Paige Wheeler has experience, drive and a deep rooted love for authors. A founding partner of Folio Literary Agency LLC, she embodies what an agent should be – an author’s friend, protector and champion.
Paige Wheeler
It was during college that she learned, from her creative writing courses, “all I wanted to do was sit around eating bon-bons and reading good books.” Of course that wasn’t a viable job option, so she decided to look for something that would provide a more realistic career path while having some semblance of every reader’s fantasy.
“I started off working on the other side, in editorial. I had been investigating publishing, but it seemed to pay poorly and was more of a ‘gentleman’s business.’ I got into the industry via an old boyfriend. He called me up and said ‘I found the perfect job for you…”
The perfect job turned out to be from a woman who worked in HR for a publishing company. Paige contacted her, took an employment test and got hired on the spot. “I loved working in publishing. I felt totally at home. I enjoyed working as an editor but had a big entrepreneurial side to me.”
“An agent needs this side. They have to be a go-getter.” It was during a lecture at NYU called “Lunching for a Living: the Role of a Literary Agent” given by Mary Evans, that Paige “became hooked and said ‘this is what I want to do.’”
Paige decided to start her own business, Creative Management Agency, Inc. “It was a little bit scary branching out. You learn a lot when you venture on your own.” In regards to stepping out on your own Paige believes, “even if you fail, there are so many things you can learn.”
The conclusion Paige came to after running CMA for nine years was that, “running my company, on my own, I couldn’t do everything I liked.” So she merged CMA into a new company, Folio Literary Agency LLC, in 2006.
Over the past three years, “we have grown from three people into ten. We have a great group; just a lovely group of people.”
Paige loves what she does, and she loves working in the industry. “What I like about people who are in publishing is that they are (usually) smart and well read.” She loves the relationships she builds with these wonderful people.
Has Paige ever wanted to become an author herself? “I am a reader. I think I tried one time, maybe 2 years ago, to sit down and write and I got maybe 2 paragraphs written.” Laughing she says, “I am not a writer. I let my author’s do that. I just love to read, and I still don’t have enough time.”
Time is something that Paige is always short on. Being an agent is “much more administrative than people realize. You’re not just working on the current projects. You’re also working on a project from 5 years ago. You manage books that are coming out now, as well as those that came out 6 months ago. The longer you’re in the business, the more books, and novels, there are to work on.”
“It’s not just about making the deal. Agents really massage the material. You want to mold it to be as attractive as possible to editors.” And, for the most part, agents work strictly on commission.
“You work on commission only and juggle multiple books. All these balls you have to juggle for this one property – a lot more irons in the fire than most authors realize.” The reason writers aren’t always aware of the plethora of jobs their agent performs is because the agent’s main focus is the author. They’re here to fight your battles, and quietly wage their own.
A few examples of what Paige does in a day are: “chase down money, manage subsidiary rights, organize the (book) cover, present all material to the sales force, massage egos that are in need, hold regular office meetings, run the office, update the in-house project list, make sure you’re talking about and aware of each colleague’s projects….” The list is seemingly unending.
“You just never ever get to everything on the list.” And with all of those tasks Paige still finds herself “putting out fires in the middle of it all.” When she’s off work, in what she refers to as “free time,” she’s reading submissions and her signed authors’ works. While it may seem that there is little to no time for leisure reading, Paige loves every minute of her rigorous day to day.
“You have to love what you do. Agents have to identify their level of success. While it does sound cushy in the abstract – the reality is you have to roll up your sleeves and work hard to make a living.”
Paige knows what her aspirations are. “I have the highest goals possible for every book I take on. Some want to hit a list; others want to get paid a lot of money on their next book. Other authors just want to get their numbers up and have people read their books; while others want to do something completely different. My goal for each author is very different.” Paige’s ambitions are whatever the author’s objectives are.
