In my last post here, I wrote about how I got a book deal with Bloomsbury off the back of a blog. One of the issues that arose was whether or not it was sensible to take on a literary agent. A starting point perhaps was a throwaway line from an animator friend of mine who said that in Hollywood (darling), you only ever get an agent when you don’t need one. This kind of summed up the position I was in with a couple of agents having contacted me and then having Bloomsbury showing interest. So did I go on alone and save myself the 15% or did I sign up with an agent?
For my part, having seen the benefits of a clerk negotiating my fees as a barrister, there was no doubt. After all, it’s far easier and more powerful for someone other than yourself to be arguing for more money. I was also entering a world about which I knew nothing at all and, even if I could understand the small print, I’d never have known what was standard practice and what not. But beyond all of this there was the long-term perspective of taking on an agent who will also be there for you even when the chips might be down and you really do need their contacts to help push your new manuscript onto the right desks of what is a very small publishing world. Oh, and not forgetting the fact that they can help you sell the potentially lucrative residual rights such as in TV, audiobooks and foreign publishing.
But, above all else, if you get the right agent they’ll be interested in you as a creative force. Not only because it’s in their interests to nurture and encourage you but also because if they’re really talented as an agent they’ll be as interested in and as passionate about the creative process as you are. This has certainly been my experience with Euan Thorneycroft at AM Heath and, several years on, I’m very glad I decided to take him on. Though as a postscript it almost didn’t happen at all since his original email, which was along the lines of ‘You don’t know me but I can help you etc’, was of such a type that it was sent straight to my spam box and it was only by chance that I stumbled upon it. So, yes, take on an agent if you’re able and never forget to double-check your spam!
In my next post, I’ll discuss how to put together your pitch for the publisher and the sorts of things you might consider including.
Tim Kevan is the author of ‘Law and Disorder’ and ‘Law and Peace’ which are published by Bloomsbury and available on amazon
Last week I pitched my non-fiction idea to over 100 literary agents in the USA via email. Within a few days I have received 10 responses. Most politely stated no thank you. Okay. This is par as I have learned. I also received one that shows great promise. Because I do not view myself as currently able to tackle writing a novel by myself, the agent asked whether I was looking for a ghost writer or a coach. Refreshingly, she suggested that I be directly involved with a writing coach rather than a GW (I know there are those that would be happy to be paid to GW). She did state that her agency is interested in my story and the coaching and representation must be viewed as separate. I am cautious of being sold her coaching services and need assurance of her true interest in the project, so my thought is to seek a contact of representation and there be no cost involved for the coaching, but that could be attached to the back end of any publishing contract that may be secured. Am I off base with this? I have found sources that comment positively regarding the agency. Are there any resources that any of you can recommend that will allow me to dig deeper on the agency? From this rookie writer . . . Thank you for anything that you can share!
Like many others I am agentless, and without a deal, but I have just finished the second draft of my first novel, have drawn up a shortlist of agents that I think may be suitable and the next jobs on my list are: synopsis, final re-write, and then getting my covering letter and biog sorted ready to jump in at the deep end. Sometimes I feel confident, other times I can't believe anybody will be interested in helping me promote my book. I guess there are plenty of other options if I'm unsuccessful in this first attempt, kindle maybe?
It's a little frustrating as I have loads of ideas for other books and can't wait to get cracking, but this next stage of trying to get representation looks like it will probably take a while.
Once I have finished the final redraft of my first novel, which should be by the end of this year. I will send it out to a list of publishers and agents from The Writers and Artists Yearbook. I will then wait to see if I am contacted by either.
If a publisher ( hopefully more than one ) is interested, I will then contact the list of agents I selected, and wait. for a response. Should an agent ( hopefully more than one ) contact me, then I will listen to what they have to offer.
You have to use a many angles as you can to attract an agent or publishers attention to your book..