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February 2012 Issue
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Guide to Literary Agents Blogroll
Blogroll
- 2nd Draft Critique Service
Before you send out your work, have it edited by an established pro! - Agency Gatekeeper
A literary agent shares secrets. - Agent in the Middle
Agent Lori Perkins blogs and tells all - Ashley Grayson Agent Blog
From the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency - Ask the Agent
Literary agent Andy Ross in Oakland runs an agency blog. - Association of Authors' Representatives
- Barbara Doyen's Articles Page
Agent Barbara Doyen shares her knowledge. - Barry Goldblatt Literary
A blog from the whole agency. - BookEnds Agent Blog
Agents from Bookends Literary blog - Brenda BowenAgent Brenda Bowen's "Bunny Eat Bunny" kids writing blog.
- Cameron McClureCameron, with the Donald Maass Lit Agency, runs her "Book Cannibal" blog.
- Caren Johnson Literary Agency
The official CJLA blog - Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market Blog
This blog, run by Alice Pope, is a must-read for anyone writing in the juvenile market - Chip MacGregor's Agent Blog
A Christian agent speaks - Chuck's conference speaking schedule
See where Chuck will be presenting and when! - Colleen Lindsay's Agent Blog
A new agent at FinePrint Literary blogs - DHS Literary Blog
David Hale Smith's "Literary Show and Tell" blog. - Diana Fox's Agent Blog
A literary agent talks publishing - Dystel & Goderich Agent Blog
- Eddie Schneider
An agent from JABberwocky Literary blogs. - Elaine English Literary Agency Blog
A blog from the whole agency. - F+W Bookstore
Buy Guide to Literary Agents and a bunch of other great WD Books. - FinePrint Literary Management Blog
A blog from the whole agency. - Folio Literary Management's Blog
All the agents chime in on this new blog - Fresh Books Blog
An agency blog. - Full Circle Literary's Blog
Agents from Full Circle Literary in California blog - Girl Meets Book
Agent Jamie Brenner of Artists & Artisans blogs. - Greenhouse Literary Blog
Agent Sarah Davies shares her thoughts and wisdom - Hartline Literary Blog
A blog from the whole agency. - Janet Reid
Agent Janet Reid of FinePrint Literary gives her two cents on anything and everything - Jennifer Jackson's Agent Blog
An agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency blogs - Jenny Bent's Blog
From the founder of The Bent Agency. - Jill Corcoran
A kids agent at the Herman Agency blogs. - Joshua Bilmes Agent Blog
JABberwocky Literary Agency - Kathleen Ortiz Agent Blog
Kathleen with Lowenstein Associates - Kelly Mortimer
Agent Kelly Mortimer's "Perils of Publishing" blog. - Ken Atchity
The president of AEI, a script and literary management co., blogs. - Kid Lit
A blog by kids agent Mary Kole of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency - Kimberly Cameron & Associates
A blog from the whole agency. - Knight Agency Blog
Exactly what it sounds like - Laurie McLean's Agent Blog
The "Agent Savant" blog - Lit Soup (Jenny Rappaport's Agent Blog)
An agent at the L. Perkins Agency blogs - Lucienne Diver's Agent Blog
A blog on "Authorial, Agently and Personal Ramblings." - Lyons Literary Agent Blog
Agent Jonathan Lyons blogs - MFA Confidential Blog
This new WD blog features Kate Monahan and all things about getting an MFA - Michael Larsen's Blog
Agent Michael Larsen of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents blogs about publishing and nonfiction writing. - Miss Snark
No longer active, but this blog by anonymous agent Miss Snark still has oodles of priceless info in its archives - Nathan Bransford
A popular blog from an agent at Curtis Brown in San Francisco - Nephele Tempest's Agent Blog
An agent with the Knight Agency blogs - Poetic Asides
A poetry blog from the editor of Writer's Market - Promptly (Prompts Blog)
WD's own blog of writing prompts, run by magazine staffer Zac Petit - Pub Rants
Kristin Nelson's Agent Blog - Publishers Marketplace
- Query Shark
Janet Reid's blog where she dissects query letters - Questions and Quandaries Blog
WD staffer Brian A. Klems answers questions of all kinds - Rachelle Gardner
A blog by an agent who specializes in Christian Writing - Romantic Reads
Dorchester editor Leah Hultenschmidt blogs romance. - Sara Crowe's Blog
An agent from Harvey Klinger blogs. - Scott Eagan's Agent Blog
The great Greyhaus agent blogs away. - Script Notes
A WD scriptwriting blog from Chad Gervich, TV producer - Steve Laube's Agent Blog
A Christian agent and former editor talks the biz. - Suzie Townsend
A new assistant agent at FinePrint Literary blogs. - Terry Burns's Blog
An agent with Hartline Literary blogs. - Terry Whalin's Blog
"The Writing Life," as told by a former editor and agent. - The Buried Editor
A blog dedicated to juvenile writing (YA, middle grade, picture books) run by an editor at CBAY Books and Blooming Tree Press - The Gail Ross Literary Agency
The agency blog. - The Inside Pitch Screenwriting Blog
A Hollywood Executive Talks About Screenwriting - The New Literary Agents
A few new literary agents share advice. - The Rejecter (Anonymous Agent)
- The Shatzkin Files
- The Sound and the Furry
WD contributor Nancy Parish talks writing. - There Are No Rules
Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest Books, talks about publishing trends and has interviews online - Tracy Marchini
An agent from Curtis Brown, Ltd. blogs - United States Copyright Office