How does she achieve her aim? “It’s a very crowded market and you just work your magic. It really is a partnership between author and agent.” There is a lot of trust and understanding.
Not every author is going to land on the New York Times Bestseller list, or make a million dollars. “It’s like actors; there are only a few who become huge and make the big bucks.”
How does Paige feel about conferences? “Conferences are great in terms of managing your expectations.” As well as “for polishing the craft – you can always work harder, try harder. They’re great to network with other writers. If you have a book coming out, it’s smart to speak at a conference.”
While Paige isn’t overly familiar with self publishing, she does advise, “when you are self published you are becoming a publisher – you have to handle the business side.
I always advise: don’t sit back blindly. Make smart business decisions.”
As for what Paige is in the market for, “I’m open to all genres. What I’m looking to do is fall in love and have the book stay in the forefront of my mind for days and weeks.”
“Remember I am taking this on and do not make any money until it sells, so I have to be passionate about it. It has really got to strike me. I’m a little bit of a generalist. I like fresh story lines and a great voice.”
What does she think about following the trends? “Don’t write the trends, by the time your book comes out it will be over.” Be true to yourself and write the story that you need to be told.
“I think that unfortunately the way it goes is, if you do the numbers, the amount of how many submissions I get for how many people I take on, it’s a very small percentage.”
Paige’s advice to new authors before they query her to “finish the book.” Once an author has completed their manuscript they will know if writing is really for them (as well as which agents may fit their needs).
“Agents can vary on what they want to see,” but for Paige a query should outline “what the book is about, how long it is. Your query is your introduction to your potential agent. I request five pages be pasted at the bottom of the email because some people write bad prose but good queries – while others can write bad queries and great prose.”
“Ultimately it’s about the writing. But, you have to get the agents attention so they will read that. If you get endorsements, that’s brilliant and can go a long way. Or, if one of my author’s has referred you,” that is another benefit.
“I like for writers to compare their work to another author’s because it shows what their offering,” what they see their style as.
Is it crucial that an author has previously been published? “ It depends agent by agent. I like to know if a person has been around the block because they know what to expect; they know the process of publishing, may have worked some of their kinks out and know how long it takes to become published. However, it can be a problem if someone has a poor sales record. It can follow them.”
As for signing on new and unpublished authors, “It’s exciting to sell someone’s first book!”
Paige’s advice to anyone interested in becoming an agent: “We all worry about finances. It usually takes 3-5 years for money to generate. So, plan on having your financials in place beforehand. Make sure you are good at developing your network for aspiring authors to find you as well as with the people who will be buying your books.”
There are three hats Paige believes an agent wears. The “Creative Hat,” “Business Hat” and “Legal Hat.” While wearing these hats, she creates a path for the author’s words to reach an audience, manages the process where by a deal is brokered through a publishing house, and negotiates contracts in the author’s best interest.
Paige’s advice to authors looking for her to represent them? “Query me with your material. Write a great story that is commercially viable and query me.”
Not all stories are commercially viable. “I have read some really great stories where the market won’t support it. Learn your craft. Improve upon it when you can. When you think you’re ready, don’t give up. Keep persevering.”
Remember that if an agent turns down your work it’s not personal. “I’m not rejecting the person, just the project.” If it isn’t right for the agent, then a writer doesn’t want that agent to represent him or her. It needs to be a mutually satisfying partnership.
Paige’s favorite aspect of being an agent: laughing she says, “I like it all. I don’t think I can pick one thing.” But I love meeting and talking to authors. I think they are just great people. They have wonderfully curious and interesting minds, and I enjoy working with them.”
Paige’s least favorite part of being an agent: “Filing. Or chasing down money.” No one likes a paper cut or dealing with unfortunate complications that shouldn’t arise.
Paige’s current summer goal is to “get projects out and make some nice sales.” If your current summer goal is to find your one of a kind agent, visit Paige Wheeler at: http://www.foliolit.com/s-paige.php
Comments