OK, so you have a great book that’s been revised, rewritten. You have had your book professionally edited [link to Editor article: http://www.apooobooks.com/finding-editor-literary-baby-shonell-bacon/]. You have a query letter that sings [link to Query Letter article: http://www.apooobooks.com/writing-query-letter-shonell-bacon/]. You have a synopsis that succinctly tells your tale [link to Synopsis Writing article: http://www.apooobooks.com/writing-synopsis-shonell-bacon/].
Now, you’re ready to try to enter Publishdom by looking for an agent or an editor. The journey is arduous, but it’s not impossible.
Unlike other articles, what this post does is highlight some places on the Net that offer excellent advice, resources, and databases to help you find a literary agent or editor.
What you will notice, once you’ve checked out these resources, is that several key components seem to resonate:
1- You need to have a solid product – must have a compelling story, a well-developed story, an edited story.
2- You need to have components that help sell this product – must have a query letter that hits each component [intro, story, bio, etc.] well, that is written to appropriate editors and agents who publish the type of book you’ve written, and that gives these editors and agents a reason to want to read your work. Also, must have a synopsis that tells (not reports) your story, the whole story and nothing but the story—including the ending. No cutesy “Will she survive to find the love of her life?” questions.
3- You need to have done your homework – must research editors and agents. Don’t just open up the latest Guide to Literary Agents and send to the first 50 agents. Agents and editors receive piles of query letters and submission packets every day. Don’t let yours get dumped because you failed to follow directions and submit to those agents/editors who are looking for the type of work you write. Also, pay a visit to your local library. Skim the acknowledgment pages of those books that fit within the category to which you write. Take note of editors and/or agents that are mentioned. These could be potential agents, editors to submit work to.
4- You need to persistent – must accept that rejection could be a part of your journey to Publishdom. Learn what you can learn from the experience and move on to the next letter to be (e)mailed to the next agent or editor.
5- You need to think outside the box – must think beyond just writing pretty query letters and sending them to agents/editors via snail or e-mail. Author friends (reference to an agent, editor anyone?), conferences, author chats, readings – NETWORKING – can help you get the big toe inside the door so that you can slip that pretty little submission package to your potential agent or editor.
If you have experience with looking for an agent or editor and capturing (or not) an agent/editor, share those stories here. This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn from one another.
Agent Query
AQ was recognized by Writer's Digest in its June 2009 issue as one of the best websites for writers--five years in a row. Not only is this a site to find an agent; AQ offers a plethora of information for writers, such as info on major publishers and small presses, literary magazines, conferences, and grants and foundations.
SFWA
The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has great information about literary agents, especially discussion on dishonest agents and amateur, marginal, and incompetent agents. It's just as important to know what NOT to choose in an agent as it is important to know what TO choose in an agent. Worth the read.
ACFW Conference
"The Premiere Christian Fiction Conference"-- American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) will be coming to Indianapolis, Indiana, from September 17-20, 2010, and on their site, they have a list of the editors and agents that will be in attendance.
Larry Brooks
Larry Brooks, author of psychological thrillers and great books on writing, offers a truthful look at what agents and editors are really looking for at his blog, StoryFix.com.
Tara Lazar at Jacket Flap
Last year, literary agent Colleen Lindsay hosted "QueryFail" on Twitter, where agents and editors got together and shared the worst query lines from their slush piles. Tara Lazar at Jacket Flap took notes of some of the things learned from checking out QueryFail.
Poets & Writers
Last year, Jofie Ferrari-Adler wrote the feature for Poets & Writers--a Q&A with four literary agents.
BookEnds, LLC – Literary Agency
The blog for BookEnds, LLC, a literary agency, has great advice on all things writerly--including, of course, those staples that can help you get the attention of an editor.
Guide to Literary Agents
This excellent blog is developed by Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Guide to Literary Agents-Where and How to Find the Right Agents to Represent Your Work through Writer's Digest.
Author Nikki Duncan
Author Nikki Duncan offers a great write-up on professionally grabbing and keeping the attention of agents and editors.
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