Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on The 700 Club and been featured in Woman’s Day and Southern Living. Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books. In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too! When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Last year, my agent of almost twenty years, Karen Solem, passed away. I’ve always known how blessed I was to have her guiding my career for so many years. But lately I’ve come to appreciate it even more since long-term relationships in publishing can be elusive.

There are many reasons to keep a good agent long term: career stability, fostered trust, a deep understanding of your work, etc. My agent became one of my biggest cheerleaders. But even so, many author/agent relationships eventually fall apart for inexplicable reasons. I recently sat down to clarify my thoughts on how an author can keep the partnership with their agent humming along for years:

  • Establish Good Communication: If you’ve been in any kind of relationship, you know this one’s key. You can’t read your agent’s mind—and they can’t read yours. If you have a preference on which publishing house they submits to, let them know. If you dislike a clause in the contract, say so. If you need more communication from them, request it. And ask them to be equally forthright with you. This one was a learning curve for me. I didn’t always get it right—and sometimes suffered the consequences. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
  • Be Coachable: Consider that your agent just might know more than you. If you get an “ouchy” email from them regarding your work, take a minute. Come back later when you can read it with an open mind. Agents aren’t always right—but if they have many years of experience, as mine did, it’s likely there’s a nugget of truth in there somewhere. Always keep in mind, they are trying to help you get better and reach higher.
  • Manage Your Expectations: You got an agent! That’s a huge feat. But if you’re expecting your first book to result in a bidding war between the Big 5, then go on to be adapted for the big screen, you might need to take it down a notch. By all means, share your big publishing dreams with your agent—we all have them. But then listen when they share what they think they can and can’t do for you. Be willing to put time and energy into your career. Slow, steady growth is much more common than overnight successes.
  • Be Professional: Remember this is a business relationship and that your tone should always reflect that. Be timely with correspondence and deadlines. Part of being professional is understanding boundaries: Your agent is your partner in publishing, but they are not your therapist or personal assistant. And always remember that they have many other clients they’re serving.
  • Have Trust: Granted, this one develops over time. But if your agent is actively sending out your work, handling your contracts well, and being your best advocate, trust they’re doing their best. They can’t help that Editor A just bought a book that’s similar to yours. Or that Editor B, who loved your story, just moved to a different publishing house. Your agent should always put their best foot forward for you. And if you return the favor, they’re likely to become your biggest cheerleader.
  • Be Thankful: This one’s a bonus—but we all know a little gratitude goes a long way. Be the client who writes a thank you note. Be the one who sends an amazing author their way. And when you finally land at a publishing house, keep the gratitude going there as well.

These are my thoughts on developing a good long-term author/agent relationship. If you’ve found an agent who’s a good fit for you, I hope you’ll try some of these tips on for size. And who knows? If you both work long and hard together, maybe you’ll get that bidding war and movie deal someday. It never hurts to dream.

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter

After breaking up with her boyfriend—and losing her job in the process—Jenna is forced to move back home and figure out her next steps. But things get complicated when her mom’s new boyfriend starts acting suspicious, prompting Jenna to investigate with the help of her childhood best friend, Tyson. As they dig into the mystery, old feelings shift and new ones begin to surface. Now Jenna must decide if she’s ready to take a chance on love while everything else in her life feels uncertain.

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