Obviously!

I was at work a few days ago and I fielded a call from a lady (and I use that term very loosely). One of her family members had written a book and this lady was sure there was nothing like it on the market. Her plan was to drop off the manuscript to a publisher so that they could read it and of course publish it. It was an interesting call.

Her: “The world needs this book!” She became a bit nasty when I told her that she could NOT drop off a manuscript to a publisher—that she would need to put together a book proposal and submit it to an editor or agent and if they liked it, they would request to read the manuscript. “So it’s come to that, you can’t just drop off a manuscript?”

Me: “Just like you wouldn’t show up at a potential employer ready to get to work- you would send a resume first and they would call you for an interview. That book proposal is the book’s resume.”

Her: “That’s just ridiculous. What about an agent- I’ll just hire an agent. What agents can I send the manuscript to."

Me: “You need to submit a book proposal to agents as well.”

Her: “That’s crazy. Then I'll send it to a publisher. What publishers can I send it to?”

Me: “Ma’am, off hand I don’t have that information. Not all publishers accept un-agented and unsolicited submissions.”

Her: “You’re not helping me at all. Why do you work there if you can’t give me advice?”

Me: “Ma’am, you can purchase xxxxx book and research which publishers are best suited for the manuscript your family member has written.

Her: “Why the h@ll would I want to do that. I’m calling that guy at the bookstore. He said you could help me and well obviously you can’t."

Me: "Obviously!"

So how was your week?

-Anon,

Nancy

Agent Blogs

It seems like more and more literary agents have blogs these days. Agents may use their blogs to promote their clients work, mentor aspiring writers or as a way to distribute updates about the everchanging publishing business. Whatever reason the agent uses their blog, it is a great tool to learn more about the agent and to determine if they would be a good fit for your work.

Here are some of the agent blogs:

http://www.jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/: Janet Reid's blog, it's an excellent mix of publishing info, submission do's and don'ts and client promotion. And just the right amount of snark.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/: Nathan Bransford's blog: includes some great advice for new writers and publishing info. He includes some tips for writing query letters that are incredibly useful.

http://www.pubrants.blogspot.com/ : Kristin Nelson's blog. Her blog includes sample pitches from some of her actual clients. She also describes why the query worked.

http://www.queryshark.blogspot.com/: Janet Reid also manages this blog. Step into the shark tank if you dare to have your query critiqued.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/ Rachelle Gardner's Literary Ramblings blog includes tips on writing query letters, how to write a book proposal and also includes questions to ask literary agents when you get "the call." There's some great information on her blog.

http://www.bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/ The blog kept by Jessica Faust of the Bookends Literary agency. She frequently answers comments and questions on her blog and is a great mentor to aspiring writers.

Other Lit. Agency blogs:

http://theswivet.blogspot.com/ Colleen Lindsey's blog, she's with Fineprint Literary Agency

http://dglm.blogspot.com/ Dystel & Goderich Literary Management blog

http://litsoup.blogspot.com/ Jenny Rappaport Literary Agency blog

http://arcaedia.livejournal.com/ Jennifer Jackson's blog of the Donald Maas Literary Agency

Some agencies include blogs on their websites. These include:

http://www.greenhouseliterary.com/ Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary Agency

http://www.upstartcrowliterary.com/ Michael Stearns and crew at Upstart Crow Literary Agency

I know there are some great blogs that I missed. Frequenting agency blogs is a great way to learn what's going on in the publishing business not to mention a great way to determine which agents represent the type of manuscript you want to submit.

Anon,

Nancy