What is a story hook, and is it possible to craft one in a way that captures a literary agent's attention?
In my guest post on Story Ember's blog, I discuss the answer to this question and provide a check-list that can help you craft the perfect hook for your book.
I recently stopped by a virtual writer's conference, Inkling to Write, and shared insight on how to effectively sell your book to an agent. If you want to hear my tips and tricks -- secrets I've shared at conferences across the country -- feel free to check the post out by clicking here! (And yes, this virtual conference is free to attend.) ;)
Once you’ve established the foundation of a writing career, how do you know when it’s time to launch forward and seek publication? What does the process even look like, and where should an aspiring author to begin?
Last week, we discussed how aspiring authors can set a foundation by writing a book, researching publishing, building a platform, gaining publishing credits, winning contests, etc. So what's the next stage? You guessed it—the submission process.
But wait … if you move ahead too soon, you could risk sending your book into the public pre-maturely. It could even cost you a publishing contract.
So how can you know when it’s time to submit?
You’ve built a foundation (platform, writing credentials, understanding of the publishing industry, etc.)
You’ve taken the time to write and polish a book that you’re proud of
Critique partners/editor(s) have reviewed your manuscript
You’ve prepared yourself—mentally and emotionally—to receive rejections
Where should you start? First, ask yourself these questions:
What is my overall goal and vision as an author? (The answer to this will steer your publishing-related decisions.)
Would it be best to take the self-publishing route? (If you’ve reached this point, then you should know the pros and cons of self-publishing.)
Or do I want a literary agent, someone who can bring me into traditional publishing and negotiate contracts on my behalf?
With your goals and vision in mind, it’s time to launch forward! If you’ve chosen to seek publication with a small/medium-sized publisher, it’s not necessary that you submit to an agent. (Although there are several benefits to having representation, and some smaller-sized publishing houses still require agented submissions.) To find publishers, you may want to purchase the Christian Writer’s Market Guide or Writer’s Market Guide. Make a list of potential publishers, then do research to make sure that your book would make a good fit. Study the house’s previous works, then submit your book proposal according to the submission guidelines. (Not doing this could result in an instant rejection!)
Tip: You can also meet with editors at smaller houses at writing conferences. This is how I sold my first book, PURPLE MOON, without an agent.
If you choose to self-publish your book, it’s vital that you know what you’re getting into and understand the risks involved. If you choose to self-publish, you’re no longer the author; you’re both the author and the publisher. This means it’s up to you to present a quality overall book to the market. You’re 100% in charge of publishing, sales, marketing, etc. I recommend that you do research beforehand and build a team (cover designer, editor, formatter, etc.) who can accompany you in this process.
Tip: Before diving into the unknown waters of self-publishing, you may want to first speak with authors who have successfully self-published their books. Writing conferences are a great place to make these connections.
If you choose to sign with an agent, you’ll want to begin by making a list of prospective agents who represent your genre. Where can you find a list of literary agents? Research. You may want to subscribe to Writer’s Digest. Oftentimes, authors will mention who it is they’re represented by on their website, social media, or in the acknowledgements section of their books. Once you’ve written an impressive query letter, it’s time to submit! I advise that writers submit to prospective agents in batches of about 5 – 10 emails at a time. That way, if you continue to receive rejections and constructive criticism, you can take their feedback and make necessary revisions to your manuscript. That way, you won’t burn several bridges at once.
Tip: You can also meet with agents at writing conferences. Meeting face-to-face is a great way to potentially rise to the top of their slush pile.
The timing of this process varies from writer to writer. Some writers see success instantly, but most writers have to wait months—if not years—before they finally receive a yes. The key is to keep going. While waiting to hear back from editors/agents, don’t waste any time; get started on your next book! Keep plugging away at your platform. Enter contests. Attend conferences/workshops. Gain publishing credits.
The writer’s journey is just that—a journey. Patience is a vital quality to possess, especially as you wait to hear back from editors and agents.
It’s only those who give up who are guaranteed to never see success.
Sure, that might sound cliché—but it’s true. I recently found a quote (source unknown) that says this:
"The master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried."
Why is this?
