Showing posts with label agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agents. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Monday, April 20, 2015
The Query Letter and Synopsis: Lesser Known Tips
Last week, I shared my strategy for searching for a literary agent. This week's post includes lesser-known tips for writing an email query letter and advice that I followed for writing the dreaded one-page synopsis.
I) The Email Query
There's plenty of good stuff out there on how to write a query letter, but I didn't find it that useful. So I took classes at a Boston writing center called Grub Street and my letter went from "needs a lot of work" to something the agent teaching the class held up as an example of a good letter. (Apparently it wasn't that good because she hasn't offered to represent me.)
Here's a link to the query letter for my novel that includes the basic components:
- The positioning of the book and comparative titles.
- The hook and story.
- My qualifications to write it.
- Some humor to reflect the writing style of book.
Small Stuff I Didn't Learn in Any Class:
1) Subject Lines for EMail Queries
- Check the agents Web site for specifics on what to include in the subject line.
- If the site offers no details, I've been going with either: "Query: agents name to whom I'm directing the query" or "Query and title of novel and category"
More than you want to know on this subject
"How to format an email query for literary agents"
"Subject lines are your bffs"
2) "I'm Querying You Because": Opening Sentences in Your Query
To some writers and agents, letting the agent know why you're querying is a good idea. Reasons you're querying them can include:
- One of their authors recommended you query them.
- You met the agent at a conference.
- You saw them on a manuscript wish-list site and your book fits their needs.
- You read their author's book, liked it, and wanted to query.
A great article on opening sentences for your query letter
On the other hand, some agents don't care if you have a good reason and will read your query anyway.
II) The Synopsis: A Huge Pain
My synopsis took me a week to write. The experience kind of sucked. In my agent research so far, it seems that a one-page query is the norm -- which is fine, I don't want to write a longer one.
In my synopsis I tried to focus on:
- Succinctly describing the main story, eschewing any subplots.
- Including a brief description of the protagonist.
- Injecting some humor, when appropriate, because my book is supposed to be funny .
Some good links on how to write a synopsis
- On Jane Friedman's site
- From How-to-write-a-book-now.com
III) Other Tips
1) Once your email query is done, send it to yourself to see how it looks and to check for weird formatting.
2) Create files that include different packages that agents are likely to request. Here's what I've seen agents requesting:
- a query only
- a query with the first five pages of your novel,
- a query and synopsis
- a query and the first 10 pages,
- a query and the first chapter,
- a query and synopsis and first 10 pages.
Note: By having ready-made files, I can simply copy and paste the required text without having to assemble each one on the fly. Unless, requested otherwise, most agents will want you to paste the text into your email as opposed to sending documents as attachments.
3) Unorthodox querying advice from agent Janet Reid
- Consider querying agents who don't profess interest in your particular category or genre.
- If one agent at an agency says no, query other agents at the same agency.
- If you don't hear back from an agent within 30 days, query them two more times.
4) Typical Strategy for Finding a Publisher
- First, query literary agents.
- Then try small publishers, university presses, and publishing contests where the prizes include having your book published.
- Then, if you have the time and budget, self-publish.
*Note: I am not attempting to pass myself off as an expert on these topics. This article is a compilation of advice that author friends have followed. The advice seemed to make sense to me, so I'm following it. I am two weeks into the agent-querying process. So far, I've queried 15 agents: Three told me to take a hike, one requested a full manuscript, and from the others, so far just hearing crickets.
Photo credit: Me performing scenes from my novel at a fringe theater festival in D.C. shot by Paul Gillis Photography,
Related Links
- Read your work in public before you get published
- Social Media Tips and Links for Writers
- Create a Web page for your as-yet unpublished novel (my current page)
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Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Find An Agent: One Writer's Strategy
After seven years of classes, writing, and rewriting, I finally finished my novel. Apparently, that was the easy part because now I'm trying to find an agent, which I'm approaching with more trepidation than bungee jumping.
To make the agent search process less stressful, I've broken it down to two steps:
- Finding agents who might be interested in my type of novel (quirky, edgy, comedy, or satire)
- Vetting the agents to see if they're legit and successful at selling work similar to mine.
Next week, I'll offer links to advice on query letters and the dreaded synopsis.*
I) Finding Appropriate Agents
One of the first question any writer needs to ask himself: How many agents will I query before I give up and consider other options? I heard of one guy who hit 70 agents until he found one. I currently have a list of 45 possible agents, whom I'm contacting at a rate of 10 every two weeks.
