Be Your Own Literary Agent and Get Published
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to write a book. If you've already written a manuscript, chances are you're looking for agent representation. In the past few years, as an editor and literary consultant for www.TheOmnibus.org, I've had the opportunity to read more than 1,000 book proposals. Most, I'm sad to report, were inadequate because the author did not follow a few, very simple guidelines.
Before you complete your manuscript and send it on its way to prospective literary agents or publishers, take the time to make sure you have a professional query letter and (short) synopsis, and that you have edited your manuscript. If you can not do these chores, then find someone who can.
Also, make sure you're able to distinguish your manuscript from other books on the same subject, that you can identify the audience for which you are writing, and determine the marketability of your finished book. These are the most important questions agents and publishers will ask, and it will impress them that you've done your homework.
You should already have researched the market to determine how many books on the same subject are currently available. A handy tool is to use the Internet and search the large booksellers online. These services not only provide a list of books on the same topic, but often a synopsis and the book's audience as well. Your book needs to stand out, not duplicate what's already available.
Agents and publishers also want to know your ideas for publicity and promotion of your book, including how you intend to reach your target market, and any helpful contacts you may have.
Another common mistake is to assume agents and publishers will respond at their own expense. You need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so companies can acknowledge receipt of your proposal. If you would like to have your material returned, be sure to send an envelope that is large enough and has enough postage for them to mail your proposal back to you. Proposals that do not include an envelope and postage generally will not be acknowledged or returned.
Some companies will accept e-mail submissions. Because of the threat of viruses, they usually won't open e-mails with documents attached. Many will read e-mail queries that include a short resume, a synopsis and sample chapters that have been copied and pasted into the body of the e-mail.
As mentioned, for security reasons companies do not like to open attachments without prior contact with the writer, and prefer you follow regular submission procedure. If prior contact has been made by e-mail, response and acknowledgments often will be made by e-mail.
If you are submitting book proposals by e-mail, it is wise to advise the companies in your cover letter the type of word processing program and version of that program that you used. Text is best transmitted through e-mail by converting it to Plain Text Format, ASCII (with no hard returns).
Take the opportunity to edit the work, correct misspellings, improper word usage, etc., before submitting it. It's not a good idea to send complete manuscripts by e-mail unless they are requested.
Let's break it down:
How Your Book Differs from Others
* What is your book is about?
* What is the reason that prompted you to write your book?
* Why is your book needed by others?
* What are its unique features?
Identify Your Audience
* Describe the audience you are targeting with your book.
* What is your level of expertise (no experience, beginner, intermediate, advanced)?
* What are some specific applications or uses for your book (e.g., sports, education)?
* Who would be the most likely candidates for purchasing your book?
* Why should they buy it and share it with their friends?
Beat Your Competition to Market
* List three to four books that compete with the project you are proposing.
* How do they compare to your book in length, spectrum, format, and visual appeal?
* Are there any that seem remotely comparable?
* What are the differences among your approaches?
Publicity
* Gather a local, regional, state and national media contact list.
* Consider contracting a company to make a website for your book.
* Do you have access to any authors who may provide a "blurb" for your book?
Don't Forget the Postage
* Include a SASE with all queries.
* If you want your manuscript back, include enough postage for its safe return.
Electronic Submissions
* Check if the company accepts electronic (e-mail) queries and proposals.
* Make sure you're not spamming hundreds of agents/publishers at a time.
* Only include a short query, a bio, a synopsis, and the first three chapters in your e-mail.
* Don't send attachments.
* If you are asked to submit an attachment, let them know the software program.
* Consider sending the file as Text only.
Robin Van Auken is the owner of www.TheOmnibus.org and is an author with four published books, two eBooks, and several books in the planning stages. She acts as her own literary agent and works directly with all of her publishers.
MORE RESOURCES:
 Los Angeles Times | Irishman Enda Walsh doesn't let words get in the way Los Angeles Times It was later in the writing process that Walsh introduced the element of farce and the notion of the father trapping the sons, forcing them to perform. ... Irish playwright Enda Walsh on playwriting and screenwriting |
Google may be writing traditional media's obit Tampa Tribune Ken Auletta, who writes the "Annals of Communications" column for The New Yorker, has access to many of America's heavy-hitting media moguls ... |
Bruce Springsteen writing autobiography? Online Rock Radio Bruce Springsteen is reportedly writing his memoirs, according to The New York Post. An unnamed source said the project would be unparalleled in the rock ... |
 New York Times | A Torah Scribe Pushes the Parchment Ceiling New York Times Julie Seltzer at work writing a Torah at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. By BRUCE WEBER In Hebrew the word for Julie Seltzer's arcane ... |
Newspaper pay walls have a lot of confused writing on them guardian.co.uk So, this month, the pay walls begin to go up. The next edition of Retail Week you try to read on the internet will come as part of a subscription package, ... |
Rick & Newt: Writing the wrongs of Washington Dallas Morning News Rick Perry has a new writing partner. Perry and fellow Republican Gov. Mark Sanford teamed up as co-authors to bash Washington. In a December op-ed in the ... |
 guardian.co.uk | Enter, finally, the real Alan Bennett guardian.co.uk If writing meant passing this kind of kit inspection, I'd better forget it." Bennett didn't forget it, of course. But having observed Auden at close ... 'Love's a little boy' |
 Jamaica Gleaner | Winkler talks about writing Jamaica Gleaner "Writing is a funny business. I wrote it about a year ago, but I did not like it. When I was getting ready for Calabash I thought of it," Winkler said. ... |
Cross Inks License Partnership With FranklinCovey Products CNNMoney.com (press release) "Cross has world-renowned writing instrument and design capabilities and pairs extremely well with the FranklinCovey brand," said FranklinCovey Products CEO ... |
Saturday Starter: Your Writing Origins Tucson Citizen After my visit, I took it home, had it carefully framed and it now hangs on my wall above my writing space, a constant reminder of my writing origins. ... |
Write a Letter, Make a Difference
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized that there is a letter that I must write. Near our house, we walk up a once paved road that is now mostly rock and mud.
