Comments on Author Blog: Glynis Smy: Literary Agents

Hello, Glynis! Excellent post. I'm in the process ...

2009-07-10T17:40:09.314+03:00

Hello, Glynis! Excellent post. I'm in the process of reseraching a literary agent for my trilogy.

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

Hi Desiree and Sunflower, thanks for commenting an...

2009-07-10T14:44:13.295+03:00

Hi Desiree and Sunflower, thanks for commenting and dropping by!

Glynis!! Many excellent suggestions so far. I'll a...

2009-07-10T10:16:49.669+03:00

Glynis!! Many excellent suggestions so far. I'll add what I know.

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 have tried to get an agent years ago and couldn'...

2009-07-10T06:21:32.989+03:00

I have tried to get an agent years ago and couldn't get anyone to even request my whole ms. The way hubby puts it is they are just a middle man with their hand out. Yea, I know it's a good idea but when you are just starting out it's hard.

Thank you all for dropping by, your advice and com...

2009-07-09T21:19:41.866+03:00

Thank you all for dropping by, your advice and comments are valuable.

Glynis, I wish you the very best of luck in your a...

2009-07-09T21:03:30.611+03:00

Glynis, I wish you the very best of luck in your agent search. Some agents DO take on unpubbed writers if the work interests them and they think they can sell it. First and foremost, never pay a fee for anything when it comes to the quest for getting your work published. If anyone, be it agent, publisher, etc. charges a fee, it's a pretty good bet that's how they make their money and it's doubtful they ever actually sell manuscripts. There are a LOT of scam agents out there. The legitimate ones don't charge fees. And the pubs who charge are vanity publishers and the only thing you'll get via that route is a big hole in your wallet. Here's a link for Preditors and Editors. They're a watchdog for the publishing industry and list the good and bad about publishers and agents. Best of luck! :o) http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Don't forget Query Tracker! And always look up an ...

2009-07-09T21:02:16.876+03:00

Don't forget Query Tracker! And always look up an agent via Absolute write.

XO
S

Sorry...Title is: Writers and Artists Year Book! ...

2009-07-09T19:51:02.246+03:00

Sorry...Title is: Writers and Artists Year Book! I missed a bit out.

I wish you every success in finding a literary age...

2009-07-09T19:49:55.504+03:00

I wish you every success in finding a literary agent. I found it almost impossible to get a UK one to even read my manuscripts. They wanted to charge a fee. The Writers and Year Book is the place to start in UK and there are lots of US ones listed there too.

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.