An Interview with Literary Agent Gordon Warnock
Gordon Warnock will be one of our featured agents at the Writers’ League of Texas’ 2014 Agents and Editors Conference. Gordon is a founding partner at Foreward Literary, serving as a literary agent and editorial director of the Fast Foreward digital publishing program. Visit Gordon’s bio page to learn more about his work, and our Featured Agents page for additional information about him as well as other agents who will be attending the Agents and Editors Conference.
How would you describe your personal approach to working with a writer/client?
Gordon Warnock: It honestly varies from client to client. I don’t really believe in a one-size-fits-all model.
If a potential client could do one thing to make the experience of working together even better, what would it be?
GW: Be proactive. It’s much easier (and more effective) to shape what you’re already doing than to try to get you to do things.
What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to receiving submissions, reading work, etc.?
GW: Writers who are full of themselves. Confidence is important, but leave your ego at the door.
You often hear that it’s the first ten pages – or even the first page – that sells a story. Is there something particular that you look for in those first few pages?
GW: I look for an imbalance that must be righted in order to save a character I actually care about.
If you could give writers one piece of advice, what would it be?
GW: Be active in your community. Karma works.
Tell us about a project you took on, even though it wasn’t like projects you usually take on, because there was something special or unique about it that you couldn’t say no to. Or, tell us about an exciting or proud moment in your career as an editor or agent.
GW: Jacob Wrestling by Kelly Davio is a dark, surrealistic YA novel in verse that is a bit like if David Lynch made Juno. It’s stunning, very unusual, and it’ll be out in hardcover in spring 2015.
Click here for a full list of out 2014 A&E Conference Faculty.
Click here for more information and to register for the 2014 A&E Conference.
