Interview with literary agent MacKenzie Fraser-Bub of the Trident Media Group

*NOTE - Since this interview, MacKenzie has formed her own agency, Fraser-Bub Literary.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing the talented MacKenzie Fraser-Bub of the Trident Media Group. MacKenzie agreed to become my agent, and I must say I was impressed with her enthusiasm, professionalism, knowledge of the industry, and the connection she made with my material and with me as a person. I think the following interview will be of immense help to writers who want to understand what goes on in the mind of a literary agent, especially for those who are thinking of querying MacKenzie.

From the Trident Media Group website:

Before embarking on her career as a publishing agent, MacKenzie wanted to experience working inside a major publisher, and gain valuable insights on marketing, which she could use later to her clients’ advantage. She became Publishing Manager at Touchstone Books (a division of Simon & Schuster). She worked closely with the sales and marketing departments for a wide-array of bestselling authors, such as Philippa Gregory, Lisa Unger, Bethenny Frankel, J.A. Jance, and R.L. Stine.

  

1. What were your feelings when you first moved to New York City to become an agent at Trident?

I started at Trident as an assistant to Scott Miller and Kimberly Whalen.  They were the BEST bosses – they are the toughest, most talented agents, and I learned so much from them, and from their clients.  I felt immensely lucky riding the elevator up to the 36^th floor in this fancy NYC building every single day (even though at that time I was spending my days in a tiny cubicle).  Being back at Trident as an agent is a dream – my colleagues are all incredibly smart and talented.  And now I have an office and a view of Madison Square Park!

2. Describe a typical day in your life as an agent.

I’m an early riser, so I’ve checked my email most days before 6am, but nothing significant is possible until I’ve had a venti dark roast from Starbucks.  I read on my commute into the office – The New York Times first, and then submission material. I have a Samsung tablet and it makes it super easy to have tons of material at my fingertips.  

The first thing I do when I get to the office is… check Facebook.  I promise it’s not about seeing baby pictures and Buzzfeed articles – it’s about getting a taste of what people are generally talking about.  I follow a lot of media bloggers, publishing trades, book clubs, publishers, and writers, and I like seeing what they’re putting out, and how people are responding.

After I look at the new deals on Publishers’ Marketplace, I spend the morning responding to emails and returning calls.  If I’m lucky I can squeeze in reading time.

Lunching with editors is a super fun part of the job.  I love hearing about what’s going on in the publishing houses, what people are reading, what they’re on to and what they’re over – and book people are always just generally super interesting!      

I’m constantly on email and it’s important to me to always be very responsive and available, but I try to devote much of my afternoon to really focusing on reading and editing.  As a millennial I’m an EXCELLENT multi-tasker. 

Sometimes on the way home I read submission material, but if it’s been a long day, I decompress with Spotify. 

(Skip ahead many hours and I’ve also been known to fall asleep with my tablet open to a manuscript…)

3. What are some of your favorite things about being an agent?

Working with creative people.  Collaborating with fabulous clients, brilliant editors, and energetic publishing teams is such a dream.  It’s immensely satisfying to work with debut authors from the ground up – to see their dreams realized in the publishing process. 

 

4. What do you look for in potential clients? Is it all about the writing, or do you feel that agents and writers should connect personally, as well?

A connection to the writing is just step one.  I’m not looking to be besties with my clients, but as we’re going to need to have very open and honest conversations about a very wide variety of issues, some of them personal, throughout our relationship, some level of personal connection is essential.   

5. Tell us about a couple of your clients (if you want to. If not, no biggie). How many clients do agents typically work with at one time?

My clients are fabulous.  I’ve been very selective with who I take on because I want to give each and every client my 100%, and I can only do that if I love your work.  The balance of the actual workload is always in flux based on who’s where in the submission / editing / publishing process, but I’m a good multi-tasker, and if you need my time, it’s important to me that you get it.     

6. What do you like to see in a query letter? What do you not like to see?

Voice, personality, and creativity.  I like it when authors comp their book to another book I’ve read and liked – ideally not Harry Potter or 50 Shades – I can connect with this better if your comp is more of a deep cut.  I like when your pitch to me is personal – why you think we specifically are a good fit.  I don’t like ideas that feel overly familiar and formulaic – it’s a tough market, so freshness and innovation is essential.  And please, check your grammar!  A couple of misplaced commas or blatant misspellings in a query letter is a non-starter. 

