I’m on my 2nd agent now (hi, Janet!) The first agent fell into the “I want a blockbuster” category. He sold my first 2 anthologies, but then I sold Who Was That Lady? and Atomic Renaissance on my own as well as Intent to Sell.

I was able to get an agent based on my proposal for Lady? along with a few awards I’d won.

The non-fiction was going splendidly, though in perfect honesty, they are small market books. Their audience is not 1 million people, but the 5000-10000 people who enjoy mysteries from the Golden Ages. I kept getting suggestions to move into larger markets with ideas for new biography subjects who were not my cuppa. They might be good for others, but I really wasn’t into some of the bigger names who were available.

So we “broke up.” It was a very amicable split (much more so than my divorce!!) We just decided it wasn’t a good fit. When asked about agents in seminars, I always tell people that it’s like marriage. You don’t start at the beginning of the alphabet and start proposing to every girl in the “A”s; however, I see people doing that again and again with agents. If they want me, then I want them. Not the healthiest relationship.

After selling Anthony Boucher on my own, I decided it was time again for a bigger biography (ironic, don’t you think?) I wrote 2 proposals for 2 larger name authors, and started all over querying agents. I made a list of agents who represent mystery and non-fiction, since most of my non-fiction is mystery-related. Then I started sending letters to them. I had a few nibbles, but finally selected a new agent last year. It’s going well so far, and I’m waiting to hear back on the new proposals.