Fiction Writers

Comment by Amy Manemann on September 6, 2011 at 12:19am

Hi Delou, welcome! I haven't checked in for awhile but I've had fun so far, glad you could join us! :0)

Comment by Darren Harrington on September 11, 2011 at 3:59am

Can anyone please suggest a legitimate agent who is taking new authors.

Comment by Anna L. Walls on September 11, 2011 at 5:15am

I wish I could, Darren. What works for one writer seldom works for another. You'll have to do your own homework.

Comment by Robert L. Allen on September 13, 2011 at 5:18am

Hi Darren, I agree with Anna!!! But look at it as having fun finding an agent not as hard work. Note; when you do find someone, make certain to research that person thoroughly. Make sure that she is an AAR. You can go to AWU (the National Writers Union www.nwu.org) and see what you can learn about her. I also bought the Guide to Literaty Agents, which is quite ensightful...

Comment by Catherine Green on September 13, 2011 at 10:17pm

I used the Writers and Artists Yearbook 2010 for my research, and for the rest I relied on gut instinct. You will find the right professional when you are meant to, just keep searching and don't give up hope.

Comment by Janet Beasley - JLB Creatives on September 14, 2011 at 12:29am

Hello Deolu - good to have you here. 

 

Comment by Steve Norris on September 14, 2011 at 7:21am

Wish I could add something inciteful. Unless you are extremely lucky and patient for a long time I don't believe agents are the answer. New blood is not sort by agents, just guaranteed income. Unless you are established in the literary world then hunting agents are few and far between. If you want to avoid self publishing due to costs I would look for small independent publishers who avoid agents and seek their own talent. Small publishers are independent because they want to avoid agent cuts and control authors themselves. They are good for new starters. But be warned that small publishers mean little infrastructure and small marketing budgets. If they like you they will still look for a great deal of effort from you as the writer. Internet research is a good start, many different listings and Catherine's suggestion is  a good one.

Comment by Anna L. Walls on September 14, 2011 at 7:36am

Good point, Steve. That's the route I'm going. I'm hoping my publisher's energy and my books (among the others he's already got) will carry us all far.

Comment by Robert L. Allen on September 14, 2011 at 8:31am

Comment by Robert L. Allen 2 minutes ago

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Great advise Catherine!!! I just received a rejection e-mail. Now, they might not have liked my word count, which is in the high end of what mystery can be (90,000 words). Or they may not have liked my query letter. I revised it. But the one I sent was solid. Perhaps the synopsis didn't catch their eye. I resently read somewhere that agents don't care to read the synopsis or query until they have read the first few chapters of the book. And last, they might not have liked the book, which I think is crazy...So when you start sending your work out, don't get unset if you get rejections. It's part of writing!!! However, make certain that your MS is tight and ready to go. And by all means don't ask loved ones what they think of your work. Will they tell you the truth. Although, I have read to do just that. I disagree. Join a writer's group and hear what other writers think. But by all means hang in there and keep trying...

 

 

 

Comment by Anna L. Walls on September 14, 2011 at 10:46pm

Always go to great lengths to submit only what they ask for on their websites. Many won't take a second glance if you send a ton of other stuff.

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