Tag Archives: Querying

Think of changing agents? I have a friend currently considering this, so when I read the below blog post (scroll for link), I felt this was something very relevant to share. Sometimes it’s necessary to move your writing career forward to change an agent, but can be scary because no one wants to be in the query trenches again.

I’ve heard some writer’s gasp when they hear an author wants to switch their agent because they don’t understand the reasons. One popular reason is because an agent that signed an author on their adult fantasy doesn’t want to represent the writer’s new manuscript that’s a middle grade historical fiction, or doesn’t represent middle grade at all. I’ve read several articles over the years regarding why writer’s would consider making a change. This past weekend, I read another great blog post on this subject by Dahlia Adler and thought I’d share. I’ve followed her for several years (on Twitter and her blog) and definitely recommend subscribing to her newsletter.

So, for anyone considering changing their agent, or curious to know why someone would change an agent, here is her very informative article with things to consider when doing new research:

via Mid-Career Querying and Other Stuff We Don’t Talk About

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Pitch Wars Webinar with New Leaf Literary Agent Suzie Townsend

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Pitch Wars presents a wonderful webinar with literary agent Suzie Townsend called Query and First Page Bootcamp. It’s no secret among writer’s to hook an agent immediately with their first line and first page if they want to snag a literary agent. What can sometimes be frustrating is the “how”. Suzie Townsend will “cover writing the most effective query letter, starting with your strongest first pages, as well as useful tips and resources about the actual querying process.”

About Suzie Townsend…

SUZIE TOWNSEND is an agent at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. She got her start as an intern at FinePrint Literary Management where she was hired as an assistant before making the move to literary agent. She’s been part of the team at New Leaf Literary & Media since its inception in 2012. Suzie loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres, and she’s always looking for unique new voices in stories.
SUZIE IS LOOKING FOR: Women’s Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult and literary Middle Grade. She’s especially looking for inclusive and diverse stories with new and unique voices in all genres and age groups.

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If you want to signup, you’d better hurry because they are only taking the first 50 participants. The cost is $25 (USD) and the webinar will take place Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 8:30pm ET.

Have fun learning!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction

INGREDIENT TO SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING

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Let me start by telling you there isn’t a magic genie floating around in this post. Promise. So, don’t look. What I can promise is encouragement and a factual ingredient to succeed.

Since I started seriously putting pen to paper, I’ve encountered writers of all genres and age categories. But they all have one thing in common: wanting to know how to succeed in getting published. Sounds simple right?

It’s not.

Inspiration strikes and a writer splatters his fingers all over his keyboard. Voila! A brilliant manuscript is born. His NY Times Bestselling Novel is sent to all agents that area a perfect fit. Then he sits back and refreshes the inbox of his email, over and over. Finally, rejection after rejection starts trickling in. Some days, nothing but crickets (because most agents won’t send anything if they aren’t interested).

Doubt seeps into the writer.

Maybe his story wasn’t so brilliant after all. Maybe his writing sucks. Or maybe, just maybe, the agents don’t know what they’re talking about (but deep down he knows they do). What is he doing wrong? He is ready to put the manuscript away and never look back. He doesn’t know what made him think he could write.
Well, I’m here to tell you that HE was the one who said he could write. He felt it in his gut, he heard the story in his head and he made it happen. Sure, the man can self-pub if that’s what he chooses to do (and I wouldn’t without getting an editor, betas, etc.). But, what he really wants is to have his novel traditionally published. He wants a doggone fantastical agent! So, what should he do?

Never stop.

Yes, it’s that simple. The key ingredient to successful publishing is to never-ever give up! Think about it. If you’re writing a novel and give up, it never gets wrote. If you stop honing your craft, your writing suffers and is never perfected. If you stop submitting queries, you’ll never get an agent. And so forth, and so forth. Thus, my advice is to never stop. NEVER. EVER. EVER!

And remember, you ARE a brilliant writer and your story MUST be told (say this in the mirror every day). Perseverance is the key. As always, good luck and happy writing.

P.D Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction