So, you're looking for an agent. And...you're not sure where to even begin. I've been there. It feels like a maze or labyrinth that is constantly shifting the closer you think you are to your goal. Well, let me make the path a little clearer for you by providing a list of the three most common avenues to landing an agent. 1. Conferences (and Contests) Finding the right agent on the internet is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. There are hundreds of agencies out there, and the submissions email is always impersonal. Most likely, it will go to a junior agent or intern--not even the agent himself (or herself). You want to meet an agent face-to-face and make a personal connection. The best way to do this is by attending writer's conferences. These are the watering holes where industry professionals gather to teach, take pitches, and find new talent. Talent like you! Find a conference near you that has agents listed on the faculty. Be sure to set up a meeting time with that agent to pitch your story. If the agent is booked or unavailable, try to catch him or her at a meal during the conference, or better yet, make them come to you. Most writer's conferences have a contest where you can enter your writing into a variety of categories, and the entries will be judged with the winners being announced at the conference. Sometimes, there's even a fancy dinner with the awards following. If you win a contest, industry professionals will notice. They may even come up to you afterward and congratulate you on your win. Get your name out there. Agents want to know they're getting the best of the best, and contests at conferences are a great way to do just that. 2. Twitter Pitch Parties You may be unfamiliar with this avenue, but that's okay. Twitter pitch parties are events hosted on Twitter that allow writers to pitch their books in 280 characters or less. Also included in the pitch is hashtags for genre and age group of the book. Agents and editors come on throughout the day and "heart" pitches that they want to see. If your pitch is hearted, you read the agent/editor's guidelines for submission and submit your book. This is your chance to bypass the slush pile and submissions email to get your work directly in front of the agent. I've seen many writers land agents from Twitter pitch parties. There are so many opportunities for pitch parties throughout the year. Google them and you'll find some specifically for children's picture books or for the science fiction and fantasy genres. Twitter is truly a growing platform for writers, and you should definitely join the writing community there. 3. Work for an Agent If you are serious about writing and want to improve your craft, what better way than by working or interning for an industry professional? You can learn inside tips and get personal feedback on your writing. You'll also understand the submissions process better and learn how to query like a pro. Honestly, it all comes down to networking. Who you know in this industry matters. If you can work with an editor at a publishing house or with an agent, they can mentor you and provide you with future opportunities. If you prove your work ethic and commitment to the craft of writing, your work will find its perfect home. The writing career is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience is highly rewarded. So don't beat yourself up if you don't have an agent yet or haven't had a book published. Your avenue may look different than others and that's okay. Perhaps one of the above avenues will work for you, or maybe you'll make your own way. Writers are stubborn, if nothing else. Don't give up! What other questions do you have about agents? I'd love to answer them for you! Until next time,
|
AuthorI'm spilling the ink on all you need to know on the publishing industry. Stay tuned for more posts! Archives
May 2019
Categories |