So you’ve written your book. You’ve gone through a million and one edits and now it’s finished. What do you do next?
Answer: Jump up and down with relief? Phone everyone I know and brag that I’m now a writer? Ah, I know. I find an agent or publisher, of course.
Question. What another one? Okay, what is it? ………..How do I find the right agent or publisher?
I was recently asked this very question and, if I am honest, it shocked me. I just assumed people, especially writers, would know. I mean the information is absolutely everywhere.
It’s like when you watch a quiz show on television. You assume that, because you know the answer to some questions, everyone will, too. They are the easy questions, right? Well it was the same with this question.
I had to sit and think back to the days when I first wanted to submit to a publisher. I was very young and stupid, and all the memories of bad mistakes came flooding back. No wonder I’d blocked them from my mind, along with the images of that awful, back-combed hair do I insisted on during the ’80’s. So, today’s post is going back to basics – just for you new writers out there.
Okay, your book is written, the grammar has been checked, and you’re so happy with the rewrites and edits, you fill like bursting with excitement. What do you do, now? That’s easy, I hear you say. I send it to lots and lots of people who…… Whoa, hang on there, Speedy Gonzales. It’s a little more involved than that.
Mills and Boon have reportedly claimed that, from the massive tens of thousands submissions they receive each year, if they find 10 or 12 new authors, they have had a bumper year.
The days of writing a great novel just isn’t enough to cut it these days. As with everything, the more choice available, the more picky people get – and in our case, it’s publishers and agents.
Would you believe me if I told you there is a high probability your novel will never be read? No? Most publishers and agents have what’s called a ‘slush’ pile, and your novel, yes, the one you’ve slaved over day and night for the past year, can end up sitting on it, like a cherry on top of an ice-cream sundae. Well it can, and most probably will if you don’t adhere to the following rules:
Rule One: Get yourself a copy of the ‘Writers and Artists Yearbook’, and make sure it is an up to date copy. They are printed every year, and also have a website so there is no excuse to use information that is three years old.
Rule Two: The all important research. I cannot stress enough that, just because you’ve typed ‘THE END’ on your novel, it is the end of you research too. Research never ends. It must be reapplied to the next job in hand – in this case, finding the correct agent/publisher. Sending to every contact listed in the W&AY (Writers & Artists Yearbook) is nothing more than a waste of time and money. This book tells you who is best to contact and lists everything you will need to start: The agents/publishers contact details, their required genres, submission details, etc. Everything is in this book.
Rule Three: Over to the internet. Just because the W&AY lists the details, doesn’t mean they are completely up to date. An agent or editor may have left or be closed to submissions. It happens. Think how many times you have changed your email address. Can you honestly say, with hand on heart, you’ve remembered to update every social network site you joined in the past year? So, log on to the contacts company website. Check the editor is still the editor. Check their email address remains the same, check they are still accepting submissions. Check, check, check. These are the things that make sure your novel will reach the right person.
Rule Four: Presentation. Most manuscripts are required in a certain format: Typed, double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, inch wide margins and un-justified. Please stick to this. Don’t use fonts so fancy they are hard to read, or make your writing so small the agent will need a magnify glass, otherwise the only thing seeing it will be the ‘slush pile’.
Rule Five: Following the Rules. Just because agent Joanne wants the first three chapters of your book submitted, doesn’t mean agent Tim will too. Tim may just want a synopsis first, and agent Barry may be so busy, he only has time to scan a query letter. It is imperative you only send what the agent/publisher requires. Anything more or less and you will end up on that mountain of slush, and we do not want to end up there, do we?
Rule Six: The small print. The small print is a bunch of extra submission rules. Some are, hopefully, obvious and the main one that springs to mind is not to staple work – always bind it with an elastic band. But some are not so obvious. I read in one set of submission rules that sending your work in the wrong envelope will mean instant ‘slush’ pile. It’s true. The company’s post room were under strict orders not to deliver those fibre padded envelopes to one agent, as she hated the mess it made to her clothes when opening them. Bubble wrap padded envelopes, however, were acceptable. Fair enough. I don’t like opening one of those fibre envelopes either, let alone opening 25+.
