How I became a published author
Last week I gave three talks about being an author and the questions that kept coming up were primarily focused around how to go from writing something to actually getting it published and out into the world.
So, here are a few of the points I covered last week during my events at Ingleby Barwick Library, Newcastle University and Newcastle City Library (and BIG thanks to everyone who welcomed me!). Hope these are helpful.
What do agents do?
First of all you might wonder why you even need an agent in the first place. Some people believe that they simply get you a deal and take a cut of your earnings. But this isn’t the case. While I have only worked with one agent, and therefore I can’t comment on the industry as a whole, in my experience, my agent has supported me with so much more. For example she helps me with coming up with story ideas and hooks, commenting on which will do better, and she has provided editorial feedback, supported me in understanding what my author brand is and also helped me to explore what genre I should be writing in - as well as pitching me to publishers. In addition to that, she is also a bit of a coach/counsellor on the other end of the phone - although I think that’s a bit of an added extra!!
To put it simply, an agent is your cheerleader. They help you get your foot in the door with publishers because, as you might know, it isn’t exactly a doddle getting an agent (I’ll come onto that next), so it gives you some kudos already that somebody is willing to represent you and pitch your books out on your behalf.
Agents will also help to negotiate your publishing contract - which can be a completely baffling experience if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
So are agents worth it? Absolutely YES - in every sense.
How do you get an agent?
Once you’re happy with your manuscript you can start pitching it out to agents or, as some people call it, querying agents. It’s important to make sure you are happy with what you’re submitting by ensuring you do a thorough proofread, perhaps even sharing it with a beta reader or two in advance.
You then need to search for agents who represent the kind of work you want to get published. There’s no point sending a sci-fi manuscript to agents who prefer romantic comedy, for example (unless you’re crossing the genres of course!).
Google literary agencies and then take a look at their agent bios. You can usually see what appeals to them in the bio, and then get an idea of who they work with too (they usually have their represented authors featured on their page too).
When you do pitch to them, make sure you tailor your email/query letter. Don’t just blanket send the same thing out - you need to identify why you think you’re a match for them based on their interests and the other authors they represent.
Also, be sure to follow their submission guidelines. They might have an online form to complete, or they might request an email with the first 10,000 words of your manuscript and a synopsis. Always follow these requests.
What if I get rejected?
All writers have experience of rejection. You may well be rejected 30 times before securing your agent. But it’s worth remembering it only takes one agent to love you and your work. Plus, even some of the big names in literature have received many, many rejections in the past so don’t let it put you off.
Any personalised rejections you get are invaluable - this is feedback from an industry pro and well worth taking on board (although it’s also worth remembering that sometimes it’s just down to preference and whether an agent really connected with your work). Either way, it’s a positive thing. If you do happen to be ghosted by an agent, sadly, it’s just the way it goes sometimes - as you can imagine, on top of the hundreds of submissions they receive, they also have a roster of authors to look after, so life as an agent is incredibly busy.
Can I pitch directly to a publisher?
Yes you can, but not all publishers accept what they call ‘unsolicited manuscripts’. So again, have a look at their submissions page and follow their guidelines. Some might be open to direct submissions all year long, others might have submission ‘windows’ and some might only take submissions from agents.
What about self-publishing?
There’s still a little bit of stigma around self-publishing but as someone who has done it themselves, as well as being traditionally published, I can see pros and cons on both sides. Basically, a publisher needs to make their investment back, so your book needs to be commercially viable for them. I’ve had three books traditionally published and I self published two. These self-published books, The Twenty Seven Club and Parklife, were not considered commercial enough as they were a little darker in tone and, I think the biggest issue was the fact that they had a heavy music focus. Some publishers felt they didn’t know enough about music to edit them, some thought they were a bit niche/alternative or too punk! But it’s worth noting that this doesn’t mean you won’t have any success if you publish them yourself. I have sold circa 6k copies of my self published books since 2021, so I think they’re doing OK! It might not make me a bestseller but it all builds up. Plus, you get much more creative control over everything because you are your own publisher. Just be sure to work with a good editor/proofreader and to get a really good cover designer.
I hope some of these points are useful. Please add any further questions in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to reply to them.
Lucy x