The Writers Identity: Exploring the Writer Within
Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that the best way to find your voice is to write autobiographically. "Writers will never find a powerful, evocative voice until they learn to be bone-deep honest with themselves, open and vulnerable.
Time-Saving Skills to Get More from Your Writing
As you set out to create your first niche non-fiction book (and hopefully your first bestseller), you will be supported by a strong motivation to keep your mind focused on the essential business at hand i.e.
Review of A Classic: Finneys Invasion of The Body Snatchers
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of The Body Snatchers succeeds first and foremost because it's a great story. If there was nothing else to be said about it, just that it's a great story, that should be more than enough to keep it on the bookshelves for the next generation to enjoy as much as the last.
A Simple Contest with a Strong Message: Wake Up Your Writing Spirit
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for two weeks and already the results are overwhelming. And not because we're getting far more entries than we expected.
Ten Ways to Get Cheap (and Free) Magazine Samples
1 - Join a reading or writing group. Ask members to bring in theiralready-read magazines and have an exchange.
Your Words Will Determine Your Business!
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase will reveal what you are.
Do You Know What A Plot Is?
Creative Writing Tips -What a plot is and what a story is can be sometimes confusing. If you think they are the same? They are not.
Write SMART: How to Create Terrific Writing Goals - And Achieve Them!
Open up your favorite calendar and circle today's date.Why? Because no matter what day it is, you've been given a wonderful gift: a bright and shiny year ahead to make your writing dreams come true.
The Three Cs of Writing an Excellent all Purpose Headline
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have with your message, it must reach out to them. Promise them a benefit.
Tell the World About You
You have a new website, or a new business, or both - or your site isn't getting the kind of traffic you want and need. How are you going to tell the world about what you have to offer and where to find it?If you have deep pockets, you can start buying ads in newsletters and ezines and hope somebody reads them.
Piecing It All Together
There's a little known secret we writers like to keep to ourselves, because we fear that if word got out, readers would immediately become disillusioned and abandon us. It's not as bad as a reviewer spoiling a twist in the plot of a book, I suppose.
Aesop, Abraham Lincoln, and You
May I tell you about a writing technique shared by Aesop and Abe Lincoln?Let's look first at Aesop's timeless tale about the tortoise and the hare. It's the one that ends "slow and sure wins the race.
The Best Freelance Job Boards for Writers
How many times have you checked out a job board to that either it no longer exists or that there is one or two jobs listed. Out of the hundreds of job boards on the Web today, how do you find those containing projects that you are interested in and qualified for.
7 Weapons to Conquer the Giant Procrastination Keeping You from Your Book Dream
Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project,lately? Like the author, many writers get hung up with wrongthinking about writing and completing their books. They feel like aloser because they have stopped and started countless of times overthe years.
Understanding Editorial Guidelines
Editorial guidelines, also known as writer's guidelines, are the rules set forth by publishers for contributing authors. In order to have your article taken seriously you must review the guidelines prior to submission.
Italics Part 2 - Using Italics to Show Thoughts
Way back in your early school years, you were probably taught to use the tag "he thought" in your stories, to tip readers off that someone was thinking. If you substituted something more innovative, like "he pondered" or "Harry deliberated", you might even have scored a big red tick.
To Transcribe or Not To Transcribe Interviews?
11 Secrets from an Experienced InterviewerOne of the unwritten rules of writing a book, an article, orany sort of material that requires the writer to interviewexperts or people "in the know" is to tape record theconversation. Whether the recording occurs via phone or inperson is irrelevant.
Seven Suggestions To Develop a Superb Writing Style
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing. As you struggle to create your own voice, while focusing on the required standards, you may want to consider the following tips for improving your style and establishing a professional formula for success.
Keeping a Love Journal
Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,or maybe a group of people. February 14 is Valentineâ??s Day.
