Jennifer Rofe Speaks at Hollywood Writers' Schmooze

Hollywood Schmoozers may have felt a bit like law students as
Agent, Jennifer Rofé of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, fired questions at us to stimulate our thinking:

“Question one: who reads in the genre they’re writing in?"
Several hands shot up.

“Voraciously?”
Several hands began to waiver.  

“Question 2: Who is studying?” 
Our eyes darted about the room for a raised hand. Hm-m-m… Rofé’s technique was already working. We asked ourselves: What does studying look like? She gave us examples:

“Dissect published books . . .they were published for a reason."

"Don’t ignore books some people consider fluff. 

Just like we don’t always eat healthily—we eat for entertainment, to be sociable…books are the same, some are purely for fun.”

Using 1st Pages, Jennifer demonstrated what stands out in MG and YA today.

This is what she loves: Mostly Middle Grade, a little YA, a lot of Multi-cultural, but not exclusively. Great Writing! Timeless stories with contemporary panache!!
These fantastic books are all by writers that Jen represents. She helped get them published. She believes in these authors. And wow! What stories!

 

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina (Candlewick Press) Winner of Pura Belpre Author Award Winner for 2014.  YA

Then You Were Gone, by Lauren Strasnick (Simon Pulse) YA
 

The Year the Swallows Came Early by Katherine Fitzmaurice (Harper Collins) MG

Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen (Harper Collins) MG













Suggestions to help make your first page stand out:

1) Go to Andrea Brown Literary Agency boot camp for writers. Details on the website.

2) Attend the SCBWI’s Working Writers Retreat in Encino.

Ask questions of Agents. Choose carefully. Ask before you sign a contract:

            1) How do you communicate with the authors you represent and in what way?

            2) What does a revision process with you look like? 

3) What’s your vision for this book?

4) Ask to see a blank contract to read and study it before you sign.

And  . . . last, but not least, read: Publisher’s Marketplace to learn who agents are selling to and what they are selling.

Thank you, Thank you, Jennifer!! For a great Schmooze. And thank you to everyone who came and participated, asking such great questions. The energy in the room was intense, bustling with thoughts and ideas.

The March Schmooze will build on the theme of Representation when guest and Schmooze member, Bonnie Barry LaMon explains "A Few Things You Need to Know About Literary Contracts -- Even If You Have An Agent."

I am looking forward to this!

Also, you may bring a first page that you love that hooked you to share -- look on the wensite for details. And . . . 

See you at the Schmooze!  
Deborah Fletcher Blum and Jean Perry

June in Bloom in Hollywood

June Hollywood Schmooze
Jennifer Rofe, special guest from Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Jennifer spoke of how she became an agent and went over opening segments from books she sold. Her stories of working with authors on their revisions and standing by them until they sold their first novel were heartening.

She is warm and intelligent, a young woman who loves her profession, and has the utmost respect (one might even say, love) for writers who she shepherds through the arduous task of first-time publication. And she sticks by her authors as they continue their writing careers.

the flowers on the way to the door

Why does one need an agent?

She replied: Why would you not want an agent?

Going into a deal with a major publishing firm without one, she said, is fool-hearty and naïve. You may get a deal, but it will not be anywhere near what you could have gotten with an agent and you may even get “scre—d.” (This is me paraphrasing, of course.)

So, do not fear the friendly agent. Find one who fits your style and go with it…so what if they take a cut off the top – that’s their livelihood! And that’s how you know that they are working as hard as they possibly can to get you the best deal possible – because they are working for themselves at the same time.

Rhonda Hayter on the left, schmoozing with a participant.

More schmoozing...

Our location...in case you were wondering! Very Hollywoody, n'est pas?
We also had another guest, Rita Crayon. We look forward to seeing your photos, Rita. Thanks for coming!