The Secret World of “Readers”

Many writers believe when they send their precious manuscript to an agent or editor, the person they’re targeting is the only one who will actually read their work. However, in many cases, the first eyes that peruse your literary baby don’t belong to the agent or the editor. Instead, they just might be stuck in the face of a reader. So, who are these mysterious readers and how should you feel about them?

If you think about it, you’ll understand that popular agents (let’s talk about agents from here on out since most writers go after them first) couldn’t possibly read everything that comes in to them. If they did, they’d never get anything else done. There would be no time for family, friends, or even trips to the bathroom! That’s why they hire “readers.” Readers are the first line of defense against manuscripts that don’t fit the needs of an agent. If you’ve sent out many proposals or manuscripts, I can almost guarantee you that your work has fallen into the hands of someone hired to keep slush from an extremely overworked agent. Although I’m an author, I’ve also worked as a reader. I thought you might like to know what I look for and how to get past me.

Usually, your proposal will be screened by the agent first to make sure it sounds like something they might be interested in. If it passes their test, it will then be shuffled off to a reader. It’s my job to know exactly what the agent wants. First of all, the genre should have already been established. In other words, if the agent is only looking for inspirational romance, your suspense proposal won’t get to me. The agent will nix it right away. IF you get past the agent (your proposal is the right genre, your plot sounds appealing, and the writing seems strong), your work will find its way to me. One important thing to remember about genre: stick to it! Don’t send out a proposal for historical romance that turns into something else. In other words, if your female protag turns out to be an alien – Houston, we have a problem! Stay true to the genre the agent is looking for.

One of the most helpful pieces of advice I can give you is this: read books by authors the agent represents. This is the very best way to find out what they’re looking for. Some other hints – keep your plot moving. If I fall asleep reading your manuscript, this isn’t good news for you. Some writers spend so much time on characterizations, their plot bogs down. Here’s something to remember: A reader might love your plot but feel your characters need some development. That’s not a big problem. Fleshing out characters can be done easily. But fixing an ailing plot takes more effort. I recently sent a manuscript back to a particular agent with a recommendation that the characters needed some work. But the plot (except for one part) was pretty good. The agent sent the manuscript back to the writer with the opportunity to fix the weaknesses. If this author makes the requested changes, she’ll have an agent! So concentrate on that plot. Good agents are looking for exciting stories that will draw interest.

One integral part of your manuscript is the writing. No matter how strong the plot and how appealing the characters, if you can’t write, you’re not going to get where you want to go. There is no substitute for good writing skills. Learn your craft, and don’t send an agent a sloppy manuscript. Yes, typos and grammatical mistakes aren’t big turn offs if they’re occasional, but continuous mistakes make me wonder about your commitment to excellence.

It’s important for you to remember that many readers are authors, and you have no idea who they might be. I would never tell an agent to pass on a manuscript because I don’t like the person who wrote it, but if you’re obnoxious and critical of other authors, you may unknowingly reap what you’ve sown someday. That author you offended might just be the person who will make the decision to either accept or turn down your work. SO BE NICE! (Shouldn’t have to tell you that, huh?) Although, I must present this caveat: I wouldn’t recommend a friend’s work to an agent just because they’re a friend. I owe it to the person I’m working for to be perfectly honest. This is one reason most readers will never admit to anyone that they’re working behind the scenes for an agent. The pressure can be too great. Never ask a writer friend to reveal whom she’s working for.

Besides some additional money to help pad my author pockets, what is the benefit from being a reader? Finding someone really talented who deserves a chance, recommending that the agent sign them, and then running across a forum where this same writer is sharing the joy of signing with her new agent! It makes my day. On the downside, it’s hard when you have to say “no,” but in that case, I try to pass along comments that will be helpful in the end. All of us had to hear “no” before we learned how to improve our skills. Most of the time, the criticisms are more helpful that the praises. It’s all about getting better, isn’t it? Take the comments the reader gives you and make yourself stronger.

So, the next time you send your manuscript to the agent of your dreams, remember that it may fall into the hands of someone like me. In fact, it might even be me. But I’ll never admit it…

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Nancy Mehl loves the mystery genre. “I grew up on Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys,” she says. Although she started writing at a young age, she didn’t get serious about it until she was in her forties. “For many years, I’d toyed with the idea of writing a novel. Then when I watched Murder, She Wrote, I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do!’”

She has published seven novels and one compilation book. IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, the first book in her Ivy Towers Myster Series is currently available online. Also, the Ivy Towers compilation book, COZY IN KANSAS, will be released on December 1st. It's currently available for preorder. Her newest series, the CURL UP AND DYE MYSTERIES, introduces Hilde Higgins, a young woman with an unusual job. “I actually came up with this idea one day while I was brainstorming with my agent. We were talking about all of the odd “hooks” used by mystery writers. My agent mentioned hairdressers and I brought up funeral homes. As a joke, I told her I should create a hairdresser who works in funeral homes. We laughed about it, but the idea wouldn’t go away. After a little research, CURL UP AND DYE was born. It’s a hoot to write!” The first book int he series, MISSING MABEL, will be released to the Heartsong Mysteries book club in the summer of 2009.

Nancy lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman. She has a grown son, Danny, who is a talented graphic designer. She runs a HUD program for the city of Wichita and works with a wonderful volunteer organization, Wichita Homebound Outreach.

http://www.nancymehl.com/
http://www.nancymehl.blogspot.com/
Mainly Mystery Reviews - http://www.mainlymystery.blogspot.com/