7. How do you get most of your clients—slush pile, referrals or writers conferences?

I’ve gotten a lot of clients through referrals – other agents, clients, people in the industry.  I reach out to writers I see on Goodreads or Amazon.  I just recently found a fabulous client at a writers’ conference.  A few from the slush pile. 

8. Describe some of the more outrageous things authors have done to get your attention.

I’ve been pitched in the bathroom and in the elevator. Sometimes one person will literally call me half a dozen times over 2 or 3 days. Once at a conference I looked down and someone had drawn a big heart around my picture in the conference program (to be fair, I don’t think the person intended for me to see that).   I stopped using twitter because queriers would email me commenting on tweets I’d sent out, which really freaked me out. 

9. Are you open for submissions? Is one time of year better than another for sending queries?  What genres are you currently seeking?

I am always open to submissions, any time of year.  I personally read every single query that comes in.  My main areas of interest are women’s fiction and romance, but it’s always all in the read for me and I obviously sometimes come across Sci Fi or Fantasy projects I love (hi, Toby! :)

10. Who are some of your favorite authors and/or books and why?

Most recently some of my favorite reads have been The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty, The Good House by Ann Leary, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. I think Maggie Shipshead is an amazing new talent. I am obsessed with Jonathan Franzen, I love Pat Conroy, and I’m fairly certain I’ve read every Phyllis Whitney book ever written.  All of these writers have really distinctive voices, and the ability to create layered, realistic, complex characters in tightly woven stories.

11. How long can someone expect to wait for an answer to a query? For a partial or full manuscript?

I respond to queries very quickly – always within a week.   I try very hard to respond to submissions within 6 weeks (emphasis on try).

12. What would you tell a new writer trying to break into the world of publishing? Why do you feel it’s important for an author to have an agent?

Writers should write. They should join critique groups or use beta readers.  Going to conferences can be a great way to connect with other writers, meet industry professionals, and work on your craft. 

Authors who want to be traditionally published need agents.  Agents edit pre-submission; we put your work in the hands of the right editors at the right houses.  We negotiate and vet your contract, collaborate on marketing strategies, cover design, and publicity plans.  In short, we’re your advocate to your editor and your publisher.     

I’m a proponent of the hybrid model – a mix of indie and traditional – and an agent is an integral part of that plan, not just in terms of getting your book in front of the right editor, but also in terms of shaping your career and advancing your brand.  An agent helps design your publishing plan in all respects – what to write, when to publish, how to reach new readers.  It’s a tricky business, and you need a professional partner to help you navigate the process. 

Thanks MacKenzie for this awesome interview!

Published or unpublished authors who wish to submit to any of the agents at TMG, please send a query letter using their online form to one literary agent only at http://www.tridentmediagroup.com/contact-us. Your query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information; it should not include a manuscript, a proposal, or any writing samples.

For more info on me and my latest books, go to www.tobytatestories.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Dealing with negative book reviews

I don’t mind negative book reviews. I really don’t. Every writer will get one at some point. I think it’s important to know what people don’t like about your writing as much as what they do like. Nobody should get pats on the back 24/7. It’s just not good for the soul. So I try to glean from them any bits of information that I can to improve my writing.

I know that a lot of authors worry that negative reviews will affect their sales…well…negatively. I have found that not to be the case. My books are still selling steadily, even with a few one-star reviews. I have seen books that remained on the best-sellers list in spite of a majority of bad reviews. People know what they like. I’m not saying reviews have no effect, but maybe not as much as we like to think.

Then there are vitriolic reviewers who will lambast you for daring to write something they don’t like. They hate your style of writing, your characters, your plot, maybe even the fact that you live on the same planet and breathe the same air they do. I have had reviewers comment that they couldn’t believe someone would publish such garbage, that only my friends gave me favorable reviews or that I wrote my own reviews under a fake name, and on and on. Not that I’m anyone special, but I can’t help but detect an undercurrent of jealousy or envy in some of those so-called reviews, especially after signing with a new publisher and a new agent.

