Author: mark blanchard
Date:   04-05-01 19:03

Recently I’ve received a number of requests for a repost of my old letter to Robert McCleod on how to get a real agent. So for the benefit of those new folks who might derive some help or insight from it, I’ve dredged it up from the bottom of the stack and present again now. (FYI - Prior to reposting, I updated and edited it to include more useful information, but it's basically the same.)

Without question, the single most difficult problem a new author of book length fiction faces is ‘How do I find a real literary agent?’ (Note that I specify ‘book-length’ works here. Unfortunately, if you write poems or short stories, most agents won’t be interested in handling you because they can’t make any money from you.) Well, I faced the same problem a few years back and I must say, I found the going pretty tough until some kind folks helped me to distinguish the ‘dolphins’ (i.e. real agents) from the ‘sharks’ (fake agents) swimming around the little lagoon of publishing.

As we all know, at first glance a dolphin’s dorsal fin can look a lot like a shark’s. Likewise, at first glance it can be hard to tell a real agent from a fake. The sharks know this, of course, and they capitalize on it. And lately they’ve been getting more refined in their dolphin-mimickry and more people are being pulled down by them. In spite of their changing tactics, the basic rule for telling dolphin from shark remains the same. There’s one sure-fire way to tell and I’m gonna give it to you right now– ya ready?

IF AN ‘AGENT’ ASKS YOU TO PAY HIM MONEY FOR ANY KIND OF FEE BEFORE HE HAS SOLD YOUR BOOK TO A LEGITIMATE PUBLISHER, HE IS A FAKE, A SHARK, A SCAMMER.

Got it? If your prospective agent asks you to send him up-front money for a contract fee, marketing fee, promotion fee, mailing fee, signing fee, reading fee, buy-my-porsche fee, or pay-the-rent-on-my-girlfriends-apartment fee, you know he’s a crook and you walk away. That’s it, that’s the only rule you need for telling dolphin from shark. Ask for money up front = he’s a shyster; take a cut of what he sells for you = he’s a real agent. Let me repeat this again because so many posters to Writers Net fail to get it, fake agents want you to write them checks BEFORE they sell your work, real agents sell your work and take a cut, sometimes itemizing back expenses as well, but always after the sale.

Why do fake agents want you to pay up front? Because they either know they can’t sell your work or they DON’T EVEN TRY to sell it. They don’t try because they’re not in the business of selling manuscripts, they’re in the business of conning gullible authors out of up front money. And judging by the numbers of requests for agent info we see on this board, this fake agenting thing is a pretty lucrative business. In fact, there may be MORE fake agents out there in our lagoon than real agents, I dunno. One thing I do know is that the majority of the agents who advertise or who you will first run across during a net search are fake. This is probably why they do so well. They’re easy to find and the new authors bump into them first.

Once you’ve accepted my premise that fake agents charge up-front fees and you vow not to query these agents, your next question should be, “Where can I find a list of real agents and how should I approach them?”

First accept the fact that most lists of agents you’ll find on the net and those advertising in Writer’s Digest are fake. Not all of them, mind you, but most. This includes the list found here at Writer’s Net (and they disclaim this unfortunate fact right up front), it includes the list at Literary Marketplace and it includes most of the other commercial sites. Trying to sort the good agents from the bad on these net lists is like trying to separate spilled grains of wheat from sandy ground. It’s a laborious task and you wonder if it’s worth the effort even though you know it can be done.

That’s why I suggest a different approach – why not go straight to the mill and buy your flour already stone-ground? You do this by going to the three untainted sources of info on legit agents that I know to be accurate and unbiased and upon whose judgement I place all my faith. Those three sources, in the order I suggest you use them, are:

1) The list of member agents of the Association of Author Representatives (or AAR -- AAR (there is a link here in Writers.net if you look for it or you can go straight to http://www.publishersweekly.com/aar/). One cannot be a member of this organization and charge fees. Not all real agents will be found on this list, but everyone found on the list will be a real agent. Get it?
1) Agent Research and Evaluation - The other, tried and true internet list of good agents can be found at (http://www.agentresearch.com/services/dreckoning.html). This list doesn't have addresses, just the names of the larger agents doing legitimate deals. Agent Research is a real company and they charge fees for some of their reports, but their sole purpose is to tell you which agents are actually doing the deals. You can buy their lengthy reports or not, as you wish. I didn't buy anything from them, but I used their free reports frequently when I was looking for an agent. Again, AR&E doesn’t have records on all legit agents (especially the tiny ones), but every deal that they do know about comes from a legit agent.
1) If you cross reference the above lists, you should have a good 200 names of legit agents to start querying. If you come across other agents that you insist on querying and you want to know if they’re real or fake, go to the fine ladies at Writers Beware and ask them if they’ve received any complaints about your agent in question. Writers Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html) maintains a vast database of information on the shysters and they’re happy to share it with you. Victoria Strauss and Ann Crispin maintain Writers Beware free of any charge to the petitioner and they are frequent contributors to this board as well. (But remember, if you ask for their info and you don’t like their answer, please don’t shoot the messenger.)

After you have culled through and cross-referenced the first two lists, I suggest you pick 20 -30 agents that you want to pitch first and then you gin up a good query letter which covers the basics of who you are, what your book is about, why it's salable. Include a bibliography of any other works you've published. I won’t go into the details of how to write a good query letter here because there are many fine primers of this subject available on the net already.

Just make sure your query packet is well-written and to the point, because you’ll have very few throws at this table before you crap out. If you screw up in your pitch, an agent will spot it in about ten seconds and then you're out of the game as far as he’s concerned and he’ll hand the dice to the next wannabe on the slush pile. When you’re satisfied with your query packet, you send it off and see what happens.

