We need a rejection bell

[Emurelda]

Oh gosh - of course that's all i was hinting to. Not to submit to RM directly but just to get cursory feedback. Is that how it came across?

 

[Jason Byrne]

Oh gosh - of course that's all i was hinting to. Not to submit to RM directly but just to get cursory feedback. Is that how it came across?

No no, not at all. I just wanted to preface my response with the same proviso as had you, so I don't run afoul either. I think it might really help.

 

[Emurelda]

First the colony gets spammed then I almost break forum protocol whatever next..someone getting a MS request? Tut at rocking the boat

 

[Alistair Roberts]

Well the spam is gone at least

 

[Jason Byrne]

When was that?

 

[Karen Gray]

Horrah! I was getting ready to march my own personal tartan army on his jaxy. Street dog indeed!

 

[Alistair Roberts]

During the night, well someone's night anyway

 

[Jason Byrne]

Horrah! I was getting ready to march my own personal tartan army on his jaxy. Street dog indeed!

Holy crap that was a lot of colloquialism to Google.

 

[Karen Gray]

 

[Karen Gray]

I should carry around my own personal glossary lol

 

[Kitty]

what do you put in your query letter that ensures the MS is at least looked at?

If you are submitting in the UK (and I guess from your location you are) then keep your covering letter short and business-like. Your first line should include the title, genre and word count, then give a short pitch and any other relevant information about yourself, your publishing history etc. You don't need any more because you'll be attaching a full synopsis and sample chapters.

Obviously if from your covering letter the agent can tell that your book is derivative or some ridiculous length, or your letter is full of spelling and grammatical errors, then they're unlikely to read your pages. But if that's not the case then it all comes down to your opening chapter. Someone once told me that an opening chapter should have three hooks; one is the first line, the next comes at the end of the first page or paragraph, and the third at the chapter's end. Each hook will keep them reading - at least, that's the idea

US based agents usually ask for a query letter approach. This will follow much the same format but your pitch will have to be longer and tell them more about the book, as well as hooking them in, so that they then ask for pages.

There's lots of stuff online about how to write a good query letter if you ferret about a bit.

I hope this helps.

 

[Karen Gray]

If you are submitting in the UK (and I guess from your location you are) then keep your covering letter short and business-like. Your first line should include the title, genre and word count, then give a short pitch and any other relevant information about yourself, your publishing history etc. You don't need any more because you'll be attaching a full synopsis and sample chapters.

Obviously if from your covering letter the agent can tell that your book is derivative or some ridiculous length, or your letter is full of spelling and grammatical errors, then they're unlikely to read your pages. But if that's not the case then it all comes down to your opening chapter. Someone once told me that an opening chapter should have three hooks; one is the first line, the next comes at the end of the first page or paragraph, and the third at the chapter's end. Each hook will keep them reading - at least, that's the idea

US based agents usually ask for a query letter approach. This will follow much the same format but your pitch will have to be longer and tell them more about the book, as well as hooking them in, so that they then ask for pages.

There's lots of stuff online about how to write a good query letter if you ferret about a bit.

I hope this helps.

I was told that if you say something personal to the agent it helps get you noticed.

I once sent a query letter to an agent who on the agency website it said "Agent at large" next to his name.

So I sent a letter that was basically a mission impossible note

Dear Angus (forgot his last name) - Agent at Large,
Your mission, should you chose to accept it is to....... Blah blah blah
And ended it with This message will self destruct in 30 seconds.

He didn't take my work but he did give me a critique. I was quite pleased actually.

 

[Kitty]

Absolutely. Anything you can say to personalise it is a good thing - show's you're taking things seriously and doing your research!

 

[Meerkat]

I hope you all don't mind me being nosy to those who have submitted but are not getting the response desired...what do you put in your query letter that ensures the MS is at least looked at?

Maybe we should have feedback on our query letters too? Is it too cheeky to ask someone to look at mine please because I think it might be wordy but I've limited it to 3 short paragraphs (excluding the intro and farewell).

For publishers, a great book is Getting Your Book Published for Dummies. Be warned that a proper submission package takes tons of research, both into the publisher and the current market. You also have to learn how to pretend to want to burgle.

 

[Jason Byrne]

For publishers, a great book is Getting Your Book Published for Dummies. Be warned that a proper submission package takes tons of research, both into the publisher and the current market. You also have to learn how to pretend to want to burgle.

