Most agents will ask for a call to discuss your book before they actually offer (the offer usually happens during the call, after they’ve confirmed that you’re a reasonable person). (Though occasionally calls are to offer an R&R, and sometimes the agent will state their offer via email before the call). “The Call” is a chance for you to interview the agent even more than it is for them to learn about you. Here are questions intended to help you gage if they’re a good fit as a person to trust your career to.
- Agent Jim McCarthy’s list of questions to ask an offering agent. https://dystelblogarchive.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/jim-suggests-questions-to-ask-a-prospective-agent/
- Published author Alexa Donne’s list of questions to ask on the call. https://alexadonne.com/blog/questions-to-ask-an-agent-on-the-call/
- Bookends Literary Agency suggests questions to ask an offering agent. https://bookendsliterary.com/questions-to-ask-before-signing-with-a-literary-agent/
- Writer’s block party has another list of potential questions. https://writersblockpartyblog.com/2018/02/06/questions-to-ask-agents-on-the-call/
- Agented author Morgan Forte has a list of questions from the perspective of an author who has had to leave her first agent. https://morganforteauthor.wixsite.com/morganforte/post/when-you-get-the-call
- Author Ann Zhao has an extensive list of questions tailored towards writers from marginalized backgrounds. https://annzhao.com/blog/questions-to-ask-an-agent-on-the-call
- Writer’s Block Party suggests what to ask an agent’s other clients after they offer. https://writersblockpartyblog.com/2018/02/08/questions-to-ask-other-clients-of-an-agent/
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