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How to Get a Literary Agent in Two Murders or Less
A witty plunge into the world of publishing,romance and mystery Aspiring novelist Amanda Anderson has never had any luck, but she hopes that's about to change. She goes to a writer's conference to find an agent, but ends up with a husband. After a whirlwind courtship, she elopes with Jonny Goodsnuff, a bestselling suspense writer and single father of two. Soon she discovers that her husband's only good on paper. Jonny Goodsnuff has a deadly secret, and before she can walk away Amanda finds herself in a desperate game of cat and mouse. But who are the cats? And who are the mice? And most importantly, will any of this bring her closer to a publishing contract?
300 pages
First published May 13, 2011
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 5, 2011
Writing is easy...Getting an agent is MURDER!
How to Get a Literary Agent in Two Murders or Less is an unconventional guide for wannabe writers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get agented...NOT!
It's not often the reading public at large is privy to what writers go through to see their manuscript journey from inception to bestseller. Even rarer is the opportunity to tag along with a charmingly naive budding author as her aspirations catapult her from one impulsive decision to the next with the sole intention of getting agented and ultimately published. And that's when life imitates art imitates life...Her adventure takes off with dizzying momentum; immersing her in a real-life murder-mystery plot worthy of a great book! Perhaps her own? If she can write...and if she survives...
Burmeister has spun a fun and appealing tale of ambition, sex (albeit bad sex), murder and mystery. Her book is a dynamic, page-turning, laugh out loud romp into the lesser known world of publishing. It should be required reading for all readers just so you'll understand what authors must go through...
How to Get a Literary Agent in Two Murders or Less is an unconventional guide for wannabe writers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get agented...NOT!
It's not often the reading public at large is privy to what writers go through to see their manuscript journey from inception to bestseller. Even rarer is the opportunity to tag along with a charmingly naive budding author as her aspirations catapult her from one impulsive decision to the next with the sole intention of getting agented and ultimately published. And that's when life imitates art imitates life...Her adventure takes off with dizzying momentum; immersing her in a real-life murder-mystery plot worthy of a great book! Perhaps her own? If she can write...and if she survives...
Burmeister has spun a fun and appealing tale of ambition, sex (albeit bad sex), murder and mystery. Her book is a dynamic, page-turning, laugh out loud romp into the lesser known world of publishing. It should be required reading for all readers just so you'll understand what authors must go through...
February 23, 2012
Let me preface this review by stating that this book is not of a genre I typically follow. In fact, I don’t know how to classify this novel’s genre. It’s part chick-lit, part murder mystery, I suppose. (Maybe there’s a sub-genre for that?) I’m primarily a fan of historical and fantasy fiction, but perhaps the fact I really enjoyed this novel says something. I was drawn to it by its title – as a writer, I appreciate how maddening it can be to find a literary agent, so the story sounded like a good, fun read. It lived up to this promise – wholeheartedly.
It’s about a young writer named Amanda Anderson who falls for a best-selling novelist for all the wrong reasons, only to find herself in a boat-load of trouble. The book is filled with quirky characters and humorous moments, but it’s the novel’s pacing and plotting that may work best. I found this book hard to put down. It’s a quick read, and the author knows how to end a chapter in a way that makes you turn to the next page. There were also a bunch a plot twists, so I never knew where the novel would go next. But I was always pleasantly surprised!
It’s about a young writer named Amanda Anderson who falls for a best-selling novelist for all the wrong reasons, only to find herself in a boat-load of trouble. The book is filled with quirky characters and humorous moments, but it’s the novel’s pacing and plotting that may work best. I found this book hard to put down. It’s a quick read, and the author knows how to end a chapter in a way that makes you turn to the next page. There were also a bunch a plot twists, so I never knew where the novel would go next. But I was always pleasantly surprised!
March 14, 2012
I thought this was a most entertaining read. There are indeed two murders, one has happened in the past and one happens later in the story. The clues are there for the reader who pays careful attention.
The first three chapters grabbed me. I just knew a dead body was going to show up in the hotel, but instead something I didn't expect happens. I won't spoil it. Then Jonny and Amanda go to Jonny's beach house, where the story takes off like a rocket. It was difficult to put the book down. I read until the wee hours of the night to finish it.
I thought the plot was well thought out and there are plenty of twists and turns to offer the most discerning mystery reader a good journey all the way to the ending.
