Getting an agent - The rocky road to representation
Hi, are you travelling on the same road as me? The one which will hopefully lead us to 'destination agent.'
The euphoria of typing 'the end' is a distant memory now, to be replaced with the all-consuming task of finding 'the one.'
Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, and it's not. We know the rules: research who to submit to, and follow their submission guidelines. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? We're not stupid, we've managed to write a complete novel, after all. So, why then, as soon as we hit that 'send' button, or drop an envelope into the letterbox, do the palpitations begin? Well, if this sounds familiar, it's because we've made a crucial mistake, and it hits us...we know we've been rejected even before the agent does.
You can spend as long as you like rewriting and editing your novel, in preparation for sending it out, but when it comes to that all-important submission package, it's too easy to rush. Some kind of alien takes over you, making you sound and act totally out of character. And the alien will be judged on our behalf. All we can do is sit with our head in our hands, and groan. Or is it? Maybe, for a few minutes, but then it's time to do it all over again, and try to get it right next time. I'm guessing that for probably 99% of people submitting to agents, it's almost inevitable that we will look back and wish we'd said or done something different.
We can't give up though, determination is the key. If we have that we're well on our way along the road. Will we sprint to the final destination? Or will it be more of a hobble, by the time we get there? Only time will tell, but as long as we keep moving we stand a better chance. It's OK to get lost along the way, but standing still will get us nowhere.
Let's set off on this journey together.
Please click 'Comments' below, or go to 'View my full profile' and get the links to my Facebook and Twitter. I'd love to hear from you!
Pippa x
Update 18th December 2014
Well, for my first book at least, I'm on my own! Unfortunately I haven't managed to convince an agent to take me on. I've been learning as much as possible about self-publishing though, and it's no longer frowned upon as it was when I started out writing. I'm ready to give it a go. I'm going to publish 'The OMG Test' around the end of January. The reason for this is because I hope to have book two ready to send to an editor by then. While she's reading through that I'll publish book one and go back to concentrating on that.
I know it's not going to be easy, but then nothing about writing is. It's time to take the leap. Finally.
Love Pippa x
The euphoria of typing 'the end' is a distant memory now, to be replaced with the all-consuming task of finding 'the one.'
Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, and it's not. We know the rules: research who to submit to, and follow their submission guidelines. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? We're not stupid, we've managed to write a complete novel, after all. So, why then, as soon as we hit that 'send' button, or drop an envelope into the letterbox, do the palpitations begin? Well, if this sounds familiar, it's because we've made a crucial mistake, and it hits us...we know we've been rejected even before the agent does.
You can spend as long as you like rewriting and editing your novel, in preparation for sending it out, but when it comes to that all-important submission package, it's too easy to rush. Some kind of alien takes over you, making you sound and act totally out of character. And the alien will be judged on our behalf. All we can do is sit with our head in our hands, and groan. Or is it? Maybe, for a few minutes, but then it's time to do it all over again, and try to get it right next time. I'm guessing that for probably 99% of people submitting to agents, it's almost inevitable that we will look back and wish we'd said or done something different.
We can't give up though, determination is the key. If we have that we're well on our way along the road. Will we sprint to the final destination? Or will it be more of a hobble, by the time we get there? Only time will tell, but as long as we keep moving we stand a better chance. It's OK to get lost along the way, but standing still will get us nowhere.
Let's set off on this journey together.
Please click 'Comments' below, or go to 'View my full profile' and get the links to my Facebook and Twitter. I'd love to hear from you!
Pippa x
Update 18th December 2014
Well, for my first book at least, I'm on my own! Unfortunately I haven't managed to convince an agent to take me on. I've been learning as much as possible about self-publishing though, and it's no longer frowned upon as it was when I started out writing. I'm ready to give it a go. I'm going to publish 'The OMG Test' around the end of January. The reason for this is because I hope to have book two ready to send to an editor by then. While she's reading through that I'll publish book one and go back to concentrating on that.
I know it's not going to be easy, but then nothing about writing is. It's time to take the leap. Finally.
Love Pippa x
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