See how easy and fair it is to get your foot in the door? Anyone with stamps and letterhead can do it because all that matters to agents is the work itself. You do not have to have insider connections, you don’t have to be a journalist, you don’t have to be a published author, you don’t have to have an MFA degree. You just have to write a good book. That’s all. If you’ve written a good book and made that fact clear in your query packet, some agent is going to see that and get behind you. Trust me on this, I’ve seen it happen more than once.

Here's what you can expect to happen with the legit agents after you submit your query. No matter how good your query is, most will decline to see your work. That’s just the reality of the numbers game. Maybe 60-80% will turn you down with a variety of excuses -- maybe 100% if your work is crap. But the odds are that someone out there in NY (where most of the legits work) will ask to see your writing sample, which is usually about 3 chapters or 50 pages. The ones who say yes are the agents who think you've got an interesting concept and want to know if you can actually write. You’ve hooked your dolphin with the tasty query, now you have to reel him in with the writing..

If your concept is killer, a few agents may ask for the whole manuscript right away if they think you are on to something. You should IMMEDIATELY comply. Some wannabe writers carp at the cost of producing a good query packet or don't want to spend all that money on postage, but you're a fool if you don't. You've just spent 2 years writing the thing and you won't pop for $20 bucks to fedex the manuscript to one of the few people who is ever gonna read it? Wake up and smell the Folgers, in this game you put out all the expense and effort first, hoping to make something back later.

Now comes the gut-check part. In all probability most of these agents will read your manuscript and read it FAST. I’ve heard stories about authors submitting queries and writing samples to agents and then not hearing back for weeks or months, but such was not the case with me. Most of the real agents I queried responded to me positively or negatively within three weeks, some within days of getting my query. The slowest was two months.

Remember, each and every one of these agents is in the business of discovering the next J.K. Rowling. As such, they won't let a good thing pass them by. As soon as they get your query and find the time to sit down, they'll read it and then they'll reply. Now bear in mind that the odds are very high that you won't like their reply, but take their advice and believe it, because they'll be brutally honest. If your writing is crap, they may tell you, but they’ll probably just give you a form letter rejection. You’ll be lucky if they tell you in that case because it will save you from making further queries. But if your writing shows promise and is unpolished, they'll probably also tell you and if they think it's good and want to rep it, they will DEFINITELY tell you and they may make you an offer of representation on the spot.

Here's what happened in my case, perhaps you can learn from it. I wrote a thriller and then went to find an agent. I had no insider connections and had published very little. I found an internet list of agents and started writing pitches to them, setting a personal goal that I would pitch to 100 agents to get 10 to read my book to get 1 to represent me before I got discouraged and gave up. These were pretty realistic goals, I thought, maybe they’ll work for you too. If I was any different from most beginning writers, it’s probably that I’m very realistic in my assessment of own modest abilities and I know how to take criticism. These are good traits for a writer to have, I think, because we’re all going to get a lot of criticism over our careers.

In any event, I figured that if no one wanted to take me on after I hit those magic ‘powers of ten’ numbers, I would take the hint, conclude that my work was crap and stop trying. Most wannabe writers don’t do this. Many can’t or won’t take criticism and as a result they never think to rework their book or pitch after they see the pattern of rejection developing. Others have the problem of getting realistic feedback from an objective reader. They think that if their Aunt Marge reads their book and says ‘It’s wonderful honey, you’re so talented’ that she actually means it.

I tell ya, long experience has taught me that reviews by friends and family are usually worthless and there is no one so valuable as an editor who will rip my work to shreds. If you can find one or more of these bloody-penned editors to flagellate your manuscript before you send it to agents, you’ll save yourself a mountain of stamps.

Long experience has taught me one other thing about writing -- most of it is CRAP! Trust me on this, one summer in college I worked for a film production company as a script reader. Got paid $5 per script and I probably read about 250 scripts that summer. Of the 250, I'd say that 245 were absolute dreck, completely unworthy of the trees that were sacrificed to that make up the thousands of pages of incoherent drivel I was forced to read. Of the remaining five scripts, four showed some promise as ideas, but the writing was still unpolished and only one was engaging enough to recommend my company buy. (They passed on it, btw. It was a script very similar to Kevin Costner's For the Love of the Game.)

But back to the query process and my story. I worked hard on my query letter and sent it out simultaneously to about 25 agents. Most of these wrote or called IMMEDIATELY saying they wanted to represent me and would I please send the whole manuscript. I was elated for about ten seconds, then I smelled a rat. My work couldn’t be that good, I was batting nearly 1.000. Almost every agent I queried wanted my book! Well you guessed it, my hit rate was so high because all of the names on my first list were FAKE AGENTS out to take my money. Fortunately, I did further research around that time and learned how to tell real from fake and I never wrote back to any of the shysters. Some of these fakes were persistent, though. They continued to call, email and write me, begging for the chance to represent me, all on the basis of a query letter. I didn’t fall for their siren songs, don’t you do so either.

Anyway, it took me a while to discover the AAR list, but when I did find it, I started over in my pitches with a clean slate. The results of this second round of queries were very informative. Most of the 25 real agents that I wrote to in the second round said that they were too busy to consider me or they gave me a brief no thanks with a photo-copied form letter. However, an encouraging percentage of the legits (maybe 30-40%) said they would like to read my writing sample and a few even said they wanted to see the whole manuscript on the basis of my query packet.

Based on these results, it seemed to me that I wasn’t beating Ted Williams batting average, but I was doing okay, so I was encouraged. And I could tell that the agents who were truly interested wanted to cut to the chase quickly. Several called me, several entered into frequent email conversations with me. I remember one of those with whom I emailed back and forth frequently was Russell Galen of Scovil Chichak and Galen. He's one of the top hitters in the legit agent world and here I had this man interested in my book and talking to me one on one. I was impressed even if he eventually told me in no uncertain terms what was wrong with my book and why.

