A Book Deal without an Agent??
Plus TONS of writing links and resources
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
The Agent vs. the Agency
What’s more important when you’re looking for representation? The agent or the agency?
My first agent was at a prestigious agency, but he wasn’t on the same page (ha) as me regarding my book, and sometimes I wouldn’t hear from him for months at a time. (Not cool!) We ended up parting ways, and when I found my second agent, it was like night and day. She and I share the same visions for my novels. She treats me like a priority, and never like a nuisance.
When you choose an agent, you are choosing someone to be your advocate and business partner for years to come, so, in my opinion, the person is more important than the agency they work for.
And guess what… agents often change agencies. In fact, this just happened to me. My agent left Janklow & Nesbit for O’Connor Literary, a smaller, boutique agency in Manhattan that is more supportive of YA debut authors (like me!). Plus, I just saw on Twitter that all of the Irene Goodman senior agents are transitioning to new agencies. So yeah, this sort of thing happens all the time.
When you’re choosing an agent, this is an important thing to ask: “if you switch agencies, what will happen to me?”
In my case, Ali gave me a choice: I could move with her to O’Connor Literary, or she could pass me over to a different agent at J&N. For me it was a no-brainer. Ali understands and values my writing. She gives amazing editorial feedback and we work well together. I chose her, and she chose me. So I’m moving with her to the new agency.
Book Deals Without an Agent?
I “met” S.E. Reed a few years ago on Twitter, so I know she’s been working at writing and getting published for a long time. Well, all her hard work is finally coming to fruition. Her YA debut releases July 2023, and her second YA novel is scheduled for release in August 2024. She also recently signed a three-book contract (!!) with an indie romance publisher. And she did all of this without an agent!
Now that she’s got deals in the works, she’s thinking she might want an agent, especially for tricky things like audio and foreign rights. But this is definitely something for #amquerying authors to consider. It is possible to get a traditional book deal* with an indie or university press, then approach agents with your bird in hand. I also recommend that if you don’t have an agent, you get a professional to look over your book contract before signing:
Also, although there are many amazing indie publishers, you definitely want to do your research. For example, check out the latest Writer Beware post about some sketchy indie publishers you don’t want to get involved with.
Now that my warnings are over, let’s talk about the good stuff: S.E. is loving life as an about-to-be-published author, so be sure to check out my interview with S.E. about her debut novel and her newfound success in indie publishing.
*By traditional book deal I mean that, unlike with self-publishing or hybrid publishing, you are not paying ANY money to have your book published.
First Pages Are So Important
First pages are so important. You have to hook the reader (or the agent) right away or risk losing them forever. So be sure to check out my latest Query Guru post, which is a first page critique. This one page gave me the opportunity to give lessons about common mistakes involving showing vs. telling, point of view, and dialogue.
Writing News & Resources
For All Writers:
Check out the Chestnut Review for stubborn artists. Their submissions are always open and they pay $120/piece. They promise to respond in 30 days, which is HUGE in the lit mag space. Free submissions in most genres and free issues online, plus paid feedback options. They also offer workshops and international retreats. Sounds pretty amazing to me.
On July 9 there’s a free webinar on Save the Cat (a plotting “formula” that works for basically every book ever). One of the panelists is Jessica Brody, author of one of my very favorite craft books: Save the Cat Writes a Novel. Include live Q&A!
NYC Midnight’s 500-word Fiction Challenge kicks off August 25th, and will challenge writers worldwide to create short stories no longer than 500 words based on genre, action, and object assignments in 48 hours.
To help celebrate their 25th Anniversary, the famous McSweeney’s will be publishing a special issue dedicated to ten previously unpublished authors. Fiction of any length up to 10,000 words is welcome. Deadline: July 19.
And as a former math teacher, I enjoyed this recent post from McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: Math Concepts the State of Florida Finds Objectionable
Check out this advice about first pages from agent Samantha Wekstein.
The free Writing Irresistible First Pages workshop from Good Story Company is coming up on July 13! Don't miss your chance to get Mary's feedback on YOUR first pages.
Good Story Co. also has a great blog post about what makes a great author website — with examples!
Craft First Chapters Contest with cash prizes is open until July 30, and the guest judge, Rebecca Makkai, is looking for stories in all genres, as long as they don’t bore her.
Interested in how book covers are designed? Here’s your answer from Penguin UK.
Check out these upcoming online seminars with Jane Friedman from Writer’s Digest University:
If sitting at a desk typing away is taking a toll on your body, check out Yoga & Writing At Home Retreat via Zoom from StoryStudio Chicago. July 31-Aug. 4
I updated my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts and writing, publishing, and creative life.
Thinking about self-publishing? This detailed guide tells you all the steps you need to take: How to Self-Publish a Book: A Guide for Aspiring Authors.
For KidLit Writers:
The Searchlight Writing for Children Awards submissions are open from now until August 31. Shortlisted winners have their text sent to agents and publishers, and first place wins a sizable cash prize.
Best Novel Opening for Children’s or Young Adults (novel does not need to be complete)
The Highlight's Foundation is offering three sessions of the Whole Novel Workshop: a life-changing retreat with amazing faculty members for those with a full novel manuscript they want to workshop:
From Bitsy Kemper’s blog: over 100 publishers accepting unsolicited picture book manuscripts. (Updated June 2023)
WowCon, WriteMentor’s annual online conference for writers of children’s fiction will be held September 22-24.
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
For Querying Writers:
Check out this query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein.
Traditional indie publisher CamCat Books is looking for genre fiction, suspense, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and romance (both YA and adult). No agent required.
Find a long list of example query letters on Quite the Query.
From The Good Story: Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters with Literary Agent Feedback.
Every Friday, Operation Awesome offers one free query critique through their #QueryFriday contest.
Every month I will chose one subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if you’re the winner of the month, I will send you back in-depth feedback on both. Interested in receiving a critique? Fill out the form here.
Twitter pitch contests continue to happen, and though they can be frustrating, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. (After all, I found my agent through a Twitter pitch party. I am now an official success story.) So mark your calendar for these upcoming Twitter pitch parties. And be sure to read my updated article 13 Things to Know About Twitter Pitch Events.
#LatinxPitch, Sept. 15, for Latinx writers of kidtlit.
Writing Conferences & Events:
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. I attended one of these conferences in person a few years ago, and I thought it was fantastic. I can’t vouch for the virtual version, but there are some benefits: recorded classes, no travel expenses, attend in your comfy pants. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
The Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy is back! Join educators in Washington, DC this July (7/16-7/18 or 7/20-2/22) for one or both sessions of learning, including a panel with award-winning authors.
Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference is happening August 17-20. For mystery, suspense, and thriller writers.
WowCon, WriteMentor’s annual online conference for writers of children’s fiction will be held September 22-24.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or this list of 19 Writing Conferences for Emerging and Established Writers.
Liked that photo of you, Eva, at age 7. I too, at that age, knew I liked doughnuts. Regretfully, I did not know I wanted to write a book until 65-years later. Sigh...