Saturday, October 6, 2012

Getting an Agent


Almost every week I receive a letter from an aspiring author asking for advice on how to get an agent. My best advice is to have a finished manuscript. Not a first draft. Not a second draft. Not third or fourth—but a well constructed and edited manuscript.

I’ve had writers send me copies of their query letters asking for suggestions.  After reading them I’ve thought…wow… these are great letters. Why were they rejected? Then I read samples of the manuscripts and I understand why they were rejected. The characters are often underdeveloped, the plot sags, grammatical errors.  

I often wonder—why do some writers get into such a terrible rush? My advice is to savor your story, perfect it, and then submit it.
Here is something to keep in mind....

A few years ago I did temp work at a retail store. The owner of the store was a very impatient, stressed out man. He wanted to build a huge empire overnight. One day he came into work with a new tie. Featured on the tie was a picture of ancient Rome. Apparently his wife bought him the tie as a reminder that…Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I believe the same could be said for writing and publication. Take your time, it will help to ensure a stronger manuscript and a better chance at publication.

Happy writing!

Angela

 Come visit my blog :)

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent advice.

Angela Townsend said...

Thanks Linda! Have a wonderful weekend :)

sewa mobil bandung said...

Nice article, thanks for the information.

Angela Townsend said...

Thanks for stopping by Sewa! :)

Eliza Tilton said...

Rome wasn't built in a day--what a great reminder!

Rena said...

Thanks for that. Sometimes we all need that reminder.

Robin said...

Excellent advise. I've given myself 10 years to break into the business. Hopefully that's enough time! Crafting and improving my writing are of course ever constant.

SF said...

This post could not have come at a better time for me. I was literally just sitting over my manuscript, worrying that I'm taking too long to revise it and feeling discouraged because some other writers seem to get to the query stage so much faster. Thank you for reminding me that I'm (as far as I can tell...) doing the right thing.

Angela Townsend said...

I'm so glad this post was helpful Susan. Keep up the hard work! Good luck! :)

Angela Townsend said...

Thank you Robin! Good for you for working so hard on your publishing goals :)

Angela Townsend said...

You bet Rena! :)

Angela Townsend said...

Thanks Eliza! :)

Kell Andrews said...

Ha, I love the tie anecdote! I think I might need one of those.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I couldn't agree more. I've been revising my two novels for over three years and one is finally where it needs to be. The other ... at least one or two more revises, You are so right Angela ... Rome WASN't built in a day.

Angela Townsend said...

Thanks Michael:) Good luck with your revisions!

Angela Townsend said...

LOL Kelly! We are all impatient at times!

Britney Gulbrandsen said...

Wonderful advice!

JeffO said...

There's also a tendency for writers to workshop their queries to the death (along with the first 250 words of their manuscript). What results is a pitch-perfect pitch, and a great opening. The rest? Apparently, not so much. Great advice.

Angela Townsend said...

Thanks Britney!

Angela Townsend said...

Hi Jeff!
So true. Thanks for stopping by and have a great Sunday. :)

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Great advice. I am one that is always tempted to send too soon. I get all excited and have to remind myself to slow down!

Angela Townsend said...

Hi Rachel, I think we all do this. Its so hard to wait or put it away. :)Good luck with your writing :)

Katrina L. Lantz said...

Sooo true, Angie! Thank you for the reminder. I wrote my middle grade novel in two months, but it's taken me three years to figure out what I want to do with it. It may take even longer to get it all sorted and done, but I'm ready to be patient now. After three years. LOL. Wisdom comes with years sometimes.

Angela Townsend said...

Hi Katrina! I love your Manuscript! you've worked very hard on it :) Hard work really pays off in the end. You will do fantastic!