How to Distinguish Yourself Among Agents and Editors

When you want to get published, this knowledge becomes a distinguishing strength when you approach agents, editors, or publishers with your work. Industry professionals can tell right away if you're someone who has written one book and read virtually nothing because you'll fail to speak the same language or demonstrate the same knowledge as someone else who's experienced in a particular discourse (or genre, if you prefer). Reading and knowing about other authors or trends in your community gives you awareness of how your work fits into the landscape. It also helps you avoid using the same, possibly boring tropes the agent/editor has seen before. You know what it means when agents say they're looking for something fresh, but also the same!