Would like an agent's opinion on this

efreysson · Oct 14, 2007

In my ongoing quest for representation, a friend suggested that I start a myspace page, and post the first three or four chapters of my manuscript there, accompanied by something along the lines of "If you like the sample, would like to see the whole thing, and happen to know anyone in the publishing business, please urge them to take a look". With the sheer number of people on myspace I just might get lucky, and would at the least get some feedback on my writing.

I posted this exact question on the blogging thread. Three people advised against this, one of them stating that agents wouldn't like my manuscript being "pre-published". Since I'm only talking 3-4 chapters of a 33 chapter book, I'm not sure how seriously to take this, and I really want to try every possible approach to getting presentation. Can some of you professionals please advise me on this?

ORION · Oct 14, 2007

Not a good idea. Agents & editors get so much material submitted that they have no need to look. Researching how to write query letters and choosing specific agents YOU want to work with is part of the process.
Doing this just leaves you open to getting taken advantage of by scammers.
I am sure Nathan will be by and give you his opinion- listen to him - he's a successful agent.

Judg · Oct 14, 2007

I agree with Orion. This is a waste of time. It's not the issue of pre-publishing. It's the facts that agents just don't go trolling through MySpace or blogs looking for material. They have way more than they can easily handle coming to them without lifting a finger.

Check out Nathan's blog and especially, read the archives at Miss Snark. She addresses this issue more than once there, but we've already given you the conclusion of that. But read the archives anyway, because you will get a MUCH better idea of how things really work. It is time well invested.

Jersey Chick · Oct 14, 2007

That might only serve to have scam agents come knocking on your door. Legit agents don't, as someone else pointed out, troll blogs looking for clients. If you query, one might google you and find your blog, but even that's pretty unlikely.

badducky · Oct 14, 2007

If effryson is actually in Iceland, wouldn't that mean working out of London?

Miss Snark and Nathan Bransford both work out of the US.

I think the answer is still the same - don't get me wrong - but wouldn't it be useful to find out from a Brit?

Mac H. · Oct 14, 2007

James McDonald had an even better way of getting agent's attention - yes, a method that's even better than MySpace.

Here's the steps:

1. Write a query letter and enclose a writing sample
2. Put it in an envelope and address the envelope to the agent.
3. Mail the envelope.

It's a service that even delivers your pitch RIGHT TO THE AGENT'S DESK !

How can MySpace possibly compete with customised delivery like that? Sure, with the other way 'you might just get lucky', as you say. But this way you can be sure your writing goes to the agency you want.

Surely that's better than relying on luck?

Mac

Will Lavender · Oct 14, 2007

I'm not sure what kinds of rights issues are involved here, but the thing is this:

It ain't gonna work.

It's just not. No amount of luck, or good fortune, or serendipity will get an agent to bite on a piece of a story posted on MySpace.

Like ORION said, research and then query agents who represent books like yours. If you want them to notice your work, write a good book and follow it with a solid, well-prepared query letter. That's really the only way to do it.

efreysson · Oct 15, 2007

Well, back to Query Letter Hell, I guess. Just thought I'd check out the possibility.

badducky · Oct 15, 2007

*couch* (Scott Lynch and John Scalzi both got a big-league editor to bite on a serialized novel posted to the internet.) *cough*

However, I happen to think that everyone is right and you should completely slaughter the query-letter demons first. Don't try to find an easy way out. Because, at the end of the day, John Scalzi and Scott Lynch probably ought to have sent theirs out the right way, and they both would have "made it". Because they're awesome.

Would like an agent's opinion on this

efreysson

Closer than ever

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Jersey Chick

Up all night to get Loki

badducky

No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe.

Mac H.

Board Visitor

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

efreysson

Closer than ever

badducky

No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe.