Blogger: Rachel Kent
Typically, literary agencies have a format that we request all of our clients’ proposals to be in when they send them to us. At Books & Such we call this template our “style sheet.” It has guidelines …
Book Proposals
How Do You know Your Submission is Ready?
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
One of the most difficult things for a writer is to close the file on a book or a proposal and declare it ready. Almost as hard as prying it out of their clenched fingers at a …
A Subtle Technique
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Once in a while I hear a scathing author criticism of his agent, “He just sat on my manuscript.” Most clients expect that when we receive their proposal we turn it around and get it right out. …
3 Wrong Assumptions about Agents
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Agents long have known that clients wish an agent had only one client–that writer. But the truth of the matter is that the agent must sustain a healthy list of clients to make a living. Unless …
Book Influencers, Endorsers and Forewords–Oh, My
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
“What does an influencer do?”
“Who makes a strong endorser?”
and “Should I ask someone to write a foreword?” are questions my clients frequently ask me.
The answers can help you to:
–obtain a contract
–make …
Book Proposals
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Last week we had a review of queries. Today— book proposals. (Because you just can’t get enough of this stuff, right?)
Confession: All my life I’ve been a rule-follower. I obey all posted signs. I follow the …
What I’m Looking For. . .
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I don’t think I’ve ever participated in an agent panel where the question, “What are you looking for?” has not been asked. We agents probably irritate the pajamas off writers with our answers. “I’m looking for that …
Agent Triage
Blogger: Rachel Kent
You know what I hate? That there are only 24 hours in a day! I find myself needing more time all the time and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
As an agent, I could spend …
The Psychology of Submission Timing
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Recently I found myself explaining to a client that I am in a bit of a press to get submissions out. “I feel like I only have six good weeks until every publisher sort of mentally shuts …
Is your project ready to submit?
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Recently I received two queries that I thought held promise. So I asked to see the proposals and first chapters. On close inspection, I found both projects weren’t ready to be submitted. As I list the …