AUTHOR'S CORNER:

AGENT, AGENT, WHEREFORE ART THOU?

So you've done it, you've written a book!  Congratulations, well done, bravo!  What an achievement!  All those long nights pounding away at the keyboard, all the lonely days, when sometimes you doubted yourself and wondered if you really had it in you!  All those ambitions and that dream finally materialising, at least within your reach!  Great now for the next step!

WAIT, what is that?  Spell check?  Margin setting?  Printing?  Telling your mum?....Don't be daft!

All you need now is to show the world your undiscovered talents, present to a publisher!  Easy right?   No it is not!  Listen up people, reality check, now in order for you to become a 'proper writer' you need to get your work out there so that people can read it.  To do that you need to get your book published by a reputable publisher who will handle your work and distribute it effectively to shops and internet site etc.  Simple enough?  Um NO!  Because (and I know I'm not supposed to start a sentence with because, but hey, I'm the author!) big, reputable publishers do not want (and here it is remember this) 'unsolicited' manuscripts!  

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  You may ask, as you chew on the end of your pen.

Basically it means that you cannot just simply send your work to the publisher unless it has been vetted and deemed fit to be sent, or unless of course you were lucky enough to meet a publisher at your nan's Christmas party and he asked to see your manuscript!  

Q;  AND WHO VETS YOUR MANUSCRIPT AND DEEMS IT WORTHY FOR THE MAGNIFICENT PUBLISHER?

A;   THE LITERARY AGENT!

Great, you may say, easy enough.  So all you need to do is buy yourself a copy of The Writer's Handbook and you're away, right?  UM NO!  Because (yes, I know, I know, but like I said I'm the author!) there are many many good agents out there who will work very hard to ensure you get the best deal and negotiate all contracts on your behalf....only because they are so precious, and so hard working, and very much worth their weight in gold, they are also extremely choosy people!  

Agents want to know that you are worth something also, they want to be able to sell you.  Don't forget that to them, you are a product to sell to the publisher!  I once got a personal email from an agent praising my first three chapters and asking to see the rest referring to my writing as 'Compelling Read' and asking me to send a C.V.  I had no glorious C.V. as such; I did not have a glowing career in television, I have not been involved in a horrific accident, I was not a journalist or even ever appeared on Big Brother!  So I bravely sent the rest of my 'Compelling' manuscript with a sheepish letter explaining all the above.  Needless to say I received a prompt reply that my work was not suitable.  In other words I was not easy to sell!

  

Q;   IS THERE HOPE OF EVER FINDING AN AGENT?

A:   OF COURSE THERE IS.

Q:   AND THE APPROACH?

Okay listen up oh ye young writer......

1.  Buy yourself a copy of the Writer's Handbook, yes I know what I said, but you will still need it!

2.  Do your research, there is no point in sending your work to an agent who deals with romance fiction if yours happens to be a thriller.

3.  It is all about the approach; the more professional and to the point you are, the better you will get their attention.

4.  Be gracious and mannerly...duh do I need to tell you this?

5.  Present your sample chapters as neatly as possible, and listen to their requirements; if they ask for three sample chapters, don't send the whole manuscript, it shows lack of respect and you come across as being pushy.

6.  Send to more than one Agent at a time; if it takes an average of three months for them to get back to you, it does not make sense to send one sample at a time, but be sure to let them know that you are sending to many agents.

7.  Don't just limit yourself to one area, anywhere in the country will do just as well, widen your horizons!

8.  Also send to publishers who are willing to see unsolicited manuscript, you never know, if you are very good you may get a publishing deal!  Even if ultimately you desire an agent, you are more likely to get interest if you have a bit of success behind you!

9.  Never argue or get cross with an agent who refuses your work, even if they have shown interest initially then changed their minds; it is a small profession and you never know who knows who and when next you may need them!

10.  Do not give up, keep trying, keep focused!  Nothing ever happens overnight!