I gave the novel five stars for the following reasons:
I loved the story and the plot twists. It's cute, humorous, and intriguing. In addition, the ebook was formatted perfectly. I did not find a single typo. There were no misused words nor any other grammatical error that I could find. I wish all the books I purchased were that well edited.
The first three chapters grabbed me. I just knew a dead body was going to show up in the hotel, but instead something I didn't expect happens. I won't spoil it. Then Jonny and Amanda go to Jonny's beach house, where the story takes off like a rocket. It was difficult to put the book down. I read until the wee hours of the night to finish it.
I thought the plot was well thought out and there are plenty of twists and turns to offer the most discerning mystery reader a good journey all the way to the ending.
I gave the novel five stars for the following reasons:
I loved the story and the plot twists. It's cute, humorous, and intriguing. In addition, the ebook was formatted perfectly. I did not find a single typo. There were no misused words nor any other grammatical error that I could find. I wish all the books I purchased were that well edited.
November 16, 2011
How to Get a Literary Agent in Two Murders or Less is a witty plunge into the world of publishing, romance and mystery. The mismatch of characters work perfectly together and take the reader on a roller coaster ride into the mayhem of murder. The plot moves along with rich prose and snappy dialogue. The storyline clips along at a smooth pace. The story drew me in, kept me laughing and held my attention, wondering who did it.
February 2, 2012
I could not put this book down! I will admit I read at red lights because I had to finish it & find out who the bad guy really was. I will admit I thought I knew, did figure it out before i was told, but the end was a surprise- and a good one at that. I look forward to reading another book by the author.
November 17, 2011
Absolutely madcap funny, and something that every aspiring author can relate to with ease. Burmeister is ingenious.
May 3, 2012
Pure pleasure. Ellie Burmeister knows how to keep the reader turning the page. I am reminded of writers like David Sedaris--the book is witty, intelligent, and original.
December 29, 2011
It's good. I would likely give it a 3.5
June 24, 2011
This book is middle of the road for me. It is the first work of Ellie Burmeister and Mirth Press so I expect that the work is self published. I have nothing against that. The physical book looks well enough done.
Why I am not giving it 5 stars as I expect those who know Ms. Burmeister did is that as a story and mystery I find that there are problems with the work.
First our heroine is telling us her narrative in first person, except she is giving us foretelling. For she tells us there will be a body. Well in First Person that takes a good deal of suspense out of it. And then when we have a body we certainly don't have anyone looking at the mystery of the body. Though our title clearly has set us up for a mystery.
The tale is about 290 pages and dead body arrives about 180. So that means until then we have a back story. In all those writing guides and writers workshops (which our heroine claims to have gone too) says cut the back story and get to the action. We don't.
Also the mystery is solved by page 240, and then it is our heroine and her Scooby Doo friends trying to frame the murderer and produce evidence of his guilt.
So is it a mystery... No it is introspective chick lit. And then there is nothing to like about the chicks. Our heroine is such an ignoramus that she marries super rich successful guy who she tells us swept her off her feet (with far too few examples) after a date. Her lame way of saying why they did not have premarital sex (she is in her mid 20's and he is in her late 50's or early sixties) was that he was a much smaller man in the equipment department than normal. She is so dumb, she gives him all of her money even as she sees dark and abusive sides to him. She is so smart that she can analyze her two older step daughters instantly.
She is living such a fantasy that the people in this novel are all better looking then you or I, richer than you or I, and more successful than you or I.
No, this needed to have some thought given to it. Chick Lit, take out the murders. Murder Mystery, tell it in 3rd person and take out all the inanity. But really, your police question the suspect once with some routine questions when they tell her her husband is dead (BTW Mailbu California is the LA Sheriff) and then when they go to arrest her for the crime of killing the SOB they take several undercover plains clothes to an invitation only bash? Now we have stupid to add to far fetched.
I'll suspend my disbelief for a good story, but not my common sense.
Why I am not giving it 5 stars as I expect those who know Ms. Burmeister did is that as a story and mystery I find that there are problems with the work.
First our heroine is telling us her narrative in first person, except she is giving us foretelling. For she tells us there will be a body. Well in First Person that takes a good deal of suspense out of it. And then when we have a body we certainly don't have anyone looking at the mystery of the body. Though our title clearly has set us up for a mystery.
The tale is about 290 pages and dead body arrives about 180. So that means until then we have a back story. In all those writing guides and writers workshops (which our heroine claims to have gone too) says cut the back story and get to the action. We don't.
Also the mystery is solved by page 240, and then it is our heroine and her Scooby Doo friends trying to frame the murderer and produce evidence of his guilt.