- Upstart Crow Blog
A blog from the whole agency at Upstart Crow Literary. - Waxman Literary Agency
A blog from the whole agency. - Wendy Sherman Associates Blog
Multiple agents blog. - Writer Beware
A site dedicated to protecting writers from scams of all kinds - including unscrupulous agents - Writer Unboxed
Primarily devoted to genre fiction, this site features plenty of interviews with industry pros - Writer's Digest magazine
This big hub has tons of online articles from past issues of WD. Check out the revamped new site! - Writer's Digest University (Writers Online Workshops)
Online writing courses are taught by WD staffers and contributors - Writer's Market
This pay site is our online database of listings (magazines, book publishers, agents, and everything else). It has more than 6,000 listings. - Writing-World
A huge writing website and resource writers should check out. - Wylie Merrick Agency's Blog
- Zack Company Blog
Agent Andrew Zack blogs.
- 2nd Draft Critique Service
Guide to Literary Agents
Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents Blog
[description]Chuck Sambuchino’s Blog Focuses on Agents, Query Letters, Submissions, Publishing, Platforms, Marketing and More.
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[keywords]literary agents, writing agents, guide to literary agents[/keywords]
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[keywords]literary agents, writing agents, guide to literary agents[/keywords]
Chuck Sambuchino is an editor and published book author who runs the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, one of the biggest blogs in publishing. His site has posts on agents, query letters, submissions, publishing, platform, marketing and more.
How I Got My Agent: Robin Mellom
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA Blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Robin Mellom is the author of DITCHED: A LOVE STORY, a young adult novel released in Jan. 2012 by Disney/Hyperion.
GIVEAWAY: Robin is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. Read more
Agent Advice: Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency
“Agent Advice” is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else. This installment features Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. She also Tweets.
She is seeking: romance, mainstream suspense, thrillers, mysteries, young adult, inspirational, science fiction/fantasy, and action/adventure. Read more
“How to Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2012″ — New Webinar by Jane Friedman (Jan. 30, 2012)
It’s a new year, full of all kinds of possibilities. This is your year to get a book published. And to help you realize that goal — whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, memoir or children’s — we’ve listed publishing pro Jane Friedman, former publisher of Writer’s Digest and all around wise woman to help. Jane is teaching a brand new 2-hour intensive webinar called “How to Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2012″ on Monday, January 30, 2012. Read more
The 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference — a Recap
I just got back from our writers conference in New York, and, as expected, it was extremely busy yet extremely great. It was our second year hosting it in Manhattan, and, besides a snowstorm that hit on Saturday, everything went very smoothly — including the gigantic Agent Pitch Slam, which is my big focus in terms of planning. (If you couldn’t make the conference this year, stayed tuned to the conference website. I expect we will be back in mid to late January 2013 for more awesomeness.) Read more
Conference Spotlight: The Business of Pet Writing Conference (Feb. 11, 2012 in New York)
Pet writing enthusiasts will gather at The Business of Pet Writing Conference in the Hotel Pennsylvania’s Penn Top Ballroom, and rub elbows with the premiere people in the publishing, social media, pet and related industries. This year, the pet writing conference offers seminars and workshops that help pet writers learn: to report breaking pet news; to create compelling video; to work as a pet travel writer; to pitch pet websites; to create eBooks; as well as to use Facebook and Twitter and Linked strategically as a writer. Read more
New Agent Alert: Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency
Carrie is seeking: In the fiction arena, she is looking for literary fiction, historical fiction, and mature YA. She would love to see a thriller/mystery about Elizabeth Bathory, otherwise known as “Lady Dracula,” or a novel about a young teacher at a private high school who finds herself attracted to one of her students. She is not currently interested in romance, science fiction/fantasy, or picture books. For more information, or to learn about her nonfiction interests, please keep reading. Read more
10 Tips on Guest Blogging and Blog Tours
Hosting guests and author tours on your own blog is a way to attract more readers to your site as well as introduce your guests to a new audience. As a blogger and author, you also have an opportunity to make special appearances from time to time, or to schedule a virtual tour for a new book release. When I was promoting my second mystery, I did a few guest appearances for more experienced bloggers. In mid-2010, after I’d mastered the basics of Blogger, I began inviting authors to write for my blog . These are a few of the things I’ve learned.