Rule Seven: Respect. This is so important. The person you are sending your beloved story to is a professional. They are busy, under pressure and can be the gatekeeper to your new career. For God’s sake, respect them. Do not bombard them with gimmicks, such a fancy coloured envelopes, glitter, perfumed pages, photos of yourself or your pets, cakes or sweets….oh I could go on and on and on. Remember, you are trying to sell your story, not your soul. All they want is an easy opening envelope, to remove clean pages and read.
Rule Eight: Last but not least, pestering. If an agent says it will take 3-4 months to reply, don’t start contacting them after two. If you require confirmation of receipt, add a self addressed envelope with the correct return postage. If, after the four months is up, you have not heard back, then it is acceptable to follow up with a polite enquiry as to the status of your work. But, beware. Bother them too much and the slush pile will just get that little bit taller.
I hope this helps, and I would love to hear any mistakes you’ve made in the past, no matter how bad (come on, spill the beans :D), and if there is any advice you can add, please do.
Thank you so much for the advise. Even though I’ve written songs/poetry/short stories for years, this novel gig is really new to me. I haven’t finished a manuscript yet, so I’m lost when it comes to “what’s next.” Now at least I have a fighting chance when I do finish one.
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Kerry, your novel won’t take long now Kristen has hold of you 😀
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Oh I’ve done some of these as a new writer. When I sent out mass quantities of poetry submissions, and made them all uniform so it was easier for me. I did do the research as much as possible, but I didn’t take the little differences to heart like I should have. Thank you for posting this! I will reference it again when I’m ready to attempt publishing again.
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Jess, you are very welcome, and thanks for commenting 😀
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Great advice! But, you could always set up your own small independent publishing company like I did. It’s definitely worth looking into.
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Blimey, Ellen, I wouldn’t even know where to start on that one! I might get you to write a guest blog for me on it. 😀
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I was going to comment and tell you what I did with one of my submissions, but I’m too embarrassed. I can only say that it didn’t involve foodstuffs, underwear or photos, but was possibly the most embarrassing thing I could otherwise have done. And I was covered in silver fluff by the end of it. ‘Nuff said. It wasn’t worth it.
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LOL, Oh Anne, one thing you will learn about this blog is that we all embarass ourselves. Have you read the “What Was I Thinking?” post. You should 😀
As for this one, I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say – DISH THE DIRT!
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Donna it was a great experience. I have learned such a lot over the last two years about publishing and converting to ebook. I would love to write a guest post on it 🙂
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I am in the process of setting up my own small publishing company. Any advice would be welcomed.
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David, Ellen is going to write a guest blog for me on the subject, so watch this space 😀
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Good for you David, I will help all I can. Are you in the UK?
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Great info, Donna. I had no clue what to do with my first manuscript. That’s because I studiously avoided all information about queries, agents, and publishing until I wrote the words, “The End.” I was afraid if I looked at all of that before I wrote my book, I wouldn’t have the heart to finish. So I was definitely one of those, “What now?” people. Thanks so much for your post. I love your voice.
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Thanks Donna
If you ever need a guest blog on writing related matters, I’d be glad to contribute. I am transferring my stuff from blogger to wordpress. You can see my first posting at http://museshack.wordpress.com
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[…] the subject of self-publishing was mentioned in my post, ‘So You’ve Written A Book. What Next?‘ to which I had a tremendous response from writers who had considered this path, but […]
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I recently completed my first book, and although pleased with my efforts for a first timer, I didn’t feel taking it any further was a good idea as the planning had let it down somewhat. A few months later someone did suggest I at least submit it to gain some constructive comments. After some thought this seemed to make more and more sense, and after having read your advice – thank you by the way, I feel more inclined now to follow this through. 🙂
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Hi Steve. I’ll help you, as will all the people who comment (they are an awesome bunch), as much as we can. Have a look on my competition page. It’s something I’ve just started, but some of the RWA contests are brilliant for feedback and critique. Feel free to email me or comment on my FB page if you need any help whatsoever or just need to get something off your chest. Xxx
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