by Cyle Young @CyleYoung
I love being a literary
agent. The last 1.5 years has been a whirlwind of flurry and excitement. It’s
also been jam-packed with thousands of hours of work for me and my team, but I
wouldn’t trade it for the world.
It’s a game for me! One that I love playing.
Cyle Young is a force-sensitive dragon rider trapped in the modern world. When he and his three muggle padawans aren’t racing chocobos, they search for a magical wardrobe or time stone that may help them return home before The Nothing, Skeletor, or Skynet takes over this dimension. Cyle credits his 20+ writing awards to his discovery of the One Ring to Rule Them All. He lives in the Midwest and when he is not shopping manuscripts for Hartline Literary Agency, he can be found pastoring a growing church or lounging in his hammock beside the tranquil Grand River. More at www.cyleyoung.com
Being an agent is not for
everyone. Daily doses of rejection have become the norm and for many people
that level of disappointment would do them in. I’ve just decided to accept
every rejection as another opportunity to sell my clients manuscripts to a
different publisher!
It’s a game for me! One that I love playing.
I don’t want to mislead you,
being an agent is tough. My schedule is riddled with unexpected phone calls,
changes, contracts offers, and rejections. Some days, I live with my phone attached
to my ear and a computer screen burning into my eyeballs. But even on those
days I still get to experience the best aspects of being a literary agent.
3 Best Things about Being a Literary Agent
1. My Authors: My authors are amazing people. They are some of the most
creative and talented writers and illustrators I have ever known. I never cease
to be amazed at their ideas, ingenuity, and talent. My favorite thing to do as
an agent is to call one of my clients and listen to the joy in his or her voice
as I let them know we have received a contract offer for their work. Nothing
beats that!
2. Editors: Guess what? Editors are people too! They’re not scary trolls
who live under a bridge and guard the way across. They have families, lives,
hobbies, children, and interests. It has been a great joy to get to know some
editors personally, outside of the scope of the industry. Next time you meet
with an editor, remember they are normal people just like you. Some of them are
even fans of famous authors too.
3. Hope: You have to have hope to be an agent. When I send out a
proposal, I hope that the editor will fall in love with the content, idea, or
author. Hopefully, that affinity will lead to a contract offer. Also, many of
the projects I represent share hope in a dark and misguided world. I love
sending out manuscripts that have significant potential to change lives, save
marriages, and build families!
Being a literary agent is not for everyone, but it sure is for me. I look forward to many more years building relationships with both authors and editors, and sending hope into the world… one manuscript at a time!
Being a literary agent is not for everyone, but it sure is for me. I look forward to many more years building relationships with both authors and editors, and sending hope into the world… one manuscript at a time!
TWEETABLES
Cyle. Thank you for insight on being a literary agent. I love working with you.
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome!
DeleteThanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes benefits of being a literary agent, Cyle. I heard so many wonderful things about you/your agency at the conference. It comes as no surprise that you're winning the hearts of many. Blessings to you, Tessa, and your authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was great seeing you.
DeleteAnybody else not believe Cyle ever has time to lounge in a hammock? Great piece, friend! Maybe one of these days I'll join you in this endeavor--never know what God has in store!
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you'll become an agent... :)
DeleteAs one of those acquiring editors who has had the privilege of getting to know you, thanks for recognizing and appreciating the "human" side of me. I thank you that after the difficult year I went through, you were so understanding. Let's face it. In Christian publishing, we're on the same team with a common goal, keeping the main thing the main thing. Blessings!
ReplyDeletePaula, It's been awesome getting to know you!
DeleteCyle, thank you for the insight into your world. I have trouble seeing how you fit in being a pastor, let alone rest in a hammock.
ReplyDeleteI just stay busy... :)
DeleteWell said, Cyle! Thanks so much for allowing me to accompany you on this new agent gig. I've learned a lot over the past year and a half and have enjoyed working in publishing more than I had anticipated. Yes, it's hard work, but like you said, we're working to shed hope into the lives of both readers and writers. That alone is a worthy pay off for me!
ReplyDeleteTessa
www.christiswrite.blogspot.com
This article, your words, your client list, your genre list, and the millions of other things you do has restored my faith in agents. Well, at least one agent. I will be sending a proposal today or tomorrow. Thanks for being there.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to taking a look!
DeleteThanks for sharing this, Cyle! I like to send people your way. Connecting people with people is a joy in this industry, and that's what you're doing all the time. So thank you!
ReplyDeletePlease keep sending them!
DeleteSo happy to hear this position is such a great fit for you, Cyle!
ReplyDelete