Where to Look:
1) Ask friends and connections
Getting a referral to an agent from one of their current authors is probably the best way to start. Ask friends and other authors. In my experience, some people I expected to help, wouldn't lift a finger. Other people whom I met only once, say at a party, gave me a referral. But you have to ask!2) Consider agents attending writing conferences
Some writing conferences are worth attending. Some are a waste of time and money. Regardless, agents attending are probably looking for writers so you can read their profiles on the conference Web site and, if they cover your type of book, query them.
Writers conferences I've attended that were worthwhile for meeting agents:
- Grub Street Muse and the Marketplace in Boston. (Pros: you can meet with agents for 20 minutes. They will review your query letter and first 20 pages. Cons: expensive ($710 to see two agents and attend for one day, the minimum attendance.) But you can view the list of attending agents without signing up.
- Backspace conference in New York
I went to a live event in 2010. I met four agents, two were interested in seeing my finished novel. Unfortunately, this was five years ago: Since then, one of the agents left the business. I've contacted the other, who may or may not remember me. This event is now an online only event -- a virtual conference, but you can view the list of agents without signing up.
Good lists of conferences that agents attend:
3) Find authors of comparable books
Literature Map lets you enter the name of an author to other similar authors. My book is similar in flavor to novels written by author Joshua Ferris. Here's a list of comparable authors. I took some of these authors searched for their agents on a site called Publishers Marketplace ($25 a month, but worth the dough. More on Publishers Marketplace down below.)
 |
| Find an author's agent using Publishers Marketplace. |
Also, check the cover of comparable books: Which authors are recommending this book? They may write comparable books.
4) Search by genre or category
There are numerous sites that let you search for agents by genre. Again, my book is not genre fiction -- romance, sci fi, mystery, etc -- but it may be classified as comedy, humor, satire, debut fiction, or quirky depending on the Web site
Query Tracker (free)
 |
| Results for a Query Tracker search on agents who will consider "quirky" novels. |
Agent Query (free)
 |
| Results for an Agent Query search on "quirky." |
Publishers Marketplace ($25/month)
 |
| A search on agents who've sold novels from "debut authors." |
5) Visit sites where agents post what they're looking for
Some agents post what type of books they're looking for on Twitter using the hashtag #mswl or on the Web site Manuscript Wish List. To search on Twitter, enter the hastag, then a space, and your genre.
 |
| To search on Twitter, enter the hastag, then a space, and your genre. In this example, I search for: #mswl quirky. |
 |
| Here I searched the list of genres, indicated by the arrow, for humor. |
6) Consider social media long shots (Note: I haven't tried this yet)
- Post on Facebook and ask friends if they know an agent or an agented author who might talk to you.
- Check LinkedIn connections: You may have some agents connected to you or have connections who are connected to a literary agent. In this case, I would vet the agent and consider mentioning in my query letter something like the following:
"Dear Agent X.
I am contacting you because we are connected on LinkedIn by <connections name> and because you represent <name of a comparable author or appropriate genre>"
 |
| Agents I'm connected to on Linked In I might consider vetting and querying |
II) Vet the agents
1) Check their recent sales on Publishers Marketplace
If they haven't sold any books similar to mine recently, might be best to skip them. |
| Use Publishers Marketplace to see if an agent has been selling books like yours recently. |
2) Visit agent's Web site for querying instructions
Here you'll find information on what the agent wants to see in a query and offers a good way of double-checking information found on other sites.3) Look for dirt: Is that agent legit?
Writers Beware and Preditors and Editors list problem agents.
- Writers Beware: Thumbs down page on http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/thumbs-down-agency/
- Preditors and Editors list of agents to avoid: http://pred-ed.com/peala.ht
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| The Writers Beware "Thumbs Down" page lists questionable agents. |
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| Preditors Editors also offers information on problem agents. |
Related Links
- My query letter
- How many agents should you query? (old, but interesting advice)
- Query Letter Confusion: When One Agent Says A and Another Says B
Next week: More on Searching for on Agent
- query letters: Let them know that you're not just another knucklehead and why you're contacting them.
- resources for writing the dreaded synopsis, how I wrote mine.
*Note: I am not attempting to pass myself off as an expert. This article is a compilation of advice that author friends have followed. The advice seemed to make sense to me, so I'm following it. I am two weeks into the process. So far, three agents have told me to take a hike and one is reading my full manuscript. Fingers crossed.
Photo credit: Not sure who to credit for the photo, but the image is of me bungee jumping in New Zealand.