Because those who succeed are the ones who kept pressing forward. Closed doors are an inevitable part of the journey. When they receive rejections, they take whatever constructive criticism they need to hone their craft/career—then they try again, and again and again until a door has finally opened.
Eventually, you might just find yourself with a contract. And when that happens, it’s just the beginning! There’s still more to learn. More opportunities to grow. More waiting seasons that will stretch your patience. More criticism that will test your humility.
In the next post I’ll discuss how you can sustain momentum and build a career once you’ve stepped through that open door. (No, it’s never too early to plan ahead!)
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Have you reached the submission process yet? If so, what do you think is the most difficult part of this stage?
The other day I stopped by one of my favorite writing blogs, The Write Conversation, and shared tips on how to submit to an agent. {Check it out by clicking here!}
For the past year, I've been working at Hartline Literary Agency--first as an intern, and now as a Jr. Agent for Cyle Young. I love having the opportunity to work with other writers. Help them prepare their proposals, send it off to publishers, and potentially play a role in the unfolding of their writing dreams.
We're now searching for new clients to add to our roster. Aspiring or established authors who have a completed manuscript, established platform/web presence, knowledge of the craft/industry, and understand what goes into marketing a book. I'd especially like to work with writers who understand their brand, vision as a writer, and have multiple ideas for future books.
Does that sound like you? If so, please review the below submission guidelines ...
What I'm searching for:
Genres across the spectrum -- YA, MG, NA, children's picture book (ABA market preferred), non-fiction, devotionals, Christian, romance, historical, fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative.
I am NOT searching for erotic or amish fiction.
I specialize in MG/YA fiction and would love to find fresh voices in these genres, especially projects that we could sell to the general market. Of course, being a young writer myself, I would love to find a teen or young adult who has a project that's ready to be sent to publishers. This means that it's well-written, edited, and polished. (You can check out my advice for teen/young writers by clicking here.)
We make sure that your proposal and manuscript is in top shape before it's sent to publishers. This does not mean that we provide edits; however, we will walk you through a polished draft before the contract is signed. I will also provide feedback on your proposal/opening chapter that you can use to make sure your proposal is top quality before it's sent to publishers.
I like to establish a relationship with the clients -- understand their brand, vision, and dream publishers before I send off the proposal.
We give our current clients top priority.
We stay informed with the pulse of the publishing industry -- where it's been, where it's headed.
We're innovative, hard-working, and use modern methods to help clients achieve their publishing dreams. We're focused on building your career as an author.
If I choose to represent you, I will remain your main point of contact, whereas Cyle Young will be your agent of record.
We do not charge a fee to our clients.
You're welcome to get in touch with me any time you have a specific need/question.
Clients have access to client-only portal which is where Cyle and I post resources such as workshop podcasts, video tutorials, sample proposals, and more.
We like to work with clients who ...
Have industry knowledge, especially in the market/genre they write in
Are well-educated on the craft
Are professional
Have a long-term vision for their writing career
Have more than one book idea
Actively work to build an online presence and platform
Understand what it takes to market a book
Understand that publishing moves at a turtle's pace
After following these proposal guidelines, please send your query and proposal to me: Tessa@HartlineLiterary.com. I look forward to hearing from you! =)
It's not an easy feat for aspiring authors to sign with a literary agent these days. The competition is tough. Slush piles are high. And when a writer receives a rejection, it doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad writer. So how can you, an aspiring author, catch the attention of an agent or publisher?
For those of you who aren't aware, I've been working with Hartline Literary Agency as an intern for the past six months. It's been enlightening to see this side of the industry, to say the least. As I've helped Cyle Young weave through his slush pile, I've discovered more and more as to why, exactly, it's difficult for aspiring authors -- even the talented and experienced writers -- to land a literary agent.
Agents receive floods of queries.This isn't just an excuse they give when they respond to your query six months after your submission. It's the hard truth. And unfortunately, responding to this flood of submissions is not an agent's primary job.
When they do snatch an opportunity to comb through their submissions, they have to be strict about who they sign with -- otherwise, they'd take on hundreds of authors who share the same publishing dream as you do.
So how can you, an aspiring author, separate yourself from the crowd? What are agents searching for these days?