So is it a mystery... No it is introspective chick lit. And then there is nothing to like about the chicks. Our heroine is such an ignoramus that she marries super rich successful guy who she tells us swept her off her feet (with far too few examples) after a date. Her lame way of saying why they did not have premarital sex (she is in her mid 20's and he is in her late 50's or early sixties) was that he was a much smaller man in the equipment department than normal. She is so dumb, she gives him all of her money even as she sees dark and abusive sides to him. She is so smart that she can analyze her two older step daughters instantly.
She is living such a fantasy that the people in this novel are all better looking then you or I, richer than you or I, and more successful than you or I.
No, this needed to have some thought given to it. Chick Lit, take out the murders. Murder Mystery, tell it in 3rd person and take out all the inanity. But really, your police question the suspect once with some routine questions when they tell her her husband is dead (BTW Mailbu California is the LA Sheriff) and then when they go to arrest her for the crime of killing the SOB they take several undercover plains clothes to an invitation only bash? Now we have stupid to add to far fetched.
I'll suspend my disbelief for a good story, but not my common sense.
June 9, 2012
I won this book as a Goodreads First Reads winner. As soon as I read the title, it had my attention. The title is clever, and unfortunately the best part of the book. It would be a book to read on the beach or by the pool this summer. I was interested in the story as I read, there were just parts when I felt it could have been written or done so much better.
Amanda Anderson is an aspiring writer. She has written several books, but can't get any published. She ends up spending her life savings on a publishing conference which turns out to be worthless. However, while there she meets Jonny Goodsnuff, famous author who has actually published books. Soon, he proposes and a month later she has sold all her stuff in Ohio and is married to Jonny living in LA.
Jonny completely changes after marriage, or Amanda didn't know him long enough to even make a judgement call. But Jonny is sexist, obsessed with work and overly obsessed with his agent. A month into her marriage, she wonders if she makes a mistake.
But the title promises some murder, right? It doesn't happen until about halfway through the book. After we have been rushed through backstory and the set up for the actual story.
The main character was someone I could relate to, until she married some old rich guy after knowing him for less than a month. If she did it because she was desperate, depressed or just needed a change in life, that wasn't communicated well enough in the first part of the book.
I like that premise of the story. It was interesting. The characters were good starts. But I felt the writing was rushed, especially when we got to what the story was actually about.
Amanda Anderson is an aspiring writer. She has written several books, but can't get any published. She ends up spending her life savings on a publishing conference which turns out to be worthless. However, while there she meets Jonny Goodsnuff, famous author who has actually published books. Soon, he proposes and a month later she has sold all her stuff in Ohio and is married to Jonny living in LA.
Jonny completely changes after marriage, or Amanda didn't know him long enough to even make a judgement call. But Jonny is sexist, obsessed with work and overly obsessed with his agent. A month into her marriage, she wonders if she makes a mistake.
But the title promises some murder, right? It doesn't happen until about halfway through the book. After we have been rushed through backstory and the set up for the actual story.
The main character was someone I could relate to, until she married some old rich guy after knowing him for less than a month. If she did it because she was desperate, depressed or just needed a change in life, that wasn't communicated well enough in the first part of the book.
I like that premise of the story. It was interesting. The characters were good starts. But I felt the writing was rushed, especially when we got to what the story was actually about.
February 20, 2014
There are indeed two murders, one happened in the past and one happens later in the story. The clues are there if the reader pays careful attention.
The first three chapters grabbed me. I just knew a dead body was going to show up in the hotel, but instead something I didn't expect happens. I won't spoil it. Then Jonny and Amanda go to Jonny's beach house, where the story takes off like a rocket. It was difficult to put the book down. I ended up reading until the wee hours of the night to finish it.
I thought the plot was well thought out and there are plenty of twists and turns to offer the most discerning mystery reader a good journey all the way to the ending.
I gave the novel five stars for the following reasons:
I loved the story and the plot twists. It's cute, humorous, and intriguing. In addition, the ebook was formatted perfectly. I did not find a single typo. There were no misused words nor any other grammatical error that I could find. I wish all the books I purchased were that well edited.
The first three chapters grabbed me. I just knew a dead body was going to show up in the hotel, but instead something I didn't expect happens. I won't spoil it. Then Jonny and Amanda go to Jonny's beach house, where the story takes off like a rocket. It was difficult to put the book down. I ended up reading until the wee hours of the night to finish it.