Word up, even when you get these agents talking to you, be prepared to have them flagellate your book, because that’s what most of them will do. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to getting published, but the process is exceedingly fair, I promise you. It’s not personal, ALL THAT MATTERS IS THE WORK ITSELF. If you have the chops and the work is good, these professionals will see it in you and one of them will sign you on. If they don’t like what they read, they’ll tell you and probably suggest ways you can fix it.

Back to my story. As it turned out, Mr. Galen and the others that I contacted in that second round didn't really like my book. According to them, it fell into that category of 'close, but no cigar' authors and they told me so with no mincing of words. This was tough news to take and I could have pouted or shrugged off their comments and kept submitting to more agents, but that’s not what I did. I took their words to heart and decided to rework my book before I re-queried, especially in the troubled opening chapters that had received the most complaints. In other words, I believed what they told me. I suggest you do the same.

To rework my book, I utilized the expert help of a few other published authors in my writers group (the incomparable San Diego Writers Workshop), I retooled the novel based on the feedback I had received from the agents. Only when we were all satisfied with the results did I gear up to try another set of pitches. For this third round, I did the same thing I did in round two, pitched the same cold-call query letter to another 20-25 legit agents and waited for responses.

Again I got a good response and my batting average was about the same. All told, between rounds 2 and 3, I think I pitched to about 45 legit agents and had about 18 agree to read my writing sample. Of those, about 9 said they wanted to read the whole manuscript. When all was said and done, of the 9 agents who read the whole thing, 3 said they wanted to represent me. (However I must say in fairness two of those three only got hungry for me after I told them that I'd already received an offer of representation from Janklow and Nesbit, one of the biggest who represent Michael Crichton, Thomas ‘Hannibal’ Harris, William Goldman and bunch of others.)

The offer I eventually accepted came about in the following way: my future agent quickly asked via email to see a writing sample after he received my query letter and I sent it back to him via priority mail. He got it and emailed me on a Tuesday saying he liked my sample and would I please send the whole manuscript as soon as possible. I bit the bullet and Fedexed it to him on a Wednesday, he got it on Thursday, read it all on Friday and called me on Saturday morning with an offer. By the next Monday, I made my decision and was a J&N client. That's how fast it can work when it works. It won’t always work that fast, but when these guys want to move, they MOVE. If they decide they want you, they won’t let anyone else snatch you up first.

And it does work. I had no personal connections, I'd never published a novel before. I believe that ultimately your work will stand or fall by itself. If your book is good and it's salable, you'll find a place at the table. Stephen King makes this point strongly in his book and I agree. It’s all about the book.

As a result of this belief, I don’t have much sympathy for the folks who claim that breaking into the business is a just a matter of luck or connections or selling out or that quality doesn’t count. I think that’s pretty much just sour grapes talking. There’s nothing special about me or my books. I’m just a hack, I try to write what someone will buy and I try to do it the best way I know how. I don’t think any of the authors who get published are any different.

But I think I am different from a lot of wannabe authors in that I’m willing to play this publishing game by the rules they give me and not whine to the referees all the time. The rules are the rules, they’re tough but fair. Playing by them is the best way I see to do things and I firmly believe that you try to play this game by its rules and your book has merit, you’ll get your turn at bat too.

Anyway, that’s my opinion. Good luck in your efforts.

Mark Blanchard

Author: stupified and amazed
Date:   04-05-01 20:18

i didn't think anyone was as heartfelt at their wrighting opinion as i am!
^_^ i put the rest of this on the published writers forum
~sheena~

Author: Katherine Kale
Date:   04-05-01 22:33

Mark --

Thanks for sharing, as they say. I'm trying to glean as much information as I can from your experience, especially with regard to the time lapse once they have the full ms. Three BIG agents have my full manuscript; one small agent has the full; four medium have a 100-page sample. I await. Nervous and miserable.

One of the biggest has had my manuscript for two weeks now; the others have had it for less. I don't know what to expect. I was hoping I'd get a "WE ADORE YOU!!" call inside a week. It hasn't happened.

Another big agent emailed yesterday, saying my work was just too much like Mark Salzman's latest, which he reps. He then suggested I query a colleague of his at another big house. I did that today, mentioning the across-town recommendation and why he felt he had to pass. I'm a wreck waiting.

I'm equating this wait with the other all-time great phone call of not so long ago. My son applied for an early acceptance to Harvard. On a certain day we could call the admissions office to learn if he was accepted. I dialed the phone, knees hammering. Admissions asked for his name. I gave it. Then I heard, "Ohhhhh, you're going to have a good day...."

Dear God in heaven, please... just one more of those glorious phone calls, I beg you….

Author: mark blanchard
Date:   04-06-01 15:14

For what it's worth, the tenor of your responses sounds encouraging to me. When you get positive feedback of the helpful 'Try this' variety, you know you're in there taking could cuts at the plate. Keep swinging and you'll connect.

Mark

Author: Ele Thurman
Date:   04-06-01 15:27

Mark,

Thank you for posting this information. It is extremely helpful knowledge for the journey in seeking the "Real" agent. My first agent actually shared an example of the typical query letter he receives and it was sad. It made me realize why so many articles and books focus on the query letter, because after all, we only have one opportunity to make a first impression.

I'm looking for an agent to represent a romance/adventure novel and wonder if Janklow & Nesbit represent this genre?

Thanks for any input you're willing to offer.

Ele

Author: Dingo
Date:   04-06-01 16:21

Any pointers on finding a real estate agent?

D

Author: mark blanchard
Date:   04-06-01 16:49

I agree with you about the average quality of queries and manuscripts that agents have to wade through. Obviously you read about my time as a script reader so you know my war stories on the subject, but I also asked my agent about his experiences reviewing work and how he could tell the good from bad. He said that it isn't that hard because so much of what he sees (90% or more) is so bad that the promising work tends to stand out.

I guess that comment is a testimony to trying to make your work as polished as you can before you submit. I suspect that many petitioning authors don't do this. They dash off a first draft, perhaps rework it into a second, then they rush off to query. I think they would be better served if they showed patience and wrote many more drafts before they hawked their wares.

