Great Questions to Ask an Editor or Agent

By Julie Rowe

If you plan to attend a conference or workshop where you could find yourself with an opportunity to ask questions of a publishing professional (pitching appointment, networking event, conference dinner) be armed with great questions.  Questions that result in unexpected or new information and demonstrate your business acumen.

• In general, keep your questions indirect, simple and open.
• Do not ask why about anything – it puts people on the defensive.
• Consider the implications of your question before you ask it – will the answer embarrass someone?
• Be patient.
• Be on the same team.
• Never try to make yourself look smarter than someone else.

Types of great questions:

• Diagnosis:
• If you could, what’s one thing you would change about ____________?
• What’s something that’s surprised you about ____________?
• What’s your biggest obstacle to getting ____________ done?
• What has to happen first in order for you to ____________?

• Access thoughts, feelings and experiences:
• What are your thoughts on ____________ ?
• How do you feel about _____________?
• What’s been your experience with ___________?

• Get Specific:
• Can you give me an example of ____________?
• What would ____________ look like?
• How do you envision ______________ Working?

• Emphasize the positive:
• What are you doing that’s really working?

• Avoid the most dangerous questions (the ones that only make you look smart):
• Could the reason be ___________?
• Are you aware that ___________?
• Isn’t it true that ____________?

Asking great questions is only half the process, you also have to be a great listener to get the most out of the answers.  Some listening tips:

• Don’t show off, instead focus on the editor or agent and make them the star!
• Don’t assume the editor know what you know, provide context.
• Listen for the editor’s goals – what she wants and the priority of those wants.
• Listen for a positioning statement – what’s the editor’s position in the market place – i.e. what are they buying.
• Listen for hot words – that accurately describe what the editor wants.  i.e. emotional, tradition and romantic.
• Take notes!