I thought the plot was well thought out and there are plenty of twists and turns to offer the most discerning mystery reader a good journey all the way to the ending.
I gave the novel five stars for the following reasons:
I loved the story and the plot twists. It's cute, humorous, and intriguing. In addition, the ebook was formatted perfectly. I did not find a single typo. There were no misused words nor any other grammatical error that I could find. I wish all the books I purchased were that well edited.
August 19, 2012
What a horrible waste of time! How on earth did this crap has nearly four stars I simply do not understand. Bad writing with an even worse protagonist - she is annoying, irritating, naive and stupid stupid stupid woman - Johnny was quite kind when he called her a dingbat. Aside from the fact that the 'mystery' is not really a mystery at all (she only thinks it is because she is too stupid to see the obviousness of the plot she's in), the very timeline of the story makes the entire thing implausable at best. I wonder if the author gets the irony of writing a story about the difficulties a new author faces getting published while established authors can churn out crap while making buckets of money, because I certainly can't imagine why this book was published.
September 16, 2012
I thought this was a very good book, and certainly one of published quality- it seemed professionally edited and well-written.
This was a very fun, quick read, with a unique and interesting plot, an entertaining and memorable cast of characters, and enough twists to keep the reader entertained. Only thing keeping me from 5 stars is that I try to reserve those for "blow my mind" books.
But I was happily surprised by this book. I do think the author made a huge improvement by changing the cover- I would not have read this
book with the original drab cover.
Hope to read something else from this author!!
This was a very fun, quick read, with a unique and interesting plot, an entertaining and memorable cast of characters, and enough twists to keep the reader entertained. Only thing keeping me from 5 stars is that I try to reserve those for "blow my mind" books.
But I was happily surprised by this book. I do think the author made a huge improvement by changing the cover- I would not have read this
book with the original drab cover.
Hope to read something else from this author!!
December 20, 2012
I really liked this book. It had humor and a nicely wry sensibility, and it kept me guessing for a good while. There were a few moments when Amanda, the heroine, irritated me, but she soon recovered. And she did NOT run into the dark alone chased by the villain, an ending that always leaves me frothing at the mouth.
A thoroughly enjoyable light read, exemplifying indie writing at its best, and well worth any investment of time and money—especially for indie writers, who will especially appreciate its send-up of traditional publishing.
A thoroughly enjoyable light read, exemplifying indie writing at its best, and well worth any investment of time and money—especially for indie writers, who will especially appreciate its send-up of traditional publishing.
June 10, 2013
"I received this book through the Early Reviewer program. This fun, kooky mystery was a quick, enjoyable read. I figured out the mystery ahead of time, but it didn't spoil the story. I docked half a star for the main character who is supposed to be the down-to-earth person in the crazy world of publishing but who is instantly soothed by fancy houses, jewelry, and cars. All in all, though, good stuff."
June 14, 2011
I got to read this book in its last draft.
It's totally cute, and a nice mystery plot to go along. It certain will appeal to writers who've been seeking agents and thinking a couple of murders might be in order.
You won't be disappointed if you're a fan of modern cozy mysteries.
The book is due for release at the end of June.
It's totally cute, and a nice mystery plot to go along. It certain will appeal to writers who've been seeking agents and thinking a couple of murders might be in order.
You won't be disappointed if you're a fan of modern cozy mysteries.
The book is due for release at the end of June.
December 18, 2011
As the author: This is a tale of an idealist young woman who comes to Malibu looking for fame, fortune, and romance--and ends up with more than she bargained for.
You must have a sense of humor about the publishing industry, but if you do, I promise you'll laugh out loud more than once.
You must have a sense of humor about the publishing industry, but if you do, I promise you'll laugh out loud more than once.
July 8, 2015
It was okay...I figured out "who done it" pretty quickly...it was quite an implausible storyline and not too ,any of the characters were truly believable...An entertaining "summer read" nothing too deep at all.
March 3, 2015
the book was well written, but the protagonist annoyed me so much - for a smart writer she sure was needy and vain. I finished it, though, on the strength of the writing and because I'm a sucker for whodunnits.
June 15, 2012
Cute, fun, easy summer reading!
July 21, 2012
The characters were all goofy but the story was cute,, it made me want to find out how it would end. Liked ending which is important to me.
Read
August 18, 2012readin now.....very interesting. good book
October 2, 2012
This was a fun book! It delved into the publishing aspect of books that us readers don't normally hear about. A good who-done-it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews