I am seriously considering moving down to London to make it, and I use this term warily, 'easier' to find more opportunities to meet the right people and ultimately get published. The only thing is that I would rather not if at all possible. Would getting an agent based in London save me having to move? I am an aspiring writer and illustrator for children's books and I also write science fiction for a more adult market. I'm not suggesting this would be an 'easy fix' at all but it does seem like avoiding the economic centre leaves more room to be looked over.
Am I wrong?
Yes, based on my experience, friends who work in London and the comments here, I had come to the same conclusion. Of course increased opportunity always helps but it's not essential. You could have all the networking skills in the world but if your work is no up to scratch/won't sell then it's a no-go!
Thanks for the wise words.
London's a great place, I'd think moving there in general was a fun experience. Not sure if it would help with finding a publisher since so many authors are published despite not living there - although it would, I guess, increase your opportunity to meet people and attend events. Overall it probably wouldn't help since the work itself is still the most important thing, whether it arrives in the post or gets handed over in person.
Thank you for those constructive comments, it seems the picture that's developing is one that sees moving as not really beneficial nor a hindrance. Also I'm all for consistent and constructive critiques, being a teacher in art and design it comes quite naturally! I think networking always helps regardless, especially when getting the feel for an industry, but yes it must be done in the right situations. Even then it has to be done tactfully and with respect for the professionals to speak to.
Logically if you work a full 5 day week then chances to network are limited (because we all need to survive primarily!) so networking becomes limited to events. Of course others will be limited to these events also, so what I refer to is this: Does living in a large centre like London make it easier to network and find these people because you're far closer to the action and these events? Or does it make no difference at all because the people you need to take your work to only network at these events and deal with submissions in the ways most convenient to them? Therefore making the need to move redundant, although not the desire.
Of course it's pretty obvious whatever work you have, illustrations and manuscripts alike, it has to be something pretty special. That should really go without saying.