As much as agents love to discover new talent, they won't sign with a client unless they believe the project has potential to sell to publishers. With that in mind, let's reframe the question: What is it that publishers look for when they receive a proposal?
Great writing + Intruiging premise + Strong platform
Of course, publishers only take on projects that they believe will sell in today's current marketplace. So if you can send them a project that fits the above criteria, then your chances of publication will increase.
Acquisition editors are becoming more strict about platform. In the past, only the non-fiction writers were expected to have a strong audience; now, the fiction writers are expected to have an established one as well. Yes, even before their book is published.
What is a platform,
exactly?
A platform is the total number of people you can reach when your book is published.It's your audience, your readership. The combined number of your followers online. Your "tribe". Potential customers of your book.
I've even heard that some acquisition editors will choose a big platform over good writing. Why?
Because, ultimately, it’s the number that will sell the book.
Publishers have to stay in business. It makes sense that they wouldn't want to take on a projectunless they know the book could sell well.
In other words -- that book you've spent countless hours working on? If you hope it'll see the light of day, it's wise to devote just as much work into building a platform that will impress an agent or publisher.
Here are 5 ways this can be accomplished:
1. Blog consistently
If you post 1 - 3 times per week, blogging can expand reach to your target audience. Your blog is your cyber home, and it can become the area in which you discuss topics related to your writing, spark conversation, and interact with followers. Think of your blog as a virtual coffee shop you can go to and interact with your readers.
Your blog is also an online portfolio of your writing. It can help you discover your brand -- which will, in return, expand your platform. Not only that, but if you do post consistently, you'll prove to prospective agents that you can write quality content on deadline.
But simply creating a blog and writing an occasional post isn't going to help. You must go into blogging with the specific intention to build your readership. If you'd like more advice on how to do that, check out my series on blogging -- Part 1 and Part 2.
2. Remain active {and interactive} on social media
Blogging is a passion of mine. I enjoy the process of sharing information and inspiration, then receiving instant publication and conversation with readers.
Social media, on the other hand, took a bit longer to get accustomed to. As an
introvert, I don’t have that natural tendency to spark random conversations or publicly display my life for others. However, social media is a powerful tool that allows writers to network with others in the industry and target core readership -- both of which can contribute to platform.
You can use social media as a way to connect with readers. Your posts can inspire, entertain, inform, reflect, and educate. No, you don't necessarily have to use it to grant strangers an "inside peek" into your personal life -- but keep in mind that readers do enjoy learning about the person behind the books. It makes authors come across as more approachable. (John Greene is an excellent example on how to build a tribe on social media by remaining your genuine, authentic self.)
If you need more help on how to use social media to your advantage, I recommend Edie Melson's blog, The Write Conversation, as well as her book, Connections.
3. Discover and develop your brand
A brand is the
reputation you create for yourself. It’s the image, essence, and impression that comes to your readers' minds when they hear your name. A brand combines an author's genre, personality, and unique characteristics in a way that sets them apart from other authors. At the same time, your brand can offer something of value to your readership, which is why it aids in building platform and selling books. If you can communicate your brand effectively through your online presence, then your readers will know what to expect every time they purchase one of your books.
4. Focus on your readers
Going back to the example of John Greene: Another reason he has such a supportive tribe is because of the relationship he's formed with his fans. He didn't become a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author simply by posting on his social media accounts and blog, My book releases in two days! Pre-order your copy now! Instead, he first focused on building a relationship with his readers. And it's because of that relationship that readers flock to buy his books as soon as they're available for pre-order.
We can accomplish the same through our social media accounts and blog as well. Rather than using our online presence as a means to post "commercials" of our products, we can instead use it as a way to connect with our target audience. Offer something of value to them in every post. Learn who they are. Cater to them, and make them feel special.
Why do fans love Taylor Swift? Not just because of her music, but because she establishes friendships with her fans. And of course they'll want to buy an album from one of their best friends! Never once have I seen her begging these fans to buy her album.
As you're discovering your brand, ask yourself: What is it that readers will get out of my products? Why will they want to return to my blog and interact with me on social media?
5. Generate a mailing list
Your readers might miss an occasional blog or social media post from you. But if they sign up for your mailing list, then that post can be delivered straight to their inbox.
