Coffee Break: Agent Rachelle Gardner

Rachelle Gardner is a voracious reader, a lover of books, a mom to two girls and a Lab, the wife of a firefighter, and she takes her support of local Colorado coffee joints very seriously! In addition, she is a literary agent with WordServe Literary Group out of Denver. Rachelle says she never gets tired of talking about books and publishing, and that working with authors is her dream job. Her well-known blog has been named multiple times as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Writers by Writer’s Digest.

Can you tell us a little about your background and, specifically, what led you down the agenting path?

I think all my experience in publishing has led me here. I started back in 1995 doing special sales, sub rights, and international rights. I worked at a small publishing company that gave me the opportunity to become intimately familiar with every aspect—sales, marketing, PR, design, and editorial. I went to the Frankfurt and London Book Fairs, attended BEA every year, and learned a tremendous amount about how publishing works. From there, I decided I wanted to specialize in writing and editing, so that was my focus for about the next eight years.

Over time I saw how the industry was changing so that authors really needed agents; they weren’t really optional anymore. I loved working with writers and it seemed agenting would be the best way to do this, being able to help them on a long-term basis as they navigated the publishing world. I felt I’d gathered a lot of knowledge over the years and I wanted to share it! Being an agent allows me to do all the things I enjoy, including some hands-on editorial work, general career guidance for authors, negotiating contracts (I always had a special interest in the legal field and I love working on contracts), and sharing what I’ve learned.

Can you share with my readers how you approach customizing your efforts with the individual writer’s talents and goals?

I’m not sure I have any specific approach except to try and listen carefully to each author as they talk about what they want and need for their writing career, and what they need in an agent. Often it’s a process of learning about a client as we go—I don’t always get it right to start with! I do think it’s important to help each author gain perspective on how their own passion and gifting meshes with the marketplace, and guide them towards choices that can advance their writing careers.

I thought it was remarkable last year when you announced on your blog that you were closed to submissions for a period of time so that you could devote your efforts to the immediate needs of the clients already on your roster. What were the indicators that led you to a decision like that? How did that pay off for you as an agent?

When I have 700 queries in my inbox, and no time to look at a single one of them, it’s a pretty clear indicator that something needs to change! I didn’t think it was fair to keep accepting queries when I wouldn’t be able to do them justice. It was good to have a break from the “incoming” and helped me get on top of all the work I already had on my desk. I’m going to have to close to queries again soon, I’m afraid.

Even with my marketing background, I’ve learned so much from you about the details of putting together a solid book proposal. What are some of the biggest mistakes writers make with proposals and elevator pitches?

It’s difficult for authors to take a step back from their own work and adequately explain it in a few words so that someone would want to read it. It takes a lot of work to do this, and works best if you have a critique group or partner who can give you feedback as you work through the process. I think the biggest mistake writers make is that they try to work through it quickly, and don’t get outside feedback. They also don’t make enough effort to seriously study and understand how their book fits into the marketplace—what books are like theirs, what area of the bookstore their book belongs in, how to convince someone to take a chance on them.

How do you approach your relationships with your authors? What are your expectations, and what do you hope to bring to those partnerships?

I try to understand what kind of agent each writer needs. Usually before we agree to work together, we’ve talked enough that we have a good feel for whether we’re a fit. Some writers want a more business-like agent who keeps their hands off the material and just focuses on selling; that’s not me. I’m very hands-on all the way through the process, from proposal and manuscript, to selling to a publisher, to helping the author work through any issues in the relationship with the publisher (and these ALWAYS come up). And of course, I give as much marketing guidance and career-planning guidance as I can.

The publishing journey is jam-packed with surprises! Tell us about something that’s surprised you, like a trend or an unexpected sale you’ve made.

Not to sound too cynical, but hardly anything surprises me anymore. I’ve been in publishing 16 years, and before that I worked in Hollywood, so I sometimes feel like there’s nothing new under the sun! But here are a few things that surprise me personally:

--I’m surprised so many people still complain that there are not enough “good books” being published. I think that’s complete and utter ridiculousness. I will never have enough time in my life to read all the truly great books I want to read. Good books are everywhere, they’re piled up on my nightstand and my floors and scores of boxes and bookshelves. Even my Kindle is packed with more good books than I’ll ever read. I truly don’t understand people saying there aren’t enough good books being published.

--I’m surprised there is still such a vocal set of writers out there who disdain all agents. There have been so many agents over the years who have done wonderful work, forming long-term successful partnerships with authors. I don’t understand the haters.

--I’m surprised at the success of a few bestsellers out there, but I’m not mentioning any names!

What are your Top 3 pearls of wisdom for an unpublished author with big writing dreams?

--Study the craft of writing. And never stop.

--Do your homework. You MUST make the mental transition from “writing as passion” to “publishing as business” if you’re to be successful.

--Dream big but try to have realistic expectations.

If you have the time/inclination, these are Quick Shots that I like to use at the end of profiles. Just short answers of a couple of words, never more than a sentence.

WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND RIGHT NOW?
• Reading My Father by Alexandra Styron
• Seeking Peace by Mary Pipher
• Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer
• Little Bee by Chris Cleave
• about a dozen other books
• my Kindle with hundreds more books
• my reading glasses
• a reading lamp
• a book light

WHAT ARE YOU READING?
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
• Several client manuscripts

DOGS OR CATS?
Dog—just one—Reagan the 6 year old Lab

WATER OR SODA?
Water – I’m drinking it all day long. About 1 Diet Coke a week.

COFFEE OR TEA?
2 cups of coffee every morning. In winter, lots of tea in the mid-day and afternoon because it’s cold in Colorado!

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Chocolate. Or, really high quality vanilla ice cream with homemade hot fudge sauce.

MICHAEL BUBLE OR AEROSMITH?
Are you kidding me? Who’s Michael Buble? Aerosmith is more my hubby’s style. I’m a U2/Coldplay kinda gal.

SUSPENSE MOVIE OR ROMANTIC COMEDY?
Romantic comedy if I’m watching by myself; suspense if I’m watching with my man.

LENO OR LETTERMAN?
Who are those guys? I vaguely remember them both from back before kids, when I was able to stay up late.

RUNNING OR SWIMMING?
I’ve been a runner since 8th grade! But I did reach Junior Lifeguard level in swimming, and I love to scuba dive, does that count?

TROPICAL OR MOUNTAIN VACAY?
I live in the mountains and often vacay in places like Breckenridge or Vail (poor me). But the big summer trip is always the beach.

Thank you so much, Rachelle. It's great for my readers to spend a little time with you here, and I really appreciate the drop-by!