Dear Literary Agent Who Is Acquiring Memoir: You Just Blew It With This Writer

For this post I'm just going to say I have been most disappointed in quite a majority of literary agents who look to represent writers in the memoir/personal narrative/inspirational genre.  Today, I had a most impersonal response from a highly esteemed memoir literary agent.  I had written a polite personal note and included the query for my most recent inspirational memoir manuscript.  Actually, I had even connected with two authors this literary agent already represents.  So I had done my research and her response in relation to my personal note and query was, wait for it, "Sorry, I'm not".  For a minute I just sat staring at my laptop in stunned silence.  That's it?  No other information was included except that the email was sent from his/her iphone.  I mean, I realize as a literary agent that you are always busy, inundated, and most likely overwhelmed, but "Sorry, I'm not" is the best response you can give to someone who was genuinely attempting to show that they knew about your acquisitions in the memoir genre, had been in contact with two of your authors, and as a writer I was contacting you because an editor was interested in acquiring my work?

  I'll be honest dear readers, I thought it was quite rude. And I just have to say that it has made me think twice about ever purchasing any books this particular literary agent is associated with because that's what happens in today's world folks.  A literary agent can make or break you as an author, particularly to those of us who are trying to climb the ladder and become published authors, too.  Because now I really don't wish to purchase anything represented by this literary agent.  And when other aspiring writers ask me about this literary agent when they discuss the querying process, I'm going to be quite blunt and say exactly that I found him/her to be quite impersonal and rude.  Frankly, her response was dismal at best and unprofessional.   Professionalism counts not just for aspiring authors and already published authors, but also when it comes to how you handle yourself as a literary agent, editor, intern, assistant, or office manager.  So the lesson for today is:  You are making an impression with each and every response you send to a writer or anyone else for that matter.  And I would always advise not biting the hand that feeds you.   Cause we aspiring authors do buy books and we do have a choice as to which books we buy.  Here's the thing dear literary loved one:  You may think me a little fish now, but I know other little fish, medium-size fish, and marlins and they are always asking me about what I am reading, what reading material I am purchasing, and what my experiences have been like with the publishing world.  And one day this little fish may or will become a marlin.  And this potential marlin has a long memory and no respect for people who are rude, impersonal and unprofessional.  And remember folks, even J.K. Rowling was a little fish once as well.  I hear she's doing rather well now, though.  Hey, there's someone who can be inspiration for us all!

Till my next update,
Grace
(Amy)