HELP PLEASE

Pilot, since this isn't a request about a specific agent, I'm moving it to the Ask the Agent topic.

If you're getting "sorry, we don't handle this" responses and responses from marginal agents, I suspect you aren't targeting your queries effectively. Maybe you need to take a look at your research process, and find ways to make sure that you a) query only worthwhile agents, and b) query only agents who handle the kind of work you've written. There's a stickied thread in this forum with a lot of helpful resources, and you might want to look at this article of mine, which recommends a technique for researching agents that's designed to keep the questionable ones off your query list.

- Victoria

The 808 section (it can be 808 reference) of your library.

WRITER'S MARKET 2008 to find a publisher.

Look inside the books you have that are like yours to get the publisher's website. See if they take unsolicited stuff in their submission's guidelines.

Check author websites to see who reps for them. If they don't say a polite mail to the writer asking for that info might help. ("I'm an aspiring writer in need of an agent and was hoping you could tell me who represents you." Leave out telling them about your book.)

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/ to find an agent and avoid scammers.

Learn to write a query letter, outline, and synopsis. We all have to learn that stuff. No one escapes.

I can intro you to my agent, but that still won't make a diff if your writing isn't ready to sell.

Consider rewriting. (No one escapes that either.)

When I started shopping my first book I knew it was absolutely perfect. I learned better.

I sent it out for two years, put it through 2-3 full rewrites and redid chapter one about 25 times before it sold. I still had tweaking to do.

The rewriting extended to the second book and the third, which was nearly finished by the time the first sold.

An agent can't help if your words are not ready. Assume they're not and keep working on things.

And stay away from this lot.

And these losers.

Good luck!

Oops! Accidentally posted in the other thread.

This site is chock-full of threads that address this very subject. Poke around a little and find some information that fits your issue. And remember to check submission guidelines before you query - all those responses of "sorry, we don't handle this" would have been avoided if you had checked the agents' guidelines before you sent your queries to them. I don't know that anyone will be doing any introductions anytime soon - that's a little presumptuous to ask, but there's nothing stopping you from doing what every other writer in search of representation has to do - your homework! Best of luck to you!

Gillhoughly said it all! I agree with everything he said.

To add to one of his examples, I've been fortunate to have had a whole lot books published by traditional houses. I mention this because off and on I've been working on a manuscript for the past two and one-half years (and a query letter) but still don't think it's right for submission. When it is (I hope it will be) I think I'll know, and only then will I spend a good deal of time researching the publishers who I believe are right for this work (actually, since I have an agent, I'll pass my opinion along to her).

The point is, wholesale submissions don't work and wind up consuming your time and expectations. Be selective and have a specific reason why you submit to agents and/or publishers --- and tell them so in your query letter! Research, research, research.

When you say your agents are small I am just wondering what you mean. Some newer agents have great backgrounds and good contacts. However, I am assuming these are all NYC agents based on your post. I do think it makes a difference, but there are some exceptions. 50 agent - that's a lot. But the fact that some have responded is a good sign. I always look at which agents seem to be popping up on the news or being talked about. Also, talk to people you know in real life. I ended up getting an unexpected referral that way. Talk more to your professors. I would be surprised if none of them have publishing contacts. Based on what your professors told you, they want to help. See if there is anything else they can do. I hope this helps a little at least. Good luck.

gettingby said:

... 50 agent - that's a lot. ...

Click to expand...

Is it really though?

I can't be the only person who queried that many (or more) before signing.

I agree he might want to do some more research, refine his query, and target it better, but I don't think people should only query ten agents and then give up. Was it Ms Snark who suggested querying until you reach 100?

Also, just because an agent doesn't have a blog or a visible online presence doesn't mean they're not worth querying. A little research on sites like P & E should bring up whether an agent is valid or not.

I queried somewhere between 50-75 before signing.