“You Have a Question?  I Have an Answer” is a feature that answers real questions from real writers.

Q: I have a question about seeking representation on a unique project that is a content campaign, which consists of three finished screenplays (the fourth is in the works), two graphic novels (one complete), a novel (mid-way through) and a number of commercials. All share the same origination point.

And I have absolutely no idea how to query an agent about this beast. I am almost done with a 50-page book (I self publish and print a number of copies so I can send them out) that is basically a project proposal with samples of the marketing campaign, the commercials, a chapter from the novel, etc. It will have a lot of eye candy, but for the life of me, I don’t know how to ask…

–R.C.

A: I’m not sure how helpful I can be, as I don’t know much about content campaigns, but I will do my darnedest!

I guess my advice to you would be: Figure out where you most want to go with the project and finish that aspect of it.

For instance, you say you’ve got three screenplays completed.  Pitch to/query ONE of them to a script agent or script manager and go from there.  Do not mention any other part of the project.  (I’ll talk more about this in a minute.)  If the novel or graphic novel is the crux of it for you, finish the manuscript and query a lit agent with that.  (Or, since you already have one finished graphic novel, send that out). Again, do not mentioning the rest of your material.

You aren’t being sneaky here; generally, agents don’t want to know you have a bunch of other books in the series or screenplays, etc. – not in your query letter, anyway.  Save that for the phone conversation where the agent is interested in whatever you’ve pitched and wants to sign you.  That is when he/she will ask you what else you have, and that is when you should be prepared to present all the other stuff.  The agent might have a better idea in terms of market, and once he is sold on the idea, he can work with you on how best to develop all the unfinished pieces.

Make sense?

So, figure out what is the most important, polish it, query the appropriate person with it, and then you and the agent can figure out the best route to take with the rest.  You don’t want to overdo it when you’re starting out.  Get the agent interested in one aspect, and you should be golden.

Here’s a link with lots of info about whom to query in terms of screenplays, etc., should that be the route you choose.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

This dude might look happy, but he got to this point by adding one plate at a time.