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Promote Your Writing: 4 Tips for Public Readings
This article includes tips that will help you read your work like a pro. Public readings are a great way to increase your following, boost your profile among other writers, and in some cases attract an agent. Two years ago, as an unpublished fiction writer, I read with a group of novelists. After my reading, an agent approached me. Of the five readers that night, I was the only one who had memorized and acted out his work. (Once I finish my novel, I will send it to the agent.)
<editors note: most of these tips were originally developed by professional actor and live-performance coach, Michael Mack. He is directing me in my one-man show, "The Chronic Single's Handbook.">
<editors note: most of these tips were originally developed by professional actor and live-performance coach, Michael Mack. He is directing me in my one-man show, "The Chronic Single's Handbook.">
1) Buy a Mic and Stand and Practice at Home
Pros handle the mic, like, well, pros. Amateurs handle the mic like they're afraid of it, like it might bite. You want to be able to adjust mic height and remove the mic from the stand without having to enlist the host or audio technician. You want grab the mic with authority, like you've done this thousands of time before.
If you are reading multiple scenes, you can let the audience know that there's a change coming by either adusting the mic or -- better yet -- removing it from the stand. (This works best when you've memorized your piece -- see tip #4 below.)
I went to a local music store in Boston and bought a cheap mic, stand, and clip for holding the mic on the stand for $42. Before a reading, I set it up in my living room and practice adjusting the height, moving it around like a rock star, and removing and replacing the mic on the stand.
Here's what I bought (before sales tax)
- Cheap stand: Ultra Stand 6521bbk ($20)
- a $4 mic holder that affixes mic to top of stand. (no need to mention brand, just make sure it's the right size.
2) Use Props
You don't need a trapeze or a flame-thrower, simple stick drawing or other household objects will do. For one of my pieces, the narrator is discussing a spreadsheet he keeps that lists his past girlfriends. When I reach that section of the story, I pull out an Excel page I created on my computer. As I'm reading, I point to the spreadsheet. The audience probably can't see the spreadsheet, but just the act of pulling it out always gets a laugh. (I always keep it in the same pocket -- my front left pocket.)
Here's a video of me performing the piece -- I take out the spreadsheet at around the 1-minute mark)
In another section, that same narrator is offering different theories on why he's still single. During this passage, I put on a pair of nerdy glasses and show the audience child-like, stick-figure drawings to illustrate the author's different theories: The Fish Theory (a drawing of a fish with a frowny face) and The Valency Theory (a simple drawing of a molecule.)
3) Use Gestures and Voices for Scenes with Multiple Characters
Scenes and pieces in which two people are talking can be great for wowing an audience. Just be sure the audience is clear when each character is talking. Some tips for differentiating characters:
- Turn your head one way when one character speaks and the other when the other character speaks. Face forward when offering background or narration.
- Stay on the mic: even when you turn to face different directions, make sure your mouth is within four to six inches of the mic.
- Use different voices: most people can do a Southern accent, Northern accent, and a woman's voice/man's voice -- that's four different characters already.
- Put attributions and dialog tags at the beginning of changes of dialog so the audience know who is talking.
4) Memorize Your Work
This is the best way to stand out from the other readers. With poetry and comedy, performers memorize their work. For some reason, authors reading prose generally read from the page, which can be boring.
Also, if you memorize your piece, you can perform with the mic in hand without the stand. Nothing is more impressive that taking the mic out of the stand -- going bareback -- and moving the stand off to the side or behind you before you start your performance. This move let's the audience know something special is about to happen.
Also, if you memorize your piece, you can perform with the mic in hand without the stand. Nothing is more impressive that taking the mic out of the stand -- going bareback -- and moving the stand off to the side or behind you before you start your performance. This move let's the audience know something special is about to happen.
Tips for memorizing:
- Memorize a short segment. You don't need to memorize your entire reading: One three to five-minute section or scene is enough to impress.
- Start practicing a month before the reading. (That is more than enough time.)
- Read the story or passage you want to memorize several times from the page, out loud. Then try to do as much as you can from memory. (After a few tries, I can typically remember the first few paragraphs of a new piece. Remember: you wrote the piece, you know the story.)
- Try to memorize one-page a day. (You don't need to have it down perfect -- you just need to have enough in your head to practice. A double-space page is a little more than a minute of reading.)
- Memorize the plot: first he goes to the bar, the girl approaches him, they dance, he attempts to nibble on her ear, she slaps his face...
- Practice twice a day. Practice sessions can be as short as ten minutes. Practice while waiting for the bus, while in the shower, before meeting with your parole officer.
- Once you have the piece more or less memorized, hard-wire it into your memory by performing it as fast as you can without stopping, ignoring any errors -- just get to the end as fast as possible. This is a good way to eliminate pauses and show you where you still need work.
