July/August 2013 Issue
July/August Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Website of the Week
Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents Blog
Chuck Sambuchino is an editor and published author who runs the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, one of the biggest blogs in publishing. His site has instruction and information on literary agents, literary agencies, query letters, submissions, publishing, author platform, book marketing, and more.
Collins Literary Says No More Submissions
Previously on the blog, I ran an agency profile of Collins Literary Agency. Recently, the agency contacted me and said they are not taking on new clients right now and will not … Read more
What Does That Mean? Literary Definitions: Vol. 2
Ever come across a publishing term and wasn’t sure what it meant? (Who hasn’t?) The Buried Editor and I are pairing up to start a series to help define some oft-used terms in the … Read more
Words of Wisdom: How Agents Judge Offers
Q. Do agents usually hold out for a good deal on a book or do they take the first acceptable offer that comes along? A. Well, an offer in your pocket is … Read more
Concerning the 'Rules' of Writing…
Found a cool site today: suspense writer Brandilyn Collins’ blog. The links on the left show you that she has a lot of advice for writers on subjects dealing with the craft … Read more
More Agency Contact Info Updates
Here are a few random updates on this random Wednesday: Karen Gantz Zahler Literary Management and Attorney at Law - Her mailing address has a new zip code: 10065. Grand Street Literary Agency - … Read more
Greystone Literary Closes (But Reopens Later)
Greystone Literary Agency, a relatively new agency based in DC and founded by Michael Mancilla, has officially closed as of early this year. The Web site was down this morning and a … Read more
What Does That Mean? Literary Definitions: Vol. 1
Ever come across a publishing term and wasn’t sure what it meant? (Who hasn’t?) The Buried Editor and I are pairing up to start a series to help define some oft-used terms in the … Read more
New Agency Alert: Davis Wager Literary Agency
Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
Represents: Nonfiction and fiction. Seeking new and established writers. Read more
Pavilion Literary Management Seeks Specific Nonfiction
I got a note from Jeff Kellogg at Pavilion Literary Management recently, noting that he was actively seeking some areas of nonfiction. The categories are:HistoryPopular ScienceMedicinePop Culture Submit your work to him … Read more
Words of Wisdom: Let Your Writing Sell the Work
Q. What’s the biggest mistake a writer makes when contacting you (about a novel)? “Trying to be a salesman never works for me; the material has to speak for itself. A writer … Read more
Nathan Bransford Talks Word Count for Novels
Literary Agent Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown has a great post here on how writers commonly make their manuscripts too long. See his entire post for his thoughts on all this. He … Read more
Words of Wisdom: Moving on to a New Agent
Q. I recently parted ways with my agent after a few years of representation. As I move forward, do I tell a prospective agent that I previously worked with another agent? If … Read more
Concerning Names and Backstory in a Synopsis
Q. In a novel synopsis, how much should you go into detail about a character in terms of their backstory and past? I want to keep my synopsis short, as you suggest, so I don’t know how to approach this. Read more
Around the Properties: 2-28-2008
The new issue of Writer’s Digest (March/April) is out. Some of the content is online at www.writersdigest.com, including the following articles: An interview with genre writer Laurell K. Hamilton J.A. Konrath’s take on … Read more
Oscar Picks, Anyone?
The Oscars start in two hours. I have to make my picks public somewhere, so here I go… (FYI, I’m only picking the big 9, not everything) Best Picture: No Country for … Read more
New Agency Alert: Max & Co., A Literary Agency and Social Club
Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
Actively seeking: narrative nonfiction, memoir, literary fiction, humor, and visual books. Does not want to receive: genre fiction nor YA and children’s books. Read more
Agent Advice: Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency
This installment features The Bent Agency’s (formerly with Trident Media Group) Jenny Bent, who has represented more than a dozen books on the New York Times bestseller lists since becoming an agent in 1996. At Writer’s Digest Books, we were pleased to have her as a contributor to the 2003 Guide to Literary Agents. Read more
I Signed With an Agent!
For those hardcore readers of this blog (bless your hearts), you may remember a post months ago saying how I submitted a book proposal to an agent. Well that submission paid off. … Read more
Agent Interview on CWIM Blog
Alice Pope, editor of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, has posted two incredibly awesome posts in the past week regarding a new literary agency: Greenhouse Literary, a new agency with a focus on children’s/juvenile writing. Read more
Querying Multiple Agents at One Agency
Recently, I’ve addressed a few questions about agents and submissions that have no definitive answer. (For example: Can you resubmit to an agent if you’ve retooled the work?) Alas, today’s topic is … Read more
The Newest Genre: Elegant Erotica
Elegant Erotica: Not romance. Not Penthouse. But a gentle blendbetween the two. We haven’t had a new genre on the blog since “Cyberbilly” back in July, so I was excited to make this … Read more
Talking Memoir and Narrative Nonfiction
Q. What’s the difference between memoir and narrative nonfiction? Aren’t they the same thing? A. Memoir is when someone writes about their own life. Narrative nonfiction is when someone writes about the … Read more
My Adventures in San Francisco…
This past weekend, I presented at the San Francisco Writers Conference. It was, as you probably guessed, great – and a lot of power players were there, from big-name authors (Clive Cussler, Tess Gerritsen) to numerous agents and more. I did two sessions, and sat in on a few more. There was literary agent “speed dating” and “table sessions” with acquiring editors. It seemed to be moving at a mile a minute, which is a good thing. Read more
New Agent Alert: Verna Dreisbach at Dreisbach Literary
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
Verna Dreisbach comes to Dreisbach Literary from a career in writing. She is currently accepting submissions in fiction and nonfiction. Read more
New Agent Alert: Colleen Lindsay at FinePrint Literary Management
Editor’s Note: As of Fall 2011, Colleen Lindsay is no longer agenting. Do not query her.
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage. Read more
