Where is my novel you have heard so much about? The reason I began this blog in the first place. Which was to follow its path to one day, with any luck, get published.
Why thank you for asking. Right now it is in the final editing process with my completely wonderful, talented and constructively honest beta readers. A big round applause for my readers!!!
On the other side of my novel’s life I am diligently working on submitting queries to potential literary agents. Sounds simple does it not? Believe me when I say, it is a lot of research, hopefulness and critiquing my query email each time I submit it.
Also I cannot begin to tell you how many literary agents there are in the world. Out of the endless numbers of literary agents there is only a small percentage of agents who work with the genre my novel falls under; Up-Market - Middle School / Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. Most do not accept unsolicited queries, which is what mine is.
After choosing a literary agent, the next step is to find out their literary agencies particular guidelines for query submissions. Most of these guidelines are similar with small variances.
Nearly everyone wants email submissions only and will not accept snail mail. I begin by putting either query or submission in the subject of the email. Then in the body of the email everything is double spaced, in a legible font and font color so that it is easy for the agent to read. I do not send any attachments.
Then in the body of the email I create a very well written one to five paragraph description of the story. After that I list general information about the novel; title, genre, word count, author, my phone number, email, and mailing address. Then I finish off the letter with a sincere thank you to the literary agent for taking the time to look at my query. I sign the letter professionally. Then copy and paste the first ten pages or 2500 words onto the bottom of the body of the email.
I keep a database of information on each of the agents I send queries to. This includes where they work, when I sent the query, their email address and their title. I also save all of the emails I send and receive related to the queries.
It takes time to research this is. All I can say is in the past two months, since I sent my first query email out, that I have researched countless agencies. I have only submitted a query to a handful of literary agents whom I feel will love my novel and get behind it as much as I am.
Then I pray. God if this is the right literary agent for me to work with please guide our working relationship. If not please help me find the right one. Amen.
JL Cooper
Hey future best selling author JL Homan Butz, have you tried, Donald Maas Literary Agency. I have a list of agents that fit into your genre, well I think I do. My genre is urban fantasy, fantasy, and science fiction (with an urban setting.) I haven't written any query letters yet, but I have researched some agents. If my research can help a fellow writer to succeed I will be more than willing to help. The reason I'm offering help is because, well, I don’t have a good reason.
ReplyDeleteI follow Krissy Brady’s blog and she encourages people to succeed with their writing goals, so I guess that’s what I want to do as well. Like you said in your profile, it’s comforting to know there are other people out there writing.
Hi Brian, thank you for your offer to share your list of literary agents. Wow, that would be terrific! Just to put it out there, if you would like anyone to read your query letter, after you write it, I would be more than glad to.
ReplyDeleteI took a look at Krissy Brady’s blog thanks for passing it along. I whole heartedly agree. People should encourage one another and share information. I am glad to have met you Brian and look forward to getting to know you and your writing.