- Use gestures. The more you practice, the more you'll embed certain sections into muscle memory. You're body will know that when you raise your hand, that's the beginning of section X or section Y.
- Fear is good. If you're like me, you will be terrified. Before your performance, you'll be asking yourself, why do I do this to myself. Just let your mind go -- you've done all you can do, you just have to count on the material being there when you get on stage -- it will be there.
- While performing: If you forget a line or a passage, just keep going. The audience won't know. I recently performed a piece and, when I got a passage, I just blanked and couldn't remember the next section. As I stood on stage rooting around in my mind for the section, I said out loud: "Give me a second, it's in there somewhere." I just never remembered the section and moved onto the next section I could remember. After my performance, people still complimented me. Some asked me if I was an actor.
More Self-Promotion Tips for Writers
Includes two videos of me reading. In one performance at a story slam, I'm so terrified, my hand flops around like it wants to run off he stage and hide. The audience didn't care or didn't notice or gave me their sympathy vote -- whatever, I won the slam.
I consult a small business counselor specializing in helping artists earn a living. His advice is sobering, but useful.
Original Naughty Humor from My New Site: ChronicSingle.com
Art attribution: Microphone photo
By MARCUS NUNES [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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Monday, December 17, 2012
Book Marketing and Publishing: Best Web Sites and Blogs
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Over the last year, I've subscribed to so many writing blogs that I'm overwhelmed, buried, and ignoring most them. Here are a bunch that I've found useful. These recommendations focus on the business of writing: book marketing, publishing industry news, or dealing with agents. Most of them are not daily, so they're easier to keep up on.
Book Marketing
- Copy Blogger: Great info on blogging and online marketing. My only gripe is that it arrives daily.
A favorite post: How to Increase Subscription Rate of Your Blog
- Publicity Hound: Lots of tips on P.R. that you won't find in most book marketing blogs. Fair amount of self-promotion by author, but, hey, she's giving away a lot of free stuff.
A favorite post: Authors: 9 things to do when you can’t afford a publicist
- SEOmoz: For geeks only, but some of the best info out there on search engine optimization and online marketing.
A recent favorite post: How Newsworthy Are Your Newsletters?
Writing and Publishing
- Anne R. Allen's Blog...with Ruth Harris: By writers for writers, not too frequent. I receive it as an RSS feed, which allows me to check recent posts at my leisure. Often she posts longer, detailed articles, which I prefer to other bloggers who post more frequent, short pieces that leave you with too many questions unanswered.
A favorite post: Beware the Seven Deadly Writing Scams, the title says it all.
- Business Rusch by Kristine Kathryn Rusch: Also, written by a writer. She also will post longer pieces that fully explore a topic.
A favorite post: Why Writers' Disappear
- Jane Friedman: Former publisher of Writer's Digest, she does a great job and often has guest bloggers with interesting stories.
A favorite post: Getting a Traditional Book Deal After Self-Publishing
Agent Advice
- Writer Beware: A blog by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Offers useful advice for all writers, regardless of genre.
A favorite post: Literary Agents -- though it's a little old, a must-read for anyone looking for an agent. Warning: This is a scary piece that may keep you up at night or drive you to self-publish.
- Bent on Books: Lots of agents write blogs, some are decent, some are great for beginners but tend to rehash the same stuff after while. Agent Jenny Bent's blog is monthly -- so you're not overwhelmed and often includes encouraging pieces for writers.
A favorite post: It's not WHO you know, it's WHAT you write in your query
A Successful Blogger with a Unique Voice
- Penelope Trunk: Topics often all over the place, generally related to careers, but a good lesson in the captive power of a writer's voice. She includes personal stuff about her marriage, her kids, her period leaking through her yoga pants. Always self-deprecating, very honest, hard not to root for her -- even if you're a guy.
A favorite post: How she got a big advance from a large publisher and self-published anyway.
Tip for Avoiding Inbox Overload
Sign up for the RSS feed
instead of the e-mail version. With the RSS feed, you can check the
blogs and topics at your leisure, instead of having your inbox deluged.
Can't Get Enough Book Marketing?
- Book Marketing for Nitwits: Getting Started with SEO
- Easy, Sleazy Book Marketing Results
-Tips for Reading Your Writing in Public
Had Enough Book Marketing?
- Ski Trip to British Columbia: Local potheads, make mine a double and drink like Canadian, who said Canadians are nice?
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Image attribution: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Overload!Uploaded by Fæ) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Photo by Roger Price
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