THE FIREBRAND AGENCY F.A.Q.

...or, everything you ever wanted to know about Firebrand Literary and then some.

General Information

• Are you a member of an agent organization?

• Who do you currently represent and may I contact them for references?

• Will you handle my book directly?

• How often will you give me feedback on the progress of my book?

• Will I have input on all overtures and offer?

• What is your commission?

• What expenses will I pay?

• When do I get my money?

• Does Firebrand offer/require an author-agency agreement (contract) for new clients?

• Does Firebrand handle subsidiary rights, such as film and television?

Submissions

• How do I submit to Firebrand?

• Does Firebrand charge reading fees?

• How long does it take for an agent to respond to a query letter? A partial manuscript? A full manuscript?

• What kinds of submissions are you looking for?

• How can I improve my chances of my preferred agent requesting a full manuscript or proposal?

• Do you refer writers to other agents if something isn't for you?

• Can I send you my full manuscript?

• Can I send you material outside of your listed genres?

• I sent you my query letter through your submission page/by mail. What happens if you like it?

• And if you like the full manuscript...?

• What are my chances of being represented by Firebrand?

• Does Firebrand accept simultaneous and/or multiple submissions?

• Do Firebrand agents use form rejection letters?

• I sent a query letter two months ago and I haven't heard back. Now what?

Terms of Agreement

• What type of terms does Firebrand work under?

General Information

A: No. The AAR (Association of Authors' Representatives) does not allow for certain activities, such as packaging. We feel this limits our ability to serve our clients. We do adhere to the principles, standards, and spirit of the AAR's Canon of Ethics in every other regard.

A: We represent approximately 50 authors at the moment. You are welcome to contact them by emailing them directly (check out the author pages for this info) to get the scoop on Firebrand. Please note that they do have active deadlines so they may not be able to answer you immediately. You may want to contact more than one so that you can get more than one perspective.

A: The agent that you sign with will be your primary contact person and will actively work with you on your book(s) and your career. There will be times, though, that you will get updates from other members of the agency. Also, each agent works with a team of assistants and interns on specific projects that relate to your book (such as marketing campaigns and events).

A: Once a month each author gets a progress report that lets them know the status of their book (this can range from editorial feedback from the agent to letters from editors who have seen the project). Additionally, we have weekly meetings on our author forums where writers can sign in and “chat” with us about specific topics. Firebrand agents also consult with their clients on a variety of business issues, discussing anything from creative matters to career direction

A: Yes! Our job is to guide you in your career but you are always in the driver’s seat. We will make recommendations about offers received/interest expressed, but you are the ultimate decision maker.

A: Our commission is 15% of all monies received for a project domestically. We take 20% for film and foreign deals (with 10% going to us and 10% going to the other agent). This is an industry standard.

A: Standard expenses include postage and photocopies made (up to an agreed upon amount; after this all expenses are approved by the author) – that will only be invoiced when we sell your project.

A: Our policy is to turn around all contracts and monies to our authors ASAP because we know you have your own expenses (and how cool is it to have proof that someone, other than your mother, thinks that you write well).

A: Yes. It's a very standard one. In a nutshell, it reaffirms our duties to our clients and allows either party to dissolve the relationship upon 30-days written notice.

A: Yes, along with our subrights agents. We mean it when we say Firebrand is a "full-service agency".

Submissions

A: You can submit to Firebrand through our web-based Submission system or through the mail (see our contact page for our address). Generally, we’d like to have our submissions through our new system – basically because it means less handling (and less loss) of manuscripts and the fewer dead trees the better! Save a tree – Submit on the Web!!!

A: Absolutely not! Any agent who charges fees to the client prior to representation is... suspect. Agents make money on commissions. Period.

A: Query letters are generally responded to within two to three weeks after we receive them. A partial takes about four to five weeks. A full manuscript varies, but an approximate time will be given once we receive it – but now you can check back (again and again) on your submission by using the code you were given when you were “invited” to submit.

A: Please check our bios to find what we are currently interested in acquiring. As we grow and change, our needs and interests will too – so please check back (often).

A: Write a good book! We want projects that make us stay up late into the night reading and the only way that happens is if we get something we can’t put down. Spelling mistakes, awkward language and bad grammar are distractions from what we’re really looking at (a good story, solid characters... and perhaps, need we say it?, some talent...) so proofread everything before you send it. And write the best book you can.

A: Generally, no. Our job is to evaluate if it is something for us. We will make the exception for amazing projects, though, suggesting another agent more appropriate for your work. If we didn’t make a suggestion, please don’t take it personally – we may simply not know another agent that would be perfect for you.

A: Only if we ask for it. Firebrand does not accept unsolicted manuscripts. There is a process here, and it begins with a simple query. Please consult our submission guidelines.

A: Nope, sorry! The genres we represent (and they do change periodically) are a combination of what we love to read and what we have expertise in selling. If we're not comfortable selling a particular style or genre, then we aren't the right agents for your book!

A: If you sent us a query through our submission process, you should be receiving a response shortly – if we like it, we’ll send you an “invitation” email that asks you to upload your complete project using a special invitation code. Keep this code! It’s your way of checking up on the status of your manuscript. If you mailed it to us, you’ll receive a response by mail (so, please include a SASE. Queries without a SASE will be recycled without a response).

A: If we decide to offer you representation, we will call you. Something that important needs to be done the "old-fashioned way". (evil grin)

A: With apologies for our honesty, the odds are tough. We receive hundreds of queries every single week. Out of every 100 queries, we might request material from approximately 10 authors, and full manuscripts from perhaps 1 or 2. And so on. It's our policy only to represent projects and authors that we absolutely adore, and you should expect nothing less from your agent.

A: Yes and No. Exclusives simply aren't practical for authors these days, particularly at the query level... although when it comes to full manuscripts, we'd be lying through our teeth if we said we didn't like them... that said, we won't hold it against you if you have it out "elsewhere." But when it comes to sending two or more of your projects to us at a time -- please send only your best, single project for us to consider.

A: Yeah... unfortunately. Ultimately, with the volume of submissions that we receive, it's impossible to personally respond to all of them and still get any work done -- so please forgive!

A: At this point, you are welcome to send us a follow-up letter or email. If you use our query submission system – your query letter can’t be overlooked, misplaced or lost in the mail. Think about it... (Yes, we’re pushing the system...).

Terms of Agreement

A: As per our author/agency agreement (which is emailed to the author for review when the agent offers representation) - we welcome (and suggest) that the author has a third party review the agreement to ensure that the terms are agreeable to all parties. Among other things this agency covers that we:

• Receive 15% commission on domestic sales, and 20% commission on British Commonwealth, foreign language sales and subright sales as per the industry standard. ?

• Pay the author share of monies within ten days of receipt.?

• Do not charge authors for normal business expenses and only "charge back" expenses incurred directly on the author's behalf (such as copying, postage and handling and approved legal expenses). These expenses are always itemized and remited to the author for his/her records. ?

• Do not charge you for our time and expense in reviewing, editing, and developing your project for sale. We also do not charge for any promotional, publicity or marketing work we consult with the author on - this is all considered a part of our commitment to investing in the author's career.