GET TO KNOW AGENT VICTORIA WELLS ARMS BEFORE YOU QUERY HER:
Today I would like to welcome the fabulous Victoria Wells Arms from Wells Arms Literary Agency to my blog. Victoria has graciously taken the time out of her busy work schedule to answer some very important questions for all of us authors. If you are thinking of querying her, this is an extra special treat because she has provided us with an insight into what she is looking for right now!
Sharon: How long have you been an agent?
Victoria: Since Sept 2013
Sharon: What made you decide to be an agent?
Victoria: I felt ready to try a different side of the publishing world, and this allowed me to stretch my entrepreneurial wings a bit more.
Sharon: What is the best part of your job?
Victoria: working creatively on wonderful projects
Sharon: What genre(s) do you represent?
Victoria: anything within trade children’s books, with very occasional forays into other realms
Sharon: Are you open to submissions? If so, what is the best way to query you?
Victoria: Yes, but I am a one-woman show with a nearly full roster of clients who, of course, come first. Emails to info@wellsarms.com will be seen, but I can’t promise immediate response!
Sharon: If you could choose one thing to be in your inbox right now, what would it be?
Victoria: A novel that transports me.
Sharon: Do you have any pet peeves for queries?
Victoria: ALL CAPS–it makes me feel like I’m being screamed at!
Sharon: Are you an editorial agent?
Victoria: Yes–I was an editor for 20 years and would always rather try to send out a polished manuscript.
Sharon: On average, how many queries per week do you receive?
Victoria: I think we’re getting fifty or so
Sharon: What advice would you give to an author thinking of querying you?
Victoria: Send in your best work!
Sharon: What are you currently reading?
Victoria: Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch and Shannon Hale’s third Princess Academy (no, it’s not out yet…)
Sharon: Can you describe what type of communication you expect to have with your clients?
Victoria: Frequent and friendly
Sharon: What is your favorite book(s)?
Victoria: Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch and Shannon Hale’s third Princess Academy (no, it’s not out yet…)
Sharon: Is there anything else you would like writers to know about querying you?
Victoria: I try to respond to everyone who queries, but I do get behind, so nudge me after 8 weeks if you have heard nothing. Please don’t send me more than one project, though, just pick your best shot.
Sharon: Are your clients informed of where their manuscripts are submitted?
Victoria: Yes, I do share where I send things with my authors.
Sharon: Do you share any feedback received from editors with your clients?
Victoria: I do share editor responses.
Sharon: Could you tell us a little information about some of your sales?
Victoria: Katherine Hannigan’s two picture books to Greenwillow and E D Baker’s next two novels to Bloomsbury.
I hope that this blog may help answer some of the questions you may have regarding Victoria Wells Arms. And I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Victoria. Thank you very much for being a part of my blog. And for providing such wonderful, thoughtful answers to my questions.
Now writers, query away!
Don’t forget to follow Victoria on twitter @VWArms
And on her website http://wellsarms.com/index.html
Sharon Chriscoe 