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Agent Interview: Erzsi Deàk

Q: Describe what you're looking for in 25 characters or less.

A: Voice/Character/Action

Q: What sets you apart from other agents who look at the same type of material?

A: I'm an editorial agent (to a point!) and communication is hugely important to me.

Q: What is the best advice you can give someone who is considering submitting work to you?

A: Please make sure to check-out the guidelines and what we are and aren't looking for on the Hen&ink website. Send only your most polished work. Believe SHOW-don't-TELL. Make every word inside and outside of dialogue work to push your story forward. Keep us turning the pages and asking "what happens next?"

Q: Describe the ideal query letter.

A: Short. :)

Q: Describe the ideal manuscript.

A: Something with an incredible hook that makes me want to dive in and keep reading. Formatted correctly (seriously). VOICE. VOICE. VOICE.

Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

A: Send a picture book when we are only looking at middle-grade fiction, etc.

Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?

A: I just want to read the work.

Q: How much of a manuscript do you read before making the decision to reject it?

A: Between 1 and infinity (pages). I can usually tell from the first paragraph.

Q: Once you decide to represent someone's work, what is the process?

A: We offer them representation, share the agreement, go from there.