GIVEAWAY: Patricia is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Petrea won.) Read more
Q&A Spotlight: Greg Koch, Author of “The Craft of Stone Brewing Company” (Comment For a Book Giveaway!)
Keep reading to find a Q&A with Greg Koch, co-author of the book THE CRAFT OF STONE BREWING CO.: LIQUID LORE, EPIC RECIPES AND UNABASHED ARROGANCE (Fall 2011, Ten Speed Press). “Since its inception in 1996, Stone Brewing Co. has been the fastest growing brewery in the country—Beer lovers gravitate to its unique line-up which includes favorites such as Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale. This insider’s guide focuses on the history of Stone Brewing Co., and shares homebrew recipes for many of its celebrated beers.”
GIVEAWAY: Greg is excited to give away a free copy of his book to a random commenter. Comment within 2 weeks; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: JRocHoll won.) Read more
7 Best Practices for Building an Online Presence
1. BE CONSISTENT ONLINE
- Blog every day or once a week or not at all. Establish the schedule for you and then stick to it.
- Decide what you want it to be about – Writing, querying, kids, family?
Guest column by Daisy Whitney, author of THE MOCKINGBIRDS, an NPR Best Book of 2010 that also got a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Read more
These Writers Found Agents at the Writer’s Digest Conference. You Can, Too!
I’ll cut right to the chase. The Writer’s Digest Conference is this coming weekend — Jan. 20-22, 2012, in Manhattan. We’ve got more than 60 agents lined up to take pitches at our huge Agent Pitch Slam. If you’re on the fence about attending our event (either for the full 3 days or the one-day option), let me give you four great reasons to attend: testimonials from writers who got agents and book deals through our event. You can get a sense of our recent successes by looking at the images below of the writers and their books. Read more
New Agent Alert: Rachael Dugas of Talcott Notch Literary
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
She is seeking: Rachael represents cookbooks and young adult, middle grade, and adult fiction in the contemporary, paranormal, women’s, and romance genres. She would love to receive more cookbooks (especially with a unique perspective, distinct voice and sense of place, and stellar marketing platform), beautifully written historical and/or literary fiction, really terrific memoir, and fun, contemporary YA or adult fiction, especially pertaining to food or the performing arts. Read more
Giving Back: How to Expand Your Platform Through Generosity
Building and expanding a platform is part of being an author in today’s market. Even if you’re not published, platform construction and maintenance help you cultivate a relationship with readers who will eventually buy your book. Social media provides an impressive toolkit for making this happen, but even in the era of cyberspace, two old-fashioned ideals still hold true: 1) Sometimes, you need to spend money to make money. 2) You get what you give. So be willing to give.
GIVEAWAY: The authors are excited to give away 3 free copies of their e-book to random commenters. Comment within two weeks (by EOD, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012); winners can live anywhere. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: jcmartin, daking27 and landerson all won.) Read more
New Agent Alert: Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
Hannah specializes in: commercial fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy, women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, romance and young adult. Hannah is also interested in nonfiction, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science and religion (for the general market). Read more
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Miranda Kenneally
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from YA writer Miranda Kenneally.
GIVEAWAY: Miranda is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. Read more
How I Got My Agent: J.H. Trumble
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings.
