Agent Interview: Zeynep Sen

History, Science, Nonfic

I greatly admire Bill Clegg given the kinds of works and authors he represents and how uniformly interesting they are.

Usually, it's whoever I've read last but if I had to choose a top five I would go with J.R.R. Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. LeGuin, Malcolm Gladwell, and Yashar Kemal.

One of the things that sets me apart is the speed and precision with which I I zero in on manuscripts that are not only well written but would do well in the existing market. Another is the fact that I am willing to take on those authors whose works are "rough dimands", meaning they're in need of work but clearly have the potential to brilliantly shine.

First, research the kinds of works that I (or any other agent you're reaching out to) have represented before. This way, you can be sure that I am the right fit for you. When you reach out, don't just explain what your book is about, but who you are and why you're the right person to write this book, especially if you've written nonfiction.

The ideal query letter is short (a page max), doesn't spoil the ending or pivotal moments of the book but manages to evoke my curiosity about it, concisely explains what it's about and why it's necessary, and also introduces the writer to me. It's one that manages to draw me in in as little as a single page, which is hard to do and the mark of a great writer.

The ideal manuscript doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to have a unique voice, one that stands out among the crowd. It's one that bears no trace of AI writing or editing and either presents the reader with a deeply emotionally engaging story or introduces the reader to a perspective or knowledge they've never encountered or considered before.

They forget to introduce themselves, spoil the book in the query letter, or reach out to me without doing any research, resulting in me receiving manuscripts in genres that I do not represent.

I want to know a paragraph of information. Namely, I want to know if you've had any writing experience before, what you do in your regular life, what prompted you to write this book, and why you're the right person to write it.

I read every query to the end, but not every manuscript since, if I did so, I would never be able to do anything else but read. That being said, I can generally tell if a book will be interesting in the first few paragraphs of a query letter and I can definitely tell if a manuscript is worth continuing to read a few pages in.

I usually set up call with them to explain how "agenting" works and to ensure that the author and I mesh well. Seeing as the author-agent relationship is a long term one, it's important that we get along, our work processes don't clash, and that our visions for the book align.

I usually spend half my day editing or reading manuscripts and the other half negotiating deals, getting involved in the promotional aspects of books that I have coming out, pitching books to editors, or, depending on the day, meeting with editors so I can understand their tastes and what they're currently looking for and make the right recommendations.

I get heavily involved in the promotional aspect of books by arranging reviews, interviews, and book launch events, and try to get involved in the social media promotion aspect of things (though that last one is not my forte).