Julie asked Tony Schumacher:

Hi Tony, Heard you this am on Radio Merseyside. Loved the i/v, especially what you said at the end which really spoke to me. Apart from writing a good book, how did you get Harper Collins to publish it ? If it was through an agent, how did you get an agent? Any advice would be much apprecaited. Thanks

Tony Schumacher Hi Julie, thanks for listening and for your kind words! I was very very lucky to get signed up by Harper, as I'm sure you can imagine. If I had to choose a piece of advice to give you it would be "network and share yours, and other people's, work".
That's how, when it all boils down, I got my agent.
Some people see the internet as a barrier but to be honest I think it is the greatest thing that has ever happened to unsigned writers. It has created a really knowledgeable community who are happy to share tips and leads with people who will do the same in return.
It was through that network of sharing I got my agent, and in turn my break.
Get on twitter, start a blog (if you've already done this tell me to "shut up" ;-) ) and write and write and write.
I also think that sometimes it can be easy to become trapped by the local scene. I'm not knocking the local scene, I love them and do stuff with them, but you need to remember to think big.
Someone might be looking for something to read on the subway in New York right now, so why shouldn't you show them your work?

The one thing that over-arches any advice you'll read on the net, or in The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook, or at writer's group, the one thing that you should never forget is really simple and also amazingly important... don't give up, seriously, do not give up. If you keep going, keep fighting, keep writing, you will get there.
Good luck.
Tony

flag