Do you have a manager, agent or representative who helps you sign or close deals? Why or why not? If you do have one, how did you find them and how did you know they were the right one for you? These are some of the questions we asked some very talented folks from the community and we’ve shared their responses below.
Bethany Marinelli
In 2021 I went to the Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) for the first time. I’d never been to a writer’s conference before and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I had written a book and knew I’d be able to get in front of agents and publishers at the conference. I had several agents and publishers ask me for my book proposal at FCWC, so I left feeling very hopeful that my book would soon be published. After sending the proposal, however, I received many rejections. Read more>>
Angie Reid
Navigating the world of creative work in the beginning stages of my career was one of the most paradoxical and challenging aspects of my journey. Early on, I found myself in the classic catch-22: trying to secure work without representation while also struggling to get an agent because I lacked enough notable credits. It’s a frustrating cycle that many creatives face, where proving your potential seems contingent on someone first taking a chance on you. Read more>>
Shazia Adhikari
Hi! My name is Shazia, and I’m a resin artist and small business owner currently based in Chicago. My love for art began in childhood, where I dabbled in sketching, pastel drawing, glass painting, and calligraphy. I’ve always been drawn to creating something unique, whether it was designing backdrops for school plays or experimenting with new techniques during my free time. Read more>>
Raquel Lebish
I currently have representation in Miami, North Carolina (commercially), Chicago (nationally) and a manager in Los Angeles. I had gotten one one of my reps through referral, but the rest were cold-submits — so those do work! But it took me a long time to get the team I have now. I remember self-submitting to agencies really young, thirteen or so, and never hearing back — and then one day the pieces began to naturally fall into place. I think agents can really sense when someone is ready to be sent out for opportunities/auditions, so I’m a firm believer that up until I was signed my material wasn’t a strong representation of the kind of actor I wanted to market myself as, and so I’m very grateful to have gained my rep when I did. Read more>>
Lori Keating
I am fortunate to work with an exceptional agent who plays a pivotal role in my writing journey. Our connection came about through a fortunate sequence of events—beginning with my discovery of the agency on social media, which sparked my interest. After conducting thorough research and sending a few queries, I was introduced to Sherri at Gardner Literary. From our first conversation, her genuine enthusiasm for my work and her insightful understanding of the publishing industry made it clear that she was the ideal partner for me. Read more>>