Vintage

I spent more than two decades preparing for the job of literary agent; I just didn't know it!

After graduating from Northwestern University I came to New York and started my career as a copywriter in the advertising/marketing/publicity arena. I continue to use that knowledge and expertise to make contributions to Folio's Marketing and Publicity Department.

I've also worked as a journalist. My articles and essays have appeared in more than 50 newspapers and magazines including Self, Health, Seventeen, Yahoo! Internet Life, First for Women, and American Health.

And finally, I am also an author. My novel Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend was a Literary Guild, Alternate Selection; chosen by Redbook as the Editors' Favorite Pick; Recommended by Library Journal; and was the recipient of several awards.

Why, you may wonder, have I worn so many hats? The short answer is kids. As mine continued to grow, I altered my schedule to better mesh with theirs. That led to shifts in my career and in my objectives. Throughout the years however, there was one constant: I always remained an active participant in the worlds of writing, publishing and reading. (Isn't every writer a voracious reader?) Well, now the kiddos are older and I'm in a position to use my experiences and skills in yet another way... that's really the same way. Or at least it makes use of the same skills. Because it's true what they say: Publishing is a business. And authors and their books are the products.

My decades of experience in advertising, marketing, and writing are invaluable when it comes to working together (you and me) to make sure your manuscript or proposal is top-notch. And once we agree that your submission is phenomenal, (I wouldn't take it on unless it could be, and I won't send it out until it is!), then, and only then, is the product (you and your work) ready to be sold.

Yup. The agent cap fits well. However, please don't send me work that's less than stellar because you think I'll use my skills to do your job; I won't. But once you're thrilled with your project, write to me about it. A one-page query letter. If I want to see more, I'll ask for 50 pages, or so, plus a SASE. If I request a project and it doesn't work for me I'll tell you why (assuming you followed directions and included the SASE). I've always hated form letter rejections, and I'll go out on a limb and assume you hate them, too. So I won't send you one. I won't write a dissertation, but I'll try to be helpful, even if that help consists of, "Before sending this out to another agent, fix the grammatical error on your title page: It should say Bring Your Own Blanket, not Bring You're Own Blanket." (Yup, it's true!)

Read more about Laney on Folio's website.