I have found that the best thing anyone can do in those cases is to ignore it. Or do like me, and blog about it. Either way, it’s best not to engage with people who write hateful reviews. It only encourages them. Just let them fade into their own little corners of existence, and instead, focus on the good reviews and the people that support you. After all, they’re the ones you’re writing for, not the people that hate your writing.

Critique is a different thing. I love critique, especially from people who make writing their business, like editors and agents, because it makes me stronger. I like critique from readers, too, because it helps me gauge whether my audience is satisfied, or if I’m going in the right direction.

But ultimately, I have to write for myself. It has to please me first, because if I’m not really happy with what I’m doing, then what’s the purpose in writing at all? If I’m not happy with what I’m doing, regardless of the haters and the naysayers, then I’m not only letting myself down, I’m letting my audience down, as well.

For more info on me and my writing, go to www.tobytatestories.com or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

My journey to finding a literary agent

The day has finally arrived when I can say, “I have an agent!” —but not just any agent, mind you—the awesome and talented MacKenzie Fraser-Bub of New York’s Trident Media Group. Now when the phone rings and I jokingly say to my wife, “That might be my agent,” I won’t be joking.

 

  

That doesn’t mean, of course, that it’s time to kick back and take it easy. It’s more like a new beginning, kind of like stepping up my game and saying, “Okay, I’ve made all this noise, tooted my horn and got the attention of a major agency. Now, it’s time to live up to the hype I created for myself.”

Which I fully intend to do.

But how, you may well ask, did you get this far? What’s your secret? To which I answer: perseverance and persistence. I would also like to think I write good books, as well. Put those three things together, and you have a winning combination.

But five years ago, when I started my agent search, it seemed like an insurmountable hill. Actually, it was more like Mount Everest. I had just finished writing my first complete novel, a supernatural thriller, and had no experience whatsoever as a published author. I had virtually no short stories published, just some articles in magazines and the stories I wrote as a full-time newspaper journalist.

I wrote up my query letter, my biography, and my story synopsis, and then started firing off emails to any legitimate agency that represented my genre. I got a few full manuscript requests, but after a year, I had amassed nearly 100 rejections. By that time, I decided I was going to try some small presses, which I did, and got interest from two publishers. DIABLERO was eventually released by Nightbird Publishing in Oct. 2010.

For my next book, a supernatural technothriller, I was still unable to find an agent. I got an offer from DarkFuse to publish, and in Dec. 2012, LILITH hit the streets in hardcover, paperback and eBook. I was happy. 

Soon after, Crossroad Press published my young adult sci-fi thriller, GOD PARTICLE, and I eventually did another book with DarkFuse, a horror novella called THE BLACK CHURCH. 

When I finished writing the follow up to LILITH, a book called PRIMORDIAL, NY Times bestselling author Douglas Preston agreed to read the manuscript and give me an endorsement if he liked it. Two weeks later, here’s what he said: “Primordial by Toby Tate is an exceptionally well-crafted sci-fi supernatural thriller that tells a gripping story of ancient evil and modern horror, with exotic settings, vivid characters, and a plot that moves with the speed of a tsunami. The atmospherics are excellent and the story offers plenty of surprises right up to the shocking end.”

Can’t beat that for an endorsement. With that blurb in hand, and four published books under my belt, I went on yet another agent hunt. Once again, there were no takers. I was flummoxed.

But then, out of the blue, I got an offer from Permuted Press, publishers of zombie and apocalyptic fiction, who were looking to expand into other types of horror and sci-fi. They not only wanted PRIMORDIAL, they also wanted the sequel as well as a novella prequel, and they offered to reissue my first novel. Four books altogether. I was ecstatic.

 

They sent me the contract, and I realized upon printing it out that it was 20 pages long. The longest contract I had ever signed was three pages. I had to get an agent. I really did not feel comfortable signing a contract that long and involved.

I asked them to give me a week, which they did, and an author friend of mine suggested a few agencies I should contact. I contacted exactly two. They both wanted to read the manuscript. When MacKenzie from Trident made an offer, I knew I couldn’t pass it up, because Trident had been one of my dream agencies since the beginning. 

