I have finished revising the first draft of my novel and want to send the manuscript to publishers and agents. I was thinking of using contacts from books from the same genre and also 'The Artists and Writers Handbook', or 'Writer's market'. Has anyone used either of the above books? Are there other steps recommended? When do you start making a website around your novel, assuming you want to do this?
Hi Santwana,
Both Astor and Victoria have raised some very good points here. Rather than repeat (too much of) what they have already said, I'm just going to add my own experiences here.
I have used and would highly recommend "The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook". Aside from it's contacts and their requirements for submission, it contains a large number of very informative and highly useful articles. It also included a guide to the publishing process which I found absolutely invaluable. Once of my biggest concerns as a writer submitting my manuscript for the first time ever was, "How on Earth do all these people manage to come together to produce the book that can be seen on the shelf? What journey does my manuscript have to take? Where are the pitfalls? Where can it fall over? How can I equip it with a pair of spring-heeled boots and a vaulting pole so that it can leap over these hurdles?" (I never did work out a precise answer to the last question, so I edited it until it was streamlined in the hope that a reduction in virtual wind resistance may help it along a bit.)
On a personal note, I think the best thing you can do is edit it until you can edit no more, read it aloud to yourself and ensure that you are happy with (your) final draft (like other things in life, it will seldom be perfect, but there should be no glaring errors). Then riffle through the Yearbook and ID some likely recipients (Agents in the first instance rather than publishing houses). I also cross-reference it with the agent's webpage to ensure that they both match up, although it is probably not necessary. I also have a bias towards electronic submissions to save paper and other costs, but have not ruled out postal submissions completely. Put together the required documents listed in the Yearbook and follow the instructions given there to the letter (it removes at least one reason for an instant rejection). Then send it on its merry way with a wave and kiss and (the hardest part for me, at least), try to forget about it.
I also found it very useful to study the Yearbook quite carefully prior to submission as it contains a lot of information which I would otherwise have missed.
Personally, although I can create websites, I don't really enjoy doing it. I have to admit, I'm kind of viewing it as something that my future agent/publisher would either (a) do for me or (b) at least assist with. I believe (although I may be wrong) that this is more a function of that mystical but invaluable due known as "Sales and Marketing".
I hope that this help you.
I think a website is a big committment. If you have the time and skill to create something people will want to visit, go ahead. If it gains followers an agent will see you are good at promoting yourself and that goes in your favour. If your techie skills could do with a polish and you can't devote the time to engaging your followers, a site might actually be a mark against you. Use your judgement and play to your strengths.
Aside from checking for the publishers of other books in your genre and using the yearbook, I would also recommend going to an agency's website to find the agent most likely to be interested in your work. There is no point in sending a romantic fiction to the agent who usually specialises in children's books. If they like the sound of you they might pass your work onto a colleague... or they might decide you should have sent it to the right person in the first place. I also think it is wise to follow an agent you are thinking of submitting your work to on Twitter. An agent I was considering moved agencies recently and I became aware of it from her Tweets. Naturally, her former employer had removed her page from their site so I wouldn't have known where she had gone if I haven't been following her. I think Twitter is a really useful tool in that respect.
Hi Santwana,
I highly recommend W&A Handbook. It has all the information you need and helpful tips on how to compose a letter to an agent and things like that. However, the one thing you should be is very patient in getting a reply and be prepared for many rejections. Also, as I'm sure the book will advise you, always try to send your manuscript in a strong envelope which is well sealed, by recorded delivery if possible.
Another tip is not to send to any more than one agent at a time. Imagine the problems if your manuscript is accepted by two or more agents at once!
Hope this helps. Good luck!