WWR: Before you became an agent, you were an editor for Harlequin/Silhouette. What drove you to change career paths?
Paige: Mary Evans was teaching a course at NYU called "Lunching for a Living: The Role of the Agent in Book Publishing" and I thought to myself, I could do this. I LOVE to eat lunch. Seriously, though, when I was at Harlequin I really loved my job. I enjoyed working with the authors and watching them grow and evolve as writers. Being an agent enabled me to work more directly with authors while also fulfilling my dream of one day owning my own company.
WWR: What elements do you love to see in a book? What elements will turn you off a book you might otherwise be interested in representing?
Paige: This is a tough because there are many ways to approach this question. I love to see an author fully utilize her strengths in a book. For example, one author may write gorgeous narrative and chooses to write in a way that will showcase her style. Another author may write incredibly witty dialogue and writes fast-paced, funny comedies. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love to see an author who realizes her own strengths and uses those strengths to really advance a story. I don't like when an author uses really contrived situations that have been used hundreds of times-I like fresh approaches to a storyline.
WWR: Are you looking for books to represent or authors? (By that, I mean, do you focus more on a single project or book, or are you looking for authors who already have several books ready?)
Paige: I'm looking to represent authors. I'm really not looking to just close a deal. I'm looking to develop a career for a writer.
WWR: Do you take on clients based on the potential you see in their work, or do you stick with authors who are clearly ready for publication?
Paige: I take on clients who have potential. We do in-house editing here to get a book in dynamite shape before it goes out. Occasionally, the first book may not sell but if I believe in an author, I will continue to work with them on the second and third book.
WWR: There aren't really classes you can take that teach you how to be an agent (or are there?), so how does an agent gain the experience needed to effectively represent clients?
Paige: There are a few classes at NYU, but nothing that really teaches you the ins and outs. This is still a profession that requires, in my opinion, an apprenticeship. When I started out at Artists Agency, my boss told me that their training program was observing and watching. You learn by osmosis. In a way he was right. I picked up a lot just by listening to his conversations and observing his actions. My suggestion would be to get an internship with an agent or to work as an assistant. That's the best way to get exposure. Not everyone is cut out to be an agent.
WWR: Do you offer career guidance to your clients? How important do you think it is for your clients to have a clear idea of where they want to go with their writing in the future?
Paige: I absolutely offer career guidance. Once a year I sit down with my clients (usually at RWA) and we set short term and long term goals. (For those who don't attend RWA, I do this by phone.) We don't always hit our mark, but at least we know we're on the same page.
WWR: Do you ever feel like there's a conflict between what readers want to read and what editors are acquiring and have you ever found yourself turning down the representation of a book because of that?
Paige: Yes, I do feel that there may be a conflict. I have occasionally taken on projects that I just love but ultimately have been unable to sell. It's heartbreaking because it can be a good book and deserves to be published. However, that's the nature of publishing. It's not just about good writing, unfortunately, but finding the market as well.
...and have you ever found yourself turning down the representation of a book because of that? If I absolutely love a book, I'll go to bat for it (see above). However, I have to represent books that I think are commercially viable-I only earn money when I sell a book-so sometimes, I turn down a perfectly fine book because I know it's going to be a difficult if not impossible sell.
WWR: And finally, what do you like to read when you're not working?
Paige: I tend to feel guilty if I'm not reading manuscripts, so when I'm not working I see more movies than I read books. I generally read when I'm traveling to conferences or I'm on vacation. Otherwise, I take work home on the weekends. When I am reading, I tend to read thrillers, chicklit, and self help books.
WWR: Thank you Paige, for the thoughtful interview.
