Blogger: Rachel Kent
After weeks, possibly months, of waiting for an answer to your submission, you receive a short, polite letter (or email) informing you that your project isn’t right for the agent or editor you were submitting to. Your …
Finding an agent
How Not to Query an Agent
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
You know how you have a bad feeling before you even open an email? Last week I felt obligated to click on an emailed query even though I suspected reading the missive would be a waste …
Dead Giveaways
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Many a time I’ve been in on a discussion with agents or editors when they mention that something was a dead giveaway that the author was a newbie. Now there’s nothing wrong with being new to something …
What Drives an Agent Crazy? Part 1
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Several years ago, I wrote the blog post below because things were kind of, well, crazy. Actually, those circumstances inspired me to create several posts. Last week set new records for craziness, and I found myself …
Author, Check Your Online Presence
Blogger: Mary Keeley
When your book proposal interests agents and editors, the first thing they’ll do is investigate your website, blog, and social media activity. That’s why it’s so important that each area of your online presence compliments the others …
Recovering from a Meeting Misstep
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Several comments on my blog post last week, “How To Prepare for An Agent Interview,” referenced a fear of botching your meeting with an agent or editor. So this week I have four tips for recovering after …
4 Easy Steps to a Great Synopsis
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Creating a synopsis for your novel is one of the hardest pieces of writing there is. It is also one of the most important elements of your proposal. But if you follow these steps, you can master …
Agent Referrals
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I am often asked by writers, What is the agent referral? How do I get one? Will it get me past the query? The answer to the last question is yes. Now let’s tackle the first two.…
Identify Your Book’s Unique Angle: One Approach
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Last Sunday a church friend and I found ourselves in a conversation about the recent presidential election and potential ramifications thereof. They’re hard to avoid lately unless you’re a mole. The service was about to begin and …
How Good Are You at Negotiating?
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Do you realize how often you negotiate in any given day? It happens at the dinner table when children don’t want to eat their vegetables. When your teen wants to borrow the family car. When you and …