When Might We Take A Chance On You?

I often hear authors say, "If you would just give me a chance...." I hear you! I honestly do! We all do and truthfully, I know a lot of agents and likely some editors wish we could give you that chance. When I first opened Greyhaus many editors and agents did take those risks. They would see those "diamonds in the rough" and gamble. But times have changed.

Let me remind you first of something, and I especially want to focus on agents for this post today. 

When an agent works with a new author, that agent is working for free until that first book is sold. Remember, agents work on commission! It is for that reason that we are often looking for manuscripts and authors who really have something to offer. No, I am not saying we are looking for only the next J.K. Rowling. We are looking for authors who have projects that are marketable and projects that are not likely going to require extensive overhauls. We are certainly not looking for someone who comes to us with simply a passion for writing and nothing to offer but just wanting to be tutored. There are times when we might actually be working with an author for a year getting a project ready to go.

Sure, we do get people who have projects that are amazing from the start! Those are great! We love those!

But now, let's really answer the question from the title of this blog. Are there chances that we might take a chance on you even if it is a gamble? I cannot speak for everyone, but I can say, speaking for myself, I would say yes, I would. BUT... and this is a big one... I would have to really consider a lot of things.

First of all. Do I see the writing with something with some serious potential. What I am talking about here is the quality of the writing, the quality of the plot and certainly the marketability of the story. I have to see it! Sure, you as an author might see it, but I have to see it. That means, SCOTT HAS TO SEE IT!

Secondly, I have to be able to look at the story and see how I would fix it. As I read the full manuscript, if I am actually still reading it, do I see where I would make changes and how much work what I would do to it? Sometimes it might be a complete rewrite of part of the story. Sometimes it is a restructuring of it. I will be honest, if I think it is a trash the whole thing, it will be a pass. I want the structure to remain. Think of it like those house flippers. They want the general structure of the house to be there but just bust out some walls and move some things around. If I have to bulldoze the whole house down and start over, then sorry, I won't take a chance. 

Finally, if I do see all of that, I have to consider who the author is. Is this author someone who would be up to this type of a task. This is not easy to do. Revisions like this are hard to handle because we will be working on a time schedule and we will be working with people's egos. If some author, in their letter told me they have worked on this all year, then I probably will pass. If they are a new author, then I might pass. If, when I talk to them and they sound like making changes will be a challenge, then I will pass. It is easy for an author to say they can adjust, but the reality is, when an editor or agent gives you revision notes, can you make those changes without complaining and make those changes fast? 

I know this sounds like if feels unfair to new authors. You have to be really strong out of the gate. You have to be nearly perfect with that first book. But please know, we are really looking out for you. We are trying to find the best in your writing and not just signing people we like or signing people who will make us millions of dollars. We will take a chance, if we think we can make it work!

Or at least I will