I am near to completing a book I am writing and am starting to research what to do next. However, the advice I have recieved varies greatly on the next step I should take.
The word "agent" has been thrown around a lot, but I'm not sure if this is the right way to go. I really have no idea about the publishing world. (Does this indicate I should simply do more research or find myself an agent first?)
Would be extremely grateful if anyone had any advice they could offer. Thanks!
2007-02-21 07:10:17 · 4 answers · asked by Jenny 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I suggest you get a copy of Writers Market and learn about agents, publishers and the book business.
It's not easy to "get" an agent- most reject 99.8% of all the writers who contact them. Believe me, finding an agent can take months - IF you get lucky. Getting an agent is almost like getting nominated for an Academy Award. Most people give up or go the self-publishing route. Even harder than getting an agent is getting a publisher to accept your work-- and these days, many many publishers refuse to look at work that doesn't come through an agent.
It's a highly competitive marketplace, and you really have to be prepared to work on your writing, revising, editing, rewriting, editing more, revising more, over and over to get an agent to even look at more than 25 pages.
2007-02-21 07:19:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had to say this a lot, and I'll do it again.
You do not need an agent. If you are going for a massive publisher then yes, but as a first-time writer you should go for a medium sized company that specializes in what genre you've written in.
Agents waste time and money, find a company that wants whole manuscripts, no cover pages, and only your name and address. These are the companies that base on talent, not connections.
2007-02-22 03:15:59 · answer #2 · answered by Dan A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most publishers will not accept material unless you are represented by a Literary Agent.
Call the Literary Agents (listed in the publication The Writer's Market) and ask if they will accept an unsolicited manuscript.
2007-02-21 15:27:43 · answer #3 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. Read "You Can Write a Novel" by James V. Smith.
Once you have finished your novel, you need to research different literary agents and publishing houses. The book I recommended above also helps with editing your novel and how to submit it. Hope I helped!
2007-02-21 15:16:25 · answer #4 · answered by girl4christ87 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