Writer’s Guide To Literary Agents
Submitting Your Manuscript: Getting Started
I am often asked “Do you know of a publisher who would be interested in my book?” There’s no easy way to answer this question. You see, according to the PMA Newsletter, there are over 86,000 publishers in existence (http://parapub.com/statistics). It would be impossible to know what each one is looking for at any given time. However you do know that you’re not going to submit your manuscript or book proposal to 86,000 publishers. It would be a waste of your time and money. To improve your chances in the submission process, you have to do your homework. Here are a few tips so your research will be most effective:
Publishing Houses: Get the Facts
Can you submit your manuscript to more than one place at a time? Depends on where you’re sending it. Unfortunately, each publishing house has its own set of rules for reviewing a manuscript that will have multiple submissions. You have to find out what those rules are. You can check out the 2006 Writer’s Market, published by Writer’s Digest. It’s an excellent source for publisher’s guidelines. So is the website, Literary Marketplace.
While reviewing these resources you should also note what kind of material the company publishes and what kinds of manuscripts and proposals they would like to see. Another way to get more specific information on this topic is to go to your local bookstore and look at books similar to yours. Note the publisher as well as the agent and editor who handled the book (they’re usually mentioned in the acknowledgments). Granted, a publisher might turn your manuscript down if they feel they’ve “been there, done that”, but on the other hand if the company has had success with the subject matter they may be scouring the landscape to find more of the same!
Looking for an Agent
Your research may tell you that the publishers who seem right for you don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. That means you’ll need an agent so you’ll have to start your submission process with literary agencies. If that’s the case, the 2006 Guide to Literary Agents is a great place to begin your search. Writer’s Digest publishes this hefty tome listing more than 600 non-fee charging agents.
All of the agents listed in the guide adhere to the ethical guides established by the Association of Author’s Representatives (AAR). Members of AAR are forbidden from charging fees. So in one book you get the security of knowing the agent you’re dealing with is on the level, plus you get a full understanding of what material the agent represents. That means you won’t be sending your manuscript out on a fruitless–and costly mission.
Manuscript Mechanics
Don’t get too caught up in the specifics of what your manuscript should look like. Your research will tell you if the agent or publisher wants your manuscript a certain way, but for the most part as long as it’s double-spaced and printed with a clear, easy-to-read 12-point font such as Courier or Arial you should be fine. Put your name, book title and page numbers on each page and–this is key–don’t staple anything. Leaving the pages loose make it easy for the recipient to make copies. This is necessary because usually more than one person will be reading your work.
One note: These days more and more agencies and publishing houses are accepting electronic submissions. Find out if this is the case for your targets. You can save yourself some money and a trip to the post office!
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Banish all fear. I know that’s easier said than done, but look at it this way. If writing is something you really want to do, then manuscript submissions will become a regular part of your life. You don’t want to go through your days and nights in a constant state of submission angst! It makes me feel tired just to think of what that would be like!
Instead put yourself in the mindset of being a writer and a businessperson. Your writing is your product. You will put out the best product possible. Know that the bulk of your rejections will have nothing to do with the quality of your product so don’t take it personally. You move on to the next prospect with the same positive attitude that the next one may be the right one. Know that writing is part of your work. Being afraid isn’t.
© 2006 Sophfronia Scott
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What’s better for the aspiring writer; 2010 guide to Literary agents, or 2010 writer’s guide?
It depends on where you are with your writing and how much you need to learn about the publishing industry as a whole. The Guide to Literary Agents strictly focuses on the last steps of presentation for your work. This picks up after the point in which you have already gotten your work in to the best shape it can be in (at least by you and your resources). This guide will teach you how to write query letters, book proposals and synopsis and how to format both plus your manuscript according to the submission guidelines of each Agent they list. This book tells you what genres each agent/agency represents, who their current published authors are as well as any other agents working with them. This is like the agent who’s who and they try to include only agents with a proven track record and who are respected in the publishing world.
The book provides conferences and workshop information where you could literally meet with agents if you register ahead of time. Most are pitch sessions that run about 15 minutes. The book tells you what you’ll need and how to talk to an agent.
* I didn’t see a writer’s guide but The 2010 Writers Market. It is a more comprehensive list. It lists publishers and what they are looking for as well as their submission guidelines. It has a list of agents too and it teaches you how to rid your manuscript of rookie mistakes that will get it tossed before an editor will even look at it. It tells you how to submit to other publications as well. It gives you plenty of pros and cons to writing over all with helpful samples and stories and examples.
So if you aren’t sure if your work is ready for the market then the Writers Market is better for you. If you know (more or less) what you are doing then Literary agents is the one you might get.
Writer’s Market or Guide To Literary Agents?
I’m writing series romance and hope to get published with harlequin. But I’d like a book with literary agents and markets and stuff just for good measure. I can only buy one cause they are expensive, and literary agents is cheaper than the writers market. So, which of the two do you think is better? What are the differences? Pros and Cons? Thanks!
I know that Jackie 🙂 That’s why I said for good measure, in case harlequin doesn’t fall through and it’s back to zero 😉
What does the Literary Guide to Agents have that The Writer’s Market doesn’t? And vice versa?
Which is better, The Writer’s Market or Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents?
And please tell me why you think that for your choice? They cost about the same, I’m trying to decide which one I should get. So I’d like some input as to why you think that specific one is better. Thanks!
I’ve heard loads of good stuff about Writer’s Market, and would actually like a subscription. My English professor highly recommends it.
A huge list of agents, publishers, and editors.
The Writer’s Market only concentrates on the market, has a much smaller list of the above, and is technically a “mill” for selling books designed to help you–the writer. (I’ve bought quite a few from these people.)
actually Harlequin has submission requirements on their website and you do not need an agent. But if you were to buy a book you should buy “Writer’s Market.”
Do you need The Writer’s Market AND The Guide to Literary Agents?
I have a writer’s market from 1997 (lol OLD haha) and I think it has a section in it that lists literary agents. Is the guide to literary agents more thorough for the genre you are looking for or what?
I asked this earlier and didn’t get an answer for this question, so I’ll try again.
no no no I’m not asking do I need a new one. I think that is pretty duh since the one I have is 10 years old. I was just mentioning it to mention that it listed literary agents in it. I’m buying The Writers Market, and I’m asking do I need to buy the Guide to Literary Agents too.
I only use the Guide to Literary Agents – haven’t seen the Writer’s Market.
I have a 2006 & 2007 Guide and have found them VERY helpful.
Get a new one. There were 2 agents in the 2006 Guide that I queried that are not in the 2007 Guide.
Good luck