In answer to your other question, J&N, like all big agencies represents authors in every genre you can imagine. Your success in interesting them all depends on your book. Regrettably, I can't give you a personal introduction, nor would it matter if I did because all that matters is your book. When I was querying I had two personal introductions to two legitimate agents and both turned me down flat. They didn't care who sent me.

On the other hand, the agent at J&N that I got was through a cold call query letter sent via snail mail, just like the kind they tell you to write. I didn't do anything special besides send him my packet, but I followed the rules and tried to be brief as I tickled his fancy. I suggest you do the same. Put J&N on your query list and send them a packet and see what they think. You'll find their address in the yellow pages.

Best of luck,

Mark

Author: joyce davidowicz
Date:   04-06-01 19:01

good luck findin'a real estate agent

Author: Miguel Brandoni
Date:   06-03-01 01:19

Rosario de Santa Fe, Argentina


Señor/a: Presente

Aquí le envío esta,

“CARTA DE PRESENTACIÓN”

Miguel Brandoni es rosarino y desde hace más de 20 años incursiona en estudios que se relacionan con el género humano en la tierra.
Esa motivación lo trasladó por diversos ámbitos de proyección, entre los que se encuentra la literatura.
Participó en la Antología “Laberintos Azules y se dedica actualmente a su formación literaria.
Mexclo no es sólo un canto esperanzado a los altos destinos de la raza humana sino también su primer libro; y como tal, un logro de sus aspiraciones más caras.
Los caminos que nos ofrecen las palabras en su vastísimo espectro de significación son no sólo cuantiosos, sino también sorprendentes.
Por este texto de Brandoni, vamos a penetrar en una senda que por momentos nos desconcertará con respecto a su recorrido hasta llegar a vislumbrar cuál es el verdadero propulsor ideológico del autor.
La incursión en las leyendas de remotas poblaciones indígenas tendrá que unirse en un trayecto con la historia fantástica de Mexclo, un ser de idealidad concreta y constitución poética, para que al unísono el mensaje de paz y convivencia armoniosa sea evidente en los ojos y el espíritu del lector. No está ausente tampoco el autor que incursiona como personaje no protagonista del texto. Su inclusión obedece a una acertada estrategia que lo une a las historias que narra para demostrar más claramente que en Mexclo no debemos encontrar sólo un mundo fantástico de posibilidades maravillosas, sino también la convicción firme y decidida de un hombre sensible a las grandes tragedias que la discriminación viene recitando desde sus orígenes de la humanidad.

El autor pretende llevar al conocimiento de editoriales y centros de cultura de todo el mundo su obra Mexclo a los efectos de poder contar con la difusión que puedan hacer los mismos con respecto a los valores éticos universales expresados en su texto.
Así también, considera que la difusión debe hacerse en los institutos educativos de nivel primario, medio y superior, ya que reviste particular interés para los formadores de las nuevas generaciones a las que preparan para una más sana y rica convivencia en el tejido social.


Si a usted le interesa le enviaré una ampliación de la propuesta.

Un saludo cordial,
Miguel Brandoni

Dirección: Pasaje 1736/ número 2816 / Rosario Provincia de Santa Fe / código postal: 2000, Argentina.
Teléfono: 00 54 0341 4560370
e-mail: miguelbrandoni@ciudad.com.ar miguelbrandoni@yahoo.com.ar

Author: Carolyne Cathey
Date:   06-11-01 09:03

Wow. How great for you to take the time to guide us "newbies" along the rocky path of publishing success. Thanks. And by the way, I LOVE your writing style.

God bless.

Author: Geoff Yaw
Date:   06-19-01 11:24

Mark:
Thanks for the great information. I am nearly finished with final layout etc. for a nonfiction proposal I have been working on for about 6 months. I have done my homework re: the proposal process for nonfiction. I'm wondering if you can add any informational tid bits the books I've read may have missed.
Thanks Again

Author: Valerie Moreau
Date:   06-19-01 12:07

Mark your tips are both helpful and encouraging. For those of us new to this game it is a big help. Like you my first call from an agent had me very excited but thanks to the wonderful people here and at writersbeware I looked before I leaped. I'm still looking for the agent that thinks my work is promising and gives advice with out trying to take my money. better yet the one that does want to rep me.

Author: Bob Kellogg
Date:   06-30-01 18:46

Thank you, Mark, for the personal history. If anything, you seem too modest.

I'm interested in the San Diego Writers Workshop. Please tell me how I can contact them.

My work spans a couple of different genres and I have three completed novels and three more started (If I encounter a blockage, I just airlift myself to another venue.) Here's my dilemma:

It also seemed to me that if an agent is interested, he or she will get back to me right away. Well, I sent the first 40 pages to a reputable agent (AAR member) almost three months ago. When do I inquire? In addition, I got a request for the entire manuscript from another AAR agency (but an agent whose name I had nto read in the guides) over a month ago. When do I inquire?

Not wanting to pester the agents and understanding the time it takes for things to happen, I'm nevertheless curious; first of all, did they receive the pages? Now I'm resolved to include a postcard that they can send when the masnuscript arrives, but I didn't so that on those occasions.

Do you have any advice?

Bob K.

Author: Zebelon C Frontera
Date:   07-04-01 08:51

Thank you very much for your info. Your right, there are more
shark fins out here than at a Jimmy Buffet concert. I only wish
you didn't say wannabe authors so much. I assume it goes pretty
much the same way for poets. I will reseach pitch letter as suggested, it only makes sense. One idea a group of friends of mine and I had was just to promote ourselves vis readings, parties, art shows and free concerts. Our home towns (with the right net working) will be more than happy to "promote it local art scene" if asked properly. Again thank a million.

Good luck to everyone else

Zebelon C Frontera

Author: rwbh
Date:   07-24-01 00:55

What happened with the book once you finally got an agent?