Hey, that's a good idea...

'Course nowadays you'd just get maced.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Yeah, the problem with the query is that agents are individuals--what hooks one will bore another, just like what I like to read is totally different from what my husband likes, even though we like to read within the same genres. I still have not had an agent ask to actually read my work, and I keep thinking it's not because my writing is bad (because they haven't actually read it), but because my MARKETING is bad. 'Cause that's what a query is, and having run my own business for 9 years, I know that I suck at marketing.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Yeah, the problem with the query is that agents are individuals--what hooks one will bore another, just like what I like to read is totally different from what my husband likes, even though we like to read within the same genres. I still have not had an agent ask to actually read my work, and I keep thinking it's not because my writing is bad (because they haven't actually read it), but because my MARKETING is bad. 'Cause that's what a query is, and having run my own business for 9 years, I know that I suck at marketing.

Haha, self-deprecation will get you everywhere.

Problem is, most agents to which I've submitted request between 5-10 and 30-50 pages, so it might be that my writing's bad.

 

[David Steele]

I think my approach has been wrong so far. I've been cheery and business like.
From now on I'm going to sit in the lobby and cry until somebody agrees to read my work.

 

[Kitty]

It's all too easy to spend hours sweating it as to why your MS isn't being picked up. The best thing to do is to get on with writing another book!

To get a book published you essentially need three killer elements:

1. A totally brilliant original idea, or a really good twist on an old one.
2. A really strong MC who the reader can empathise and connect with.
3. Demonstrate a good grasp of the craft so that the agents know you are up to the job of making any changes that might be suggested.

Of course, the current state of the market also comes into this but that's not something we can control or predict. The best advice here is don't follow trends. For example, a few years ago everyone was acquiring dystopia. Then the market became flooded. Now dystopia is a really hard sell. In a few more years of course that all might have changed.

 

[Jason Byrne]

It's all too easy to spend hours sweating it as to why your MS isn't being picked up. The best thing to do is to get on with writing another book!

To get a book published you essentially need three killer elements:

1. A totally brilliant original idea, or a really good twist on an old one.
2. A really strong MC who the reader can empathise and connect with.
3. Demonstrate a good grasp of the craft so that the agents know you are up to the job of making any changes that might be suggested.

Of course, the current state of the market also comes into this but that's not something we can control or predict. The best advice here is don't follow trends. For example, a few years ago everyone was acquiring dystopia. Then the market became flooded. Now dystopia is a really hard sell. In a few more years of course that all might have changed.

All very good advice, whatever the end, Kitty. Nicely-put.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Yep, I try not to sweat it, and write instead. But I think it also probably takes a bit of sweat to get a book out there...no pain, no gain, as they say. All about striking a balance, I suppose.

 

[Karen Gray]

Yep, I try not to sweat it, and write instead. But I think it also probably takes a bit of sweat to get a book out there...no pain, no gain, as they say. All about striking a balance, I suppose.

Thing is, the more effort you put in the more satisfaction you get out.......... eventually

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Yes, it's the eventually part that's the hard bit! I think perseverance is probably an important personality trait for writers!

 

[Karen Gray]

Yes, it's the eventually part that's the hard bit! I think perseverance is probably an important personality trait for writers!

And developing a very very thick skin

 

[David Steele]

I've worked it out! We need somebody who we can go to with our manuscript who can find us the right agent.
It's a brilliant idea - with so many agents out there refusing to take unsolicited submissions, and so few of them looking for new clients, we need a service where somebody reads a manuscript and champions it on our behalf.
This concept might just take off. We can call them Pre-literary Agents.
Although I imagine there would be a significant demand for their services. Maybe we should have a service to ensure we're matched up with the ideal Pre-literary Agency.
I've definitely got something here. Pre-Pre-Literary Agents! Is the application window for Dragon's Den still open?
(Insert credit card details below)

 

[Emurelda]

@David Steele You remind of the issue of contracts - yes horse cart come to mind but humour me -you need an agent to ensure contract with publisher is in order but who checks the agent contract for you? The pre-literary agent? Yes definitely got something there..take my money.

 

[Jason Byrne]

 

[Jason Byrne]

GONG! Another lack of response means another submission!

 

[Emurelda]

Congratulations on your latest submission. Well done

Positive vibes.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Congratulations on your latest submission. Well done

Positive vibes.

You were right, Emurelda. That does feel better.