GIVEAWAY: J.H. is excited to give away a free copy of the book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. Update: Tammy won. Read more
More Than 60 Agents Will Be Taking Pitches at the 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference
The 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference (Jan. 20-22, 2012) is coming up fast and promises to be a blast. We have incredible presenters lined up to instruct, fun sessions to attend, and, of course the gigantic Agent Pitch Slam that features the largest gathering of literary agents (more than 60 literary agents this year!) at any writing conference in the country. Last year, we had about 55, but the conference attendance was so outstanding that we felt lines were too long for each agent. That’s why our solution this year is “more agents, more time.” Read on. Read more
New Agent Alert: Claire Dunnington of the Vicky Bijur Literary Agency
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
She is seeking: YA fiction, and in particular looking for strong realistic YA fiction and literary middle grade fiction. (For reference, some authors she enjoyed when she was growing up were Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Louis Sachar, Jerry Spinelli, Noel Streatfeild, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, and Virginia Euwer Wolff). She is happy to consider dystopian and futuristic YA, but is much less interested in vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and the like. Read more
Understanding Royalties: From a Kid Lit Author Who Doesn’t Get It Herself
Before you can collect any royalties, you have to earn out that advance. So easy! Obsessive sessions with a nubby pencil, a calculator and reams of greasy napkins have revealed that you only have to sell say … 8,500 copies of your hardcover, at a 10% royalty, to earn it out. Then you’ll be one of the 30% of published authors who actually manages to do so. You feel sorry for that other 70%, but their work is doubtless rather flawed and perhaps they’ll have better luck next time.
Guest column by Rhonda Hayter, whose kids book, The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams was released in April 2010 by Dial. She is a member of the Class of 2K10 Debut Authors. Read more
Agents Lori Perkins & Louise Fury Teach a New Webinar: “How to Find and Work with an Agent in the 21st Century” (Jan. 19, 2012)
The times — they are a-changing. Finding a literary agent today is unlike finding one 10 years ago. You’re dealing with electronic submissions, researching agents through Twitter, dealing with lots of information on websites, and trying to build a platform and brand online to impress them. So in today’s market, what should you be doing to best find an agent? To answer that question, we’ve enlisted two agents who pride themselves on being knowledgeable about technology: Lori Perkins and Louise Fury of L. Perkins Associates. The new webinar on Jan. 19, 2012, which includes a critique, is called “How to Find and Work with an Agent in the 21st Century.” Read more
5 Easy Ways to Build Your Writer Platform: Author Marianna Swallow Explains More on Dec. 15, 2011
Creating a writer platform is so important these days. It’s important because it makes you a valuable author who can connect with the maximum number of people and spread the news about your book. If you’re writing nonfiction, you must have a platform; if you’re writing fiction, you want a platform. That’s why we got platform expert Marianna Swallow to teach “5 Easy Ways to Build Your Writer Platform,” a new intensive webinar, on Dec. 15, 2011. Read more to learn about the webinar as well as the critique for all attendees. Read more
Agent Mary Kole is Teaching a Picture Book Intensive on Jan. 12, 2011 (Includes Full Critique For Attendees!)
Literary agent Mary Kole has run several webinars for us before. They were so successful that we’re very excited to have her back for more in 2012. This webinar on Thursday, January 12, 2012 is an intensive on picture book writing (and includes a critique of your book!). Since Mary has many several picture books (lots of debuts) in the past two years, she knows her stuff. Keep reading to learn more.
All registrants are invited to submit the full manuscript of their picture book (up to 1,000 words) after the event. All submissions are guaranteed a critique by instructor Mary Kole. Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Jen Rofe and “Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars”
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 57th installment in this series is with agent Jen Rofe (Andrea Brown Literary) for Nick James’s YA novel, Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars (Sept. 2011; Flux). The book was called “a fast-paced adventure that delivers solid action sequences throughout” by Publishers Weekly. Read more
Writing’s Most Essential Skill: Keep Them Turning the Pages
Making your reader want to turn the pages—through tension, pace, humor, what have you—is the foundation of effective writing. A writer who can’t make his reader want to keep reading is like a painter who can’t draw accurately, or a composer with no sense of melody. If you can’t make people desire to turn the pages of your book out of sheer pleasure, fear, tension, or joy, then you haven’t written a book that anyone really wants to read.
GIVEAWAY: Adam is excited to give away a free copy of his novel to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the print book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. Read more
Agent Irene Goodman On: How to Get a Critique for Charity
If you want a chance to get solid, professional feedback from industry professionals this holiday season, please go to pubvh.org, where you will find more than 125 charity critique auctions. Some of the very best in the business have generously offered their time, expertise, and years of experience to give you the honest and constructive guidance that you need. Read more
New Agent Alert: Marie Lamba of the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
Marie is seeking: Marie is currently looking for young adult and middle grade fiction, along with general and women’s fiction and some memoir. Books that are moving and/or hilarious are especially welcome. She is NOT interested in picture books, science fiction or high fantasy (though she is open to paranormal elements), category romance (though romantic elements are welcomed), non-fiction, or in books that feature graphic violence. Read more