Why Finding The Right Agent Is Not An Overnight Task

Your story is finished. You have sent it through all of your critique partners for that final round of feedback and made the changes to turn this into the "best damn story" possible (since that is what all of the editors and agents want). You have also decided that you want to go the traditional publishing route since you would rather focus most of your attention on the writing and less on the marketing and production side of things that you would have to do with self-publishing. At this point, you know you need an agent to help you.

Now what?

You have done your research and you know how to find the contact information for the potential agents. You have read Chuck Sambuchino's book on literary agents and all of his blog posts (and links). But the list is simply too large. Where on earth do you start with this process.

I do think that far too many writers rush this process. They are so eager to get that book out there and on the book shelves that they don't take the time necessary to find the right approach. In essence, they are getting ready to "throw" that book they have toiled over and worried over to "any old person who will take the story." Unfortunately, the odds are they will also receive far too many rejection letters to handle. Their believe in the publishing system will be gone and that time will be wasted.

I think it is worth remembering something I have said here on the blog before. Your story does not fit with every publisher and it certainly doesn't fit with every agent. There has to be a right fit for you to be successful with this book.

Starting like this author did, with finding lists of agents is obviously the right start. Take that list of agents and start narrowing it down Find the agents that A) are open to submissions at this point; and B) are actually people who represent your genre. You have to go beyond just reading this information from Chuck's book or on those massive lists compiled by websites such as Querytracker. This is a start, but things change, people leave and many of those sites don't give you all of the information you need.

I do have to say, I turn down so many people simply because they didn't do this step. They just found my email and sent me a project. Even more confusing, however, are the writers who email me from my website with projects that are simply not the things I acquire. Yes, I take romance and women's fiction, but there are certain "sub-genres" that I do not represent. That information is clearly posted on the website.

Once you have narrowed your list down to the people who represent your genre, it is time to start the real digging. What do you know about this person. Be careful just reading those random discussion boards. One thing I have found is that the sites are mostly filled with disgruntled writers who complain that they got a rejection letter. Sure, you can start there and see what you can find, but this is only the surface level. You better approach is going straight to the source.

Agents are out there all of the time on social media. Start following these people. See what they write about. Read their blogs and their articles. Watch for trends and patterns. This is also a time to read what they represent. Again, you are looking for patterns here. What you find will shock you!

As you read this material, you will find those little nuggets of information that might be the  "make or break" point in your submission packet. For example, if you are sending me a story knowing the following little things I like and don't like might tell you I am either the right person or the wrong person for you:

• I reject stories where the protagonist cheats on the spouse. 
• I reject stories that rely on over-the top baggage and drama to keep the story moving.
• I like inspirational stories that don't preach and don't obsess over Bible Quoting.
• I like women's fiction that makes me think (The first part of Eat Pray Love in Italy was awesome)
• If you writer historical, you have to compete against my established historical authors.
• I don't like authors who think their project doesn't have to follow the submission guidelines

This is just a small example.

But wait, there is more!

If you think you have an idea of who you want to represent you, then take the time to go to a conference where the person is speaking. Listen to the panel discussion. Meet with them during a Q and A session. This is crucial since that person might now not be the type of person you thought he or she was on paper.

In simple terms, this process takes time. It takes energy. And most of all, it takes some critical thinking skills. You don't just wake up one morning, say you are going to get married and grab the first person who is looking? You find the right person and guess what, their name is not simply on a list of "I am looking to get married today."

Survey Update on Digital Buying Trends - The numbers!

Here are the results from the survey we ran a couple of days ago. I do some of the responses came back with a split that seemed a bit larger than I had expected.

Do you own a digital reading device?

• Yes 83.3%
• No 16.6%

If given a choice and the price was the same would you buy a digital or a print book?

• Digital 36.1%
• Print 63.9%

If given a choice would you prefer to buy your book online or in an actual book store?

• Online 50%
• Bookstore 50%

Has the cost of books changed the format you buy your books in?

• Yes 47.2%
• No 52.8%

First of all, I know that surveys only function as a snapshot and have some limitations. Still, as I pointed out, I found some of the numbers a bit telling!

The simple fact that we have such a high percentage of people with digital reading devices, and yet, if given a choice, they aren't going to go with the digital book is fairly interesting. I have said this before. When I sit at swim meets and scan the stands of parents waiting for their kids to swim, they are always on their iPads and other digital devices, and yet, very few are using the device for reading. Games, movies, Facebook and emails seem to be the standard activity.

