A Day in the Life of Adams Literary PLUS a Giveaway!

Writers often wonder what agents really do all day long.

Here is your opportunity to find out.

Several months ago I picked up several books from Adams Literary that they were donating for giveaways to Talking Story. I was intrigued with the painted chalkboard wall where Josh, Tracey, Quinlan Lee; their assistant, Sam; and their intern, Ann; keep track of editors, publishers and imprints. I immediately wanted to blog about the board and asked Tracey that along with a picture of the board, if she’d share a “typical” day in the life of Adams Literary. I hope you’ll enjoy this peek into their agency and a chance to win a copy of one of their clients’ books.

Josh and Tracey, co-founders of Adams Literary

 7 AM: Check email while getting kids to schools. Korea has a publisher interested in a middle-grade series, would we please mail a bunch of books overseas? Forward this to Assistant Extraordinaire Samantha, while crossing fingers we have enough copies in our supply closet. Our UK co-agent wonders if signed contracts have been received yet. A client suggests a time we can have a catch-up chat later today. And in the Adams Literary submissions box, there are 200 new subs to consider. 

The Editor Chalkboard Wall in the Adams Literary loft

9 AM: Upstairs to Adams Literary (downstairs is the house).  Josh, Quinlan and Tracey start replying to emails, checking Facebook/Twitter, posting updates. This afternoon, we have a project going to an Acquisition Meeting, so we’re hopeful for good news. Work keeps our minds off waiting. We remind editors of a deadline to hear from them on a submission. We plan a new manuscript submission: write the pitch, decide on the sub list with help from our Editor Chalkboard Wall. Run it all by the group for opinions/ideas. Hit send along with good vibes. A few passes come in: disagree with them, forward to clients, and move on to find the right match. Chat via email or phone with several clients about plans. 

Agent Quinlan Lee and colleague Kamikaze

12:30: aLit heads downstairs for lunch, checks progress on our neighborhood-in-process while dog walking and avoiding bulldozers and cement trucks. 


1 PM: Daily run by Josh to our business address (a UPS Store) for mail. There are unsolicited submissions (including one for Tracey from an inmate with a 57-page picture book.) There’s a box of really cool German editions of a YA! The advance we’ve been expecting for a new project has finally arrived, so there’s a stop at the bank before heading back to work. 

Sam taking a break at the Star Wars pinball machine

3 PM: One of us always has travel plans and conference details to work out. SCBWI, BEA, ALA… Assistant Sam and Intern Ann are busily reading manuscripts and emailing reports to Tracey, Quinlan and Josh. Suddenly, a contract pops into an in-box, and either Sam or Ann will read over carefully to compare it to the deal memo and the last contract with that publisher before Josh or Tracey dive in. We go over changes needed, and work with the publisher until we have a version we’re happy to send the client to sign. 

Intern Ann working on a contract. With support from Kamikaze and Samurai.

3:40 PM: Middle-schooler is home and starts homework. Elementary-school kid is having fun at her after-school program until we can grab her. 


4 PM: Call we recognize as Publisher comes in…and we know that their Acquisition Meeting has probably just ended… “There was tons of enthusiasm all around, so I’m thrilled to say that I’m emailing you an offer shortly.” Hooray! Tell client to stand by. The offer comes in and we begin negotiations. This will be continued tomorrow, and hopefully we’ll announce a new deal soon.


5:15 PM: Gather uniforms, etc, pick up little kid – we have black belt class tonight. HIYA!


7 PM and on: This is when we hear from the other side of the world: Dear Client in Australia, co-agents in Asia… We’ll answer a few things, but it’s family time, manuscript-reading time, and time to binge-watch Haven on Netflix. Before bed, an email comes in from China – an offer on a picture book published years ago. Surprise! We love our work. There is never a dull moment, and there is never a typical day. 


11:30: Good night!