Writers in the Storm

 

by Laura Drake
(Part 3 in a series – click here for Part 1 and Part 2)

Organizing This Mess

I’ve found two methods for keeping track of submissions.  Which you choose depends on how your brain works. Some writers are “pansters,” some are “plotters.” Some people are night owls, some are morning people – it’s like that. You’ll know which method is right for you the minute you read the description, I promise.

Does the thought of using Excel make your eyes glaze over? Is your favorite method of organization a shoebox, or a closet with a door you have to lean on to close?  No worries.  There’s a tool for you that’s so easy and non-threatening that, although I mentioned it in Part 2 of this series, I’m going to include it here.

Any right brainers that know another good tracking method, please post in the comments – we’d love to know!

METHOD 1:

Writers Market.com – It has a huge, up-to-date database on agents.  It costs $40/yr, but it’s worth every penny.  I used it for my first submission experience, and it was wonderful.  It’s everything you need in one place, plus things others don’t have.  You search by genre, and you can narrow your search.

• % of clients that publish in fiction
• # of clients – of those how many were new authors
• If member of AAR
• Submission guidelines
• How long it takes for response.
• Agent/agency websites
• When they were established

One of the best things about it is that it has a “Query Tracker.”  You select the agent you’re submitting to, note the date, and when you should hear back.  After that date, you’ll get a reminder, so you can follow up.

Simple, organized, unintimidating.

METHOD 2:

For those of you who have your home library sorted by Author and Title, and could lay your hands on anything you own in the dark, read on.

My daytime title is corporate CFO.  Sounds impressive, but it’s just a fancy name for “numbers geek.”  As you can guess, I love Excel.  It’s in my genes, I can’t help it.

So I created an Excel spreadsheet to track my submissions.

Excel For Authors –

Two key tools in one spreadsheet:  WHO you want to submit to and TRACKING submissions.

When I research an agent, I give them a tier and a rank to help determine who I will submit to in what order.

• Tier A – Dream Agents
• Tier B – Solid agents
• Tier C – Maybe new agents (a good place for unpubbed authors to try, by the way), or not a perfect fit, but worth a try.

Then I pull all pertinent information from their website into the Excel spreadsheet:

• Contact
• Agency name, address, phone number, email
• Submission requirements
• Pertinent info: “so & so’s agent,” or “Met at a conference”

 

I’ll share a copy of my sheet as an example – but please do not assume the information is correct – I’ve “dummied” a lot of it to protect the innocent!

Sheets in my file:

• Agent List: Alpha list of agents contained in the file.  That way, if I hear of an agent, I have a quick reference to see if I’ve already considered them.
•  “Do Not Submit” page.  I may include them here even if they’re good if they don’t rep what I write. I include the reason they’re on this sheet, so I remember later why I did not choose to query that agent.
• A sheet each for A, B & C Tier agents
• Ed/Pub List: Editors/Publishers I want to submit to
• Submissions: this is always my first sheet.  A colored stripe bisects the page.
  • TOP – Agents I have submitted to, but haven’t heard from yet – or those with partials or full MS out for consideration.
  • BOTTOM – Rejections

 

When you’ve exhausted all submitting avenues, heard back from every possible agent, and are still not successful in snagging representation for your book, DO NOT delete this file!  It has valuable information for submitting your next novel (and there WILL be a next novel, right?).  On the next round you will need to know:

• Which agents requested partials/fulls. Put them at the top of your Tier A for next time - these are people who liked your writing style.
• Other agents may move to your Do Not Submit page, if you change genres, etc.

You’ll still need to do your research! Do not assume that nothing has changed since your last submission: look up submission guidelines, email addresses, etc.  Agents come and go, and change agencies frequently. Also, new agents may have gotten in the business since your last submittal, and you won’t want to miss them.

Wrap up:

Remember that agents typically only request from 10% of the queries they receive. You are working to be in that 10%! I hope you’ve found this series of blogs helpful – please post any info/suggestions I haven’t covered “comments section.”

In the spirit of free information on the internet, I’d be happy to forward you my Excel Spreadsheet template to help you get organized.  Simply send me an email at:

writersinthestorm@gmail.com

I wish you all a happy and successful hunt – go bag your trophy agent!

by Charlotte Carter

I’ve authored more than 50 books. You’d think by now I would have a pretty good handle on how to write them.

 Sometimes not so much.

 I received a massive TWO PAGE revision letter on my November Love Inspired release, Big Sky Family. Yikes!

The worst part is that my editor, Emily Rodmell, was RIGHT! I really hate that.

I had totally messed up one scene and should have known better. My hero and heroine were determined not to talk to each other; I had to whip them into shape. Emily didn’t even mention all the typos I’d let slip through.

Emily did what editors are supposed to do: she made my book better. I appreciate that and readers will too.

In the process of transitioning from writing secular romance to inspirational romance, I’m also learning words/phrases NOT to use, at least in a Love Inspired.

• Do not mention the heroine’s ‘rear end.’
• A person cannot be ‘ticked’ off.
• Kisses are not sensual.
• You may not say, “What the ---”
• A character may not be referred to as a ‘blow hard.’
• You can’t say ‘In heaven’s name . . .”
• Characters may not pray for ‘signs’ of what they should do.
• Characters are not allowed to ‘swear’ under their breath.

