Spotlight: James C. Vines
By Jenna Glatzer

James C. Vines of the Vines Agency is a literary agent in New York City.  The agency handles both nonfiction and fiction, and represents a wide range of best-selling authors worldwide.

Why did you decide to become an agent? 

I became an agent because I wanted to work with great authors and help them achieve strong success in their careers. I am very determined when I find an author and project I like, and it turns out that this is the #1 trait an agent needs to thrive in our business.

How has the role of an agent changed through the years? 

Agents have become the author's bedrock connection in the industry. In an earlier era, it was the editor who stuck with the author through thick and thin. These days, editors changes houses often, and it's up to the agent to provide long-term career guidance, and when necessary, even editorial suggestions.

How much editorial advice do you give your clients?

I never take on a manuscript if it needs a total rewrite. The book needs to be nearly perfect, and then I'll sign the author and maybe make a few minor suggestions. I expect authors to work out all the kinks in their books before they bring them to me. We don't function as a writers' workshop or a full-out editorial coach.

How often do you speak with your clients? Is it appropriate for them to contact you with ideas, questions, etc., or do you prefer to stick to just selling manuscripts?

If a project is in a crisis, I will talk to the author every day or several times a day until the crisis is resolved. If things are going smoothly we don't need to chat every day. I hear from lots of my clients by e-mail when they just want to say "hi" or share a joke, and I love it.

You're in the minority of agents who accept queries by e-mail. What are the positive and negative sides of this?

There is no negative side that I can see. I can tell if I want to read the whole book after perusing a brief synopsis. You'd be surprised what you can discern about the writing and storytelling abilities of the author from just one or two paragraphs. Of course we also read regular paper submissions, and those are fine as well if they have the customary SASE.

What do you want to see when a writer approaches you?

A 1-page query letter is sufficient, along with the customary SASE.

When I interviewed Bill Fitzhugh (http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/bill_fitzhugh.htm), one of the things he mentioned about you was your dedication to his books. He said that you kept sending out his work even after it had been rejected repeatedly. Does there ever come a time when you give up on a book or a client?

If I sign a client, I intend to sell the book. One time it took me 5 years to sell a book, and over 60 rejections, but I sold it. The editors come and go at the publishing houses, and if a book is really good, someone will want to publish it. I still have a couple of manuscripts I've taken on but haven't yet sold, but I still believe in them mightily and am determined to succeed with them. Of course, my happiest experiences are the times when I offer a book to a publisher and 24 hours later have a major offer. :-)

When is it beneficial for a writer to retain foreign rights versus giving them to the publisher? (For example, is it better for a writer to keep British rights, rather than letting the publisher try to sell these?)

I always try to retain the foreign rights, because we usually are better at selling them then the publisher's sub-rights dept.

How much does it help foster sales if a writer has a "platform" (i.e., the writer is also a professional speaker, appears on radio shows, etc.)?

It helps a lot for nonfiction. For fiction it doesn't make too much of a difference.

Your agency is affiliated with the Writers Guild of America and the Authors Guild.  Why is this important?

It's important for authors to only work with agents who don't charge up-front reading fees, but rather work strictly on a commission basis.

Are there any genres you prefer, or ones you don't want to read?

I don't handle children's books, but just about everything else can find its way onto my list. I'm a generalist.

If you could offer writers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Write what you know; write what you're passionate about; seek advice from writing teachers and professional authors, and then write me the best query letter you can.

Visit the Vines Agency on the web at www.vinesagency.com.

Jenna Glatzer is a nationally-published freelance writer and the editor-in-chief of Absolute Write.  She is the author of three e-books for writers:

The More Than Any Human Being Needs To Know About Freelance Writing Workbook (www.absolutewrite.com/workbook.htm)

Sell The Fun Stuff: Writers' and Artists' Market Guidelines For Greeting Cards, Posters, Rubber Stamps, T-shirts, Aprons, Bumper Stickers, Doormats, and More! (www.absolutewrite.com/greetingcard.htm)

and Animal and Nature Markets (http://tinyurl.com/k35).