Serious Wednesdays: The Right Agent

Finding the right agent is important, but there are a few things that you need to know and that you should consider before settling in with the first person who says "yes."

1. First of all, know what you want. Are you expecting a person to do the marketing for you? Edit your material? Be your encourager when you're down? Realize going in, that few agents will do all this for you. 
2. Do your homework: Study both the agents in the field and your own work. You have to determine who fits what you need. Most agents do not accept all genres, so don't waste your time and his/hers by shopping those who aren't a good match for you and your work.
3. Make sure you know what they're asking for before you send in your material. DON'T send in a full manuscript unless asked for. Search for their guidelines and follow them strictly. You'll make a much better impression than insisting "God wanted me to send this to you." 
4. Do your best, and by that I mean, Study, write, edit and edit some more. If you're not English proficient (lol), then hire, or find someone who is and ask them to go over your manuscript. Never, ever send in a manuscript that is not in topnotch shape. 
5. Finally (for now), once you find an interested agent, talk to her/him. Ask intelligent questions to see how they work, what they expect from you and what you can expect from them. 

Once you've completed all these steps, you're on your way to finding a great agent. If an agent is something/someone you know you need, then, by all means, be diligent in your search, and hopefully, the right one is there...for you! 

Best in your writing endeavors!

The Importance of Having . . .

A literary agent.

I guess I'm prejudiced. You see, the first time I talked with one in person, was one that I'd been terrified to meet. That's how much first impressions are true. She was sweet, friendly, and easy to talk to.

Her business was also the one that I felt like God wanted me to be with.

So I sent in my proposal and waited. In God's timing, I received an email from Diana with an invitation to contract with them.

What's that mean?

It means I have someone in my corner. I have an edge. Almost all the publishing houses refuse to accept manuscript submissions . . . unless you speak with them at a conference and get invited to do so, or . . . you have an agent.

She's (or he) there to bounce ideas off of (as I did this week).
She's there to answer questions.
She's there to give suggestions if she thinks adjustments are needed to your manuscripts.
She's there to give you a nudge or boost when you need it.
She's there to submit to publishing houses.
She's there to go through the rejections with you. (WE (not you) received a rejection)
She's there to share in the good things happening in your life.
She's there to negotiate when you finally get that coveted contract.

She's worth her weight in gold.

I really, really do thank God for my agent. Diana. We're a team. She's an encourager.



Quote:
If you don't know where you are going, you'll probably end up somewhere else. --Lawrence J. Peter & Raymond Hall


Blessings

BIG NEWS!

I just signed with a literary agent!

Yep, it's true. She is well known and respected in the writing business and the publishing houses recognize her as a good agent.

I'm thrilled!

What does this mean to me?

1. Well, first and foremost, I have someone in my corner who likes my writing and thinks its worthy of being published.
2. Secondly, she can get into houses that I can't approach yet. Explanation: Publishing houses have literally thousands of submissions a year. What goes in the slush piles and what gets read? That depends on whether you have an "in" or not.

And the "in?" Publishing houses won't toss your proposal in the trash, because they allow submissions from writers who have agents. Do you know how many that is? ALMOST all of them. Their second condition is you can submit IF you've been invited by an editor (say, at a writing conference, etc.). Some writers get invited; some don't.

So far, all those I've approached have said yes. But how many can one person approach at a conference? Three, five, ten? My agent can approach ALL of them. Because she's an agent, and she believes in me.

Now, saying all that: will this get me pubbed?

Maybe. There's a good possibility. Else why would she take me on as a client? But it's not a sure thing. I won't hold my breath that long (it still may take months . . . years? (Yuk) )

I have one friend who's agent dropped her after a year of subbing her manuscript. Why? That's her agency's policy. It upset me, for my friend. I didn't like it. But that's the way it goes. So far, my friend's not pubbed.

The nitty, gritty?

