I have a really great manuscript, but have know way of getting it to a publisher.
2007-02-21 16:35:03 · 6 answers · asked by Wannabewriter 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Not necessarily.
If you check the "Writers Market" (which you can probably find in the reference section at the library) and the entry says you need an agent, believe them. But if it says they accept unsolicited manuscripts, believe them there too. That said, if you send a spec manuscript to them cold, it will inevitably go in the "slush pile" and may not get touched for months. An agent can really open doors in terms of getting your manuscript seen in an efficient way.
Don't go to an agent with poetry or playscripts, though. These are low-margin fields. Legitimate agents can't afford to work for that kind of small beer, and many unscrupulous agents will take your money and run. These books, you should push on your own.
2007-02-21 17:09:39 · answer #1 · answered by nbsandiego 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you're talking about a novel length manuscript. It depends on the genre. Most publishers accept agented works only. Romance, mystery, and Science Fiction can often be queried direct to some publishers without an agent. You can check "Writers Market 2007" at your library or local bookstore. That will give guidelines as to what various publishers want.
Either way, you will need to write a proper query letter or proposal first. By the way, you can also query agents to represent you.
2007-02-21 16:45:35 · answer #2 · answered by SA Writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The agent will be a huge help to you. He or she knows who to contact for your manuscript and which publishers are looking for manuscripts like yours. Be really careful about which one you choose, though. There are frauds out there. Be sure to talk to experienced, published authors about their agents and do your research.
2007-02-21 16:45:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only will an agent give you lots of information that only a professional would know, they provide you with a little extra credibility and have contacts in their field from their experience. Furthermore, they are the masters of marketing: you buy an agent and he/she will work hard to sell you to a publisher. I highly recommend one, yes. However, as with any business venture, make sure the agent has their own credibility first.
2007-02-21 19:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by A.D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shred them, I suspect. If you can't identify the author, then the potential hassle of lawsuits over rights / ownership / etc. would make it too much headache. I've never heard of anyone who wrote a book without have dreams of fame, fortune and the heady feeling of popularity. It would never happen intentionally; so if you accidentally submitted without proper identification, you can rest assured that your work will never see the light of day.
2016-05-23 22:09:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
most companies wont take you on if you don't have a agent but some will it just depends on the company and what your writing.
2007-02-22 07:18:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