This can be a powerful tool, but only if it's treated with respect. If you abuse your mailing list, then the frequent email blasts you send will come across as spam, and your readers will most likely unsubscribe.
When you set up your mailing list, use the same principles mentioned above. Ask yourself, what will my readers get in return? Why will they want to sign up? Is it because they'll receive an instant short story or coffee recipe? Is it because they're interested in hearing about the frequent YA book sales that you could include in your newsletter?
Treat your mailing list subscribers as if they're apart of your special club. Cater your email blasts and newsletters toward them, and watch as the size of your dedicated readership increases.
SUMMARY: Building a platform that impresses an agent or publisher probably won't come quick or easy. But if you keep at it, it can turn into a snowball effect: The bigger it grows, the more people you'll reach -- and the bigger it'll grow, etc.
Eventually, you might feel as though you're taking away from your book-writing hours. But if you can balance time management well, then the hours and effort you devote into building a platform will pay off. In fact, it may be the very reason why a literary agent selects your query out of their pile of submissions. TWEETABLE:
I recently began an internship with Hartline Literary Agency, and one thing I've discovered is how hard it is for a query to stand out in a slush pile. Agents receive multiple submissions per week. The truth is, they can't spend all of their time digging through these submissions. So how are you, an aspiring author, supposed to stand out in the midst of these proposals?
Here's my advice: Wait. Wait until your work is 100% ready to be represented by an agent. Many--if not most--proposals that agents receive are submitted by writers who were not ready to send their book out to the world. They sacrificed quality of their writing for the sake of representation.
So after you type THE END on your manuscript, pause a moment. Resist the urge to go rushing off to find an agent who will be eager to send your work out to publishers.
Then, ask yourself these questions:
1. Have I studied the industry and craft?
I don't mean simply reading a blog post here and there. Do you understand how the publishing industry works? Have you invested hours into classes, courses, and books that help take your writing to the next level? {Here are resources that might help.} And have you applied these techniques to your manuscript?
2. Have I written my book to the best of my ability?
Often, the idea of publication will cause us to rush the writing process, and therefore neglect to make our work shine. No, writing a book isn't necessarily fast or easy. But if we want to actually see our book in print one day, it's vital that we don't skimp in this process.
3. Has my manuscript been critiqued and edit?
We writers don't always catch our own mistakes in our manuscript. This is why we need others who are familiar with the craft to look over our work with a critical eye. (No, a family member doesn't count ... ;) )
4. Is my idea unique and an appealing premise?
Being on this side of the industry has made me realize how important it is to have a unique idea that stands out in the crowd. If your idea is a fresh, interesting premise, then your chances of publication will be boosted tremendously. How can you summarize your book in 1 - 3 sentences in a way that doesn't make it sound like other books within its genre?
5. Does the first page of my novel capture the reader from the start?
If writers took the time to rewrite the first chapter -- or even the first page -- of their manuscript, an agent may seriously consider their work. But unfortunately, this is the biggest mistake I've noticed amongst these submissions: The first chapter/page is loaded with backstory and info dump. Either that, or the story begins with an uninteresting, dull scene.
Glance over your first page, scene, and chapter. Have you opened with conflict? Action? Does the scene move the story forward, or could the book begin later in the story? How can you weave in the backstory without giving the readers an info dump at the beginning? And finally, is the goal of your main character clear in that first chapter, and why would a reader be interested in following their journey to reach this goal?
6. Have I established a web presence?
Often, an agent or an editor will do an online search of a prospective author to see if they have an online platform. This is a biggie in today's industry. Even if you don't have hundreds or thousands of followers, it's important to at least set up social media accounts -- and possibly a website/blog -- so you can come across as professional and serious about your writing career.
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Remember: Agents aren't searching for writers to reject; they're searching for writers to represent. So if you want to make their job a bit easier, wait until you can give them your absolute best work. Then, when they read your compelling premise and are unable to put down the chapters you send, they won't even have to think twice about whether or not they should offer you representation. But this will only happen if you devote necessary time into studying, writing, editing, and establishing an online presence.
If you have an agent, how long did it take you from the moment you wrote the book until you found representation? If you don't have an agent, what phase of the writing journey are you currently in?