So there it is. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t have a NY Times bestselling book right off the bat, because where do you go from up? I believe that things happened exactly the way they were supposed to, and still are. I’m just slowly climbing the ladder, and I have to admit, so far I’m enjoying the journey.

For more info on my books and my music, go to www.tobytatestories.com, and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Douglas Preston, Permuted Press and me

So far, this year has been full of surprises. Not all good surprises, but I’m only going to talk about the good ones because I’m a “glass half-full” kind of guy.

Let me start with the manuscript of a book called PRIMORDIAL that I finished writing nearly six months ago. I had already moved on to a new project, a book I’m already about halfway done writing. I started looking for an agent to sell the other book, which is a sequel to my supernatural thriller, LILTIH, and I was getting some interest. One of the agents was still on Christmas vacation, however, so I had some time to polish the manuscript. Looking it over, I realized the book was at least ten thousand words too short.

  

I started thinking about how I could lengthen the manuscript and when inspiration struck, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Ten thousand words later, I turned in said manuscript to said agent. Said agent said “No, thanks!” So did several other agents. Keep in mind I already had four books published, two with a well-known indie press.

In the meantime, NY Times bestselling author Douglas Preston, of whom I am a huge fan, agreed to read my book as soon as he had time. Two weeks later, I got an email saying “Hey, Toby, I loved your book!” He gave me the best blurb (for you non-writer types, that’s an endorsement) I ever got for a book. I was a happy camper, and did a happy dance in the middle of my kitchen, much to my dog’s chagrin.

I was now suddenly getting full manuscript requests from agents as well as a couple of indie presses I had sent the book to. One of them was Permuted Press, the same people who originally published JOHN DIES AT THE END and other great apocalyptic and zombie-type fiction. Although I knew they were probably inundated with manuscripts, I went ahead and sent PRIMORDIAL and then put it out of my mind.

  

A couple of weeks later, there was an email from the president of Permuted Press, Michael Wilson. “Oh well, another rejection,” I figured. But as I read, I discovered it was an offer to publish PRIMORDIAL. Before I even finished reading the entire email, I was calling my wife to tell her the news, followed by another happy dance.

The next day, I was talking to Michael on the phone. He offered to not only publish PRIMORDIAL, but the next book in the LILITH series, as well as re-issuing my first book, DIABLERO.

Yep, you guessed it. Dance time again.

Before sending off my manuscript, I had done some research on Permuted Press. The authors I spoke to were very happy with their experience, which was a big plus for me. They are also expanding their operations in several ways: (1) By moving into science fiction and fantasy, as many other horror publishers are doing; (2) By getting their books into brick and mortar stores via Permuted Platinum, (3) By teaming up with big-6 companies like Simon & Schuster for some of their bestselling titles.

In fact, one of the new owners is former Simon & Schuster deputy publisher Anthony Ziccardi, another plus for me.

Some would say all these events are just happenstance, or coincidence, or just plain luck. But when it comes down to it, don’t we really make our own luck?

Writing, music, family and the amazing powers of ADD

Like most people, I always seem to have a lot going on in my life−more than some, less than others. But what helps is my lifelong Attention Deficit Disorder, or what I like to think of as the ability to be interested in many things at once. Let me give you a run-down.  

My fourth book, a young-adult sci-fi thriller called GOD PARTICLE, was released in June, 2013 with Crossroad Press. I just released my fifth book, a horror/thriller novella called THE BLACK CHURCH, in Dec. 2013 with DarkFuse. My sixth book, a supernatural thriller novel called PRIMORDIAL, is on my editor’s desk. I am twenty-five-thousand words into my seventh book, another novel. 

I also write for my local newspaper and a local magazine, plus the occasional short story anthology.
 

Last week, I recorded several tracks with my band, SHANNON SALIGA and the MILLION WATT SUNS. I sing, play guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, keyboards and whatever is needed. I wrote all five songs and I’m also the recording engineer. 

 

I am a stay-at-home dad and spend every day homeschooling our daughter, who is eleven. I usually manage to get some writing in, but most of it happens at night, when everyone else is in bed. There is also the marketing that has to be done for all five of my published books, and believe me, that is a time-consuming process−I am a very “hands-on” author. There is also time spent trying to get reviews, contacting book stores, sending out unpublished manuscripts to editors and/or agents, and on and on.

