Info on Nelson Agency

[BekMartin42]

Hey all! I went to a seminar with Sara Megibow and thought I would share some information she gave out in hopes of helping people who intend to query her.

First of all, she's fabulous!! Know ledgable, kind, straight forward, and super funny.  I just had to get that out there.  Second of all, she looks for specific things in a MS when reviewing it.  She has stated numerous times that she is looking for books to sell not revise.  She is not going to work on changing your story or editing your book.  She signs people with a manuscript that could be printed that day.

Okay, as far as genre goes:
In YA contemporary, she looks closely at characterization and dialogue.  If the book doesn't do a good job of that, it's a no. 
In fantasy/sf, she looks at world building.  If it's confusing, contrived, lacking in any way, it's a no. 
She has also been tweeting that she is looking for more romance novels, so if you write romance now would be a good time to submit. 

Also, if you a thinking that your vampire/dystopian/werewolf novel is three years too late, she doesn't.  She said, if the writing is spectacular, she could sell any anything. 

 Also, it is the Nelson Agency's policy to send form rejections on all requested material.  If they aren't going to sign you, you will get a form letter. I know that stings, but better to know going in...

Finally, they get 200 queries a day, including weekends.  Last year, she received 36,000 queries and signed 6 people, all who have sold.  She's tough but REALLY good at what she does.  In total, she only has 19 clients.  She checks in with them once a week and spends most of her time bolstering their careers.  In essence, if you get an offer from her, SIGN!!

[Falen]

well, only sign if you're not looking for an editorial agent, natch.
This was really great info! Thanks for sharing 

[lexcade]

I love Sara. She has one of the best twitter feeds in the universe. 

I wish I'd queried her instead of querying Ms Nelson, but since my SF wasn't set in space (which she also loves, BTW), I didn't think I had a chance.

[KathrynRose]

She's a great agent and does seem very friendly. I got a partial request from her, which she ultimately rejected, but she actually personalized it and this was quite recently. Gave great advice for my writing/story, and was very sweet and positive.

[AnyaHarker]

I'm glad to know she's not a huge editorial agent. She's definitely high on my list, but I appreciate knowing what I'm getting into with her!

Thanks so much for this.

[LydiaT]

Great info. And I agree with Lex -- her twitter account is AMAZING. I love the 10 Queries in 10 Tweets.

[WhiteGardenia]

.
I just queried her last week. 

After typing my query, I copied and pasted a few pages into the email from my ms.  I hit the "send" button, and within the fleeting nanosecond it remained on the screen before vanishing into cyberspace, I discovered (to my dismay) I had left out a word in one of the opening paragraphs of the ms. 

My oversight plagued me throughout the remainder of the day.

Now, after reading your post in the QT Forum, I guess I'm really screwed.  haha.  Oh well, everything happens for a reason IMO. 
When I receive my form rejection from the Nelson Agency, I will assign blame for my inability to impress Ms. Megibow completely on the typo and accept my failure with dignity.   
Then I will make some microwave popcorn and crack open a beer and move on...     ahh, comfort food.

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge in this post!  Wish we knew all the ins and outs of every agent. 

[violet]

Thank you for this info, very helpful.

Based on this, I would never query this agent. She sounds lazy to me, like she just wants to take your work, submit it, and get her commission. Obviously that's worked for her. But an agent who offers a R/R is truly invested in getting the best story out there. And every ms needs *some* editing.

My friend got a R/R from an agent. She did it and sold that one book for 500k. To me, that shows an agent who really cares about being an agent, and all the things an agent should do.

Now, each to their own, I get it. But this info makes me want to run far, far away.

[LydiaT]

Based on this, I would never query this agent. She sounds lazy to me, like she just wants to take your work, submit it, and get her commission. Obviously that's worked for her. But an agent who offers a R/R is truly invested in getting the best story out there. And every ms needs *some* editing.

Personally, I don't think that I would query Ms. Megibow. I'm not sure if she's lazy, per se, but I would like to work with an editorial agent. I think that while she does seem like a nice person, I'd rather be agented by a person who is willing to invest time into making my story the best it can be.

[Falen]

Personally, I don't think that I would query Ms. Megibow. I'm not sure if she's lazy, per se, but I would like to work with an editorial agent. I think that while she does seem like a nice person, I'd rather be agented by a person who is willing to invest time into making my story the best it can be.

Yeah, i mean, i really like Sara Megibow. I've gone to webinars with her and know a few peeps repped by her who love her. And i've queried her in the past. But i'm really looking for an editorial agent, just because that's the type of relationship i want. To each their own.

[LydiaT]

Oh, absolutely. She seems like an awesome person, but I know that no matter how many times I edit it, my story won't be perfect. So before I start submitting to an editor (wishful thinking, huh?) I want my agent to work with me in whipping it into shape. I know some people who want to start submitting right away, so Ms. Megibow would be a better fit for them.

[AnyaHarker]

Oh, absolutely. She seems like an awesome person, but I know that no matter how many times I edit it, my story won't be perfect. So before I start submitting to an editor (wishful thinking, huh?) I want my agent to work with me in whipping it into shape. I know some people who want to start submitting right away, so Ms. Megibow would be a better fit for them.

No, I agree with you there. While I have two editor friends who have been pencil-whipping mine into shape? I know they won't always have the time to devote to me to get it perfect before I submit it to my agent who will then go to editors. Most people don't have friends like that who they can hand it over to in the first place!

So yeah, I really want an editorial agent. I adore Ms. Megibow's twitter feed -- and her 10 Queries in 10 Tweets is immesurabley helpful as well! So if you're a "write it and it's perfect" person, go here!!

[LateToTheParty]

No secret to anyone here, I suck out loud at spelling, (with a spellchecker feature!) and grammar.  Also not a secret, I've had ins and outs with Peter Steinberg.    However, Mr. Steinberg, (like most of the agents I admire) is hands on. In fact in our brief interaction, I expressed my regret for errors I found after sending him my full.  His response was and I paraphrase, "I can find people who can correct errors all day long, they're called editors. What I have to hunt for is someone who can take an interesting premise and close the deal with an engaging, completed MS."

I admire this woman simply for her upfront expectations. She doesn't waste time; hers or yours. 

[Sandbox]

My take is that she is trying to avoid getting crap sent to her. She is playing defense.
And I suspect if there is some tweaking to be done on a fabulous story and she sees money at the other end of it, she'll do it.

SB

[Carakasla]

I queried her awhile back and got a rejection pretty quick. I wonder if I ever have a chance to query her again 

Yeah, I probably NEED an editorial agent but I would much prefer an agent who could also be my friend, of sorts. Someone who can walk the journey along with me and who wants my story to be the best (figuratively) and loves as much as I do. That is more important to me, more than an editorial agent. Every publishing house--big or small-- have editors who can help me with the grammar and stuff, but I would want an agent who has my, and my story's, best interest at heart.

That's just me though. *shrug*