Author: farah
Date:   08-05-01 01:34

Dear Mark
I am BRAND new at this and am I glad I found your article first before anything else!
Thanks so much for your no-nonsense approach. I am in the midst of writing and hope to finish in a couple of months.
Who knows what will happen but if it is good enough I believe someone will realise it.
I do think it will be an easier path though now that I have your shyster diversion strategy.
Thanks again
Farah

To anyone reading this:
Does anyone have any advice regarding the following question:

Are American agents willing to take on foriegn nationals or foriegn nationals not living in their native country?
I am British and will be studying and living in Japan for the next few years.

Author: a "real" agent in New York
Date:   08-22-01 01:31

to Farah: your location doesn't matter so long as you can make yourself available to do publicity when the book is published if called upon.

Author: Michael Shandrick
Date:   08-23-01 12:18

Thanks Mark.

A good, honest, concise piece of advice.

I've just finished a 40-query campaign with queries to agents. Two asked for 3 chapters, and I got one reply: "don't like the writing."

Once asked for the whole novel and rejected it: "close but no cigar." (I later found out she was on the preditor list of agents, and boy did I feel like slime.)

On reflection I think part of the problem is the query letter. I need to re-focus on what I'm writing; contemporary saga, action or fantasy, because all these elements are fighting each other for air space. I'm pretty close to choosing fantasy, because it's what got me to write the damn thing in the first place.

The goal: 200 queries.

MikeS

Author: Paul Tomlinson
Date:   09-20-01 14:32

Mark -

Very nice, greatly appreciated. It was obvious you pared down a lot of information and experience into quite a succinct presentation.

Perhaps more important than the advice on locating agents, which was almost entirely contained in the "IF AN ‘AGENT’ ASKS YOU TO PAY HIM MONEY FOR ANY KIND OF FEE BEFORE HE HAS SOLD YOUR BOOK TO A LEGITIMATE PUBLISHER, HE IS A FAKE, A SHARK, A SCAMMER." sentence, but hope for the industry initiate. The new but persistent author still represents a wealth to be tapped and there are those looking.

We will be found, folks. We will be found. ;)

Author: Binnie Williams
Date:   09-28-01 20:39

How can it be true that the genre doesn't matter? I picked a dozen agents that included 'historical novels' in their interests and specializations from a reputable (?) list and sent packets. I got a response from six. Four said my book sounded fascinating and they'd like to read it themselves, but I needed someone who specialized in historical novels. A friend got a senior editor/VP at Scribner to read it, and she replied " . . .an extraordinary blend of fact and fiction . . . the characters and historical details are wonderful. . .I found the whole novel very moving . . .not in my specialization . . . this author needs to find an agent who specializes in historical novels and who will know which editors are in a position to make an offer." Very encouraging, but still a rejection. After extensive research I found a wonderful list of English agents with very specific information on what they do and don't want on the Historical Novels Society web site. There is no comparable listing for American agents. I tried WritersNet using historical for the search, got about twenty names, picked one because the company had been in business forty years, sent an email query and got a "Send me the mss" in less than an hour. (Two others didn't answer; a third said "send packet".) My research has convinced me that historicals are a very specialized area, are a rapidly shrinking field, and that it's a waste of time to send proposals for historicals to anyone who doesn't specialize in that genre - and that there's no efficient way to find out who does.

Author: Ruby Hill James
Date:   10-14-01 17:59

Dear Mark,

Your information was very helpful to me i have sumitted query letters to a few agents some came highly recommended, but have not heard from any. i also sumitted my manuscript to a Subsidy Publishing Company, that was after I sent it to find out i had to pay. I see now what you said about tough skin, you have to have that a patience. There are times I feel like its not going to happen, but I beleive in my writing and no matter how long it takes, someone is going to love it. As I wait I had to start another novel to keep my sanity....

Author: John
Date:   10-24-01 09:40

You’ve written a fine and informative article about finding an agent. However, I must slightly disagree with the blanket statement that if an agent charges you anything up front, he’s a fake or a scammer. I sold my first script to network television through a fee charging agent.

While I generally agree with your assessment, I would not tell a writer not to consider any. I think if a writer decides to use a fee-charging agent, they should fully investigate and verify the agency’s sales within the past year.

I remember dealing with the Scott Meredith Literary agency years back. 50 year track record with many impressive sales and clients. They charged huge reading fees for unsold writers.

Author: Tim Shenk
Date:   12-02-01 15:03

Mark,

First off - I am a "fake" agent that charges a small reading fee before I do any marketing work and I resented your article deeply. Actually, I am just joking.

I am an unemployed English teacher and really enjoyed your article. I just finished a novel and was about to send it off to agents that charge a reading fee and then I lucked out and found your article. Not only was the information valuable but the piece was well written. So I just wanted to say thanks and I've already recommended your Real Agent piece to another aspiring writer. Thanks man.


Tim S.
somewhere in New York

Author: Tim Shenk
Date:   12-02-01 15:03

Mark,

First off - I am a "fake" agent that charges a small reading fee before I do any marketing work and I resented your article deeply. Actually, I am just joking.

I really am an unemployed English teacher and really enjoyed your article. I just finished a novel and was about to send it off to agents that charge a reading fee and then I lucked out and found your article. Not only was the information valuable but the piece was well written. So I just wanted to say thanks and I've already recommended your Real Agent piece to another aspiring writer. Thanks man.


Tim S.
somewhere in New York

Author: Gwendolyn Price
Date:   12-12-01 14:08

Focus,pocus,hocus,crocus...poof! I am the agent fairy!
Now, open an artery and I'll read your writing sample after you buy these Ginsu knives and the Brooklyn Bridge.

In all the research,research and research about lit agents...this was the best advice, it is going to be the centerpiece on my reference table.

Signed,

Former Shark Bait

Author: L. Lockett
Date:   12-27-01 20:02

Thanks Mark for the great leads. I'm a first time writer and the road has been very rough. I can't give up because writing lives in me. Again, thanks bro.

