Now my head is full of words just waiting to be written in some sort of order, I am coming to terms with the fact that I must get a shelf system in my mind. I must work to a plan for the future.
One of the things I am looking into is using a Literary Agent.
My question list is growing:
- Do I need one?
- What are they for?
- Do new author's need one?
- Where do I find one?
DO I NEED ONE?
I found a paragraph from Robert Twigger's Nine Mistakes To Avoid When Writing a Novel.
The folly of not having an agent
In Naples a lowly thug stands with his hand over a post box - you pay him to remove his hand so you can post your letter. Many writers feel the same way about agents. Don't. Getting your novel accepted is a process of serially convincing people. The first person is an agent. They don't have to be famous. In fact a young gun going all out beats an old lag who thinks life's a drag anytime. But you need to have convinced one person after your mother that your work deserves a readership of millions.
Jeffery Krames the former Vice President and Publisher of McGraw-Hill's trade business books division, said...In my nearly three decades of book publishing, one of the the most common questions I get is “Do I need a literary agent?”
The answer isn’t completely black & white, but it is pretty close: you may not always need one, but you are always better off with one.
WHAT ARE THEY FOR?
An agent will try to find a publisher for your work. They are also there to negotiate a good contract, with the best financial package for you. An agent will collect any payment due to you. The agent fee is agreed prior to contract and the money is taken when they collect from the publisher.
DO NEW AUTHOR'S NEED ONE?
From what I gather an agent won't be interested unless you have a proven track record.
I have also read if you send an agent the relevant information and they think you have what they are looking for, they will take on a new author.
Confused? Good because I am!
Questions I would have to ask an American or UK agent:
My WiP (I think its genre is (Fiction, Historical Romance/Thriller), will be written in UK English. My question will be do US agents take work like that? I will not be able to change it, as the whole book is based around the heart of the UK, and a little bit of history will be touched upon. The second book that has arisen from the first, however, will be targeted at the US market, because of the ending of book one and the nature of book two.
So if the UK one took on book one, would they be happy to take book two as the follow up, but push it in the US?
If the US agent was interested in book two, would they take book one and promote it in the UK and US?
WHERE DO I FIND ONE?
The Internet is a great resource for agent hunting.
LitMatch has a listing for agencies around the world.
I follow a couple of agent blogs. Look through my I follow list at my profile and find one you like.
Agent Query offers the largest, most current searchable database of literary agents on the web—a treasure trove of reputable, established literary agents seeking writers just like you.It has been recognized by Writer's Digest June 2009 Issue as one of the Best Websites for Writers. Fifth Year in a Row!
Stephen Tremp@Breakthrough Blogs for the Aspiring Author, has written a great post about looking for an agent.
The folly of not having an agent
In Naples a lowly thug stands with his hand over a post box - you pay him to remove his hand so you can post your letter. Many writers feel the same way about agents. Don't. Getting your novel accepted is a process of serially convincing people. The first person is an agent. They don't have to be famous. In fact a young gun going all out beats an old lag who thinks life's a drag anytime. But you need to have convinced one person after your mother that your work deserves a readership of millions.
Jeffery Krames the former Vice President and Publisher of McGraw-Hill's trade business books division, said...In my nearly three decades of book publishing, one of the the most common questions I get is “Do I need a literary agent?”
The answer isn’t completely black & white, but it is pretty close: you may not always need one, but you are always better off with one.
WHAT ARE THEY FOR?
An agent will try to find a publisher for your work. They are also there to negotiate a good contract, with the best financial package for you. An agent will collect any payment due to you. The agent fee is agreed prior to contract and the money is taken when they collect from the publisher.
DO NEW AUTHOR'S NEED ONE?
From what I gather an agent won't be interested unless you have a proven track record.
I have also read if you send an agent the relevant information and they think you have what they are looking for, they will take on a new author.
Confused? Good because I am!
Questions I would have to ask an American or UK agent:
My WiP (I think its genre is (Fiction, Historical Romance/Thriller), will be written in UK English. My question will be do US agents take work like that? I will not be able to change it, as the whole book is based around the heart of the UK, and a little bit of history will be touched upon. The second book that has arisen from the first, however, will be targeted at the US market, because of the ending of book one and the nature of book two.
So if the UK one took on book one, would they be happy to take book two as the follow up, but push it in the US?
If the US agent was interested in book two, would they take book one and promote it in the UK and US?
WHERE DO I FIND ONE?
The Internet is a great resource for agent hunting.
LitMatch has a listing for agencies around the world.
I follow a couple of agent blogs. Look through my I follow list at my profile and find one you like.
Agent Query offers the largest, most current searchable database of literary agents on the web—a treasure trove of reputable, established literary agents seeking writers just like you.It has been recognized by Writer's Digest June 2009 Issue as one of the Best Websites for Writers. Fifth Year in a Row!
Stephen Tremp@Breakthrough Blogs for the Aspiring Author, has written a great post about looking for an agent.
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It may be different for the US market though. I do notice that many US authors say you must have an agent and a lot of UK ones say you will find it very hard to get one.
Just my experience, for what it's worth.
XO
S
American agents are interested in any book that is exciting & well written -- look at the success of the Harry Potter books -- very British and at the same time oh so popular here. So don't let that stop you. :)
Make your queries to the agents so appealing and intriguing they cannot fail to ask you for the manuscript. I've met a few agents at writer's conferences and they all seem quite eager to work with new authors. Make sure you find an agent who specializes in your field. You are very far from the markets, so I would suggest that an agent based in New York or Los Angeles would be better for you than one elsewhere in the US.
Develop a knock-your-socks off "log" line [one line of plot explanation] that will hook your agent. Send them exactly what they want as per their requirements -- nothing less and really don't try any gimmicks. And ask them a lot of questions and get a dialogue going. You're interviewing them as much as they are you.
Lastly -- keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!! This is VERY exciting!! :D
I used to be afraid of the all-mighty agent, until I started reading the blogs of some. Guess what? They're people too :) And they will take new authors who show exceptional promise. We just need a bit of confidence, an outstanding story and a stand out query. Yeah... that's all...
For what it's worth, I LOVE reading books (or anything else for that matter) written in UK English. I mean, wasn't English invented in England ;) Seriously, though, I find it terribly upsetting reading, listening to most American English. People seem to care less and less for real language and more and more for abbreviations, letters and (my personal favorite) misuse of similar words (patience, patients; whole, hole; etc.). I'm certainly not perfect and I work to perfect my grammar and punctuation skills everyday; that's another reason I enjoy reading well-written English!
But I digress...
If you're interested in publishing in the US, you may want to check out The Writer's Market. It is published by Writer's Digest and comes out every year. It is chock full of tips, hints, inside info and more agents and publishing houses than you can shake a stick at (cliche, yes, I know). They also publish a Literary Agent's guide as well. I buy one every year and it's marvelous! Helps to narrow down the search for agent/publisher.
Best of luck to you, Glynis! I'm taking the same journey "across the pond". Here's hoping we'll both be celebrating the acquisition of an agent (and a book contract) soon!
Happy weekend,
Jennifer