The Link Slushpile #3

Maybe this edition of The Link Slushpile should be subtitled 'Meet an Agent, Know What to Expect from One, and Why You Haven't Found One Yet.'

Aspiring writer and visitor to this site, Casey McCormick, started a regular feature on her blog Literary Rambles called 'Agent Spotlight.' Every Thursday she posts a detailed snapshot of an agent that represents middle-grade and/or young adult fiction (often along with other genres such as children's picture books or contemporary adult fiction). Casey supplements basic agent info with quotes, interview links, average response times, and personal feedback from blog readers. As of today, she already has six entries. If you are on the hunt, here is a good place to get some real meat.

While we are on the topic of agents, literary agent Rachelle Gardner dishes some dirt on her industry by providing writers with a list of 10 things you should expect from your agent (and 4 things you should not expect them to do for you).

Finally, writer Nicola Morgan at Help! I NEED a Publisher (And Maybe and Agent...?) posted four simple possibilities of why you have not been picked up by a publisher yet. The consensus is that 'You have not sent the right book to the right publisher in the right way at the right time.' The same principle can apply for why you have not been signed by an agent. Check it out to find out just what she means.

That's it for today!

The Link Slushpile #2

Here's another round of link-worthy posts:

How do you know if you are a 'newbie' in the publishing industry? Publishing for Profit has several tell-tale signs. Check it out to see if you are making any beginner mistakes.

Have you dreamed of receiving the all-important call from an agent, offering you representation? In your fantasies, do you have a plan of what to say next? The agent call is an important time to find out if he or she is a good fit for you and your work. Don't squander this opportunity. Be prepared with a list of questions. QueryTracker interviewed four published authors about the questions they asked agents during 'the call.' Another great resource for preparing your list can be found on AgentQuery.

Lastly, in honor of today's date, Alice (editor of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market) and Jennifer Jackson (literary agent) both provided a little April Fools humor. Jennifer gave some tongue-in-cheek updates to her submission rules. Be warned, Alice's Ten Tips for Effective Queries should also be read with an eye for sarcasm. Thanks for keeping it light, ladies!

The Link Slushpile #1

Taking my own advice, I found several interesting posts on the literary blog front this week.

First, literary agents assistant Tracy Marchini offered some helpful hints on 'How (and When) to Follow-Up with Agents and/or Editors.' This is a must-read for all submitting authors. Don't let unprofessionalism stand in your way to publication!

Writer and blogger Emily Marshall over at Author2Author provided the next juicy tidbit: a guide to getting organized as a writer.

Finally, literary agent Nathan Bransford linked to a new peer-reviewing query site called 'The Public Query Slushpile.' This will definitely be a resource to watch. I'm interested to see if: a) the comments are constructive, and b) if it draws the attention of other literary agents/editors. Thoughts?

The Importance of Reading Agent/Editor Blogs

My husband, a fellow writer, told me recently that he doesn't understand the importance of staying current with agent and editor blogs. He does, however, check his favorite political, news, and sports websites/blogs more than once each day. While I have tried to share with him my thoughts, I am thankful that literary agent Jessica Faust at BookEnds has put in her two (more credible) cents on why publishing blogs are important for authors to read. Here is a summary of what I consider to be the top five reasons:

1. Many writers do not understand the industry. Agent/editor blogs are tremendous resources for new authors just stepping into the publishing world. Everything a writer needs to know on how to be published is waiting to be accessed (see my post 'Do you know what you don't know?').
   
2. Beginning writers can and do receive inaccurate (and often down-right bad) information from well-meaning-but-poorly-informed fellow writers on social networking sites or from self/subsidy-publishing companies attempting to lure authors to their 'services' by portraying themselves as traditional publishers (realize that all of their 'information' represent a conflict of interest). Any advice a writer receives should be checked against what successful people in the industry say (i.e., credible agents and editors). In addition, before proceeding with an agency or publisher, authors should research it on Preditors & Editors and Writer Beware.
   
3. Writers can see into the mind of an agent or editor and perhaps discover what he or she is looking for in a query or manuscript. Let's face it, in this industry it is a challenge to get published. The burden is on you, the writer, to prove your worth to the agent/editor. Why not give yourself all the edge you can--by researching the agent, reading his blog, and following his query advice?
   
4. Agent/editor blogs are a great place to network with said agents/editors and their readers (fellow writers). If you find a blog posting particularly helpful, leave a comment. If you have a question, leave a comment, then check back for the answer. Better yet, read other's comments and be a part of the already existing dialogue. Learn from your peers who are just as committed as you.
   
5. Other writers are asking the same questions and the answers can often be found by regularly following the publishing blogs or by searching the blogs. [As an example of #5, how many of you children's book writers have wondered how to get your book to be included in the Scholastic Book Clubs? If I didn't subscribe to Editorial Anonymous' blog, I would have missed this valuable information.]
   

For those of you interested in blogging, I highly recommend beginning with Editorial Anonymous and Nathan Bransford, although all of the agent/editor blogs listed on the right of my page are worthwild. Each of the blogs also links to other publishing blogs. As your blog reading grows, you will find which bloggers suit your taste. Just make sure they are credible before you bank on their information.

Remember, even if you have a full-time job, if you are pursuing publication for your manuscript, agents and editors are going to expect that you treat writing as your career (and rightfully so). They want to know that you have taken the time to understand the industry, even before you are a part of it. It shows them they can expect you to put the same hardwork and initiative into editing your manuscipt and promoting your book once it is in print. It does require a sacrifice of your time, but one that I have found very rewarding. One final word of caution: do not go off the deep end and spend so much time blogging that you sacrifice the time that should be spent honing your craft. Balance is key.

