What 4 top agents desire in a memoir
Thanks to veteran editor, Alan Rinzler, for including me in this insightful interview with some esteemed colleagues. Memoir is so popular, but also challenging to publish. Here’s what you might want to think about in relation to crafting and publishing a memoir. What 4 top agents desire in a memoir
Listen to Your Agent — Or Not?
Like most agents, I have a wonderful relationship with many of my clients. Most. I think that my enthusiasm for their work and caring is generally evident. This is my own company. Why would I put my name on something I did not love? Additionally, I bring more than 3 decades of experience as an […]
Query Letter Tips: How to address a query letter to a literary agent
It seems simple, right? It’s just a salutation. What could be easier? But actually, in the digital age, addressing any business letter, not to mention a query to a literary agent is not as obvious as it might seem. Whether you are sending an e-mail query or an old-fashioned snail mail letter, here are some […]
Where I Write: Theresa Kaminski
This edition of “Where I Write,” our series in which authors share their favorite writing spots, is from historian Theresa Kaminski. “While I was growing up, this secretary was in the corner of my parents’ dining room, and my father used it as his home office. With six people crowded into a small ranch house, […]
Guest Post: Selling a Seller–Writing a Killer Overview in a Proposal, John Paine
The beginning section of a nonfiction proposal is called an Overview.* Its function is to attract an acquisitions editor’s interest in a book. If the Overview does not do that job, he may not bother to read the other sections. He reviews hundreds of proposals a year, after all, and his time is valuable. […]
Where I Write: Kerstin March
This entry in our “Where I Write” series is from Kerstin March whose debut, Family Trees, will be published by Kensington in Spring 2015. “Although I have a desk to file my research and drafts, my favorite place to write is also my favorite place to read… my favorite chair in our living room. And today, […]
How to communicate with your publisher
Congratulations! You have a book deal. You are so excited. Suddenly, there is complete silence. Your literary agent, who had communicated regularly during the submission process, appears to be have moved on. Your new editor, who seemed so eager to buy the rights to your book, does not reach out. What to do? First, be […]
5 Easy Things You Can Do to Avoid Rejection
It’s widely known that agents (and editors) are inundated with queries and submissions. I scroll through my query inbox at least once a week and probably reject 98% of what comes in. Some of these rejections might have been avoided, at least leading me to consider the query seriously. Here are some obvious common mistakes […]
How Authors Can Better Use Facebook to Promote
Random House has an excellent newsletter for authors and agents. Here’s an article from the latest issue that every author who is on Facebook should read: http://randomnotes.randomhouse.com/facebook-changes-you-should-know-about/?Ref=Email_B2C_2014-12-3Agents_Dec2014 –Joelle Delbourgo
TALK TO YOUR AGENT
The relationship between author and agent is such a central one. There’s loads of information out there about how to get an agent to represent you, but much less information about what to do with the relationship once it has been established. Your agent is not simply a person who pitches your book, sells it […]