I’m not required to explain why the above is so; neither is the editor. Them’s the rules!

Nonetheless, next time you get a revision letter, or your critique group gives you a hard time, smile. It may be the best thing that could happen to you.

Books that leave you smiling
 from Love Inspired
   Big Sky Reunion, 4/2011
   Big Sky Family, 11/2011
www.CharlotteCarter.com

 

Stalking Hunting Agents  by Laura Drake
(Part 2 in a series - click here for Part 1 or Part 3)

Finding an agent takes time, so it’s best to start the process before you’re ready to submit.

When you get tired of writing for the day, or editing, take a half hour and work on submissions. It utilizes the right side of your brain, and refreshes the left. At least it does that for me.

Where to Hunt Agents

Here are helpful websites I’ve found:

www.guidetoliteraryagents.com  - from Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest fame.  Wonderful research site. He also interviews new agents, who are hungry for clients. New agents are a great starting place for the unpublished author.

www.agentquery.com – good search engine
www.1000literaryagents.com/literary-agents-us.php
www.literaryagents.com/agentlist.html ·

everyonewhosanyone.com – An odd, aggressive guy who prints personal editor and agent email addresses (which they may not want you to have.)  WARNING: proceed with caution with this info. It could hurt more than it helps.  At least look at it though. He includes his rejections from the agents/editors, and he’s hilarious.

There are lots of great sites out there – if you know of some I’ve missed, please post them in the comments section.

IMPORTANT! 

Predators & Editors -  pred-ed.com/pubagent.htm - Before querying any agent, check out this website. There are scammers in every field, and you need to run everything through a filter. P&E is the most trusted site out for this.  In case you’re new to submitting – here’s a rule.  NEVER pay an agent to read your submission!

Some agents are now editing and acting as publicists for hire, and the practice may eventually become the norm as the new model of publishing emerges, but I’d be cautious, and understand exactly what you’re getting into.

Organization's not your thing?  Right-brained?  Does the thought of keeping track of all this make you queasy?  Never fear.  I have a solution for you.

Writers Market.com – It has a huge, up-to-date database on agents.  It costs $40/year and is worth every penny.  I used it for my first submission experience, and it was wonderful.  It has all the tools needed to find and agent and track submissions, plus items the others lack.  First, search by genre, then narrow the quest.  I found the following criteria invaluable:

• % of clients that publish in fiction
• # of clients – of those how many were new authors
• If member of AAR
• Submission guidelines
• How long it takes for response.
• Agent/agency websites
• When they were established

One of the best things about Writer's Market is the “Query Tracker.”  Select the agent to submit to, note the date, and when you should hear back.  After that date, it posts a reminder, so you can follow up.

Simple, organized, unintimidating.

Agent Etiquette

DO: Follow agent’s blogs and follow them on Twitter. Not only is it a good way to “know” an agent, they also post excellent craft and market advice.  Most agents have links to other agent’s blogs.

DO NOT:

• Follow them into bathrooms at conferences, or on their way to work
• Call them
• Show up at their offices.

The above will not only spook the prey and earn you a bad name; it could get you arrested!  And have you seen how people look in mug shots?  You thought your driver’s license photo was bad.

TIPS:

• If an agent doesn’t state that they rep what you write – don’t bother.  You’re wasting time.
• Research agent submission guidelines and follow them – to the letter.  Irritating an agent makes an impression, but a bad one.
• It helps to know something about the agent and can reference it in the query intro.  Research the authors the agent represents.  Read their blogs.  It will help you connect and catch their attention more than “Dear Agent.”
• Which reminds me – don’t ever write “Dear Agent.”
• If you don’t know anything about them, don’t fake it.  They’ll know, trust me.  Just launch into your hook, instead.
• Remember your business panties from Part 1. A submission should be businesslike. At first contact, I always use the agent’s last name: Dear Ms. Agent.
• Be sure the query is crisp, short, and correct.  This is your first and only shot at catching their attention.
• Double and triple check every word before you hit ‘send.’  It’s hard for them to think you’re sincere and professional if you misspell their name.
• Agent's response guidelines are almost always on their website.  If they say they’ll respond in 4 weeks, and it’s been 8, send a polite follow-up email.  Here’s mine:

I put in the subject line "Query Follow up YYY(Title)"

Dear Ms.XXX:

I sent the below query for my novel, YYY, on 12/18.  I hadn't heard back from you, so I'm just following up.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

If the agent requested a partial or a full submission, and they’re a couple weeks beyond their self-imposed deadline, I send the following:

Requested Material Follow-up YYYY (Title)

Dear Ms. XXX (may or may not be on 1^st name basis at this point)

I sent the partial/full manuscript you requested of my novel, YYY on Dec. 12, and haven’t heard back from you.  I know you’re very busy.  Could you just give me a timeframe so I can manage my expectations?

Thanks for your time and consideration.

• Many agents (sadly) are now simply not responding if they’re not interested, and you’re to assume rejection.  I hate this, but can live with it, as long as they state that in the submission guidelines.

Share with us all your submission tips and experiences!

Next up in The Great Agent Search: Organizing this mess.