• You've got to be a great writer.
• Your writing has to catch an editor's attention.
• Your writing has got to catch the right editor's attention.
• Your manuscript has to make it pass the editor, pass two boards, and you've got to sign a contract.

Will I make it? I hope so, I'm dreaming of it, working for it, praying about it.

And, oh, yes, THANK YOU, to all you dear ones who've stood by me, encouraged me in this journey, and prayed for me. You've valuable to me!


DRUM ROLL . . .

TWO different people either emailed, called me, commented on this blog, or told me in person ALL SEVEN CORRECT answers. So I decided they would both win.

The winners of my November (Thanksgiving) contest are (notice the plural verb, please) . . .

Regina
Belinda

Their gift? A $10 gift certificate, plus a tiny surprise with it!
Congratulations!


Now, on to more exciting news.

Next week (Friday) I'm beginning a series of interviews with several different writer friends. Before, after, during that week, everyone--anyone--who comments on this blog, emails me, calls me on the phone, talks to me in person, will get a chance at winning one book written by that author.

And . . .
Not only that, but if you can get someone else to comment (etc. etc.) they will get a chance at winning that book, too, PLUS, if they let me know you ask them to comment, I'll put your name in the bag again! So the more people you get to comment (etc.) (make sure they tell me you ask them to) the more chances you have to win that free book.

And let me tell you, I've got some good writers lined up! Who wouldn't want a free christian fiction book?

Next week's interviewee? Molly Noble Bull. This is Molly on the day she was married several years ago. "It's not about Molly, her writing is about the Lord." These words appear on her web page and show how much she credits God with her writing abilities and success.

I will give away one free book from every writer I interview during December!!!

Is that clear? If you have any questions, let me know!!

Why am I doing this?

• Well, I want you to visit my blog.
• I want you to tell others about me and my writing, so that once I'm pubbed they will rush out to buy my books!! Laugh.

Quote:

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

--Oren Arnold



On top of the world blessings!

Nerves!


Upset stomach.
Trembling hands.
Dread.
Fear.
Unknown people.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Traveling.
Money.
Meetings.

It's time to talk conference. Writing conference, that is. Registration begins this week and already my stomach is feeling the effects.

Some may very well ask: Is it going to do any good, spending the money and all that time?

Yes.
And no.

More exposure.
A chance to talk to editors again. There were five that showed interest enough to ask me to submit last year. Sigh. And although I've not heard from any I've submitted to -- yet! Remember, it takes them several months (years?) ususally -- if I poke my face in their faces enough, maybe I'll catch their attention. If my writing is good enough. Sigh. Again.
A chance to check out agents again. I might not be quite ready for one, but who knows when I could use a good one. . .
A time to pow wow with other writers. To strengthen my ties with people of my calling. To learn from those in the know--whether editors, agents, authors, or just the unpublished. To receive encouragement and confirmation that, yes, I am doing what I'm suppose to be doing. To wait on God's word to me . . .

Money? Time? Hard Work? Yes to all of it. But is it worth it? Uh huh. Yep. Sure is.



ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Watch for Teresa Slack's interview coming up next week -- June 8th. She's got a new book coming out soon.
   
2. Big Father's Day contest June 12--15th. Keep those eyes peeled!
   

Want to do more, Dad? Here's a few ideas that will make you a definite part:

1. Remember she has to look after the child nearly all day long, and the strain of this can get her down if you don't lend a hand when you get home.

2. Make a point of listening carefully to what your partner has to say about the child and discussing the child with her.

3. Take an equal interest in parents meetings, and in the books and pamphlets that are available.

4. See that you have plenty of family outings so that your child has interesting things to talk about.

Today I'm asking you a "writing" trivia question. See if you know what it means:
POV What do these letters stand for in a writer's world? Here are three answers. Choose one.

1. Person over vexed. (Person -- writer -- stressed out way too much.)
2. People over valued. (Using characters too much.)
3. Point of view. (The way a character reacts, etc.)



Quote:
Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure. -- Edward Eggleston


Blessings