Agent Advice: Brian J. Wood of Brian J. Wood Literary Agency
Based in Vancouver, Canada, agent Brian J. Wood of the Brian J. Wood Literary Agency enjoys bringing compelling sports stories to the marketplace. He is dedicated, passionate and has worked with Canada's top sports television personalities.
He represents: nonfiction, specializing in sports titles. He represents both Canadian writers and American writers.
Win Free Tickets to “A Time to Kill” by John Grisham on Broadway — Free NYC Giveaway
We have a very special new contest going down right now on the GLA Blog. Here's the deal. On Broadway right now, there is an awesome play adapted from John Grisham's novel, A Time to Kill. It features a huge cast, including some amazing veteran actors you've seen in a bunch...
If You Build It, They Will Come: Letting Agents Come to You
I didn’t get my agent the traditional way. I found agent Michelle Brower of Folio Literary through a different route.
I tried the traditional way, of course. I sent queries, I sent chapters, I sent samples and stories and clever letters, but they didn’t work. In the end, an agent approached me....
How I Got My Agent: Richard Ellis Preston, Author of ROMULUS BUCKLE
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Richard Ellis Preston, author of ROMULUS BUCKLE & THE CITY OF FOUNDERS. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of...
New Literary Agent Alert: Adam Muhlig of McIntosh & Otis
About Adam: He was formerly Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Muhlig has been active as an independent appraiser of literary materials, including books, original manuscripts, letters, and other archival materials, for over fifteen years. His clients include authors, composers, performers, libraries, archives, and other private and...
Write Great Openings for Young Adult or Middle Grade Novels: Oct. 3 Webinar (With Critique!) by Agent Carlie Webber
The opening of your novel sets the stage for everything you want to accomplish. You only have one chance to establish a memorable voice and get readers to follow your characters into your story. Writing YA or MG presents the additional challenge of an audience of discriminating, impatient readers who won't...
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Jeanne Matthews
1. Keep your manuscript, not your head, in the clouds. I used to be casual and nonchalant about saving my writing to a remote server – until a heartless perp broke down my front door, rampaged through my house, and stole my computer containing my manuscripts and research notes, pictures, blogs...
5 Easy Steps to Conquer the Heartache of Rejection
There is no writer, no matter how famous and fabulous, who doesn’t deal with rejection. One might say that the difference between a published writer and an unpublished writer is that one of them was persistent in the face of rejection and the other one simply folded. I say, don’t let...
Author Interview: Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, Authors of HAPPY MONEY: THE SCIENCE OF SMARTER SPENDING
It's with great pleasure that I share this most recent author interview on the GLA Blog. That's because I happen to be reading their book right now! It's a nonfiction guide called HAPPY MONEY: THE SCIENCE OF SMARTER SPENDING (S&S, May 2013), a resource on what purchases give people the most...
Querying 101: Putting Your Best Book Forward — New Sept. 26 Webinar (With Critique) by Agent Jennifer De Chiara
Maybe you're the next Stephen King, maybe you've written a New York Times bestseller, but if you don't know how to query, no one will ever know. Learning how to write a great query, one that will not only make an agent want to read your book but pick up the...
Working with a Publishing House Editor
Prior to working with Susan Swinwood, senior editor of Mira Books, my only experience with editors dated back to my college days. A short story called “ The Sand Castle” was picked up for our college literary magazine. The editor said he loved my story, but added that it could use...
Literary Agent Andy Ross Seeks Clients and Queries
Andy is seeking: "My agency represents books in a wide range of subjects including: narrative nonfiction, science, journalism, history, current events, and fiction. For nonfiction, I look for writing with a strong voice, robust arc, and books that tell a big story about culture and society by authors with the authority...
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by M.M. Vaughan
1) Don’t send your manuscript out to every agent at once. I learned this by mistake. I made a list of twelve agents that I wanted to send my book to and prepared a submission pack for each one. I then realized that I only had three stamps so I sent...
How I Got My Agent: Monica Wesolowska, Author of HOLDING SILVAN
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Monica Wesolowska, author of HOLDING SILVAN [a memoir]. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent.
GIVEAWAY: Monica is excited to give away a...
6 Keys to Revising Your Fiction
1) Make sure you’re in love. I’m not a genius, my stories are not born lovely and perfect, their language strong, their plot lean and exciting. I have to work at it—a lot. And I don’t mind, because I enjoy editing. But I know there’s a big difference between revising a...
Author Interview: J.C. Carleson, Author of WORK LIKE A SPY: BUSINESS TIPS FROM A FORMER CIA OFFICER
It's time to meet another author who got a literary agent & book deal -- so we can learn from their path to success. This interview is with J.C. Carleson, a former undercover CIA officer. She spent nine years conducting clandestine operations around the globe before trading the real world of...
Agent Advice: Carole Jelen of Waterside Productions
This interview features Carole Jelen, vice president at Waterside Productions. As publishing agent for two decades and coauthor of Creating Your Author Platform: The New Rules, this former publishing executive and editor has worked with innovators including Steve Jobs, and is designated as a “Career Builder” literary agent. Among her slew...
11 Ways to Write More Authentic Historical Novels, by A. Historian
As a historical fiction writer, you will, of course, read up on your chosen era in textbooks, encyclopedias, and other basic sources. That alone, however, will not bring authenticity to your work. Please allow me to offer 11 ideas for your consideration.
1. Watch out for anachronistic words and phrases. The best...
Live Query-a-Thon With Agents Kate McKean & Jim McCarthy: Sept. 17 Webinar With Query Critique
In this live webinar, literary agents Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary) and Jim McCarthy (Dystel & Goderich) invite you to peek behind the curtain and watch exactly what happens when an agent considers your query. Working from the submissions they receive (all names on queries will be removed), participants will have...
New Literary Agent Alert: Claire Anderson-Wheeler of Regal Literary
About Claire: Claire Anderson-Wheeler is the newest agent to join the team at Regal Literary Management. Prior to that she worked at Anderson Literary Management in New York, and at Christine Green Authors’ Agent in London, UK. She holds an LLB from Trinity College, Dublin, and a Masters in Creative Writing...
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Tricia Goyer
3. Relationships with other writers are the most valuable resource in a writer's toolbox. I attended my first writers conference in 1994. I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my third baby. I was the most unlikely person there to become a published author, and while the knowledge I learned about writing...
How I Got My Agent: Rachel Coker
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring RACHEL COKER, author of the novel INTERRUPTED. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks,...
Successful Queries: Agent Julia Kenny and “Sure Signs of Crazy”
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letter examples that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting these query letter samples, we will also get to hear thoughts from the writer's literary agent as to why the letter worked.
The 64th installment in this...
Balancing Act: How to Live Life as a Wife, Mother & Writer
I wear many hats. I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, an editor, a writer and a friend. How do I achieve success? Through a careful balance of discipline, prioritizing, self-motivation and mercy. I have 24 in a day and usually allocate eight for sleeping. In order to take care...