Working with an Agent: Professor Luciano Di Gregorio’s Manuscript

Currently in the editing stages with his agent, Professor Luciano Di Gregorio describes his forthcoming novel as “an epic family drama that plays out to the backdrop of a dystopian Italy.” He began writing the project shortly before starting his MFA in Creative Writing at NYU, and his process, he says, has required breaks, including taking a full month away from the manuscript. 

When it came time to find an agent, Di Gregorio approached the process carefully: reading the work of authors an agent had represented to, ultimately, determine who was right for his novel. Once a contract is offered, he recommends having a lawyer or another professional review it to ensure everything is in order. 

The editing process, he explains, is now a back-and-forth exchange with his agent. They negotiate the book's content—what to cut, rework, or retain. This, he says, can be a delicate balance between what the agent wants versus what the author wants. He says that hopeful authors need to ask themselves whether they just want to be published or whether they want to publish the book they truly believe in. 

The process can take anywhere from a year to more, according to Di Gregorio. An agent isn’t a requirement, but it can be challenging to go into the market without one. Overall, Professor Luciano believes that if you’re a strong writer with a passion, put yourself out there and try. He adds that he’s continually inspired by the young, promising writers he teaches in his Writing Rome and Fiction Writing courses at AUR.