Author: Fran Cureton
Date:   01-06-02 20:42

Dear Mark, I feel very lucky to have found your article on how to get a real agent. After careers in real estate, teaching and business, I've become a writer wannabe and will be starting the great search for a literary agent sometime during 2002. Your info will be invaluable. I was totally unaware of the "fee game" played by the fakes. One thing I could use suggestions on is the writing of the query letter. Just what are the agents looking for in these letters? There must be something in particular which draws their attention to you as a writer. Would appreciate some input.

Author: Unknown writer
Date:   01-13-02 16:49

Hello,

Thanks for the tips. As a unpublished writer with the best memoir that has ever been written. You
have saved me plenty of time.

Author: Bob
Date:   01-14-02 16:35

Any advice out there (including from Mark) on special considerations in marketing non-fiction, full-length books in the area of nonfundamentalist religion?

Author: Jacqueline E
Date:   01-30-02 00:29

Thank You for your sincerity and insight.

Author: Barbara Mitchell
Date:   02-06-02 13:25

Mark: Thanks so very much for great information. I was really spining my wheels. I thought the hardest part was writting the book, how naive. But with your great information I have taken a second breath and I'm out to succeed. I know you referred to fiction and I'm hoping that this also applies to non-fiction. Thanks Barb

Author: teresa
Date:   02-07-02 06:36

mark--- when a publisher really likes your story-- but it still needs some polish-- dont they employ people to do that-- do agents want ready to sell material? do you ever send a query directly to a publishing company?

Author: teresa
Date:   02-07-02 06:36

mark--- when a publisher really likes your story-- but it still needs some polish-- dont they employ people to do that-- do agents want ready to sell material? do you ever send a query directly to a publishing company?

Author: Lawrence R. Larson
Date:   03-04-02 23:26

I have written three books, plus many articles published in the church denominational magazines. The books were published by ME, meaning I did it all and had to pay all costs of printing them --- about 3,000 per book. I took care of all sales, too, but lost a chunk of money this way. In fact, it has used up all my retirement funds.
I am wondering if an agent will take a book that I have already written, published, and had printed, to find a publisher, since I hold the copyright to each. I'd be glad to send you and a prospective "Real Agent" copies of my books to review. Because of the costs involved, I cannot plan to write and publish more by myself. But, I have ideas for future writing of books if an agent could help me. The three books now published are: (1.) "The Spirit In Paradise," which is a 500 page hardback history of the revival in the missions work throughout Fiji and the other island nations of the South Pacific. The book has more photos in black and white than pages of the book. I was an Assemblies of God missionary to the Pacific Islands for 21 years. It was published in 1996. ISBN 0-9656302-0-X, with Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-95442. (2.) "Excesses That Hinder Revival," was published January 1998,with 58 pages, ISBN 0-9656302, L.O.C. Card # 98-91190.
(3.) "The Revealing," with sub-head, "Boost Your Self-Image," with 300 pages,ISBN 0-9656302-2-6. This is a series of chapters in reference to thoughts from the book of Ephesians in the Bible. There are three main sections: 1st Inspired Revelation, "You Are Really Somebody, In Christ." 2nd Inspired Revelation, "How You Should Live, In the Light Of Who You Really Are!" 3rd Inspired Revelation, "Jesus Watches, Records, And Reveals Your Progress."

Your reply is extremely vital to me. Thanks.

Lawrence R. Larson, Th.D.
Phone: (361) 853-9282
4710 Middlecoff Rd., # D-104
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
Email: LaryLarson@aol.com

Author: Rossana Parsons
Date:   03-06-02 10:41

Your article was fantastic. It sounded much like the words of the presenters at some of the writing workshops I've been to. It was really great and always useful to hear.

I am trying to have a children's story published on the 9/11 tragedy in New York City. It's a short piece and I've gotten some good feedback on it from editor friends. You say that agents are necessary for book-length fiction--what about children's fiction? I have checked out some of the children's book publishers, and all say they no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. It seems that sending my ms out to publishers is a waste of time. I will most likely need an agent. Do you agree or shall I keep looking for a publisher who will accept my ms.

I also have a collection of short stories I am interested in sending out. Do you think an agent would be interested in reading a collection?

Thank you so much for you advice.
RP

Author: Mitchell Waldman
Date:   03-16-02 09:27

Hi Mark,


Thanks for the very informative article. However, my problem is that I went the alternative route and had my book published by iUniverse. Now I'm stuck trying to sell the book to a traditional publisher. Do you think mentioning the fact that I have published through iUniverse will hurt me? But how do I not mention it? I've got several online reviews praising the book. Will the fact that I went this route with my book be viewed as an admission of failure?

What to do, what to do.

Mitch Waldman
A FACE IN THE MOON: http://mitchwaldman.homestead.com/FACEINMOON.html

Author: JaneS
Date:   03-27-02 08:48

Dear(((((((((((Mark)))))))))))

Thank you for posting your wonderful letter. I have yet to find an agent but after reading your letter it gives me hope. You will go far. I know I will see your name in lights one day - your dream a film.

Thank you, God bless, love Jane

Author: P Roberts
Date:   05-03-02 14:47

God, I read the whole thing.
Online!

Author: John Wilson
Date:   05-05-02 20:34

What I liked about this piece was the paragraph where you say most submitted fiction writing is crap. I have been reading the writers' sites a lot, in search of good company in the writing of fiction. At first I thought perhaps I was unlucky or maybe being too high-minded: much on these sites is just so boring and half-assed.

But it is the truth -- most writing IS crap! No wonder there are so many slush piles.

My gamble is this perception -- and perhaps its vocalisation -- will help a lot of good writers get into print. Quality shows.

