Is losing out on authors who you really really want. Although Becky's reputation precedes her, which really helps in such a competitive industry, I'm realising that winning over clients isn't always easy. As a small agency approaching clients you sometimes find yourself at a disadvantage competing against larger agencies who have the resources to impress authors with whole 'departments' and conference rooms.
Bottom line - An author coming into Fox Mason will left assured that their agent is one hundred percent committed to them and their book, but they may be listening to the pitch sat on a broken chair.
For the last few days Becky has been waiting on tenterhooks to hear back from a chef who's book she's desperate to get her hands on. He was recently a finalist on a massive cooking show, but Becky (always on the look out for new talent) had contacted him weeks before it even looked like he was going to win and asked if he had considered writing a book. I personally didn't see the show, (I don't have a TV right now) but hear he's got quite a following.
The truth is that its impossible to tell if he's going to pick her until, well....until he's picked her. I'm learning that the worst part of being an agent is that you will often put in a lot of work and then it doesn't pay off, the author signs to someone else, another agent nicks your idea. For whatever reason, you sometimes just don't get the job.
I really hope thats not the case with this one. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.