2007 Romancing The Rockies Conference
Agent: Elaine P. English
May 11-12 2007
Denver, Colorado
www.elaineenglish.com
Elaine English offers a general legal practice that focuses specifically on media, entertainment and publishing law. She assists authors, journalists, photographers and other creators of intellectual property, small businesses and publishing companies, video, tv and production companies, talent and others with contracts, copyright, trademark, libel, privacy, pre-publication review, business operations, and other issues of law.
She also prepares powers of attorney, wills and trusts, especially for clients with intellectual property, and she advises and represents requesters of government information.
Her love of books drove her in 2001 to begin offering services as a literary agent. In that capacity, she represents authors of commercial fiction, including women’s fiction, romances, mysteries and thrillers. She defines women’s fiction and romance broadly to include “chick lit,” erotica, and a full range of works from light contemporaries to dark historicals. She is drawn to good stories with strong, believable characters. She is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc. and is an RWA-recognized agent. She also is an associate member of both Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc. She regularly attends a number of writers’ conferences and has judged several chapter contests.
Recent Interview:
Colorado Romance Writers, Inc
2007 Romancing The Rockies
Agent Interview by Kally Jo Surbeck
Elaine P. English, PLLC
Elaine English Literary Agency
KJS: I am a complete an utter quote hound, so the quote you have on your website "had me at 'hello'." What about this particular quote captured you?
"The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books." from Morituri salutamus by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
EE: I liked it because I could identify with every piece of it. I love exploring and learning about new things - I think that's one of the reasons I like being an agent so much and constantly getting to learn new things. I have always had a fondness for little nooks to sit and read. A big bay window with large enough sills for sitting is my ideal spot for reading. And, finally, I really feel that books bring calm and serenity to life. I can't imagine existence without books.
KJS: Many of our members might recall you with Graybill and English, however, you now have your own agency - Elaine English Literary Agency that provides both legal services and agency services. How did you become an agent?
EE: It's a long, involved story which I'm happy to tell over drinks sometime, but the short version is that I really didn't set out to be an agent. I've worked along side of agents for much of my professional, legal career, and after a while, I just decided to take the plunge for myself. For me, women's fiction and romance were an easy choice, because that's what I love to read.
KJS: You have over 22 years experience in literary law. You must have seen magnificent changes in the industry over the years. Where do you see the market heading in the future? Are there any trends you see stopping or failing?
EE: Actually I find it interesting in a world of laws and regulations, how things seem to go in cycles - the same or similar issues coming up over and over. I can imagine attorneys in the times of Guttenberg wrestling with many of the same issues that face the publishing industry today in light of the development of all this digital and/or virtual entertainment.
KJS: How involved are you in your clients' work?
EE: As involved as they want or need me to be. I always read through everything that I represent. I can't imagine not doing that. As I read, I always pass along comments and suggestions. Some of my authors want me to do more, and I'm happy to provide whatever editorial assistance I can. Of course, I'm very involved in helping my authors to develop a career path that will lead to bigger and broader opportunities for them.
KJS: On your website there is a fantastic section under Articles entitled Top Twenty DON'TS For Submission and Answers To Some Everyday Questions. This is invaluable for authors. What inspired your compiling of this recourse? (I recommend every author check this out - http://www.elaineenglish.com/tips.html)
EE: This is actually a piece of a larger list that was put together for a conference presentation that I did several years ago.
KJS: You are actively involved in RWA and the Romance industry. You travel to conferences, much like ours, and take appointments, graciously offering your time. What is the number one turn off you, personally, have during a pitch session?
EE: It's probably an overly aggressive author who assumes that I must "love" everything about their project. I guess over-exaggeration is a turn-off for me. I would point out that nervousness or tears are not a turn-off for me, although my heart always goes out to those who suffer such nervousness.
KJS: This is a two part question. What do you like to see in both a pitch and a storyline?
EE: For a pitch, I like to see clarity and conciseness while at the same time providing an overview of the entire story. For a storyline, I'm most excited by strong character development and an inventive plot with strong potential for marketability
KJS: How would you describe a dream client?
EE: One who approaches the business as a professional and who wants to work as a partner with his or her agent to achieve success.
KJS: Are there genres you will not consider and if so, what?
EE: I don't really handle inspirational romance. I'm not sure I have the expertise to evaluate it properly. Also, I'm not a fan of time-travel or hard science fiction.
KJS: Is there a genre you are looking for specifically, at this time? Something you would really like to see?
EE: At the moment, I'd like to pick up some romantic suspense, some dark paranormals or urban fantasy, and maybe some well written erotica.
KJS: Your agency specializes, if you will, in Women's Fiction. How exactly do you define Women's Fiction?
EE: I intend the broadest of definitions. Basically, anything of interest to women readers. That would include, something (whether romance or general fiction) that features strong female characters and/or tells a story from a women's perspective.
KJS: What advice would you offer to writers, published, multi-published, and aspiring?
EE: Keep writing! Keep challenging yourself, and working to refine your craft, always striving to move to the next level.
KJS: As I stated before, I love quotes and the one on your website is intriguing. If you could share one motivational quote either by someone else famous or of your own creating with the CRW membership, what would it be?
EE: Every once in a while I see something that sticks with me. The one I liked most recently is a Lillian Gish quote "What you get is a living, what you give is a life."
Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to meeting everyone in May!
Elaine, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today, to share your thoughts and a bit about you and your company. Colorado Romance Writers, Inc, myself include, welcome you and look forward to seeing you in Denver, May 2007!
For more information on Elaine English, who she represents, submission guidelines for The Elaine English Literary Agency, please visit her website at http://www.elaineenglish.com/.
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