Wanna be an Agent?

When it comes to agents, you've all seen comments like:
Agents take FOREVER to respond, all they have to do is read a few pages and make a decision, how hard can it be? Why did they turn my work down? It's AWESOME (and my neighbor thinks so too), that agent wouldn't know a sure thing if it bit him. I could certainly make better choices than those books, and the list goes on.

Merited? On occasion, but probably not as often as we as writers would like to believe.

Well, if you've ever said anything like this or thought it, here's your chance. You can be an agent. Seriously, you can see what it's like through what I think is an absolutely awesome idea for a contest.

Agent Nathan Bransford is holding a contest where anyone who'd like to can be a part of the query and acceptance process. You'll read actual query letters and pick those books you think are worth representing. When all is said and done, he'll let everyone know whose picks matched the real choices of titles that actually were published and crown you Superstar Agent.

Sound like fun? Sound like hard work, a little intimidating? I'm pretty sure that's the point. It's not as easy as it looks I'm sure. If you're game you can find the details here.

If you do or don't think it's a good idea, if you participate, would love to hear your thoughts or how it goes.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

How to Steer Clear of Less than Helpful Agents

The subject of finding an agent is a big one for obvious reasons. Though some smaller publishers prefer to work with unagented authors, most medium to large size stopped taking those kinds of submissions a long time ago. This means authors have to find someone they can trust to help them get in front of editors and to reach their publishing goals. In most cases, the author knows little or nothing about the industry and some less than helpful agents find several sneaky ways to use the situation to their advantage.

Chip MacGregor is not one of those agents. He is well respected and will tell it like it is, even when the bad news involves others in his own profession. This post has excellent tips to avoid common agent pitfalls.

Lastly, just so you are aware Chip was in a serious car accident recently. Though he's okay, he has some healing to do. If you decide to contact him for any reason, please be patient.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

The Translation Tango

Have you ever wondered what conversations are like between an agent and an acquisitions editor? Most people know that the agent is a mediator, the filter between author and editor/publishing house, but one thing you might not have considered is that a good agent must be a good translator.

For example, the author calls and screams at the agent, " I've been waiting four months, I want an answer now!" How does that get relayed to the apparently slow-working editor? Not in it's original form I can assure you if either the agent or author really wants a shot at the book being accepted.

Here is an excellent post about how those conversations really go, along with a few other insights into the translation tango that goes on behind the scenes of publishing every day. It's fairly long, but worth the read especially if you are new to the publishing world.

Good Writing & God Bless,

Cheryl Pickett

How Not to Approach an Editor

Many people wonder about agents. What do they do, what's their life and business like?

For some insight, this Q & A from agent Chip MacGregor is insightful and fun to read as well.
Note, the entry is on November 18th-couldn't get the exact link to work.

Once you're there, make sure to read down to #6 for an amusing discussion of what to NEVER ever do if you want to win over an agent.

http://chipmacgregor.com/


A Most Blessed Thanksgiving to You & Your Family.

Cheryl Pickett