I hate this part of writing!

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1799 Location : UK

Next time you write a query letter Malcolm, ask yourself this question, "If this agent accepts my work, will it be a good move on his part on the basis that the time and money he invests in me will be repaid over the coming years?"

If you made your living out of selling manuscripts to publishers, would you take a chance on you? Or are you looking for an agent because, without one, it is almost impossible to secure a contract with a commercial publisher?
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: I hate this part of writing! Thu May 15, 2008 5:49 am

Excellent Shelagh.

Agents/publishers will take a chance on a ms based on the sales potential. Asking ourselves that question gives us a shot of reality.
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch

Subject: Re: I hate this part of writing! Thu May 15, 2008 7:26 am

It's a peculiar little hierarchy pyramid, actually.

The writer does what please him, or what he thinks an agent will be interested in.

The agent selects according to what he thinks publishers he knows will buy.

The publisher buys based on what they think will fly in their market.

And the reading public buys books for reasons and tastes that nobody fully fathoms.

It's a drag in periodicals, worse in books, ridiculous/homicidal in films.
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