UPDATE (03/16/09): Literary agent, Jennifer Jackson, also chimed in on this topic. See her regular blog series 'Letters from the Query Wars' on the importance of doing your homework. Also, published author Justine Larbalestier offered her experience on why writers need to know and follow agents' individual rules and submission requirements, which are usually posted on agents' websites and blogs.

UPDATE (03/28/09): The Guide to Literary Agents Editor's Blog posted their Top 5 Agent Blogs to Follow. I have to admit, they chose well. I personally follow four of the five blogs and the fifth I have visited from time to time. If you are looking for a place to start, here it is!
Also, when you feel confident enough to contribute to the literary dialogue on the agent/editor blogs, Grammar Girl has some excellent advice on how to write a great blog comment--definitely a must read post.

Positivity on the Blog Front

As a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, I am greatly enjoying agent Nathan Bransford's Positivity Week. As a part of his current endeavor, he has written a very encouraging post on reasons to be optimistic about the future of books. He also has included the Ten Commandments for the Happy Writer.

Last week, Editorial Anonymous posted another interesting blog, encouraging readers to name small publishing companies that represent reputable children's books. The response was large and informative. Several writers also included which publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts (for those of my blog readers interested in seeking publication without an agent). However, most publishers still do give preference to submissions from agents. In addition, agents offer writers more than just access to publishers.

I continue to have meaningful communications with fellow children's book authors on JacketFlap. Thank you for the encouragement and fellowship! Keep it up!

Do you know what you don't know?

Welcome to all of my new subscribers! I appreciate your interest in my blog. Feel free to actively participate--I love hearing your comments and will be sure to respond!

Over the past several days, I have enjoyed meeting fellow writers and illustrators through JacketFlap in various stages of publication. One thing has stood out to me--many of the aspiring authors I have met through JacketFlap do not know what they don't know. Several have asked me questions on how to begin seeking publication or where to find an agent (or if they even need an agent).

If you have stumbled across my blog and are seeking direction, take heart! All published authors began as you have, not knowing where to begin. Let this post serve as your roadmap.

Now, don't take that to mean, I think I know it all. On the contrary, I know I am not the best suited to describe all the intricate ins and outs of the publishing industry. That is precisely why I will direct you to those more established agents and editors of the field. I'm not going to bother reinventing the wheel (or in this case, the printing press). Rather, I will lead you to several great resources for your forray into children's publishing.

The information will be grouped into topical questions. Be sure to check back on this post periodically, as I will update it as I find other useful links.

What is the submission process?

What is a literary agent and do I really need one? or What should I expect from an agent?

How do I find an agent?
Other resources for finding an agent:

• AgentQuery (online agent database with search function)
  
• Publishers Marketplace (online marketplace of writers, publishers, and agents with database search function)
  
• Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market (the top market guide in book format, which includes an enormous listing of agents in addition to general industry information)

What is a query and how do I write one?
Other useful guides to writing a query:

• Anatomy of a Good Query Letter I & II
  
• Query Letter Mad Lib
• The Query Letter Outline (courtesy of author Lisa Gardner)
  
• Query Shark (agent critiques of query letter submissions)
• the Anonymati (editor critiques of children/YA query letter submissions)
• The 10 Most Common Query Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• What to Include in the Hook and the Letter Itself (courtesy of Author2Author, a blog hosted by 5 YA authors)
• What to Include in the Author's Bio Paragraph
  
• When is the Right Time to Query
• Links on How to Write a Query Letter (compiled by associate agent and writer Jill Corcoran)
  

How do I format my manuscript?

What word count should I have for my children's book manuscript? and How should I format it?

Do I need to find an illustrator for my children's book text? No.

What do I need to know about the audience and competition for my children's book?

What are my rights as an author?

How do I separate the good agents from the bad? or How do I avoid a scam? or How can I tell if an agent is legit?

What is self-publishing? or Is it a good idea for my manuscript/writing career? or Is it a 'magical highway' to bypass the difficulties of the publishing industry? (For those of you who do not know, the answer to the two previous questions is 'no.' See the links for the professional opinions of Nathan Bransford--Literary Agent and Editorial Anonymous--Children's Book Editor.) Still considering it? What are the sales record of self-published/print-on-demand (POD) books?
or What does an agent/editor think my previously self-published book? or Are articles on self-publishing telling me the truth, free from bias?

Is there a publishing dictionary out there to help me understand all this industry lingo? (courtesy of Editorial Anonymous--Thank you!!)

Are there any blogs I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• Editorial Anonymous
• Cynsations
• All of the blogs listed on the side of my page are great!

Are there any organizations I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
• The Association of Authors' Representatives

Are there any websites I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• The Purple Crayon (informative site on writing and illustrating children's books)
  
• Absolute Write (online forum for authors)
• Children's Writers and Illustrators Message Board (online forum specifically for those writing and illustrating children's books)
  

Well, that should get you started on the right path. Please post comments or questions. If I don't know an answer, I will research it for you.

On the hunt again...

It's been a while since I've posted on this blog. Be assured I have continued my literary efforts. After a year, I am parting ways with The View Literary Agency. JD and I have amicably split, after she recognized that she does not have enough contacts with children's book publishers to adequately represent my work. Throughout the past year, I have received some positive feedback from editors on the picture book manuscript that JD submitted. However, in the intervening time, I have composed what I feel are stronger pieces. I am currently seeking representation for these newer picture book manuscripts. I still avidly read several agent/editor blogs (see the links posted to the side), which I recommend to all those seeking a writing career. Keep checking back for more regular updates--I will try to make at least one a week. Thanks for your interest.

Quick Update

Good news!

I have formally accepted an offer of representation from JD DeWitt at The View Literary Agency. Check her out at: http://www.theviewlit.com/. More on this later.

Cheers!