I recently attended the “Get Writing 2010” conference at the University of Hertfordshire, hosted by Veralum Writers Circle. It was a fantastic day and I will be blogging further about the event and writing conferences in general, but for now I thought I’d share the advice I picked up that meant the most to me.
- You CAN submit to more than one agent at once – they understand why. But be honest in your dealings.
- A lot of agents/publishers don’t read the synopsis until they have sampled your writing. Good news for all syposis-phobes.
- The synopsis doesn’t have to be 1 page, but it shouldn’t be much longer.
- A book proposal shouldn’t be too grandiose – don’t make huge claims. Be businesslike and brief.
- Agents/publishers DO read everything they are sent, although they may not make it past the covering letter.
- Agents/publishers ARE still looking for good writing.
- The industry is on the verge of change with regard to electronic formats, and nobody is quite sure what the future holds.
- “Published writers are only unpublished writers who didn’t give up.” (I have heard this before but I love it.)
- Tailor your submission to the agent/publisher and if possible use a name, not “Dear Whoever”.
- You CAN refer to positive feedback you have had in the past (for example, as part of a rejection letter) if you frame it in terms of showing how you have worked on improving as a result of that feedback.
- Be more than a one book wonder.
- Show you are willing to participate in readings, visits, website presence etc – it didn’t used to be important but it is vital now. You don’t necessarily need a website before you are published, but you almost certainly will after and it will probably be your responsibility.
- Don’t give up the day job. Look on writing as a supplementary income.
- Enjoy the writing process – otherwise why bother?
Lou Treleaven 