It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post. A big shout out to our fearless leader, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this amazing online collaboration. If you're an insecure writer or just looking to give some support to others, check us out!
Today is a very special day for the IWSG -- it's the one year anniversary of the launch of our amazing website (just click here for the link). If you haven't visited before, it's a wonderful tool for writers with all manner of tips for finding agents, publication, etc. And of course, a way for us to connect with one another and offer up advice or reach out for a little support.
In honor of our one year webiversary, IWSG is putting together an ebook benefitting writers, inviting all it's members and followers to contribute. So if you have any advice to offer on writing, publishing or marketing, get blogging! (See more details on how to participate here.)
On that note, here's my own contribution . . .
How to Find a Literary Agent
Writing is hard work, but getting published is infinitely harder. They say the first step to getting published is finding a literary agent, but how is a first time author supposed to get their attention? Smoke signals? Fireworks? Kidnapping and extortion?
While I've certainly given all three some serious thought, there are a few more "official" options to consider:
The first is the loathsome and dreaded query letter. Write them well, send them in droves, and pray to whatever deity you believe in that they get the job done. If you choose this option, may the good fortune of J. K. Rowling be with you. And if you need any advice, check out former literary agent and bestselling author Nathan Bransford's How to Write a Query Letter.
The second option is writing conferences.
Writing conferences are critical tools for first time authors looking to network and build contacts in the writing world. From keynote speeches on how to get published to workshops on writing query letters or understanding the changing nature of the publishing industry, these conferences are a wealth of untapped knowledge. Furthermore, they supply unpublished authors with a golden opportunity -- a chance to pitch their work to agents in one-on-one sessions.
I've found personal success through these pitch sessions, as it allowed me to discuss my work in greater and more personal depth than any query letter I might send. In fact, it was through a writing conference pitch session that I landed my own literary agent to represent my work. So write a query, sign yourself up for writing conferences, and most importantly, keep at it!
S. L. Hennessy, Middle Grade author and blogger at Pensuasion
Category: Publishing
I hereby give my permission to use this piece in the IWSG ebook.
Thanks for the insight. I found my literary agent by attending a writer's workshop where a literary agent was in attendance. Similar to a writer's conference. I thought meeting an agent in person helped my push past the slush pile.
ReplyDeleteWasn't J.K. Rowling rejected multiple times before Harry Potter got published? Thinking about that can help you keep at it.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Attending writing conferences is a great recommendation. Really good post, SL!
ReplyDeleteI second writing conferences, especially regional ones that might have smaller attendance than the mega big conferences. My RWA's Chicago region conference is every two years. I pitched to an editor because we were standing in line together, and it wasn't even on purpose. She asked what I wrote and and a natural conversation evolved. That's harder to do at nationals with thousands of people and a giant hotel (but not impossible either!).
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear that the writing conference pitch worked so well for you. I bombed my one writing pitch moment at a writer's conference, but if I had to do it again, I think I would write that pitch out at least a dozen times along with queries so that I had a good handle on it first.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, SL!
Great advice! I'm heading to a writer's conference later this month and will be pitching to either an agent or editor. So this is very timely for me. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do your homework on agents before sending those queries off! And get that query critiqued:) It's amazing how fast you can get rejected if you're query sucks. Ha! Just doing things right and being professional can get you in the door much faster than smoke signals:-)
ReplyDeleteQueries are monsters to write, but they're so necessary to get right. And if you send them to just anyone without know what they like, you might as well send them to yourself. You're more likely to get a kind note back. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou proved the value of attending those conferences!
ReplyDeleteThanks for contributing to the book.
Great post. I now feel hopeful. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words. I appreciated it.
ReplyDeleteQueries are tough. No matter how an author publishes, he/she has to nail the query. It's either the back of the book or what grabs you a publisher/agent.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there are these conferences and having to write a query-shows how , shall I say, naive I am. You gave great info here and glad that it worked for you-I am certain this will help many wanting to break into this field
ReplyDeleteConferences are great places to meet agents and get an idea of if you could work with that person.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for writing this. The thought of pitching scares the you know what out of me...but if you want anything bad enough...right? Hooray for you for making it work!
ReplyDeletePitching does sound like a far better approach than the query letter, especially since you know they're likely to be in a receptive mood.
ReplyDeleteGee! As a dragon, I am an expert on both fireworks and smoke signals. Too bad there aren't too many writing conferences here where I live. Of course first I would have to finish a story to sell. :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes. Few emphasize the importance of writing conferences or retreats. I've only been to a few. One I went to changed my life in a big and good way, so much so that it's made for a great few final chapters of my novel.
ReplyDeletePS Are we now just meeting? How is that so? At any rate, thank you for stopping by and laughing at my post. Please do not ever apologize for your laughter either, even if you think I'm trying to be serious. Laughter is like publicity, it's always good.
PPS New follower. Smiles.
This is a great addition for our book!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with what you said about pitch sessions. While they might be scary at first, they are well worth it in the long run.
Query letters are a necessary evil, evil thing. Thanks for the tips. =)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a writer's conference yet. can't wait to go to my first!!
ReplyDeleteI admire everyon who sticks it out and lands an agent - is an art in itself.
ReplyDeleteTerrific advice... I am PLANNING to go to the next SCBWI conference in NYC this coming February. I went a few years ago, but nothing really happened for me. This time I am really READY!
ReplyDeleteI agree that writing conferences are great opportunities. I went to my first one this past summer and plan to attend two next summer. These conferences are definitely planned with extroverts in mind. I eventually learned to seek out quiet spaces.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking that if I write more query letters, I'll get better at them. They are a challenge.
ReplyDelete