Louise Rafkin - Writing Sample

Business Lunch With Leigh Feldman

One of the hottest literary agents sifts through manuscripts to find treasures like Cold Mountain and Memoirs of a Geisha

As one of New York's hottest literary agents, Leigh Feldman spends most of her work time sifting through manuscripts in hopes of gleaning buried treasure.

In her zealous pursuit of great literary fiction, Feldman's enthusiasm for good writing and her nose for what sells have certainly paid off. Feldman followed her instincts when she snatched up both Cold Mountain and Memoirs of a Geisha, two mega-sellers from first-time novelists. Both have sold millions worldwide and will soon be transformed by Hollywood into feature films.

Those who know Feldman call her funny and frank and slightly irreverent, both tough and charming. It's been a winning combination in the high-stakes world of book publishing.

When did you first decide to become an agent?
What made you go into the field?

I attended The Denver Publishing Institute (a six-week, intensive overview of the publishing industry) and the first week an agent came to speak and she read a schedule of her day. It went something like this: Wake up, work out, breakfast meeting, return calls, lunch meeting, return calls, dinner meeting, read manuscript before bed, sleep. And I thought, "I can work out! I can read! I can sleep! I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner!" Also, I knew I had no business being an editor because I knew nothing about sentence structure or grammar.

You started as an assistant at Darhansoff and Verrill, the agency where you still work. How is it to "grow up" in your career with the same colleagues?

It says a lot about my colleagues and less about me. Most people aren't able to "come up" under their boss because having the person under you become successful can be quite threatening. My boss (the Darhansoff in Daransoff and Verrill) allowed it to happen seamlessly by encouraging my taking on projects and being supportive of her established clients and recommending authors my way.

Being a literary agent has been characterized as a glamorous, if somewhat quaint, career. What are your favorite aspects of your job? Least favorite?

What's glamorous?! My favorite aspect is (ironically, because I consider myself incapable as an editor) working with authors on initial shaping of their work. Pacing, character development, depth, plot line, that sort of thing interests me an awful lot. I tell them that I am just a reader who cares desperately that after years apart the lovers must meet up in the end. As corny as it is, there needs to be that kind of climax to the anticipation.

Least favorite? Managing expectations of authors. It's hard to see that not every author I love becomes a best seller.

You have represented two recent books that have been huge -- Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, both historical novels by first-time novelists. What did you see in each that made you take them on?

I recognized their ability to transport and educate. And they were page-turners that were beautifully written.

Do you think a book can make an agent's career?

Yes. You're forever remembered for your successes -- but not necessarily for the books you're most proud of.

Why read books?
What does choosing and opening a book do for you?

For me this is fairly simple: Reading is good escape.

Do you have any thought on who history's most underrated authors might be?
Most overrated ones?

There are too many overrated writers for me to mention ... But John Williams, who wrote a grim but compelling novel called Stoner, is one great writer I think is underrated.

The world of publishing is fairly female, but also notably underpaid.
Can you comment on this?

I don't consider it fairly female. Certainly publishing does have notoriously low starting salaries. And as a result I would say that the talent pool is fairly homogeneous because if you really need to totally support yourself with your publishing salary right out of college, which most do, it's a tough existence.

But, people do it without side help and one of the perks of publishing make it possible. That perk is food. Lunches and publication parties and readings that include food is the norm. So, saving money on food really makes life easier when you're just starting out.

What about the business lunch?

For those in publishing, lunch meetings are a daily ritual. I eat out with editors and other colleagues at least four times a week.

Any business lunch nightmares?

One lunch, with a prominent publishing exec, ended on a somewhat confusing note. My strategy for dealing with my own awkwardness backfired. I had been forewarned that this would be a tough lunch and I'm rarely intimidated about lunch meetings because I have so many. But I heard this man was quiet and that there would be long silences. People had told me to "be prepared"; I decided I would not fill the air with idle chit-chat.

But when conversation with this attractive, mid-50s exec began to lapse three-quarters of the way through a 3-course meal, my conviction began to falter. I wondered how I would possibly make it to the end? I felt stupid just sitting there so in order to pass the time, I decided to flirt like crazy.

And then?

By the end of lunch I had worked myself into a tizz and was fielding an invitation for a pleasant "walk in the park" from this very married business acquaintance. Not to mention, I'm very happily married myself.

Back at my office, I tried to knock some sense into myself by banging my head on my desk. I had somehow convinced myself I was besotted by him when in actuality he wasn't interesting, he wasn't funny, and he barely said anything throughout the entire meal. I didn't even like him!

So you don't recommend flirting as a way to get through an awkward lunch?

I wouldn't go that far, but I do believe if things go badly, you can amuse yourself even if you don't amuse anyone else.

What does the bestseller list tell you about the public's current attitude, penchants, taste or lack thereof?

People like name brands, but once in a while they are willing to swim in unfamiliar waters. That's why Oprah (Winfrey) is great. She's pushes readers to the water and she forces them to swim.

How do you perceive the influence of Oprah's Book Club on the publishing industry?

Oprah has sold a lot of books, and people who would not otherwise be reading are picking up books and reading them. That's good.

With all the changes in publishing -- mergers and mega-stores and online innovations -- can you make any predictions for the next 10 years? Do you think the hardback book will go the way of the dinosaur?

Not a prediction, but my hope is that smaller publishers will prevail and that there will be interest in starting up independent publishing houses despite the odds. Unfortunately, so many editors are becoming agents I'm afraid there won't be any editors left.

Readers will always want to feel the page when reading a novel, but researchers would probably happily give up carrying 10 reference books around. So, for a certain genre, electronic books are a wonderful option. For any other books, I think most people will stick to good old-fashioned paper.

Is there any category of book you simply cannot read, can't abide?
Or do you even read for relaxation at all, since reading is your job?

I read a lot for relaxation and I enjoy it. But I can't read a lot of things -- like genre fiction (romance) or self-help books.

What is the best book you've read recently?
Any predictions for forthcoming great reads?

Waiting by Ha Jin was gorgeous and deserved to win the National Book Award. The Boys of My Youth by JoAnn Beard is a delight. The summer's big hit will be a book called In the Heart of the Sea, the true story behind the shipwreck on which Melville based Moby Dick.

If you could be a literary matchmaker and arrange a romance between any 2 great writers, who do you think would make the most interesting couples? Any 2 that might create fireworks? I'm thinking of a dinner date with Hemingway and Virginia Woolf or Jane Austen and Henry Miller?

How about Gertrude Stein and Mark Twain -- for insemination purposes only. They'd make an interesting child!