Posted on 07/14/2003 8:02:31 AM PDT by Jeff Head
260K words, carefully crafted, is not a negligible work.
I don't have one published yet, but am working feverishly toward that. I'm going the "traditional" route myself. Spent months securing a top agent. Now in the final round of tweaks—looks like the ninth draft will be the final draft, until editors ask for changes—after which he'll start marketing it to the publishing houses and movie studios.
MM
But actually, that's just how many words it took to tell the story I already had in my head from start to finish.
In fact, I cut out or abbreviated many subplots and combined some characters just to keep it as "short" as it is.
It'll be interesting to compare notes, as we both meet at the top, having overcome all the chutes and ladders of our chosen routes.
How did you go about selecting an agent to approach? I've done some internet searches and there are so many out there and not knowing anything about any of them it seems one could waste a lot of time following dead ends. Since certain agents are genre specific it narrows things down, some. What crtiteria were you looking at in your decissions? It's difficult to gauge someone's effectivness beforehand. May I ask how many turned you down before you found some interest or how many liked your work and then did nothing with it?
In addition to WM, I frequented active online writers' boards for a long time. The real value there, I'm sorry to say, is more social than anything else. On any such board, 90% of the participants are going to be unpublished or barely published writers themselves, all looking for that edge. A few genuine experts can be found, but very few.
When the time came to actually start my agent search, I used AgentResearch and purchased their "Custom Fingerprint" service. I gave them all the details about me and my novel, and they selected five likely top-tier agents and furnished detailed reports on each. These people at AR are insiders and know the industry on a detailed basis. The one big drawback is that they for the most part recommend the UBERagents. Sure, all agents take on new clients, but at this level they are naturally VERY selective and it's often hard to even get their attention. The second drawback is that reality is: It takes virtually any new writer more than five queries to land an agent. AR also offers a VERY informative newsletter that you can subscribe to for $35 per year and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. It will give you a real finger on the industry pulse.
Another invaluable site is Publishers Marketplace. The research value of this site is huge, U, just huge. And the fact that it's a paid site ($15 per month for full access) tends to keep out the not-as-serious writers and vastly improves the quality of the site. There is no other site on the net that comes close to the value of PM. On three or four different occasions, I had top-tier agents and/or editors from MAJOR publishers initiate contact with me and ask for my manuscript. No other site can boast such a claim IMO, not truthfully anyway.
In the end, here's the real nutshell version of the game: AFTER you've created a saleable piece of work, this thing becomes a numbers game that requires undying persistence. Because the truth is that you'll have to hit the right agent with just the right query or just the right manuscript, on just the right day, at just the right time, and in just the right mood. Everything is SO subjective that it can drive you NUTS. One person will love it. The next hates it. It's an emotional rollercoaster that can truly wreak havoc with your soul.
The query letter must be strong as garlic. Mine evolved over a period of months and in the end it was indeed strong. I queried dozens of agents. About a third of those I queried asked to see either more sample chapters or the whole manuscript. Out of those, I had three offers of representation. I couldn't buy into the first guy's vision for marketing this book and my future books. The second lady was right on track and tack-sharp but was just coming out of the Christian market and into the broader secular market. I agonized over whether to sign with her because she was on fire for the book, but in the end her lack of experience in the secular thriller market made me gunshy. The third was a perfect match and I hooked up.
Since I write primarily thrillers, I of course looked for agents with a strong record in the genre. I write in a very "cinematic" style, so I paid attention to agents' track records in selling not only novel rights but also movie rights. The agent I signed with is ultra-strong in this regard. He works as both a literary agent and a movie producer and has offices in both New York and L.A.
Hope this helps...
MM
(BTW, I'd be happy to share the list, if you're writing in the thriller fiction genre.)
I owe you a big time thanks and I mean that sincerely. You not only gave me useful tips but also provided links to important sites. You're a generous man. You mention some on-line writers boards - care to suggest any? Socializing isn't all bad as it can stimulate thought. At the time I am sadly w/o intellectual stimulation from my friends. None are writers - most are painters like myself but the only two who read much have married and moved off into the real world and I don't see them much. At this time as a writer I am in isolation - I can't even find a friend who has the time enough to read a short story of 20 pages.
When you say "AFTER you've created a saleable piece of work I understand what you mean and admit that I am not there yet but knowledge is valuable enough to get any time it is available so I thought to write you about procedure. Your comments about the right person, right time etc. is also understood. As a stoic I believe things happen at a time and place for a reason and if success is meant for you it will happen and if not enjoy life as best you can anyway - it's still good. Besides God put me on this earth to be a painter -that's what I am. I have a head full of ideas for writing but if they go no where it just doesn't matter - the thrill of creating was reward enough.
Could you fill me in a bit on the query letter? or guide me to where I could see some examples ( haven't explored your links as of this writing so forgive me if what I need is found there). The concept of strength and brevity is not lost on me but I am totally unaware of what content should be included. You mention that you write thrillers. How many completed works do you have to date? what kind of thrillers are your works - crime, spy, horror ? Will you be changing your name from Mississippiman to Hollywoodman after you sign a contract? When the time comes can I call you Hollywood for short?
best regards,
P.S. I found the hurt responces to your comments on the Clancy thread funny - in a schadenfreuden kind of way.
I priced about a dozen printers out of the 100 or so listed in the back of Poynter's book. About a half dozen all came in within 5%, right at the lowest numbers, so I knew they were the leanest and most modernized. I then picked one based on other factors, such as fasted delivery time. For 1,000 copies it's under $5,000, delivered. The second 1,000 made off the same plates will be cheaper.
The first edition I am considering "pump priming" and I don't expect to run much of a profit, because I plan to send out 100s of copies to columnists, other authors, etc. Each favorable review by a "name" is then levereged into more free publicity (see the top of my reviews page). You need to start with printed books for credibility, to get those reviews etc. But shortly, I will put out an Ebook version. Also, I will sell on Amazon for the convenience, even though they take over 50%. That's still better than the miserly 8% you will get from a NYC publishing house! Remember, promotion is 100% up to the author of a first novel. NY houses AT BEST will just put your book on the shelves for a 60-90 day trial. If it doesn't catch fire, (that is, if YOU don't make it catch fire), back it goes in the returns bin, and you are finished, another "failed" author.
That's why I am starting with self-publishing, where I can control the entire process. Eventually I may sell out for a contract, but NOT for a "please please please, I'll take anything!" first time no-name author 8% contract.
Thanks for the idea, I will put it on my "to do" list.
eBook versions might do well for you also, since you can crank the letters up to 150% or even higher.
(My eyes really went downhill writing this thing. I routinely used 150%.)
That thread will be very helpful to you. Lots of advice, links, etc.
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