tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post7079828140578500557..comments2023-03-30T12:53:26.276-04:00Comments on Nietzsche I'm Not: Agent, Agent, Who's Got an Agent!?Carol Krenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697202028408645088noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-83532782341236282142011-07-27T12:44:45.519-04:002011-07-27T12:44:45.519-04:00Dear Deniz,
Well, when you are ready to think age...Dear Deniz,<br /><br />Well, when you are ready to think agents, just keep in mind that you will want to research them very carefully. And beyond how good they look on paper, you'll also need to feel satisfied on a more informal basis.<br /><br />Good luck with your ongoing edits!Carol Krenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697202028408645088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-16786987268880080242011-07-24T14:24:38.447-04:002011-07-24T14:24:38.447-04:00I'm still stuck in edits... When I get around ...I'm still stuck in edits... When I get around to querying, I hope - on the odd chance that an agent shows interest - I don't leap all over them and snap them up, but am able to keep a cool head and consider whether they're the right agent for me and my story...Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-30013518578046694002011-06-25T18:40:41.680-04:002011-06-25T18:40:41.680-04:00Dear Marte,
In today's world (rush, rush, hur...Dear Marte,<br /><br />In today's world (rush, rush, hurry up and dazzle me)you don't really need a "foot in the door" because even if you have a private entrance, you still have to wow them with the book you have for consideration.<br />It's wonderful that you love writing and have written books! Third one may be the lucky charm, too.<br /><br />In this business, there is no reason for timidity. Think of it as you having nifty socks to sell to a buyer from Walmart.(To remove the lofty illusion) Think of it as a simple conversation between you and a hungry reader who wants to love what you have to offer. Really wants to love it, so he or she can run with it.<br />Have faith, and be "strong, Don Pardo!"<br /><br />And also, consider that timidity has no place in writing, as well. It's all about being confident in your voice and style. If you nail that, you'll nail the query and/or the submission of a few pages etc.<br /><br />Sorry to ramble, but it occurs to me that as we write and the book grows, we do develop a sense of direction and with that, confidence and determination to see the story through. So, it really can be a handy emotion to invoke when it's time to send the queries and manuscripts out there.<br />Worst that could happen? No takers. Decision time. Re-examine the book, the toolbox, the theme, the goals, the flow, the plot -- really a learning opportunity.<br /><br />Best that could happen? The obvious. (g)<br /><br />But, if you don't even try, then you will never know where you stand on the learning curve insofar as traditional publishing routes are concerned.<br />You might end up kicking yourself for not having explored all the possibilities.<br /><br />Instinct is crucial. Your own gut will tell you when your book is as perfect as you can make it. If that instinct doesn't kick in, then you know you are not ready to send it out.<br />Trust your instincts, because they never lie.Carol Krenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697202028408645088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-48232350448256364942011-06-25T18:16:57.743-04:002011-06-25T18:16:57.743-04:00Dear Zan Marie,
Yes, it's always a good idea ...Dear Zan Marie,<br /><br />Yes, it's always a good idea to keep the idea of agents in the back of the mind. As for the search and defining genre, first to consider is those books you've read that you really loved. You'll often find out who the writer's agent is in the list of acknowledgments. If you think their style and subject is similar to yours, then that's a source to consider.<br /><br />The other thing, apart from trawling lists online of literary agents, is, rather than trying to define your genre, undefine it. (s)<br />In other words, you aren't writing a children's book, you aren't writing a thriller, you aren't writing a cookbook, or a non-fiction or poetry book etc.Eventually you arrive at women's fiction, possibly, "chick-lit" perhaps, romance, maybe, spiritual, possibly, and then, as you study various agents and what they are seeking, you soon enough narrow things down to various broad-based agents who list numerous kinds of books that interest them, often mentioning what they _don't_ want. Perhaps they simply want fiction, both commercial and literary etc.<br />Have no fear, you will eventually arrive at the "list" and start whittling it down, too. (s)Carol Krenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697202028408645088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-5470922351327645592011-06-25T13:33:29.358-04:002011-06-25T13:33:29.358-04:00I wrote one good book and then a better one, but I...I wrote one good book and then a better one, but I was too timid to send either one of them to an agent. I don't know whether that was a mistake or not. Many agents say they won't consider self-published books no matter what, so you can't use your published work as a foot in the door. <br /><br />The next book will be better still, and I've determined that I will shop it to agents, but I'm still awfully timid about the whole thing.Martehttp://infmom.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897061684051073051.post-37211324607488524302011-06-25T08:51:35.993-04:002011-06-25T08:51:35.993-04:00Great post! And while I'm still writing the fi...Great post! And while I'm still writing the first draft, I do keep my eye open to making a list of those few agents to send it to. First I have to define the genre. ; ) I'm still working on that. : DZan Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166450116524323462noreply@blogger.com