Q & A with literary agent Vanessa

VANESSA GROSSETT

Introduction

I am a literary agent at The Authors Care Agency Ltd. My wonderful, talented authors include USA Today bestseller, Parker J. Cole, who writes historical fiction for Mills & Boon; Nichola K. Johnson, psychological domestic thriller author; and renowned vocalist, Lloyd Wade, who has a very successful music career and writes within the crime and thriller genre. The list is growing and I thank God for the great success achieved so far.

Tell us about your role as a literary agent

A literary agent’s main role is to sell their authors’ manuscripts to publishers. Agents are their authors’ biggest cheerleader and, at times, counsellor. Personally, I like to make sure my authors are doing OK, and if they have writer’s block, we talk through the manuscript together to come up with ideas. Usually, it’s a matter of the author just needing to take a break. I tend to help promote my authors’ books when they are on the market. I check royalty payments, statements and contracts. The role is very varied and I really enjoy it.

Why did you decide to become a literary agent and what qualifications do you have?

I have a degree in journalism. I particularly loved studying English literature in school and writing stories. Thankfully, you don’t need a degree per se to be a literary agent, but a good knowledge of the industry does help, as you need to be able to network with editors and publishers. When I wrote my first book, I decided that, though I loved writing, it wasn’t something I wanted to do full time. The agency role suits me very well, as it is a behind-the-scenes type of role. I love promoting, uplifting, encouraging my authors and reading different manuscripts.

Has the publishing industry really changed their attitude towards Black authors?

On the surface, it seemed to change with some publishers, and new Black authors were given a chance, especially after George Floyd. Fast forward a couple of years, though, and some of the same old attitudes seem to be surfacing again.

Now I am not saying that every book by a Black author must be accepted by an editor; however, I have witnessed the same subconscious collective attitude among some editors. In their mindset, they believe it’s difficult to sell books with primarily Black characters. They may also feel they cannot work with Black authors, especially male Black writers, due to underlying stereotypes they may have, so they come up with reasons why their manuscripts aren’t accepted. These reasons could range from the ‘writing style’ to ‘not having a place in the market’. Yes, the author does have to make sure the manuscript is strong when first presented, but I know manuscripts go through rewrites, with author and editor working together.

Sometimes agencies are reluctant to work with writers they do not know, so they are less likely to give new writers a chance, preferring to stick with writers they are already familiar with.

But there’s good news! There are some editors who have moved forward, and publishers like Mills & Boon have definitely become more diverse. No, I am not just saying that because one of my authors writes for them! It’s true; they are willing to give new Black authors more of a chance, and the editors are great to work with. Make sure to follow their guidelines, though, if you decide to submit your manuscript. There are some great editors and publishers out there who will believe in you and your story; it’s a matter of being connected with the right one for you and then building a rapport.

Other good news: there are more independent imprints growing - some celebrityowned ones as well - to give underrepresented, unpublished groups a chance for those who don’t want to self publish.

I do want to make one point clear: not all Black editors will accept manuscripts. In this industry, it can be a case of who you know as well.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the publishing industry?

Get to know the industry, network and, most importantly, believe in your ability to execute the craft well, whether it will be as a writer or as an agent. Never doubt your ability to be successful.

It is good to join author groups, like Black Writers’ Guild, to get that support, advice and knowledge. Attend writers’ conferences and ‘Meet the Editors’ conferences.

Don’t judge any editor at face value. Sometimes the editor who actually accepts your manuscript may be completely different to the one you thought. God always brings the right people and the right connections for you and your authors.