You Deserve a Place That Feels Like Home: Literary Matchmaking with Deidra Riggs

Find your publishing home without losing your voice: Literary agent Deidra Riggs reveals insider secrets on breaking into publishing while staying true to yourself—especially for women of color and writers with unconventional perspectives.In this interview (episode 278), you'll discover...Insider secrets: Deidra reveals what draws her to a manuscriptAuthors' authentic voices: Deidra supports clients, helping them navigating publishing without compromising their unique perspectives and voicesPublishing reality check: Social media followers...do they matter as much as we think?Deidra's wishlist: Learn what genres Deidra's looking for (and how the main interest surprises her)Direct access: Deidra invites you to contact her directly with your work (a rare agent invitation!)I don't want authors to feel like they've had to make themselves smaller, change their message, change their voice or the essence of who they are just to get a book published." —Deidra RiggsAbout This EpisodeEver wondered what literary agents really look for in submissions? Or how to maintain your authentic voice in an industry that often demands conformity? Literary agent Deidra Riggs shares some of publishing's hidden realities while sharing her journey from writer to agent at Embolden Media Group.This isn't just another "how to get published" conversation, however. Deidra reveals her process for deciding to work with an author, why this is a "risky time" for diverse voices in publishing, how she creates and searches for a nurturing "home" for authors (particularly women of color), and what makes her champion certain manuscripts in an increasingly challenging market.Guest Spotlight: Literary Agent Deidra RiggsDeidra is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Her extensive background includes writing, editing, and marketing for faith-based, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. She is adept at shepherding a group or individual to the successful conclusion of a project, offering clear and accessible tools and guidance. Deidra is drawn to well-told stories with fresh viewpoints.Whether fiction or nonfiction, she gravitates toward engaging, thoughtful, and creative first-rate narrative and out-of-the box perspectives that help us laugh, dream, heal, and grow (and go) forward. A Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Deidra lives in Connecticut.The first thing I look at is when I read this first paragraph, Do I wanna read more? And if I wanna read more, then I wanna know, well, Who's writing this? And that's when I'll go and look. And if it says you have 57 followers, I will write you back and say, "This is great. I'm concerned about your platform." —Deidra RiggsTimestamps for Quick Reference0:00 Introduction to the publishing industry challenges0:58 Welcoming Deidra Riggs, a literary agent who cares2:07 Deidra's journey from writer to literary agent3:04 The influence of blogging on Deidra's path7:23 Deidra's transition to publishing books10:17 Joining Embolden Media Group as a literary agent12:22 Building relationships with authors and editors14:58 Creating a sense of "home" in the publishing process16:50 Handling rejections and providing feedback19:03 Assessing submissions and deciding to proceed22:17 Platform requirements and starting a conversation24:49 Discovering new writers and using social media28:17 Encouragement for finding a publishing "home"29:44 Exploring other publishing options31:09 Balancing social media and new content for books33:15 Deidra's current interests (it surprises her)35:10 Contacting Deidra and final thoughtsThe women that I represent write as women of color, so they're not trying to make anyone like them. They're trying to be who they are and put out a message they feel called and led to put out into the world, and that's a risky thing right now. —Deidra RiggsResources:Full Episode Information & TranscriptEmbolden Media GroupContact Deidra RiggsRelated: Interview with literary agent Lucinda HalpernCraft Your Best Book Proposal