11 Characteristics That Make You the Kind of Writer a Rep Wants to Sign
Sure, your sample needs to be firing on all cylinders on the page. But going beyond that, how does a literary manager know that you're an ideal client?
As a literary manager, I read a lot of bad scripts from potential clients.
But I also read a ton of well-crafted, compelling, entertaining screenplays from writers that I don’t end up signing.
I only represent 30 clients. Some of these writers I brought into my management company myself, and for others, I was recruited by a colleague to join the team and co-rep them with other managers.
Signing a new writer as a client is a big commitment. Most managers only do it a couple times a year.
This is because we’re looking to make this a career-long partnership that continues well beyond the writer’s current sample.
This means it’s not just about what’s on the page. We also need to see this person as a desirable partner to us and a desirable employee to others.
Here are the 11 characteristics I look for in a client besides a strong sample:
#1: Long Term Career Potential
This comes from a writer who has a strong vision for where they want to be in 20 years and a talent and work ethic that match that vision.
We can see the writer prioritizes cultivating a supportive network and that they have the patience and grit to stick with a punishing industry long term.
They’re ambitious, with big goals that they are specific about.
These goals go beyond simply, “I want to be paid to write full time.”
#2: A Growth Mindset
Contrary to what many writers assume, screenwriting talent is NOT the most important thing I look for in a client.
What I am most interested in seeing is a desire to improve. Writers who consistently educate themselves because they have a love for the craft have the longest Long Term Career Potential.
I would much rather sign a writer who needs improvement and knows what they don’t know over someone who believes that genius is an inherent trait that they already possess.
#3: Good in a Room
Many writers got into this art form because they don’t want to talk to people.
Unfortunately, talking to people remains an essential part of building a career in screenwriting.
When you’re in a meeting with a potential agent or manager, this is their time to see how you will act when you’re in meetings with Showrunners who will hire you and executives who will work with you.
Charming, funny, and personable writers will open doors for themselves and demonstrate that Long Term Career Potential.
#4: A Strong and Specific Writer Brand
Film/TV writing is a competitive industry.
Your voice, your background, your tone, and the topics you write about will either set you apart from the crowd or they will cause you to blend into it.
When I look at my current roster of clients, I’m not interested in signing anyone who would compete with them.
Having a voice and vision that sets you apart means you’ll have more longevity and opportunities as your career develops.
#5: Aligned Morals
Being a professional writer is an important responsibility.
You’ll be putting work out into the world that shapes the way people think. Every story has a message. Sometimes that message is positive, and sometimes it’s a warning. I want the work I do to make the world a better place. This means I only want to put my time and effort behind someone who has values that are compatible with mine.
We don’t need to agree on everything, but there does need to be a fundamental core understanding of where we draw the line between right and wrong and what we’re willing to do for money and success in this world.
#6: Work Ethic
Similar to Growth Mindset, Work Ethic speaks to a writer’s consistent desire to improve.
But it also means that they prioritize their craft through a disciplined practice. They’re always thinking about and working on their next project. And they are showing up and giving every meeting 100%.
I work hard to set up opportunities for my clients. I don’t want to sign someone if I am going to be working harder on their career than they are.
#7: A Love of the Art
You’d be surprised at how many aspiring screenwriters I talk to who tell me that they don’t watch very much TV or they don’t go to the movies very often.
How can you expect to succeed in this cutthroat industry if you aren’t obsessively studying what others are doing on the cutting edge of the craft?
It’s hard for me to see long term potential in someone who doesn’t have a legitimate obsession with the products in this medium.
If you want to be a writer but don’t enjoy watching the work of others, that tells me that you’re more interested in writing as an identity rather than a practice.
And if fame is your only real goal, you’re not going to have the grit to stick around here for the long term.
#8: Intriguing Other Interests
On the flip side, I also want to find writers who are interested in hobbies besides writing.
Otherwise, where do you get your material?
Creatives who are consistently out in the world experiencing people, subcultures, and non-writing skills always have more to say about the human experience than those who shut themselves inside and only read or watch the observations of others.
#9: Kindness
Similar to Aligned Morals, I’m looking for someone who is nice to everyone, whether that person can help them or not.
I am of the mindset that life is too short to work with assholes. Plus, I know I am going to be more motivated to work hard for someone who treats their fellow human beings with graciousness and respect.
Practicing kindness with consistency will open up the world to you.
I have found that the most successful, richest, highest level clients at the Cartel are also the nicest. They were nice to me when I was an assistant, and I see that they are always nice to everyone, no matter that person’s role and no matter what their mood is that day.
I don’t know if they’re succesful because of their kindness, but I have to believe that it’s a factor.
#10: Optimism
This industry goes through rough patches.
We’re in one right now, and the prospects can feel bleak. Without optimism, I wouldn’t have the stamina to keep trying. I wouldn’t have the grit to continue to make submissions, meet with executives, and do whatever I can to set up opportunities for my clients.
As a writer, you should bring optimism to the people you work with.
Optimism is what gives us the energy to keep going. Negativity sucks away that energy and makes everything feel hopeless.
You don’t have to be unrealistic in your evaluation of the world or the events that unfold, but if you truly think it’s hopeless or pointless to become successful in this career, then it’s time to try something else.
#11: Positive Reputation
This aspect has two parts: Your reputation with people who have worked with you and your reputation online.
When I pitch a client to someone, I want them to have heard good things about them. Or I want the people who already know you to get excited when hearing your name. Everyone you work with, no matter the level, is an opportunity to demonstrate your work ethic, your kindness, your growth mindset, and your positivity.
Similarly, if you are going to be posting content online, don’t get into fights. Don’t make enemies, and don’t be annoying.
Every interaction, no matter the context, should leave people excited to work with you in any capacity in the future.
If you’re ready for a literary agent or manager, you need to make sure you’re conveying these characteristics in any querying or outreach that you do.
For a deeper dive on the strategy and process of finding a rep, click the link below to access the 2-part How to Sign with a Manager course I put together:
I've never verbalized or thought concretely about the idea of alligned morals, but that's so true. I think this has brought that idea from my subconscious to my conscious brain.
It's nice to see you admit and expose all of these attributes, good to see your mind an heart are in a good place. If I said I know someone who fits this description, would you believe me?