It’s a wonder I ever find my way anywhere on the ‘net. I just spent 20 minutes trying to find a way to make a post here on (the apparently new and improved) WordPress. Pffft.
Anyway, back to work. Which happens to be the name of the post I came upon over at Jenny Bent’s blog. Jenny Bent is an agent at The Bent Agency, and as I’ve jumped back into swimming around the agent pool, looking for the perfect agent, her name came round in the B’s.
Before I send out a query, I head out for a reconnaissance mission, zipping around to various internet spots, gathering info on the agent. I check agency websites, the authors the agent has represented, stats at Query Tracker, the 4-1-1 at Literary Rambles, and agent blogs and their social media. You would be surprised what you can learn about an agent when you’re thorough. But that’s a post for another day (and kinda creepy), so let’s move on.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wow, Cathy. That seems like an awful lot of work for a form rejection.” But here’s the thing: I learn a lot about the industry as I’m reconnaissancing investigating. That’s how I came upon Klout.
First, you might want to read Jenny Bent’s entire post as she makes some fine points about social media and what you can do to get yourself out there, published or unpublished author. But when she mentioned Klout, I thought I should check that out. I’ve seen it pop up a few times and wondered what it was all about.
Now I know. It’s all about your networking and your influence out there on the ‘net. I’ve got a long way to go to build up my Klout score. But I was happy to see that I’m an influencer in writing and children’s literature. I was a little surprised to see that I was an influencer re: Colorado, especially since I’ve never been there, or written a word about it.
I think I see some Colorado reconnaissance in my future. Right after I finish with the “C” agents.
Cathy C. Hall Writes 