I do believe, for me, the one question that stands out the most is the fact that 2/3 of the respondents are telling us that they prefer the print books. They want that hard copy (or paperback) in their hands. And yet, how often do we hear publishers going on and on about how many people really want their books digitally. Is this really the case?

Just something to consider for the weekend!

Do You Have A Plan "B"??

It's Friday so I am keeping it short today! Still, I think there is a lot we can do with this small point.

I know there are a lot of authors out there that get the same way I do. When I dive into a project that I am really connected with, I put blinders on. I can't see anything else other than that single project and I need it that way. This is how I keep my focus and how I keep moving. There are a lot of benefits to this. Unfortunately, as writers, this might not always be the best strategy to take. 

I see far too many authors who have devoted so much time and energy toward that one project, or that one series, that they don't consider what would happen if that project didn't work out well. In other words, the author simply didn't have a Plan B to fall back on. Now, instead of moving forward, the author is stuck for while just to get the ball rolling again and to get the career moving forward.

Publishing is a business that is always changing. Just when you think you know where things are going to, the industry shifts and, unless you have that Plan B, you might be stuck going one way when the rest of the world goes the other direction. Not a place you want to be.

Many of my writers have different projects in the fire at one time. No, this does not mean they are writing different projects at one time. It simply means they have projects ready to go and at different phases of the process. Some are starts of stories and some are plans of new projects. Some are in genres they are not currently working in. The point is, they are ready for a change, should the need arise.

Do you have a Plan B?

Buying Trends Of Readers

I was sitting with the dance moms at my daughter's recital this last weekend and we were talking about books. Again, I heard the same comments I continue to hear time and time again:

• "I love the feel of a book in my hands when I read."
• "Sure, I'll get a book for my iPad but I really hate reading on the thing."
• "I really wish bookstores were back, I used to read so much more."
• "I can't even figure out the darn reading apps."

I am always hearing comments like this. And yet, daily we are bombarded here on the Internet with articles and blog posts showing "supposedly" more people wanting to move to a digital books. We hear publishing professionals proclaim in business meetings, write articles for magazine and sit on conference panels that "readers really do want to see more things digitally."

But on the streets, I keep hearing otherwise.

I even hear from writers who will tell me they love books in the traditional format.

Yes, we know brick and mortar stores disappeared, and now, it seems much of the reason for this shift was not so much the book buying trends but the bad business models some of the stores used. Many of these stores forgot they were a book seller and attempted to do much more.

So I thought I would try something. I will tell you, this will only work if we get some feedback from you.

What I am asking is to do a little survey for me. At the same time, ask all those around you what book format they really prefer. Take out the cost factor. Take out the fact that they might be forced to use Amazon because their bookstore shut down. Let's just focus on the book buying trends.

I also have a 4 questions survey you can take that would help us out! Forward this link to your friends. As we all know, the more numbers we get, the more accurate the results will be.

SURVEY LINK! (Now that the survey is done, I have removed the link! Thank you to those who responded!)

Honestly, I would love to know this. 

What Genre Is Your Story?

Publishing and selling books well is about product placement. This is especially true today when so many people are buying their books online (either in print or digitally). Readers have to be able to find your book! To do so, the book sellers have to be able to identify what genre your book really falls into.

I do think far too many authors struggle with this. Writer's Digest re-tweeted an article I did with them on understanding Women's Fiction and one author Tweeted me directly wondering how an author would classify his or her work if it fell into both categories.

It is important to realize that many genres have sub-categories. For example, we have romantic suspense, historical romance, YA fantasy and so forth. This does not mean, however that the story will be marketed as both of the genres. The book sellers will look to the major force within the story and use that as the basis. What I told the author was the same thing. Look to the main story arc.

If you look at your current story and try to figure out how you would market it, focus in on the one story arc that runs through the entire story. It is that simple. For example, is the central focus:

• the relationship toward the happily ever after? Then it is a romance!
• the understanding of what it is to be a mother in the hectic modern world? Then it is probably a women's fiction.
• the in depth study of a historical couple from European history? Then it is a historical.

I do think too many authors try to make this harder than it is. Keeping it simple will certainly make marketing your book to agents and editors so much more productive and successful!