On weekends, when I’m not writing, I try to spend non-school time with my wife and daughter, fixing up and cleaning the house from the various animals living in it (my daughter is an animal lover), maintaining the cars, and so forth. 

I’m an avid reader and fan of classic sci-fi and horror movies (I have nearly 500 DVDs of titles like King Kong, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Forbidden Planet) and I like to travel, though it’s not always affordable.

A few years ago, before I became a stay-at-home dad, I was also a college student and a full-time book store employee with a new baby. On top of that, I was the editor for the school newspaper and for the school’s literary magazine. Somewhere in there, I managed to start writing my first novel and release a CD. Talk about stress. So my life has actually slowed down quite a bit from that particular craziness.

I said all that to say this: I love my life, and wouldn’t change a thing. I’m right where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to be doing, and I’m extremely thankful to be able to say that. I owe it all to God, family, friends, my fellow authors, my publisher, the people who buy my books and music, and a wicked case of ADD!

Check out my writing, music and other insanity at www.tobytatestories.com, and on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Traditional versus self-publishing: Choosing the right road

Roy Huff is the successful self-published author of the EVERVILLE young adult fantasy series, who was gracious enough to endorse my YA sci-fi thriller, GOD PARTICLE. He has a few words to say to those looking to be successful authors. 

As a new writer it can be difficult to make a decision regarding whether to self publish or to try and pursue the traditional route of finding a literary agent, editor, and publisher. While there are benefits to both methods, the final decision should be informed by one’s individual situation and one’s own personal preferences.

It may go without saying that most writers would prefer to be signed to a traditional publisher. That of course assumes that a writer can be signed, and that’s a big if. The simple truth is that while a publisher will front the cost of publication and some marketing, publishers expect authors to market themselves. Aside from the quality of the book, the eventual success of the book will largely hinge on how savvy a writer is with social media and self-promotion.

There is no question that being signed to a large publishing company can add street cred to a publication along with wider print distribution, but for many writers that is simply not an option. For those authors, the choice has been made for them. There is also the option of finding smaller indy publishing houses willing to publish, and while being backed by a publisher may offer some benefits, a smaller company will often be less able to promote the author, and the low royalties and loss of creative control will often offset the potential benefits.

Click to buy on Amazon!

 
For the vast majority of writers, self-publishing is the only option, and for new writers, they will also find that there is a brave new world of options when it comes to self publishing and marketing. Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, and others have made it easy to get published. Print companies like LightningSource and audio book companies like ACX have made print and audio books equally as simple and quick to get published. Social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr, and Google Plus have also revolutionized self-promotion and micro advertising. Together, the ease of publication and decentralization of social media provide a powerful venue for writers.

Regardless of the method, the quality of the work, the effectiveness of the marketing campaign, and a little luck will determine one’s eventual success. As an author, I have personally chosen to go the route of self-publishing for the initial series of books I have written. I do, however, plan on utilizing traditional publishers in the future in combination with my existing self published titles. This will give me the opportunity to develop a fan base as well as experience in self-promotion. More importantly KDP select and free promotions for self published titles can be excellent ways to cross promote existing books while leveraging that exposure for future titles published through traditional publishing companies.

My recommendation for new writers is write a good book and find a good editor. Once the book is written, decide whether or not spending the time and effort in finding a literary agent is something that one is willing to do; if not, then self-publish. If one decides to go the traditional route but continues to get rejected after a couple of dozen attempts, take a second look at the manuscript. If there are changes that can be made to improve the quality, then make those changes, but if after the changes one is still unable to find an agent or a publisher, self-publish.

In the end, the best thing for a writer to do is focus on the quality of the writing and the editing. Spending sufficient time in marketing and self-promotion is also a must. Worrying about getting published, however, should no longer be a barrier for future authors. Instead, writers should research and decide what’s best for them. More importantly they need to understand that the removal of barriers to getting published applies to everyone and it has dramatically increased competition. That being said, the old rules apply now more than ever. Write a great book, and market the heck out of it.

Check out Roy on the web at www.owensage.com.