Today I’m thrilled to have agent Tricia Skinner here. She is a literary agent at Fuse Literary.
I had what I consider to be a rather normal change in careers. In 2015, I was laid off from a job in academia and instead of immediately seeking employment within the same field, I spoke to my literary agent Laurie McLean about what I wanted to do next. The business side of publishing had always interested me, and Laurie supported my decision to become an agent. She trained me, supporting my move into an industry I had only seen from the point of view of an author. With her mentorship, I’ve built my client list in genres I love. I’m living my dream job, helping other authors enter and thrive in publishing. It’s a very satisfying role for me.
I think the underlying organization of most literary agencies is the same.
All have agents who each have areas of specialization. We all have an internal
or external person or agency handling subrights, contracts, marketing, etc.
What Fuse offers on top of the expected benefits of working with an agency is a
sharper personalized approach. We’re a small agency that is hands-on with our
clients. We don’t run like the bottom line is all that counts. Each client is
cared for based on what their career path requires; we don’t force them in the
same box and expect them to create the same, produce the same, be the same. We
recognize our clients as people who have various routes in their publishing
careers.
My root area is adult genre fiction. I’m selectively adding MG to my list,
and to a lesser degree YA. My focus is science fiction, fantasy, romance, and
horror. I can separate those into subgenres, but that would take too much space
to list! It’s necessary to point out that editor tastes change and I have to be
aware of what they want and don’t want. That’s why I seek writers based on
their skill at storytelling. I’m constantly seeking extraordinary books because
those can withstand market fluctuations the best.
I’m more interested in who is creating the story. I’ve always encouraged writers from marginalized communities to query me because there are so many untold stories they can share. I want to explore different experiences and see a different point of view in genres I love.
I don’t represent faith-based/religious manuscripts, short story collections, screenplays, poetry, picture books, chapter books, erotica, novellas, or non-fiction. I won’t consider previously published or self-published books because they’re nearly impossible to sell unless they’re a blockbuster.
We have the same goal, which is to build and grow a successful publishing career. I signed them because they have extraordinary writing skills, but I also believe we’re suited on a personality level. I don’t sign people for one book. I sign them for what I believe will be a long, productive, positive business partnership. The lovely side effect to this has been the creation of new friendships with people who create stories I adore and who are amazing human beings.
8.
How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?
There’s only one preferred method - http://QueryMe.Online/querytricia. The submission portal keeps queries organized. I never read queries sent to me through any other medium. When I receive a query through my direct email or social media, I just delete it. As for the query letter, there are plenty of free online resources that detail exactly how to write one, what to include, how to structure it. My online submission form asks for specific information and leaves a spot to include a synopsis (not required) and the first 20 pages.
My current client list can be found at https://www.triciaskinner.com/clients/. I’m continuing to build my list so expect that page to grow!
14. Please share the links to any interviews and guest posts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.
A recent interview: https://darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/book-broker-tricia-skinner
Links and Contact Info:
15. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.
My personal agent site: https://www.triciaskinner.com/. Please view the MSWL page for submission information.
My main social media: https://twitter.com/4triciaskinner. No submissions or pitches accepted on any of my social media (or email).
Additional Advice:
16. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?
Take the time to research the agents you’re interested in. Remember that any rejection received is for the manuscript and not personal. Look at the rejections you do receive for clues on what’s not working in the manuscript, then revise it to make it better/clearer/stronger.
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Tricia.
Tricia is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through February 6th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. If you do not want to enter the contest, that's okay. Just let me know in the comments.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com
Cool she accepts science fiction!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear she is willing to help her clients in so many ways to help craft their books and where it will fit within the industry.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice and a smart, chill outlook. I'd love to win a query critique!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a critique. Tricia is on my query list for my WIP
ReplyDeleteFantastic, looking forward to learning more about her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely offer! I would love a critique. Thank you so much for another great interview. -Becca D
ReplyDeleteI loved this interview, really helps to understand the way agents think! And the chance to win a critique would be absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this interview. I've just started this process and it was both useful and encouraging. It's good to see an agent interested in the story and relationship. I will definitely be applying when Tricia re-opens submissions.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was a fantastic interview! Much longer and more in-depth than the agent interviews I normally stumble upon when browsing blogs, so thank you for putting this together. And the chance to win a critique is *chef's kiss* with how busy agenting is! It's doubtful she'll see this, but thanks to Tricia for taking the time!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to enter! I really appreciate the chance!
ReplyDeleteA query portal. It was just a matter of time, really. I think 2020 threw everyone for a loop.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I’m adding Tricia to my list. 😉
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece! It's great to get some straightforward advice from someone who is actually is the business. I've been wondering if it's better to self publish books, or keep them out of circulation until you manage to land a deal somewhere. So this piece is extremely helpful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the additional details on Tricia.
ReplyDeletethis looks intriguing
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteGood interview, Tricia. I like your focus and the advice for writers--"Remember that any rejection received is for the manuscript and not personal."
ReplyDeleteShe sounds great - smart, kind and down to earth. (Maybe I shouldn't use that particular phrase if she reps Sci-fi!). I will query her and would love to be entered in the contest. I'll tweet, too.
ReplyDeletebig sci fi fan. love the interview and the agent advice. Thanks for sharing and for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI also mentioned this on my twitter here: https://twitter.com/Rockets2Writing/status/1352286680594718722
Great interview, Natalie and Tricia. Yay for sci-fi and fantasy! Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another informative interview.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great interview!
ReplyDeleteI've also mentioned this on my twitter:
https://twitter.com/ElaMishne/status/1352600413552443394?s=20
Being as hands off or on is a win. Can tailor it to each person.
ReplyDeleteI've queried Tricia in the past and this interview confirms why!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great interview Natalie. I would love to be entered to win the query critique with Tricia. My email is first dot last name at gmail.
ReplyDeleteTricia's favorite genres are also mine! Always good to see agents get into horror. Looking forward to querying her!
ReplyDeleteLiving the dream. Sounds like you're exactly where you are meant to be,Tricia.
ReplyDelete'Lo, Natalie. Hope your Sunday is wondrous.
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ReplyDeleteI was happy to see Tricia Skinner was highlighted. In researching her, I really appreciate her respect of the individual personalities and voices of authors. It was for this reason I had planned on querying her and was thrilled to see that she is offering this contest.
ReplyDeleteI posted about this contest on Facebook.
Thank you for the great Agent Highlights and Contests. Keep 'em coming!Tinadcgrover@gmail.com
Thanks for the great interview.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a critique for my middle grade fantasy novel. Thanks to this interview Tricia is on my query list for my WIP.
ReplyDelete(I've posted about this contest on twitter.)
My google information didn't link properly.
DeleteMy email is steven.petalik@gmail.com