John Wilson

Author: Elizabeth D. Bostic
Date:   05-21-02 15:03

Dear Sir: Thank you for the sound advise on how to aquire an agent. I have one novel and two small books in the works, but have lost touch with my literary pals since I left college in 2000. The support system I originally had is now nil. But thanks to the purchase of a new computer and finding Litery Agents on Line, there is hope I can once again find the support and encouragement I need to keep moving forward to publication. That and a literary agent to go to bat for me. I have to work a regular job to keep the bills paid. It would be nice to find a publisher who respected my work enough to pay my lost wages at my current job so I could stay home and finish my novel and books without risking the loss of my home. Are you aware of any agents/book publishers that would do this? Also, there are agents/book publishers that cater to specific types of subject matter; My novel, GO TO THE FRONT, is about short track auto racing, how I accomplished my goals there, and how women in general can achieve whatever it is they set out to do. STOM WATCH, is a small book that tells the story of a tornado my son and I were in; it is related from a Meteorological and Sociological Perspective from college. WOODS TRIP is the story of my youngest son's decision to take up bowhunting the Whitetail Deer and the Philosophy and life choices a young boy must make as he faces the challenge to hunt. All three from the same lifeway, these writings show the rich and diverse lifestyle I've experienced and want to share with others. Would this demand three different agents/book publishers or could you recommend one agent who can handle it all?
I agree with you when you said this is about one's writing not necessarily about the self. I look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, Elizabeth D. Bostic

Author: Chris Wilson
Date:   06-19-02 21:55

GOOD LORD that was inspiring! ~ Way to cut the crap mate, you don't lie. I did the 'I WILL GET PUBLISHED AT ALL COSTS' Query Attack about two years ago...impetuous and hasty was I with my stamps and manilla folders and priority envelopes - coffee and blackened, swirling vampire eyes to scare the local KINKO'S employees at 3:30 A.M.

Of course I've collected all of the form rejection letters for fun and motivational purposes. My work was just not ready. 'I' was, but not my work. Draft, rewrite, draft, rewrite. So many of the greats went through all of this! That's how we learn. Another great thing that Stephen King said was that 'If you do not have time to read, you do not have time to write.' Writing is f$!@$!@ hard work, you truly have to want it and hit it everyday, eh? I cringe when I look what I threw out there.

So I'm building my real work now... the bad writing's my ugly yet learned and solid, sturdy foundation. It's part of what's taught me and still teaching me.

Now Nothing goes out before thorough scouring - ME, other readers, editors. Draft, revise, edit...Draft, revise, edit.

Great, seasoned advice. I now definitely trust it's all about the work and your piece nailed that theme home.

Thank you sincerely,

Chris Wilson

Author: DarleenWohlfeil
Date:   06-21-02 21:08

Mark;

I truly enjoyed your letter. It was quit informative and and entertaining. I guess that is why you are a successful writer,(smile).
You are so right, tender ego\'s don\'t make the cut. I love words! I love the way they lend themselves to the pen, and in turn it gives them such expression. You can hear two people say the same thing and yet one can grip your heart, emotion or imagination. I am an undisciplined soul, and only seem to be able to look within and write what I see there. I have poetry out there, published on sites that benifit them and further me in no way. Chuckle, I am rambling, so you clearly see my problem.
I just wanted to thank you for the helping hand up to those coming up behind you. I respect one who will give back.

Thanks!
Darleen

Author: Ed Stuteville
Date:   07-03-02 11:10

I have enjoyed all the tips. Is there a place I can find guidelines for writing a great query? At least tips on what NOT to write?

Ed

Author: Steve
Date:   07-17-02 10:54

Mark
Thank you for the information. I have been writing for over thirty years, but have never really tried to get published. I want to begin now. Will agents accept query letters through e-mail? I would like to send my Table of Contents page as an attachment. Does this seem a good idea?
Thanks!
Steve

Author: Tim Murray
Date:   09-13-02 18:48

Mark -

Thanks for an honest guide on how to find a real literary agent. I recently completed writing a historical novel that has been floating around in my head for over twenty years. I am rewriting and augmenting the novel daily. But, I have taken a few trips through the internet to see what was out there in terms of literary agents that might look at the novel.

From what I found, I thought the only agents available were the ones that demanded front money. My gut told me that, if my novel was any good, an agent would rep me and take a fee without me paying him to do it. You provided lists of real agents who will do just that provided, of course, they like what I wrote.

Your article is very insightful and helpful. I know it came from hard earned experience. Thanks for sharing with the novice writers.

Author: PDLaw
Date:   10-02-02 11:02

What is the book that you published?

Author: Tim Murray
Date:   10-02-02 13:30

Binnie -

I have written a historic novel. As of now, it has gone through about 6 rewrites. I want to make it as good as I can before seeking a legitimate agent. Your experience with agents for your historic novel was discouraging. I not only need a good historic novel, but need to find one that "specializes" in the genre. If you have found any legitimate agents that will consider historic novels, I would much appreciate having it.

Author: Miles Snyder
Date:   10-21-02 09:21

I've tried to click on both the Publishers Weekly & AAR sites, but they do not come up. Are there any revised site addresses current and choice? I'd like to use your method to find an agent of quality for book-length memoir of my experiences in WW II. Thanks. Miles

Author: ginny
Date:   11-02-02 17:47

Just reading your article makes me want to re-write my book. You have a lovely way with words. Excellent information, passionate and persuasive.

My question is about East coast versus West coast agents (not rappers). I am told that agents on the West Coast are not all that "literary," and that they rush from print to film (which is not a bad proposition for a new writer). However, I believe my fiction piece has the potential to be an eye-opener and would really like it to be focused on for book distribution. (I know I'm required to think I have something to say, so you can take what I say with a grain of salt). Nonetheless, because of its depth and complexity (it is a layered novel), it needs the right literary eyes to read it -- i.e, INTELLIGENT.

