"No agent wants to see a book until he or she has decided whether to pursue the relationship"

This quote by Sara Paretsky is referring to the relationship between an author and their literary agent. It recommends that a representative will not consider a book up until they have already chosen whether they wish to pursue a relationship with the author. This might suggest that the agent has already determined whether the author is an excellent fit for their agency, or if the book is a great fit for their list of clients. It could likewise indicate that the representative has actually already decided whether they have an interest in the book's material and genre. Ultimately, this quote is stressing the value of an agent's decision-making procedure prior to they even think about a book. It suggests that agents are looking for more than just a great book; they are trying to find a great author-agent relationship.