Once we finish our novels, short stories, book of poems, or whatever it is that we've written, the next step is getting published. This, of course, is the ultimate goal when we write, but the way we go about it is almost as important as the writing itself. There's the agent search, deciding whether we want to self publish or try an agent, trying to pick an agent or publishing company, etc. All of it is crucial for finding the right deal for your book.
Don't pay reading fees
This is big. Never pay an agent a reading fee. Reputable agents don't charge for reading your manuscript. They are looking for a book to sell and they will make their money from the sale of the book, not reading fees. In fact, don't sign on the dotted line until you've checked all the resources. A simple Google search can give you a lot of information about a company (and not just publishing companies or agencies). One of the companies that you want to look out for is The Writer's Literary Agency. This company claims that they will find agents for your book, but they only communicate by email, they've changed their name several times in the past few years, and they require some fees early in the process. All of those are warning signs that you should look out for with any company. The tools are there and easy to access, so we might as well use them and protect ourselves from scams and unnecessary charges.
Choosing an agent
This may be the most crucial part of getting published. Sending out a generic form letter to a bunch of agents may be the easiest method for getting a large number of letters out, but if no one really reads your letter, how effective is that? The key to choosing an agent is knowing who and what sort of books that agent represents and to find an agent that will be interested in your book, you really have to be familiar with contemporary writing. One way to find the right agents to approach is to look for authors whose stories are similar to your own. Another tool you can use is the Writer's Market. The book can be found at most bookstores or on Amazon and it is updated yearly. The Writer's Market is a list of agents and agencies, journals and other publications that publish creative work. You can also use it online. The Writer's Market is one of the most useful and comprehensive tools that one can have to get published.
Writing your letter
The letter is what gets you in the door with an agent, so you want it to get their attention. First of all, keep it short and to the point. It shouldn't be longer than a page. Second, show the agent that you've done your homework. Mention a work or author that that agent represents and tell the agent how you think your book is similar. Third, don't tell the agent the problems with the book. You don't want to give them a reason to turn you down before they've ever even read your manuscript. If you've received thirty rejection letters, that's something only you need to know. Lastly, keep it professional. Being overly familiar can also be a turn off for agents. You're a professional writer seeking a professional agent. Check out some sample letters, which can easily be found through a Google search.
Your letter is your introduction to the agent, so you want to make sure that you are making the best impression possible. Read the synopses on the back covers of your favorite books to see what a short synopsis of a 300 page book looks like. And lastly, use the tools that are available to you. Do a Google search for any company that you think may be a scam, especially if they ask for fees, and find out the experiences that other writers have had with those companies or just with getting published. The resources are available and easy to find.
Jessica Fletcher - My name is Jessica Fletcher and I am 29 years old. I am a graduate student studying literature and creative writing. I want to write ...
