Agent Referrals: help!

[StirlingWriter]

I was wondering if any of you knew how to properly handle an agent
referral. I recently garnered interest from an agent who eventually
passed on my novel, but she gave me several referrals.

As I sent out submissions to these agents, in the opening paragraph I
mentioned in the query letter that this agent referred me to them. Was
that the proper thing to do?

Also, by chance, one of the referrals this agent gave me turned out to
be an agent I already signed up to pitch to at a local writers
conference. It also turns out this lady's agency brokered the deal for
Nancy McKensie's "Prince of Dreams" novel about the Authurian legend
Tristan and Isolde, a novel I used for research on my own book.

My question is, should I mention this to the agent in the pitch
session? As a way to perhaps break the ice? See, I used the Tristan and
Isolde legend as an underlaying story in my novel, and wondered if it
would hurt or help to mention the connection between the two books.

I'd appreciate any thoughts any of you might have. Thanks!
Cheri
www.authors.stirlingproductions.com

[Alohacyberian]

Post by StirlingWriter
I was wondering if any of you knew how to properly handle an agent
referral. I recently garnered interest from an agent who eventually
passed on my novel, but she gave me several referrals.
As I sent out submissions to these agents, in the opening paragraph I
mentioned in the query letter that this agent referred me to them. Was
that the proper thing to do?
Also, by chance, one of the referrals this agent gave me turned out to
be an agent I already signed up to pitch to at a local writers
conference. It also turns out this lady's agency brokered the deal for
Nancy McKensie's "Prince of Dreams" novel about the Authurian legend
Tristan and Isolde, a novel I used for research on my own book.
My question is, should I mention this to the agent in the pitch
session? As a way to perhaps break the ice? See, I used the Tristan and
Isolde legend as an underlaying story in my novel, and wondered if it
would hurt or help to mention the connection between the two books.

The question might be more properly asked, whether you should be honest with
any prospective agents and if not, are you willing to risk the possibility
that the agent might already be aware of what you can't decide, i.e.,
whether you should hide information or not? If you aren't willing to be
honest and forthright with a prospective agent, do you expect them to be
honest and forthright with you? And, of course, if you aren't willing to be
open and put all your cards on the table and you get caught for your
subterfuge, are you willing to have your name dragged through the mud by
various agents corresponding with one another? So you want to be known as
someone who resorts to trickery or someone who wants to be published on the
merits of your writing? Withholding information is unfair to anyone trying
to help you, whether it be an attorney or an agent. Why would you even
consider it? If you can't decide whether to reveal information or disclose
facts you're not sure should be mentioned, then why not be discreet and wait
to see if you're asked? But, as long as you're in anguish about what you
should or should not do in an interview - all you're saying is that you are
concentrating on anything but the merits of your work. KM

[StirlingWriter]

The purpose of my question was not to portray myself as dishonest. If I
had never researched the agency's client catalog, I would never have
made the connection myself. My question was, would the agent even care
to know such information? I have often wondered whether submitting my
novel to agencies that have represented similar books would be a help
or a hindrance. This is a similar question.

I would prefer to tell the agent anything and everything about my book
and about this Tristan and Isolde connection. I think it's a wonderful
coincidence, or perhaps even providence. But I just wondered if agents
tend to like representing similar books over and over again. If not, I
could even try to switch to another agent before the conference to
avoid wasting her time.

~Cheri

Post by Alohacyberian

Post by StirlingWriter
I was wondering if any of you knew how to properly handle an agent
referral. I recently garnered interest from an agent who eventually
passed on my novel, but she gave me several referrals.
As I sent out submissions to these agents, in the opening paragraph I
mentioned in the query letter that this agent referred me to them. Was
that the proper thing to do?
Also, by chance, one of the referrals this agent gave me turned out to
be an agent I already signed up to pitch to at a local writers
conference. It also turns out this lady's agency brokered the deal for
Nancy McKensie's "Prince of Dreams" novel about the Authurian legend
Tristan and Isolde, a novel I used for research on my own book.
My question is, should I mention this to the agent in the pitch
session? As a way to perhaps break the ice? See, I used the Tristan and
Isolde legend as an underlaying story in my novel, and wondered if it
would hurt or help to mention the connection between the two books.

The question might be more properly asked, whether you should be honest with
any prospective agents and if not, are you willing to risk the possibility
that the agent might already be aware of what you can't decide, i.e.,
whether you should hide information or not? If you aren't willing to be
honest and forthright with a prospective agent, do you expect them to be
honest and forthright with you? And, of course, if you aren't willing to be
open and put all your cards on the table and you get caught for your
subterfuge, are you willing to have your name dragged through the mud by
various agents corresponding with one another? So you want to be known as
someone who resorts to trickery or someone who wants to be published on the
merits of your writing? Withholding information is unfair to anyone trying
to help you, whether it be an attorney or an agent. Why would you even
consider it? If you can't decide whether to reveal information or disclose
facts you're not sure should be mentioned, then why not be discreet and wait
to see if you're asked? But, as long as you're in anguish about what you
should or should not do in an interview - all you're saying is that you are
concentrating on anything but the merits of your work. KM
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website there are 3600 live cameras or
visit NASA, the Vatican, the Smithsonian, the Louvre, CIA, FBI or
CNN, NBA, the White House, Academy Awards & 150 foreign languages
Visit Hawaii, Israel and more: http://keith.martin.home.att.net/

[Alohacyberian]

Post by StirlingWriter
The purpose of my question was not to portray myself as dishonest. If I
had never researched the agency's client catalog, I would never have
made the connection myself. My question was, would the agent even care
to know such information?

Shouldn't you ask the individual agents questions like that so you can make
individual determinations? Different agents may have different priorities.
KM