Do you have any insisghts on whether I should even bother trying to get an agent on the west coast (I am bi-coastal, reaised in L.A., but in N.H. for the time being)?
I am interested in film and television, but I believe that my writing style is more literary than the typical "Hollywood" agent might like. I am a lawyer, if that helps you any (not that it should).

Author: ginny
Date:   11-02-02 17:50

P.S.... nobody said lawyers could spell... sorry for the typos....

Author: Anthony Graves
Date:   11-04-02 12:53

Mr. Blanchard, thank you for the extraordinarily detailed and informative article! You call yourself a hack writer. I can't believe it! Not after reading so knowledgeable an essay, and one so clearly written. I've only just begun my search for a real agent, and you've put the right fires beneath me to continue with zeal and purpose. I'm nearly 64 so I need all the fire beneath me I can get! Thanks again for your kindness in sharing all that valuable information with strangers. Anthony Graves

Author: Asam
Date:   12-16-02 21:24

A very informative but overall crappy article. First of all, whats with all the Baseball analogies?????????? "then I gave it another pitch", "my batting was average", "on second base". What is wrong with this man????? He can't think of any better things to compare with.

And no, not all writers are out there to 'sell'. A lot of them actually write because they WANT to write; they don't care whether people want to read their stuff or not, they write what they're heart tells them to. A perfect example of this type of writer would be Arundhati Roy, whose first novel, The God of Small Things, sold more than SIX million copies and won the Booker Prize, and she hasn't written a book since-and says she probably won't either if she doesn't have anything to say. I think writers who write because they want to make money aren't really contributing anything to Literature. So why the hell are they writing??

An informative essay---but highly ignorant of some basic facts.

Author: Caroline
Date:   03-03-03 03:18

Who says that relatives and close friends can't be good editors.... and is it possible to act as a good editor for yourself?


-------------------------------------------------------
"Others have the problem of getting realistic feedback from an objective reader. They think that if their Aunt Marge reads their book and says ‘It’s wonderful honey, you’re so talented’ that she actually means it.

I tell ya, long experience has taught me that reviews by friends and family are usually worthless and there is no one so valuable as an editor who will rip my work to shreds. If you can find one or more of these bloody-penned editors to flagellate your manuscript before you send it to agents, you’ll save yourself a mountain of stamps."
-------------------------------------------------------

I am a first-time NON-FICTION author currently "pounding the pavement" and doing the legwork to find either a suitable agent, or acceptance with a small independent publishing house. At one point last fall I felt like my book was in a rut and I needed feedback and suggestions, but didn't want to pay for a "professional" editing service. I recruited about 13 readers (and will likely recruit more in the near future): acquaintances, family friends, and relatives to go through the book and give feedback on content, sentence structure, style, and word choice... asking everyone to "pretend that they are potential customers deciding whether or not to buy the book".


When I told my mother about my plans to recruit volunteer editors, she insisted that I give a copy to her, promising to be honest. She gave specific pointers such as: "I don't like the title" (which I have changed almost 10 times), "be careful how you dramatize your emotions in the narrative", and "don't use diagnostic terms like these when you have no proof to back it up". My mother is not a published author. She's been through 2 years of college, home-schooled me for 2 years (by choice), and simply loves reading non-fiction.


When I gave a copy to my uncle, right off the bat he called me, with diplomatic words, a hypocrite for my statements made in the book's introduction, considering what he knows about my opinions and viewpoints outside of the book. I replied that ordinarily he would have a good point, but that in this case he has to read the whole book in order to get the bigger picture.

Critique doesn't have to be be brutal and contain various curse words in order to be constructive and helpful.


So basically I disagree with Mark when he says that relatives and close friends usually don't make good editors. I think that if you tell your brothers, sisters, grandparents, old high school pals or college friends, etc. exactly what you want, and if they like giving their opinions on writing in general, you will get valuable feedback.

I also believe that, if an unpublished author is already a wordsmith and is skilled in grammar, it is possible to do at least some self-editing. I've found that, after stepping away from my work for a long time (weeks or months), I can come back to it with fresh perspectives, great new ideas, and more optimism.

Author: Denise Moore
Date:   08-19-03 12:22

Thanks, Mark. Your article was wonderful, informative, and encouraging!

I find there are a lot of articles out that that are very discouraging. While the market can be discouraging, what if Stephen King or John Grisham gave up because of reading discouraging articles?

Thanks for the information and enjoyable article. I have bookmarked it and will read it often!

Author: Mark Garris
Date:   08-29-03 13:03

The Mark Blanch piece could definately help some writers find an agent. It's not that easy to rest on just provideing information to the people. Your work has to be good and entertaining to. I am looking for a publisher and agent for a number of books I have worked on for three years and have had little luck. Personally, I need a system with a well inplace advance structure and a good royalty structure. I spent eight years as a professional writer for newspapers and magazines and I am now working on the following materials. The books I have started include...
1. Learning Professional Writing.(Based on years in the business.)
2. Learning Professional Graphic Design. (With new additions of leading techniques.)
3. A to Z Gardening and Landscaping.
4. Facts about the Stars (New- Including star charts, horiscopes, Astrology and Astronomy facts including rare details from 1500's paintings.)
5. I also have a book on American Folklore and Legends and a book of crossword puzzles and fun games. The work is hard even in my hometown of Falls Church, Virginia. However, we keep slugging away.

Author: christina
Date:   10-16-03 16:07

Do you have to write pitches? I am still very new at this, i need to edit my first book still! i havent found anyone to publish it yet, either. I am writing fantasy, so do you have any tips for me?

Author: joann montalto
Date:   05-16-06 08:26

Wow!

Great stuff! I bookmarked you so I can thank you later when I get published due to your great advise. What else 'you got? :)

P.S. I'll be looking for your book. I, too, like your writing style.

Thank You,
Joann Montalto

Author: Joy Riches
Date:   08-23-06 15:12

This is indeed a great thread.
But I'm still wondering where I can find Mark's book. (I love following an author's career.)

Anybody have a clue?