We’re featuring another debut author on the blog today! These interview are so wonderful, because they give writers the chance to see what has worked for other authors throughout their publishing process. Lisa Lewis Tyre, author of LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS (Sept. 2015, Nancy Paulsen Books), grew up in a small town...
She is seeking: She specializes in literary fiction, and wants to continue building a narrative nonfiction list in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science.
So what is magical realism? Right after “What made you tell a story about mermaids and winged tightrope walkers?” this is probably the book question I get asked most. And understandably so. Category classifications are hard enough, and magical realism defies labeling. It’s both a genre and not one. It’s as much a worldview as...
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers (this installment written by Adam Blockton, co-author of TIME SAILORS OF PIZZOLUNGO) at any stage of their career can talk about writing advice and instruction as well as how they possibly got their book agent — by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing...
She is seeking young adult fiction (many subgenres), middle grade, literary and magical realism, and much more. Alexandra is actively building her client list and seeking new writers.
James Sie, debut author of STILL LIFE LAS VEGAS (Aug. 2015, St. Martin's Press), shares how he used various resources to guide him in his path to an agent.
3. Be deliberate. “Neither you nor your friend bothers to ask who is making her feel uncomfortable” (69).
Actively Seeking: interested primarily in nonfiction—especially narrative journalism, current affairs, pop culture, music, business and technology—as well as titles with strong book-to-film/TV potential.
It’s time to feature another debut author on the blog. I love interviewing new authors because it’s such a great opportunity to hear how they reached their dreams and learn from their success and mistakes. Cynthia Kane received her BA from Bard College and her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and is a certified meditation...
Tex Thompson, author of ONE NIGHT IN SIXES (July 2014, Solaris), shares how she found her agent at a writer's conference and obtained representation.
She is seeking: historical fiction (in all genres), women’s / book club / upmarket fiction, romance (particularly historical, suspenseful, or with a comedic bent), mysteries (particularly historical or cozy, or historical cozies), and narrative nonfiction in the areas of social history, archaeology, art history, material culture, etc. She is also interested in select young...
Technically, I’ve been criticized—I mean “critiqued”—my entire career. Whether it’s getting feedback from an audience at a play reading, notes from a book editor, or a room rewrite of a television script, my job is to translate opinions into positive changes for whatever project I’m working on. It’s a tricky business because our natural...
Debut author Andrew Roe—THE MIRACLE GIRL (April 2015, Algonquin)—shares his journey to finding an agent and publishing his novel.
Ahem. This was me as a teen. Annnnnnd this is me as an old-ish person. (I work with teens now at my day job.) Other than the loss of that sexy perm-style and an addition of a few many years of life, I’m actually not sure much has changed. I still love Def Leppard....
She is seeking: Middle Grade: Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-fi. Young Adult: Fantasy (all sub genres of fantasy accepted), Steampunk, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, Historical (19th century and earlier with strong heroines), Dystopian (hold the cyborgs, the scorch, and diseases, please), Sword and Sorcery, a very selective few for Contemporary Romance, and any combination of the above with...
Pamela Wechsler, author of MISSION HILL (May 3, 2016, Minotaur Books), shares the 7 most valuable lessons she's learned during her writing career.
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Robin Reul, author of MY KIND OF CRAZY. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of...
Lochlan Bloom, debut author of THE WAVE (Jan. 2016, Dead Ink) shares his path to publishing and how his novel developed over time.
In this Writer's Digest Boot Camp starting April 18, 2016, "Selling Your Children’s Book: How to Write and Pitch Novels & Picture Books for Kids," the agents of P.S. Literary Agency will show you how to make your submission stand out. How do you write a children's book with commercial appeal? How do you...
She is seeking: Lori seeks cookbook authors with a strong point of view, a solid grounding in their field, and a talent for motivating cooks of all stripes to get into the kitchen. She is also on the lookout for compelling narratives about food and drink, whether memoir or cultural commentary, serious or steeped...
Amber Brock, author of debut novel A FINE IMITATION (May 3, 2016, Crown), shares her long journey to representation and eventual publication.
From a person who never dreamed of writing a book to published author, I’ve learned some things along the way. There are a few hard truths I feel every writer should accept. The sooner you accept them, the sooner you’ll stop obsessing about them and the sooner you can do the work to get...
J. Aaron Sanders, author of SPEAKERS OF THE DEAD (March 2016, Plume) shares the seven most important lessons of his writing and publishing career.
Elise is seeking: romance and all of its subgenres, women's fiction, paranormal, mystery including clever cozy mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, commercial literary fiction, and some YA. She is particularly drawn to stories that contain a strong sense of place, and female protagonists with unique, compelling voices.
Instant gratification reigns supreme in today’s fast-paced society. I could go into a spiel here about Twitter, DVR, multi-tasking, and Big Macs, but we all live it (and, in most cases, love it) every day. Writing is no different. E-readers are replacing traditional books (some e-books even use short video clips throughout the story),...
