WritingWednesday

Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey to publication, marketing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you have any tips please share them with us.

I cannot believe this is the last Writing Wednesday of August. I am not ready for Fall, I never am.

If you are planning to publish traditionally you will need an agent. Here are a few tips to help you with your search.

Finding an agent

Before you look for an agent:

• Have your manuscript finished, professionally edited and formatted to industry standards.
• Prepare a query letter.
• A query letter is the next most important thing you will write after your manuscript.2
• A query letter is a formal letter sent to editors, agents or publishers to propose your work to them.
• This letter will prompt them to request more information, or not.
• The standard query letter is between 200-550 words. Never more than 750 words and contains: The title and word count, the genre, a short description of the story including the beginning, middle and end, your target audience, and a short author bio.
• Have several people critique your letter. Have your editor go over it.

If you book is non-fiction you will need a proposal. If an agent likes your query and is interested in more information they will ask for your proposal. A proposal is a business plan for your book. Most non-fiction writers write the proposal before they write the book.

It contains a cover page with word count, genre, title short description and your contact information.

A table of contents

• A two page summary (synopsis) of your book. Think of what might be on the back cover of the book.
• Target Audience. Who will buy this book and why. Do not ever say everyone will love this book because they won’t. Pick a specific demographic and then two sub demographics.
• Research on the competition. What titles out there are similar to yours? Remember that competition in the book world is a very good thing. If there are numerous titles that means there is consumer interest. Agents and Publishers love competition. List these books and explain why they are similar and why they are different. Why is your book better?
• Your Platform- how you will be able to reach your target audience (where you are on line, business contacts, your church, groups or organizations you belong to, connections etc…)

• Author Bio- Who you are and why you are the best person to tell this story and the best person to promote the book. Include resume information.
• Your marketing and promotion plan. Only list what you know you can do not what you hope to do. Example: Do not say I will appear on Oprah’s show and she will love my book unless you can make that happen. Make your plan concrete and include numbers. The secret to creating this plan is not how many ideas you have but how many connections you have and the action steps you are willing to take to improve your presence.
• Chapter Outline with a brief description of each chapter.
• Sample chapters- Choose your absolute best chapters (complete)
• Have several people including your editor go over your proposal.

If your book is fiction you will need an outline.

• A synopsis (again think back cover)
• A brief description of each chapter
• Your bio, resume and contact information.

Once you are confident you are ready to contact agencies or publishers you will need to create a list of your top 30 or 35 choices. Agents have specific genres they prefer to work with. Make sure you only put agents on your list that accre

If an agent or publisher offers you a contract, be sure to have the contract checked by an attorney

Where do you find agents?

• querytracker.com
• writersdigest.com
• Google your genre and literary agents
• Conferences

List the agent, the agency, their e-mail and their specific submission requirements.

Once you have your list complete you can start querying agents or publishers.

You should send 3-5 every couple of days. If you get a response be sure to note it on your list.

*Never query more than one agent at an agency. They work together. This will get you blacklisted.

* Address your query to a specific agent, personally. Spell their name correctly. (this is VERY important)

* If an agent requests more information and then requests a phone call this is GOOD news.

* Never Quit- if you believe in your story you will find someone else that believes in it too.

* If you receive 10 rejections, tweak your query.

*The best chance you have to get an agent is to be referred by someone or to meet one at a conference or a pitch event.

Good Luck and Happy Writing,

Doreen