to discuss them with you and potentially represent your queries. Regardless of your novels, we think your queries deserve a chance. Every author deserves a pre-agent to find the right agent.

up in Vermont | April 1 2024