2008 Guide To Literary Agents
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 at
11:03 am
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There are a tiny number of publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don’t go through an agent), so getting an agent is a really good idea.
You can certainly read Writers Guide to see about the right way to print a manuscript, and how to write a query letter, but reading Guide to Literary Agents from Writer’s Digest is a better idea. Look for those that deal with fantasy and are accepting new clients. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines. Take the time to make your query letter the best it can be, because you have just that one-page letter to wow the agent, and make them want to read more. Expect the whole process to take lots of time, and expect many rejections.
This assumes that you have edited your book several times to make it the best it can be, and gotten it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (don’t rely just on spellcheck).
Good luck!
Can anyone help me find a literary agent?
Hello, my name is Thomas San Roman and I am working on my second novel in a series. I published my first novel back in 2008 titled Born into Radiance. It is an epic fantasy that kicks off the Ether Rain Chronicles. I am about 80% finished with the second book in the series and I really want to take my book to the big time. I published my first book independently which I know was probably a huge mistake. I was younger and I was excited so I just forked over the money so that I could see my name in print. Knowing that wasn’t the brightest thing to do, I am at the same junction again. What to do with my book? I, like plenty of other people in the USA, have been hit fairly hard with the economic downturns of society and, alas, I do not have the money to platform my book where it needs to be. I see so much crap released in paper and hardback because of the fact that the author or someone related to the author had enough money to throw at it to make it a mainstream book. Now, venting aside, I know the first step is to get a good agent that will recognize the potential in my writing and go to bat for me with the publishing companies. Does anyone know of any good ones, or are you one? My style, for now, is High epic fantasy fiction. My first book was close to 200,000 words and my current project is shaping up to be a little leaner (perhaps 160,000 or so).I have side projects that I am writing such as a supernatural suspense title and a movie script, but those are back-burnered for now until I can see where my fantasy series takes me. I am 26 years old and would like to reach the world with my stories. Also please do not answer the question by stating that I should pickup a copy of the 2010 guide to literary agents. I’ve spent $100s of dollars on those sorts of books and for what? I’d like my info to come from the masses, so please help. Thank you for your time.
So when I asked my question I was not looking for people who like to see what they type. I was looking for actual answers not someone looking for a pedestal to ponitificate on to show that somehow their lengthy answer makes them seem like an expert on the topic. If you’ve never published a book don’t try to illustrate the finer points of it with phrases like “if your self-published novel didn’t sell, why would anyone want the sequel?” This is a ridiculous statement seeing as when you independently publish a book you must fund your own marketing which is expensive. The comment about my book being too lengthy is also bogus seeing as how the fantasy genre thrives on lengthier books (all of which have become best-sellers). Almost every Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, Tolkien book were 150,000 words plus. Answer my question, my opinions are my own. If you don’t have an answer and want to ramble on for a few paragraphs, go write a blog about it. Thanks.
Have you selected a few names of editors and agents from the guides and if so how about posting those names and researching them. If anyone has had any experiences to share they will let you know. It’s hard to know who to refer you to because for me (a published author) it’s like putting my stamp of approval on a person I’ve never met and a work I’ve never seen. My titles are there in my profile as well as my publisher but that won’t help you. I don’t think they do fantasy titles. My agent hasn’t repped me officially since I got the initial book deal on my own.
The best solution to your problem is to attend a writers conference with the big organizations. SFWA – Scienc fiction and Fantasy writers of america is the legitimate one for your genre. They often have workshops with valid and prestigious editors and agents. If you can’t attend still register for updates so you can get the names of who will be presenting and then begin generating your list by going to their websites and seeing who they are signing, who they are representing. If you can make it to one of the conferences chances are they have pitch sessions you can sign up for.
You get 5 to 15 minutes with agents and editors in your genre who will listen to you talk about your work the same as if you sent a query letter. At these events you need to make a real impression since they will probably talk to about 100 people in an afternoon. If they like you and ask to that you send them something, do it. Do it as soon as you get home. Note when you met them, repeat your sales pitch and send the work via e-mail and offer a hard copy, that way they have a reason to answer you back.
Joining a local Science fiction and fantasy writers group is also worth the fees. Again because agents and editors in the business and in the genre are invited to speak. You see them, they see you, they remember you if you stand out. I’m in RWA (Romance Writers of America our national fee is 80 and then the local fee is 30) but I’ve met lawyers, writers (some of my heroes), book store owners, editors, agents and the publishers themselves. They even sponsor contests within our local chapter where you can win editing priviledges from the big name publishing houses or a critique session via phone or even a complete read of your work at their meeting. So the benefits are there because these are respected organizations.
Is Writer’s Guide 2008 worth buying?
I just recently finished a fantasy book I wrote. Now for the hard part-finding someone to publish my work. Does Writers Guide 2008 have a list of fantasy publishers? Or will I just be looking at Literary Agents? I am trying to steer clear of an Agent, if possible.
both would help even more
Do you need the writers market AND the guide to literary agents, or will just the writers market do?
What about the guide to the novel and short story if you are writing a novel? And do you think it is better to buy it or look at a copy at the library? (though they won’t let you check it out, you have to take notes in one sitting).
Also, if I bought the writers market 2007 right now, do you think it would still be OK? Cause I can get it cheaper used than buying the 2008 brand new. Would the info still be good you think?