5 Question for . . . agent Anita Diggs

Today we are being joined by agent Anita Diggs, whose experience in the world of publishing has included working as a book editor for Random House, Time Warner Trade Publishing and Thunder's Mouth Press. She has lectured across the country on the topics of novel writing, book proposal development and how to get a literary agent. The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, C-Span, and The New York Daily News have interviewed her. Columbia Journalism Review placed Ms. Diggs on their “The Shapers” list for the year 2000. The Shapers is a list of prominent New Yorkers who shape the national media agenda. As an author, she has penned the novels A Mighty Love, A Meeting in the Ladies Room and The Other Side of the Game.

Anita recently opened a literary agency, Diggs McQuillar, Inc. Her blog, The Book Agent, offers many helpful insights for writers. In addition, Anita offers manuscript evaluations, using her experience and expertise in developmental editing. If you’re wondering why your work is continually being rejected, you might want to contact Anita (her contact info appears below).

Anita will now answer 5 of my questions:

Bettye: First things first: What type of manuscripts are you looking for, and how do potential clients go about contacting you for consideration?

Anita Diggs: Diggs McQuillar specializes in hardcover, trade & mass market adult fiction and nonfiction books.

FICTION: General fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, suspense, literary fiction, commercial women's fiction, ethnic fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror.

NON-FICTION: Narrative nonfiction, autobiography, biography, self help, cookbooks, diet books, advice/relationships business/investing/finance, health, lifestyle, humor, sports, celebrity books, politics, memoir, parenting, multicultural issues, history, science, psychology, pop culture, true crime, current affairs, parenting, religion/spirituality.

NO screenplays, teleplays, children's, young adult, gay/lesbian, westerns, short stories, plays, anthologies, poetry, illustrated or photography books. No electronic queries or submissions. No unsolicited mss.

Contact info:
Diggs McQuillar, Inc.
112 West 117th Street
New York, NY 10026
E-mail: anitadiggs@aol.com

Query first with SASE. For fiction: Send bio, synopsis and first 25 pages. For nonfiction: Send completed proposal with two chapters. Only typed, double spaced material may be submitted. Response within six weeks. 15% commission on US sales and 25% commission on foreign sales.

Bettye: I would strongly suggest that anyone thinking of submitting to you read your blog first. There’s a treasure trove of information on it, including Anita's pet peeves . . . and you'll only get one chance to make a first impression.

Anita, can you share any predictions or hunches about the future trends of publishing?
Inquiring authors/aspiring writers want to know.

Anita Diggs: As the major houses become even more selective, I see many writers deciding to go the self-publishing route.

Bettye: Probably better to do it yourself than to go with a publisher with a questionable reputation.

You've also written some well-received novels. Which aspect of publishing do you like better, writing or agenting?

Anita Diggs: Well, I've only been an agent for a very short time, but I will say that writing is the hardest job in book publishing and I don't know if I will ever do it again.

Bettye: I've never been an agent, but I do agree that writing is hard.

I always like to slip in a personal question. A big part of your work, as an editor as well as an agent, includes reading. Do you ever curl up with a good book just for the joy of it?

Anita Diggs: I've always been a bookworm, even as a child. Yes, I do read just for the joy of it. At least two books a month. I’ve just finished Greek Fire by Nicholas Gage and Dorothy Dandridge by Donald Bogle.

Bettye: Ah yes, I’ve read Donald Bogle’s biography of Dorothy Dandridge. A revealing portrait.

It’s already time for my last question. As an agent, do you represent only projects you truly like, or do you also consider projects you don't particularly care for (well-written ones, of course; I’m not talking junk) because they meet current market trends and have high sale potential?

Anita Diggs: I won’t represent projects that I don’t like. A literary agent is a salesperson, and when an agent is on the phone making a sales pitch about a sales pitch about a project that he or she doesn’t like, the buyer can always tell. Then the buyer (even if he or she buys the book) loses respect for the agent and the agency.

Bettye: Is there anything else you'd like to say to the people reading this?

Anita Diggs: Don't send your project to an agent or publishing house until it is in tip top shape. What is the point? You'll simply receive a form rejection letter that says something like “this is not what we're looking for right now.” It makes more sense to invest some money in paying a developmental editor (never hire someone who has not worked at a major publishing house) for a professional evaluation.

Bettye: Thanks, Anita! So unrepresented writers or those looking to make a change, polish your manuscripts and head on over to Anita's blog and peruse all her posts. Say hello, and be sure to tell her Bettye sent you!

Thanks, Anita!