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  • Guide to Literary Agents

Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents Blog

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.

The Value of Beta Readers: How They Help You as a Writer and Reader

March 26, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 4
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1. The use of stronger verbs to replace adverbs/adjectives.
He put the piece of paper in his pocket forcefully.
OR, He stuffed the paper in his pocket.

2. Whether the story flows.
Did the author follow-up on what they said in another chapter?
Does the story drag b/c the MC does nothing to further the plot–he wakes up, stares out the window, and eats breakfast (with no internal or external dialogue related to the story)? Read more

How I Got My Agent: Stacy Pershall

March 25, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 24
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“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.

Stacy Pershall, holds a MFA degree in electronic art from the University of Cincinnati. Her memoir, Loud in the House of Myself: Memoir of a Strange Girl (2011; Norton) was chosen for the Barnes and Noble spring 2011 Discover Great New Writers program. Booklist called the memoir an “electrifying account … one whirlwind ride.” Read more

Agent Advice: Kimberly Shumate of Living Word Literary (Part I)

March 23, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 0
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This installment features Kimberly Shumate of Living Word Literary.

She is seeking: Adult fiction, YA fiction, Christian living, dating/marriage, parenting, self-help, apologetics, health, inspirational, environmental, social issues, pop-culture, women’s issues, and men’s issues. No cookbooks, children’s books, science fiction or fantasy, memoirs, or poetry. No simultaneous submissions, please. Read more

7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Carrie Vaughn

March 22, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 23
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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 writer Carrie Vaughn.

Carrie Vaughn is a New York Times-bestselling YA author. Discord’s Apple (Tor Books; starred review in PW) was recently released in paperback, while Steel (HarperTeen) is her new YA book released in March 2011. Read more

My Adventures in Tallahassee…

March 22, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 0
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I just got back from the Tallahassee Writers Conference in Florida. The weather was nice, the town was abuzz with Florida State’s performance in the tournament, and the conference seemed to be a good success. There aren’t a whole lot of writers conferences in the gulf/panhandle area, so the TWA event is a fun event if you’re seeking a conference with sessions and agents to pitch. Read more

New Agent Alert: Sarah Sper McLellan of Folio Literary

March 22, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 1
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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: “Commercial fiction that pulls on your heartstrings (think Billie Letts or Nicholas Sparks). For Christian fiction, I particularly like women’s fiction, contemporary romance, thrillers, and Amish fiction.” Read more

Why Writers Need Book Bloggers

March 21, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 17
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Having gone through paperback and hardcover publication, having watched the marketing and publicity wheels spin—or screech to a halt—I’ve come to see book bloggers as indispensable to authors, especially first-time authors.

Guest column by Miriam Gershow, who lives in Eugene OR, where she is at work on her second novel, Knock Knock. Her first novel, The Local News, was called “an accomplished debut” by Publishers Weekly, and “deftly heartbreaking” by The New York Times. Read more

Gnome Attack Update: New York Times Mention, and "How to Gnome-Proof Your Office"

March 20, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 1

I set up a Google Alert for my name a while back. Google Alerts are wild. You never know what you’re going to find out there on the Internet. So I was … Read more

What Writers Need to Do Besides Write

March 19, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 17
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As writers, we tend to focus entirely on the manuscript. We sweat over it, we curse it, and we pace the floor worrying over one sentence, or even one casual phrase. Because of this obsession, we often believe that our Dream Agent, the one who is patiently sifting through the slush pile, will instantly connect with us when she spots that brilliant string of words.

Well, maybe. But it’s more likely that Ms Dream Agent will be wowed by the ancillary items in your arsenal. Sure, your writing needs to knock her socks off, but today it takes more than that.

Dom Testa is a radio host in Denver and an award-winning young adult author. The paperback of The Comet’s Curse, the first book in his sci-fi series, is available now. Read more

Live Near Houston? Come to the Houston Writers Guild Conference (May 7, 2011)

March 18, 2011 | Chuck Sambuchino | Comments: 3
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If you live anywhere near Houston, check out the Houston Writers Guild Conference on May 7, 2011. I will be there giving presentations as will a bunch of agents and editors. Read more

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