“But what does that even MEAN?” For writers in the “query trenches” this is a common question upon receiving a query rejection that has feedback attached. While we literary agents try to keep our thoughts clear and concise, it may …
proposals
Should Writers Query Literary Agents During the Holidays?
One of the questions I see most in online spaces among writers is some iteration of, “Is it worth my time to query literary agents during the holidays—are they even reading queries?” I can’t speak for all literary agents, but …
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Finally Finish Your Book: A Practical Plan for Writers
How long should it take to write a book? Hopefully, not forever. But, some unfinished manuscripts have hung around for so long that it feels like a family pet. If asked whether you’ve finished your book, you take a deep …
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4 Reasons Writers Need a Writing Community
When I was in college, my favorite class was Creative Writing 101. The professor was one of my favorites, and her bohemian, free-flowing style of both living and teaching permeated every encounter I had with her. One of the reasons …
Random Agent Thoughts
Yes, this is a blog post of random agent thoughts.
A few weeks after my father’s heart stopped beating for the last time, we discovered among his office files a three-ring binder labeled “497 Random Thoughts.” Over the course of …
What Are Literary Agents Looking For in a Writer?
As a writer getting published can be a frustrating task, especially when it comes to finding a literary agent to represent your work. A literary agent plays a crucial role in the publishing process, acting as a bridge between writers …
Be sure your proposal and manuscript are ready to send!
Last time I blogged I wrote about query letters. This time I’d like to focus on proposals and manuscripts.
Recently, I’ve received a few query letters for top-notch ideas, but when I look at the proposal or manuscript, I realize …
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After the Ink Dries: Three First-Time Authors Share Their Publisher Journeys After the Contract is Signed
What is it really like after an author finally signs that first contract? Does someone from the publishing company give a newly-contracted author a cigar and robe for writing and a golden key to lasting platform success? All of that …
Ready, Set, Send
It’s not far into childhood before we learn the “Ready, Set, Go!” game. Parents, arms extended, could simply say, “Jump!” and the toddler would happily respond. But even the rhythm and anticipation of “Ready” (not yet), “Set” (not quite), and …
When An Agent Doesn’t Reply
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
When an agent doesn’t reply to your query, proposal, burning question, or manuscript submission, is it because she/he doesn’t care?
Admittedly, sometimes writers–whether aspiring or veteran–choose the default answer, “Yes! That must be it! I’m not important …